General Grabber HTS - Best Rated Tire

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 1 person | Log in to rate

Ranked #25 in Autos, #2,562 overall

General Grabber HTS - Best Tires - Performance, Durability and Economy

These are great tires. I've been driving on my Grabbers for 5,000 or 6,000 miles now and these are great tires.  If you are looking for Grabber HTSs or if you are just looking for the best SUV/Light Truck tire you have come to the right place.  I'll tell you more in the My Tires section but let me give you the story of how I got here. (Take a look at sizes and pricing now General Grabber HTS Tire )

My SUV tires were getting pretty worn and I began researching the best tire for SUVs and light trucks.  It turns out that the General Grabber HTS was rated best by Consumer Reports after their testing.  It also turned out that the Grabber HTS was one of the lower priced tires for my vehicle.  Since my safety and my familiy's safety is dependent on our tires I wanted to get the best tire possible.  It was a no brainer to get the best tire at a great price. 

I also found out that the General Grabber HTS was put through a series of tests by Tire Rack, an independent online tire retailer.  They performed 22 tests on these next to Bridgestone and Pirelli - no slouches in tire performance. The Grabber HTS came out on top in EVERY test. (Here is the link for the Test results. Shopping for tires? Read Tire Rack's tire test results first.)  In a consumer survey by Tire Rack, everyday consumers have also rated the General Grabber HTS as the number one tire as well.  (See Tire Rack's survey results here.)  It even gets better.  I know this sounds hard to believe but General engineered these with low rolling resistance meaning better gas mileage and better for the environment. AND they are priced affordably.  I had assumed that low rolling resistance would mean that the tire wouldn't hold the road or stop or corner as well - I mean can you have low resistance and still have decent traction?  Evidently General did their research and put the best of everything in this tire.

I am always looking for a discount and discount tire prices are no exception.  The General Grabber HTS is actually priced lower than many of the tires that it beats in performance. In fact one of the tires the Grabber HTS was tested against costs about 50% more than the Grabber HTS.  Putting your family on the best tires at a great price just makes sense. You can take a look at your size and price right here. General Grabber HTS Tire

The General Grabber HTS is an all season highway tire made for SUVs, Crossovers, Light Trucks and Full Size Vans. Some have noted its abilities with snow and ice and off road as well.  However testing shows the HTS not performing off road as well as other tires nor is it rated as a winter tire.  (Take a look at my winter tire lens for more info on winter tires).  For normal highway driving though, the grabber HTS can't be beat.  Typically there are trade offs between traction, rolling resistance, noise factors and comfort but the Grabber seems to be able to roll all the best into one. I can't publish the Consumer Report in whole but here is the news release from Reuters. Reuters News Story

More on the General Grabber HTS review 

See what others are saying for this tire review

Consumer Reports is not the only source rating this tire highly though. Here is what FourWheeler Magazine has to say. They tested the tires on the Ford F-150 4WD. They found the Grabber HTS to be very good in snow even though it is an all-season tire and not specifically a snow tire.

FourWheeler Magazine report

If you are looking for discount tires, the Grabber HTS is priced very reasonably compared to other SUV and light truck tires. It is still a bit of sticker shock for me because my other car is a Honda Civic and you can put 4 tires on it for about $25 (a bit of an exaggeration) I found the Grabber HTS for under $100 and I'll give you a link here in a bit to check it out for your size. I am looking at a 235/70R16 for my Pilot and they are $93 each. Tires rated performing worse are in the $150 range at my local tire store. I bought my tires from Tire Rack for a couple reasons. The Grabber HTS was not available to me locally and Tire Rack has great prices and saved me even more money. I had them mounted locally and paid the same mounting fees that I would normally have to pay if I had bought the tires from that store. I actually went to the local tire dealer and they were willing to mount them for the same price but they were so busy they couldn't get to me for a couple hours. So I went across the street to a big box discount store and they mounted them - I came out $10 cheaper and have a lifetime balance and rotation contract. And I'll be able to find one of these stores wherever I go.

Click on the link for your size and pricing
General Grabber HTS Tire

General Grabber HTS Tire



I'm getting ahead of myself. Here are more reviews.

TireRack tested the Grabber HTS against the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenze and the Pirelli Scorpion and the General beat these two top of the line tires in every category (except one tie with the Bridgestone in dry pavement cornering). Here are the results from from TireRack.

