Michelin LTX Defender M/S huge backorder?

sorry OP about the thread high-jack..

Question for you.. I have the Defenders (265/70-16) on my Gen 2 Tacoma ( 4cyl Std Cab). How low of air pressure can I safely use off-road with these tires and not cause any problems with the belts or sidewalls? I run 29 psi currently for pavement use. My Taco is only 3350 lbs.

 

Hi, Fast1-

Generally speaking 15 to 20 PSI is a starting point in the off-road community, but tire manufacturers do not publish low-pressure recommendations so air down pressure would be at your discretion.

 

Do you feel the Defenders would handle 20lb of pressure without belt or side wall deformation in offroad conditions (dirt roads etc)?

 

No. Maybe the LT versions could, but the p’s are not really meant or Built to be aired down in stressful off-road situations.

Real quick for some sand issues? Ok sure, but for a trail run? Nah.

 

Seems there are lots of opinions out there.. but here is some real life action

https://tractionlife.com/michelin-defender-ltx-ms-review/




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w22cZCZ1qBA


And a few of my tests with the old Michelin LTX (very similar to the Defender which I now have) running 20 lbs.

 

The whole point of airing down is to deform the sidewall. I guess you mean permanent deformation?

Typically if you keep the speed slow off road, the limiting factor for lower pressure is the tire bead popping off the wheel, not belt or sidewall damage. In fact, puncture resistance is improved at low pressure.

 

yes..

 

I guess I’m confused as to why you are asking then?

My work truck has had Michelin’s for years and I’ve never had an issue on some nasty off-road stuff (the truck lives on dirt). I don’t air them down and they perform fine.

That video makes me think those are the LT versions.

My personal truck just did a trail run this last weekend. Didn’t drop them at all from 34. Performed fine.

I’d have no problems dropping the LT’s down and running them hard, I’d be skittish with the p’s.

 

^On the other hand, LTs need to be aired down quite a bit more to match the compliance of P-metric tires. A harder compound would also be less grippy on rocks.

 

Short of ice or a mud pit I find the idea of Michelin’s being “less grippy” to be laughable.

 

Going to bump this. Stuff is finally in stock!!!!!!

FINALLY got Some Defender LTX M/S's in a 265/75R16 116T put on the truck.... good lord, why in the world did i 1. ever run an LT tire, and 2. ever run anything else than the Defender LTX M/S (MS2)