Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Looking at replacing the Rugged Fails on my TRD O/R before winter time. They only have about 27k miles on them, there's still a little tread left, but I'm not sure that it's enough for winter. Although I always think my tires are still good until I finally do get new ones and realize how worn down my last tires were.

Anyway, I'm looking for an all-season tire. 97% of my driving is on paved roads. I get on dirt roads now and then, farm fields and grass pretty often, and once in a long while some rocky logging roads that are suitable for a truck but I don't think I'd really term it as 'wheeling'. Just a short stretch to get where I'm going.

Looking at the Michelin Defender LTX M/S as it's a best seller on TireRack.com. Any feedback in general is appreciated, but particularly I'm curious about their performance in snow? Our last couple winters have been pretty weak, we're bound to get another real one eventually here.

Thanks

 

Great tire

 

I got them. Love them. I don't off-road but they can definitely handle light off-road stuff.

Amazing in rain and snow

 

Outstanding tires. Like I say on virtually every Michelin inquiry, they are made from a single piece mold which results in a rounder tire with fewer balance issues. I had the LTX AT2s on my second gen and they were quiet, had great wet traction, and were OK for light off-roading. Best of luck. Peace.

 

LTX M/S2 is probably the best tire for any of our needs. Pricey, not great off road, but on road is pretty much perfect as far as tires go.

 

best all aroundlight truck tire there is, LTX AT2 is also great

 

Do it
They stick like a snow tire and wear like iron

 

I'm betting they'll have their $70 off 4 promo soon too. Michelin that is, not Tire Rack.

I found I could buy them via Costco for a fair bit less than Tire Rack (and I've used them a good bit) because there's no shipping fee to get your size brought in to your local store.

I also scored an offer for 1cent per wheel dismount/mount/balance/nitrogen/lifetime rotation/lifetime balance. Which saved another $60.

So keep that option in mind too.

 

I bought defenders last winter. Nice quiet tire ,super good in the winter and wear great.

 

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to pick up a set sometime in the next couple months. There's more life left in the Rugged Trails, but I'd just rather not be on them through winter I think.

I've also noticed the Rugged Trails sure are developing a whole lot of cracks in the treads.

 

You guys got pics of these tires on the truck?

 

Michelin Defenders are great all-season tires, very quiet and best for touring. Michelin defender line is made to withstand drives from New York to California hundreds of times. But these probably won't do you any good for Off roading but as far to driving on daily man these tires will give you best comfort.
Michelin also offers great warranty on all their tires find out what type of warranties these come with.
Don't pay your local shop or Costco or wherever you get them extra. Michelin usually come with mileage warranty, road hazard, and foreign matter protection. The tire shop might tell you but if you buy the warranty from us blah blah blah.. don't buy that. The only real thing can do to you is force you to buy replacement tire from them until they receive warranty credit to refund you.
I'm a tire guy know about everything of tires since I work for the largest tire distributor as an inspector, sales, and do warranties.

If you care about what kind of free warranty they come with let me know can tell you tomorrow morning.

 

My brother has them on his 2010 in a 265/70/16, great tires. That's prolly what'll go on my truck next, or a set of Hankook Dynapro ATM, those are said to be good tires too. I'd say the Michelins are a better tire though.

 

I do. Hang on...

Edit: not the best pics... but this'll give you an idea. 265/70/16. As you can see he goes off-road pretty regularly, these have been great so far. My sister also has them on her Trailblazer and loves them.

 

We have the LTX M/S2's on our 4th gen 4runner and as others have said, this tire is fantastic for on-road driving! They do especially well in the rain, and do very well in the snow for a non-winter tire. We have taken them on plenty of rough forest service roads and they do alright there too, obviously not as good as an AT tire but better than 95% of other highway tires.

 

I will only run Michelin's! I have a set of the LTX At2's and love them. I have always run the MS2 and never had a complaint. One of the best road tires for a pickup in my opinion. My last set made it just over 107,000 Kms and still had plenty of tread left. I've since switched to the AT2's for a more of an aggressive look and love them just the same.

 

me too had the Michelin at2s on my TRD Tacoma cause I wanted an little more aggressive look , but don't let the aggressive looks fool you cause they had better on road characteristics than a lot of All Season tires, cannot beat either tire IMO

 

Thanks for mentioning this. I'll look into these as well.

ETA: Compared the AT2 to the M/S on TireRack. The Defender M/S won the reviews in every category, but fair chance that's because when reviews are done they're comparing to other tires in their category.

 

I put this tire on my 2014 in mid-May, and then went off on a drive from AZ to MT, 2 weeks, 4,000 miles. I drove in rain (heavy) through Colorado and Wyoming, and 2 pretty good snow falls in Montana. Sure footing. The only advice I can provide that may only be to my liking, is that they inflated them to 29 rear and 32 front. I felt it was a little soft. When I upped the pressure, I felt the tire was even better.

 

I would get either one, if you want a little more aggressive look get the AT2 they made my truck ride like a Cadillac and were also great on the highway and offroad