RBP Repulsor M/T 3 vs Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires

RBP Repulsor M/T 3 and Nitto Trail Grappler M/T are two of the most good-looking products in the world of mud-terrain tires. While the difference between the two is high in terms of ply ratings, it is very low with respect to tread depth. The open shoulder design and large staggered tread elements play a major role in ensuring suitable off-road traction. In comparison, the Trail Grappler M/T’s balanced void ratio constantly removes dirt and mud for better grip in off-road areas.

Mud-terrain tires have been constantly accused of being very noisy on regular roads, but not the RBP Repulsor M/T 3 and Nitto Trail Grappler M/T. Both manufacturers have used computer simulations to ensure that their products emanate minimum noise. Tough, damage-resistant 3-ply sidewalls are also present for worry-free off-road performance. Mud-terrain tires are generally devoid of limited manufacturer warranty and the same can be seen here. There’s a lot more to talk about here, but we’ll let different sections of the Repulsor M/T 3 vs Trail Grappler M/T tires come up with the remaining information.

RBP Repulsor M/T 3 tires

Before we get to the Repulsor M/T 3, we would like to mention the use of SimpleScore to produce accurate scores for every tire that bring longevity, traction, and handling into perspective. As a highly capable tire in the off-roading space, RBP Repulsor M/T 3 can provide good grip on soft and loose terrain thanks to wide grooves, an open shoulder design, and large staggered tread elements. Built for light trucks, CUVs, and SUVs, this tire features an upper sidewall design that allows it to perform greatly on trails. A combination of advanced tread compounds and beefy sidewalls enables it to feel at home on rough terrain.

We found the RBP Repulsor M/T 3 suitable for an average SimpleScore of 7.9.

Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires

Most enthusiasts are likely to be familiar with the Nitto brand which is a familiar face in the off-roading world. Having been around in the US since 2009, this Nitto tire has undergone several changes to make it as good as it is today. The combination of a 3-ply sidewall and turn-up construction ensures a high degree of puncture and abrasion resistance. While the tread depth here is high, its ply rating is significantly lower than that of the Repulsor M/T3.

Not only the Trail Grappler M/T features an aggressive lug pattern, but also it gets strong dual sidewall options. Every Grappler tire comes with two sidewall designs, which means you can choose the more attractive option for your tire.

The automated manufacturing system at Nitto ensures tremendously uniform tires that exhibit great comfort. We found it to be good enough for an average SimpleScore of 8.5.

RBP Repulsor M/T 3 vs Nitto Trail Grappler M/T on traction

RBP, short for Rolling Big Power, has provided the Repulsor M/T 3 with an aggressive lug pattern with several biting edges to come out on top over difficult surfaces such as deep mud and loose dirt. A proprietary blend of advanced tread compounds, along with the open shoulder design, staggered tread elements, and wide grooves, are also useful in enhancing grip. If these weren’t enough, a tread depth higher than the Nitto Trail Grappler M/T is also in place. Expect the 12-ply rating to be immensely useful while carrying heavy loads here. As per the above, the Repulsor M/T 3 is suitable for a traction score of 7.2.

On the other hand, the Nitto Trail Grappler M/T manages to tackle surfaces with dirt, rocks, and mud well due to a balanced void ratio that efficiently removes the above for easy traction. Side lug blocks and leading edge treads provide additional biting edges for better forward traction. Deep center sipes reduce hydroplaning chances and enhance wet traction, which means you don’t need to sit at home looking at the rain outside, rather you can have fun in it! Based on the above abilities, the Trail Grappler M/T scores an 8.3 rating in traction.

ADVANTAGE: Nitto Trail Grappler M/T

RBP Repulsor M/T 3 vs Nitto Trail Grappler M/T on handling

Large staggered tread elements enhance the RBP’s drivability through deep mud and loose dirt. As mentioned earlier, its tread depth is slightly more than that of the Nitto tire. Biting edges and the upper sidewall design are responsible for great performance on the RBP. Additionally, it provides a good balance of on- and off-road performance and the proprietary blend of advanced tread compounds also contributes to the same. Armed with a 3-ply sidewall for high durability, this tire is good enough for an average handling score of 8.0.

Compared to the above, the Nitto’s 3-ply sidewall has been reinforced by steel belts for better comfort and performance. Reinforced shoulder grooves are useful for better on- and off-road performance that does not compromise on tread block stiffness. The tread depth on this tire is fairly high and it receives a 6-ply rating, enabling us to award an average handling score of 8.5.

ADVANTAGE: Nitto Trail Grappler M/T

RBP Repulsor M/T 3 vs Nitto Trail Grappler M/T on longevity

Limited manufacturer tread life warranty is usually the most important factor in longevity, but it is not available for either tire here. Aggressive lug designs and the 3-ply sidewalls are most useful in boosting tread life. While beefy sidewalls and the advanced tread compounds enhance longevity on the Repulsor M/T 3, self-cleaning properties by way of the balanced void ratio for the Trail Grappler M/T are useful for tire protection.

In terms of longevity scores, the Trail Grappler M/T managed to come out on top here as well, scoring an 8.9 against 8.7 for the Repulsor M/T 3.

ADVANTAGE: Nitto Trail Grappler M/T

When to use each

Looking at the grooves and tread blocks on the RBP and Nitto tires, you would be right in thinking that these are largely meant for deep mud and loose dirt. In other words, all-terrain tires may be a better investment if you’re looking only at moderate dirt and mud conditions. Both tires have aggressive treads, which means that they look very attractive, whether from near or from a distance. Nitto has been around for much longer, and this shows up in the kind of properties that its tire displays.

Which one should you choose?

You may have noticed that Nitto has beaten RBP black and blue in terms of SimpleScores. However, this does not mean that the RBP tire is not a good performer; features such as a 3-ply sidewall are common between the two. For a better analysis, let’s have a look at the starting prices of the two tires. While the RBP begins from $201.96 per tire ($807.84 for 4), the Nitto starts at $278 per tire ($1112 for 4).

Based on the above, here’s why we would choose the RBP Repulsor M/T 3:

• It is the cheaper tire
• It offers better drivability through loose dirt and deep mud
• Biting edges and the upper sidewall design ensure better trail performance

It would be a good idea to select the Nitto Trail Grappler M/T if:

• You need better forward traction
• You require better handling
• You want more efficient self-cleaning for mud and dirt evacuation

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents will be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.