Who makes the best light truck tire?

I mean if the area you live in has smooth as glass roads without gaps or holes then really any tire is fine right?

But it's the bumps and buckles and potholes that really make the difference known.

I've always felt like LT tires make every bump in the road feel like a "ka-chunk", whereas a SL tire makes it more like a "thunk". This is because the lighter tire has less rebound force (and thinner and more flexible sidewalls) so when it encounters an obstacle it bounces along rather than falling into the obstacle and grinding out like an LT.

And frankly the Tacoma isn't too far feteched from a 4runner so I've always seen it as an SUV with a bed, rather than a pickup in the American sense. Never made sense to need big chunky tires.

 

And you need LTs to do that?

 

I'm pretty sure that this thread is trending rather rapidly towards no, I do not.

 

You need to define what you consider is the most important feature(s). Mileage, looks, highway, off-road, mud, snow, etc. Then we can tell you what is the "best".

 

Glad we could help narrow things down

 

You don’t need LT tires. They’re made for one tons. You have a small truck and a softer tire will help it handle and ride better. Also, lighter tires are just that. Lighter. You’ll gain mpgs. The LTX Defender series is reported as the go to for longevity and all weather performance so I wont steer you away from them. Check out the different plies on them and try the softer ones.

 

Since you basically just drive city streets and highways and you liked your last tires just get another set of those. Dilemma solved.

 

Sadly, it doesn't seem that Michelin makes a P265/70R16 other than the Defender LTX M/S2 and the X-Ice Snow.

https://www.michelinman.com/auto/browse-tires/by-dimension/265/70/16

I was hoping they made an SL in my size.

 

What is the issue? XL/SL are close to the same thing, the Defender in that size is XL.

 

Some super knowledgeable guys in this thread, I've learned a lot, but damn, I am now officially confused, lol.

 

XL is slightly above a SL but way lighter than a LT

 

What's the confusion? The post started by asking for light truck tire suggestions, but really light truck tires are the B/C/D/E/F load range tires that are meant for heavy duty work. Michelins have LT in the name, but you just aren't in need of LT versions.

Non-LT tires consist of P-metric (with the P) and metric (no P). Both styles of metric tires (P and non-P) offer SL and XL ratings for many of the sizes. Michelin Defenders in the 265/70R16 size are a non-P (just standard metric aka euro-metric), and they are XL rated. They will ride like any other nice riding non-LT tire.

XL just means they have a tiny bit stronger sidewall for the ability to carry a bit more load. Michelin has decided to make pretty much every non-LT version of the Defender LTX M/S2 in XL. I am not aware of any in SL. The result is a bit more carrying capacity, and they are a bit stiffer for cornering such. I find mine to be really nice tires. They are not harsh at all, but they handle well.

I have the 265/70R16 XLs.

 

BFGoodrich and Michelin make the best tires. If I HAVE to buy something else I will, but I'll replace it as soon as possible with Michelin or BFG.
Car, Truck, Trailer, doesn't matter.

 

If you don't go off road and it's a commuter / highway truck, then I'd solidly recommend the Michelin Defender LTX
https://www.michelinman.com/auto/tires/michelin-defender-ltx-m-s2

I've put a LOT of these on cars and have no idea how long they last because I end up selling the vehicle years later with plenty of tread left.

 

Defender LTX/MS2 it is! (seriously).

 

I once got 147,000 miles out of a set of Michelins on my 1994 SR5 V6 Xtra Cab. 128,000 on the next set as I didn't take quite the same care with them as I did the others. That's an average of 137,500 miles per set. I just ordered a set of 265/65/17 Michelin LTX M/S Defenders for my 2020 TRD Sport. City, highway and forest service roads are my typical driving scenarios, so no need for anything exotic.

 

@1994SR54x4

What's the secret to getting *that* kind of mileage out of a set of tires?

How often did you rotate, and how often did you align?

Nearly all highway miles?

Thanks.

 

I really couldn't tell you to be honest. I mostly followed the scheduled maintenance recommendations. Driving was probably 65% highway, 20% city and 15% forest service type roads. I don't think I ever had a flat on either set.

 

I would stick with the same Michelins. boring as hell, but with tires I think Boring is better.

I have them on my 06. I'll put them on the 23, which the time seems to be coming quicker than I expected.

 

The Michelin is designed to be a harder compound that lasts a long time no matter what you do with it. There is really no secret to it. If your alignment is good, then you really just need to do normal rotations and drive it. In all reality, they are more likely to dryrot and crack before you wear down the tread with miles.