Tested against the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza and the Pirelli Scorpion STR - the winner was: the Grabber HTS in EVERY TEST below except the tie noted

Ride comfort
Noise Comfort
Handling
Overall Road Rating

Performance - Dry Track
Cornering Stability
Steering Response
Braking Modulation
Handling Predictablity
Overall Track Rating

Performance - Wet Track
Cornering Stability
Steering Response
Braking Modulation
Handling Predictablity
Overall Track Rating

Slolam Time Dry
Slolam Time Wet

Lap Time Dry
Lap Time Wet

Stopping Distance Dry
Stopping Distance Wet

Average Cornering (g-force) Dry - tie with Bridgestone
Average Cornering (g-force) Wet

See the test results here:
Shopping for tires? Read Tire Rack's tire test results first.


Beside the performance the HTS demonstrated on the road, General also engineered the tire with a lower rolling resistance to improve fuel economy and thereby reducing carbon emissions.

I shopped several tire dealers but I found these at a slightly lower price from another online retailer but looking at their reviews I decided not to buy from them because they had poor hit and miss comments about their service. I ordered my tires from TireRack. I've shopped several tire dealers and not many carry this tire. Not only does TireRack have good pricing but they offer testing results, reviews and all the information you need about tires. Reviews about their service is very positive and for me I'd rather buy from someone who other people trust and who provides me additional service. Like I said, TireRack sells the Grabber HTS in my size for $93 ($96 for white lettering) so they have my business.

Click below for pricing in your size
General Grabber HTS Tire

General Grabber HTS Tire

My New Grabber HTS's 

This is a great tire - Two thumbs up. Check out your size on the links above.

I got my new Grabbers put on and I'm very happy with them.

General Grabber HTS - Best SUV / Light Truck Tire

http://www.MyGGHTS.com/GeneralGrabber/ The best SUV / Light Truck tire at prices lower than competitors. Save hundreds on your tire purchase. Watch the video and go to the website for the details.

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Key Tire Performance Technologies 

The Grabber HTS is the flagship of the General Grabber line and it incorporates 4 key technologies that enhance the performance of this tire.

1. Duragen - Ultra-high strength steel belts, micro fiber casing reinforcements, and broader tire contour provides even wear, longer mileage and confidence in challenging conditions.

2. Adaptive Performance - Response Grooves, Stabilink Bars and 3 kinds of siping for enhances steering response and reliable performance

3. Comfort Balance - a tread cusioning and noise capturing system for a quieter, more comfortable ride.

4. Eco-Ride - Improved tire compound increases fuel economy and minimizes CO2 emissions.

General Grabber HTS Tread Photo 

This is the tread of the General Grabber HTS. The tire in the lower speed ratings, below T is rated for 60,000. Probably if you are going more than 118 MPH in your SUV, your priority for tread life is not at the top of the list.

Place your order here today and have your tires delivered to your door. You will not find a better tire! AND you get a great price too - Order yours today.
General Grabber HTS Tire

General Grabber HTS Tire

Buying Tires Online 

This is the first time I have bought tires online. I was almost talked out of it by a local dealer until I did my homework. We were visiting family over the Christmas holiday and there are not a lot of outlets that carry the Grabber HTS but I found one and since were were going to be traveling back over 500 miles I was considering getting the tires while we were away. The dealer quoted me $575 for a set of 4 and he would not come off the price. I told him that I found the tires online much cheaper and he then tried to convince me that no one would put the tires on for me.

Fortunately I did my homework and called my local dealers at home. I called 2 and both said they would put the tires on quite reasonably without any problem. I also found recommended partners in my location and locations all over the country that will put the tires on for you listed on the website.

Your local guys may try to talk you out of it but I am looking at saving about $125 by ordering online. That's about 22% off the local price including tax and shipping. A bonus for you if you live in a state that is not subject to tax is that you can take another $22 off what I have to pay.

Order your tires today, Don't wait, the bad weather is already here. Drive confidently on your new set of Grabber HTS's.

My Tires 

I love these tires (my observations after just having the tires mounted)

I just had my Grabbers put on today. I honestly didn't expect to notice a big difference in normal driving. I mean I saw the tests and statistics and recognized that in crisis situations, bad weather and such that the Grabbers have tested to function the best. That is important to me because when I am driving in bad rain or have to stop quickly I want my tires to perform. However, I began noticing the responsiveness right away driving away from the garage that put the tires on. Tire Rack actually said I may experience decreased responsiveness due to the newness of the tires but I experienced just the opposite. It sounds cliche'ish but they really did feel like they were grabbing the road.

