Tire choices a bit less pricey that the Michelin Defender LTXs?

My '12 taco stock tires need to go (43K mi.), and I am looking at replacements soon (on stock rims), for mostly highway driving, no heavy load or such.

I see good things written up here about the Michelin Defenders.
What would be alternate choices, still good to very good performance, but costing a we bit less?

 

Need to know size of tires and cost of the Michelin defenders.

 

You may find the price difference in a similar tire to be small.

Be sure to consider the UTOG ratings and warranty mileage.

 

I like my wild peak at3. Good in snow and a bit cheaper

 

Well, factory stock is a 24575R16

Similar Michelin lists at 186 per at tiretrack.
As i do not shop for tire often, I only just noticed that many are priced similarly!

In the meantime, studying up UTOG...!

 

Depends on where ya drive, do you off road or primarily pavement? I drive mostly pavement but still take the truck on farm roads to go plinking or fishing. A good AT tire is the Firestone Destination A/T. Good grip in mud and moderate snow, not too heavy and not noisy on the road. Another nice tire are the Wildpeakes.

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cooper-Discoverer-A-T-All-Season-LT245-75R16-120R-Tire/354267680

 

Continental terrain contacts, had the LTX's on my 18" wheels and are comparable. Little to no road noise, the ride is definitely softer but going from a 18 to a 16 plus I went up one tire size on the 16.

 

Falken Wildpeaks.

 

There’s really no substitute for the michelin.You could try Hankook highway tires. My old man uses them on his truck.

 

There are all sorts of cheaper options. But there really is no "replacement" for these tires. You are paying for superior tread wear and awesome performance on road in most all conditions.
In the end they are about the same price as cheaper options just because they last longer; you won't have to buy new tires as frequently.

 

I have heard the Kumho Crugen HT51 is a great alternative, but definitely a highway tire.

https://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/kum...EOZgaf_y8JVydTTNWeJS9DULxIzsEpEhoCrSkQAvD_BwE

 

This 100% ... you will simply not find a better tire in all conditions outside of deep snow or mud.

 

Tires are the only 4 contact patches that you have with the road, in all weather conditions.
I understand wanting to save some money. But don't go too cheap.
You get what you pay for, quality and safety cost.

I've had Hankook, Michelin and now Bridgestone and I've been happy with all three.

 

Defender LTX is generally considered to the best truck highway tires on the market. Excellent dry / wet / snow performance. They are priced accordingly.
I wish they looked better, I’d run them. I’m thinking wildpeaks, but it’s really a very different tire.

 

Here is my next purchase

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S All-Season 265/70R17 115T Tire

https://www.amazon.com/Cooper-Discoverer-All-Terrain-Radial-Tire-265/dp/B07CZXWHTB

 

I drive in a lot of tough 'on road' conditions, seasonally, living in the land of lake snows, and i have had good luck with the Firestone LE2's, the LE 3's are supposed to be an upgrade, with more resistant to wear, outer tread to sidewall edges, if i understood correctly.

Either way, with an almost 10 year old truck, plan ahead and get replacement tire pressure sensors, and have them install with the new tires.

 

[QUOTE

Either way, with an almost 10 year old truck, plan ahead and get replacement tire pressure sensors, and have them install with the new tires.[/QUOTE]
Good advice. My understanding is they don’t last much longer than 10 years at best. I’ll be doing new sensors on my mew setup.

 

Bridgestone Duellers have been very good street tires for me. Since I don't fret over 'aggressive looks' nor do I have snow/ice worries.

Those and the Michelins are both available at Costco. It's worth buying a membership for that purchase if you catch a sale where they throw in the dismount/mount/lifetime balance/road hazard and disposal for a penny.

 

FWIW, our '02 Chevy Trailblazer (2wd) has Michelin Defenders. They have been on for 5 years, tread has many miles remaining.

I live in the snow belt. Last winter, I had the occasion to drive the TB in a mix of snow and snow pack. Barely a tire slip.

On the other hand, that same day, I went out in the Tacoma in 4H. It has a set of Goodyear Wranglers. On the same roads, I had significant tire slip. Dropped out of 4H to run in 2H, only a slight reduction in tire slip compared to 4H. The Taco had these tires when purchased.


My point, Michelin Defenders are better on snow/snow pac in 2WD on the Trailblazer than my Tacoma is in 4H or in 2H on Goodyear Wranglers. I know this is anecdotal evidence and a good bit of my opinion/experience. Although, every time I need new tires....I end up on Michelins.