I've ran multiple Nitto Trail Grappler tires in 35x12.5 R/17 on multiple vehicles.. I've ran all of the major brands in mud terrain... Toyo Tires weather they are nitto or not are complete garbage, Worst tire I and many I know has ever ran.... Ive ran Nittos, Toyos Procomp xterains, mud terrains, BFG mud terrains, Cooper mud terrains and a off brand named Mud Claw made by cooper.
All of these except the Mud Claws were ran on vehicles that weighed 6500lbs to 10,000lbs used heavily off road, in the snow, mud and pavement. Out of all of them the Nitto Trail Grapplers got the best performance, and wear life following to the proper replacement at wear bars. second was the MT Baja MTZ. 3rd was Cooper STT's Pro's
With the nitto's I constantly put those things to the most abuse one could on the farm off road towing etc etc.... all in all it was the best tire that held up with its stiff sidewall and soft tread. Now mind you the longest I would have them on my trucks was about 1-1.5 years and 35k-40k. The last set was changed at 42k on a solid axle CTD Ram... I may be that 1% but I'm that 1% that has ran more tires than most....
Another new tire that is out on the market produced by Federal is a new tire company called Patriot tire, so far they have a great reporting and they are claimed to be made from similar rubber mix as a semi tire....
Now for the Nitto Toyo debate, as I have heard this a lot myself I have yet to hear any actual truth to this other than people talking on forums and the unreliable Wiki site. I take it with a grain of sale for a few reasons, its the same type of myth that has floated around about ford owning cummins, If toyo and nitto are the same why does Les Schwab only carry Toyo and others that carry nitto don't carry Toyo... just a few things to think about but doesn't really matter cause my real world experience tells me that Nitto is whom will get my money.