The next thing I experienced is a noticeably quieter ride. I shot a video with the old tires for comparison and I'll shoot a new one and put them side by side so you can possibly hear the difference. Not sure how it will translate on a camcorder but we'll try. Anyway, I just got these on and I am more than pleased. If you need tires the Grabber HTS is the way to go.

I tried to prolong the life of my other tires and get as much as I could out of them. They were not quite to the wear bars but pretty close. But now I wish I would have put these on sooner. My thought before that best safety at the best price was a no brainer was right on but now when I drive on these I'm convinced even more. This is a no brainer. Tire Rack sent all the stuff with the tires. My installation turned out to be even less expensive than I planned.

These tires get 2 thumbs and even 2 big toes up. My hearty recommendation!

UPDATE:
I've had the tires on for several thousand miles now and I am just as pleased as when they were first mounted. Recently I had to both stop quickly and turn quickly. These tires were amazing. They bit into the road and functioned beautifully I could not have asked for better performance. I have more details on the blog at My General Grabber Blog. I've also attached the RSS to this story a little later in this lens.

Buying Tires Online 

My Experience Buying Tires Online

Whatever tire you are buying there are a few things to remember.

Buy Tires Online - Learn the basics of tire shopping online

http://www.BestTiresOnline.com Find the best selection of tires at great prices by shopping online. Learn how to buy tires online and find resources to make the best choice for your vehicle.

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See How to Navigate Buying Tires Online 

What You Need To Know Before Buying Tires Online

Buying tires online can be very simple and painless. Just be sure you take the right steps to make it easy on yourself.

General Grabber HTS Put to the Test 

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New Site for Tire Shopping, Comparing and information 

Best Tires Online

New site with all the tools you need to get the best tire for any purpose. This is your one source for best tires online and the information to help you choose the best for you.
Best Tires Online
Take a look at this new site. It will give you all the tools you need to get the best tire for any purpose - cars, SUVs, Trucks - all-season, all-terrain, snow, summer, performance, ultra performance - even a decision guide to help you choose by roads you drive, climate you drive in, vehicle you drive and all the factors. Get General, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Pirelli, BF Goodrich, Firestone, Dunlop, Hankook and many, many more.

This is your one source for best tires online and the information to help you choose the best for you.

Video Ratings 

Grabber takes every category!

Tire Rack's test track shows the Grabber HTS taking Bridgestone and Pirelli in every category. If you check on the test results link above you can see the full test battery. There were several categories and General took them all except for one tie with Bridgestone.

Tire Rack Tire Test - Sooner or Later You'll Own Generals - Maybe Now is the Time

If you ask people about General tires, many will remember the decades-old slogan "sooner or later you'll own Generals." General recently introduced the Grabber HTS as the newest member of the Grabber family of SUV and pick-up/light truck tires, focusing on all-season traction and ride quality for drivers who never need to venture off paved roads and highways. To gain a better understanding of how well the new General Grabber HTS fits with today's SUVs, we did some comparing. Maybe now is the time.

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General takes 3 podium wins in desert racing 

I'm not going to be racing in the desert anytime soon but I thought this was interesting. It looks like General is making a comeback. They used to say, "Sooner or later you'll own General." Now may be the time. They are coming out with some real leaders in performance.

Reuters Desert Competition Report

General Tires are made by Continental Tires

Chevrolet Puts the Grabber HTS on the new Traverse 

Here's another endorsement. Chevy just contracted to place the Grabber HTS on the Traverse.

Traverse / Grabber HTS Press Release

Photo from MotorTrend

Grabber Tracks 

Tell us about your Grabbers

General Grabber HTS Review

tplehmann wrote...

Thanks for the props Shoopak1!

ReplyPosted November 01, 2009

shoopak1 wrote...

Another great lens! cyprus car

ReplyPosted October 23, 2009

tplehmann wrote...

Thanks for the update Garth. I have yet to find something I don't like about these tires. They are performing exceptionally well. I've got another site if it is helpful to you as you recommend these tires to others. It is http://www.MyGGHTS.com it is just a lot easier to remember than the Squidoo address.

