LTX M/S2

I've done some research here and is seems that the above captioned tires come highly recommended for our Tacoma's. The problem is that I do not see where they come in the "correct size" for my truck. I currently have the factory BFGoodrich Rugged Trails in 265/70R16.

I am looking to get away from the AT tires and go to a all highway tire...for my TRD Off Road . The only time I do anything "off road" is a few trips a year to the paved, yet slippery, boat ramp. I live in SW Florida and if it snows, I'm fracked anyhow so that isn't a concern.

I guess as long as the tire fits the wheel, I could change sizes? Thing is that I don't want the truck to look like its sporting wheel barrel tires. Really the only thing I like about the Rugged Trails is how they fill up the well.

Michelin does not seem to make an LTX MS/2 to fit a 16" rim. I keep getting referred to the Defender LTX M/S as one alternative. Does that tire have all the same awesomeness that the interwebz has promised me comes with the MS/2?

The other alternative that I keep coming to is the LTX A/T2, an all terrain tire that doesn't really look to me like an AT tire. It seems to be as highly regarded though.

https://www.michelinman.com/tire/michelin/ltx-m-s2

 

If I recall correctly, the Defender LTX M/S replaced the LTX MS/2 in Michelin's line up.

 

I can't speak to the Defender series, but I had the LTX MS/2 in 16" on my 2001 Dodge Cummins 4x4 for the entire 15 years I owned that truck. The original set from date of purchase lasted 9 years and 108K miles. Even at that time, they still had at least 1/2 the tread depth left, but the sidewalls were starting to crack a fair amount, and I was getting ready to go on a Colorado Elk hunt on a really rocky road, so I decided to replace them all around with the same tires (new, of course). Michelin tires, as far as tread life, last forever. I haven't done any serious off-roading with them, so can't say how they might compare with other tires in heavy snow/mud/sand/rock crawling....

 

That is some insane life span for a tire.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the MS/2's or the new Defenders on a slick boat ramp? Am I crazy for switching to a highway tread vs something like the AT version of the Defender considering the boat ramps?

 

The siping on the Defender is very similar to the former M/S2 and all that siping is what gives you traction on wet pavement.
I ran the M/S2 on a previous truck and it was a fantastic tire that went down the highway with ease. The wet traction was awesome and confidence inspiring.
The Defender is supposed to be everything that M/S2 was and more. I’d definitely recommend it for your needs.

 

I just spoke to a lady from Tire Kingdom yesterday. She told me she just replaced a guys MS/2's that had logged about 150k miles. That's nuts.

 

I have 40k on my LTX MS/2's, the truck a 2009 4x4, (never hauled anything heaver than a case of beer) the fronts look very good the rears are showing some wear, (I think I will rotate them tomorrow), The truck has been living in the desert the last three years and I think the super high temps take a huge toll on the life of tires, I don't think I would trust a tire with 150k no matter how good it looked. jmop

 

I tend to agree, based on the suns effect on the rubber in SW FL, but these anecdotal reports of long life are impressive non the less.

 

I worked in a tire shop that sold michelins. For the most part the M/S2 is no longer in production. The defender LTX took it's place and is virtually the same tire still. (They changed the mileage for 10 ply). I put a set on the girlfriends RAV4 and they're still a great tire.

Haven't seen any come back for a mileage warranty yet .