ReplyPosted August 06, 2009

Lensmaster

Garth wrote

This is an update. We have had a boatload of rain here in the NE and I have to say that the wet weather handling on this tire is great. It offers good resistance to hydroplaning and good positive stops with limited wheel spin when accelerating. I have not seen the traction contol system intervene due to tire slippage in wet weather (2007 Chrysler Pacifica AWD). This tire remains firmly planted as a great value and I find myself recommending it to otheres that are in the market for a replacement set of tires for thier Jeep or truck. In summary, I am another happy customer!

Reply Posted August 05, 2009

Lensmaster

Garth wrote

It comes down to the design of the tread and the rubber compound. It is true that the snow ball effect will enhance snow tracation when compared with some other all season tires, but to get the tread life, the summer tire is built with a rubber that typically suffers a loss in cold weather traction. In effect, the tire becomes much less effective as temperature drops below 40 degrees F. The best web refernce I have seen is a documentary that was featured by the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). They have a program called market place and they looked at rental car performance with all season rubber and did some direct comparisons. They also interviewed several industry experts and all agree, a dedicated soft compound ice radial or a studded conventional tire is the way to go. The link to the video is attached below. Its worth it to make the investment and now that I have done this, I will never go back to a conventional all season.

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/get_a_grip/

Reply Posted July 20, 2009

tplehmann wrote...

in reply to Garth
Thanks for your post Garth. I've not driven in snow with these. I know that several people have commented about how good these have handled on snow and even ice both in the 4Wheeler report above and on personal reviews of the tires. But depending on how much snow and ice you get in your area I don't doubt that a dedicated snow radial would perform probably better. Though I grew up in Buffalo, I've lived mostly in areas that don't get enough snow to justify changing tires seasonally so it is good to know that when we take a trip north for Christmas I'll still have a tire that performs very well if I hit snow

Thanks for the tips. You provided great insights for the lens. Best to you.

ReplyPosted July 10, 2009

Lensmaster

Garth wrote

I too looked at the research and for the most important factors that this tire really delivers are the wet weather traction and the tread life. Keep in mind that lower rolling resistance should also maintain gas mileage. I also like the fact that there are several sizes that have an extra load rating which is important if you tow a trailer. I have run Continentals in the past and was impressed with the tread life but found that I could squeeze more life out of any tire by rotating and paying attention to tire pressure. A computer wheel alignment also helps. I also feel that this tire offers good value for the purchase price and I do not normally drive much faster than 75 mph on the highway so the T speed rating is adequate. They also had an H rated tire (130 mph) in the 17 inch rim diameter but that looked to be over kill. I plan to run tire pressure in the 40 psi range which is below maximum inflation pressure but will cause a stiffer ride and some loss of traction during emergency maneuvers. I drive defensively and although they promote the snow capability of this tire, you can not compete with a dedicated ice radial so when it snows here in the North East, this tire goes into storage.

Reply Posted July 10, 2009

Lensmaster

Tim Lehmann wrote

in reply to JT
Hi JT. Thanks for the comment. Not sure about the disparity. The difference is pretty minimal from a top speed of 112 MPH to 118 MPH. I never planned on hitting anywhere near those speeds so for me whether it was an S or T rating was not an issue. Please post if you find out. Unless you really plan to reach these speeds, I wouldn't worry about it. If you do plan to get to these speeds you may want to consider a high performance tire rather than an all season tire anyway. You can find those at TireRack too.

Reply Posted July 10, 2009

Lensmaster

JT wrote

The Grabber HTS can be purchased with raised white letters or black walls. Why, in size 255/70 16, does the white lettered version have a lesser speed rating (S) than the black wall version (T)? Other sizes of the Grabber HTS have the same speed rating regardless of the white lettering or black wall. I called General Tire but couldn't get an immediate explanation. I was told they would contact me at a later time with a response (still waiting).

Reply Posted July 09, 2009

tplehmann wrote...

in reply to AbbasAbedi Thanks for your comments and rating Abbas.

ReplyPosted June 10, 2009

AbbasAbedi wrote...

A good tire lens was missing from the top 100. Great job. 5*

ReplyPosted June 08, 2009

AbbasAbedi wrote...

A good tire lens was missing from the top 100. Great job. 5*

ReplyPosted June 08, 2009

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General Grabber Tire Review
Learn about the General Grabber HTS tires. Tests show this Tire to be the best All Season Radial for SUVs and Light Trucks.

by tplehmann

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