New Michelin AT tire? (1 Viewer)

[Stickgunner]

I am running 285/65/18 Michelin Ltx/ms and never had issues with hydroplaning

My wife had them on her GX460, and had constant issues with them hydroplaning. From the time they were brand new, through roughly 10k when we sold the vehicle, if there was free standing water it was a problem.

Its odd being in a LC Prado / GX460 and watching junky cars passing you who are having no troubles with the water at all. We are buying new tires for our LC, and there is no way in the world I would look at the Michelins again.

 

[Madtiger]

My wife had them on her GX460, and had constant issues with them hydroplaning. From the time they were brand new, through roughly 10k when we sold the vehicle, if there was free standing water it was a problem.

Its odd being in a LC Prado / GX460 and watching junky cars passing you who are having no troubles with the water at all. We are buying new tires for our LC, and there is no way in the world I would look at the Michelins again.

Wow. Now that is a damning report!

 

[thammer62]

My wife had them on her GX460, and had constant issues with them hydroplaning. From the time they were brand new, through roughly 10k when we sold the vehicle, if there was free standing water it was a problem.

Its odd being in a LC Prado / GX460 and watching junky cars passing you who are having no troubles with the water at all. We are buying new tires for our LC, and there is no way in the world I would look at the Michelins again.

Interesting. Had on my 4Runner for most of its 200,000 miles and had incredible confidence in hydroplane resistance. They never so much as skipped a beat in interstate ponding from heavy downpours/thunderstorms, coastal SC tropical storms, etc. If it had a smidge of an interesting sidewall design I’d be back in them. Alas.

 

[JohnPW]

My wife had them on her GX460, and had constant issues with them hydroplaning. From the time they were brand new, through roughly 10k when we sold the vehicle, if there was free standing water it was a problem.

Its odd being in a LC Prado / GX460 and watching junky cars passing you who are having no troubles with the water at all. We are buying new tires for our LC, and there is no way in the world I would look at the Michelins again.

Weird. I have had the opposite experience. Never had much issue with standing water in the LC, even with the stock Dunlops (heavy vehicle with full time 4WD). But performance in the rain improved significantly when I put on the Defenders.

I’m surprised at hydroplaning issues in a GX with any tire. Traction in the rain has been a highlight of the LC for me.

 

[mceagle555]

Interesting thread. Especially the advocacy from @Pskhaat for the performance of the Defender LTX, despite the "gooberish" aesthetics. LOL. In the often recommended 275/70 R18 size, the Defender LTX is an E rated LT tire and a 125 load index. It's heavier than the popular Toyo AT3 at 57 vs 52 lbs. Clearly a rugged carcass, despite the tame look.

There is also another Michelin with similar specs in this size - the LTX A/T2. I haven't read anything on here yet about this tire, but maybe I've missed it. Is anybody running this tire? It does look a little tougher...

View attachment 3074996

And the description targets a more off-road use case...

All-terrain, all-season, all with one tire—the Michelin LTX A/T 2 light truck tire provides a great balance of off-road toughness and on-road comfort.

Experience industry-leading MaxTouch® Construction, which evenly distributes road forces to help retain tire integrity. Backed by an aggressive tread pattern, The Michelin LTX A/T 2 is made of a durable compound that resists chips and tears to handle the toughest off-road environments.

Off-road performance doesn't come at a sacrifice to on-road comfort. The Michelin LTX A/T 2 provides dependable all-season road traction thanks to circumferential grooves that resist moisture for maximum grip.

Michelin LTX A/T 2 Features

• Michelin Comfort Control Technology reduces road noise and vibrations
• Strong, off-road durability helps extend the tire's life by at least 35% longer than leading competitors, according to Michelin
• Get reliable all-terrain traction on gravel from Michelin's MaxTouch Construction that produces a wider, more aggressive contact patch

I run Michelin LTX A/T2 in P275/65/18 on my 2008 LX570. They are takeoffs from the 2021 Tundra TRD Pro. (Both wheels and tires)

Ironically I've run Michelin Defenders on my Ford F150 for 80,000 miles, so I have experience with both.

The Defenders are the best tire for noise, ride comfort, and longevity I've ever run. They don't look aggressive, but are awesome in snow/mud/rain.

That being said, I have no issues with the Michelin LTX A/T2 on my LX570. They are slightly louder, but honestly you have to try and listen for a "hum." I have no issues with traction in the rain. Since the tread blocks are slightly taller, I get a tad bit more "lean" when cornering sharply, but that's being nit-picky.

I'd happily buy another set, though I will have the LTX A/T2 for at least another 40-50k miles, especially since I'm doing 5-tire rotations. Plus you can find 275/65/18 takeoffs for $600-800 for a set of 4, given they came on Tundras.

 

[Stickgunner]

I’m surprised at hydroplaning issues in a GX with any tire. Traction in the rain has been a highlight of the LC for me.

I didn't believe her the first few times she told me. It wasn't until I was in the vehicle and I thought we were going to hit the concrete barrier did I understand why she hated the tires. We got them from Costo. For clarity, these were the Michelin Defender LTX M/S, not the LTX AT series.

 

[Sandroad]

I ran a set of the LTX A/T2 on my 100 and was not happy with their winter performance. I know they are not a winter tire, but given their higher noise level and minimal winter traction, I would not buy them again. Might be fine for southern climes.

 

[Madtiger]

Off-road performance of LTX TRAIL in Sequoia:

 

[JohnPW]

Off-road performance of LTX TRAIL in Sequoia:

The Sequoia does well. The Michelin Trail not so much. This seems like an all season designed to help meet fuel economy targets.

 

[Madtiger]

The Sequoia does well. The Michelin Trail not so much. This seems like an all season designed to help meet fuel economy targets.

Yeah……….

 

[Redbull]

Just got 5 new Defenders 275/50/21 on my LX. I’m thrilled with them. I loved them on my Landcruiser too.

 

[Pskhaat]

There is also another Michelin with similar specs in this size - the LTX A/T2.

View attachment 3074996

And the description targets a more off-road use case...

I've always wanted to like these tires, and admittedly I've not run them personally, but I've never seen them perform well. They seem to wear quickly despite the harder compound which is quite easy to discern by hand at any tire store.

I really so very wish Michelin proper (not via BFG) would make like an "MTX" more aggressive tread Defender in proper high-aspect ratio options.

 

[Madtiger]

I really so very wish Michelin proper (not via BFG) would make like an "MTX" more aggressive tread Defender in proper high-aspect ratio options.

Exactly…that is what i hoped when i saw LTX TRAIL. A good compromise b/w KO2 and Defender.

 

[Madtiger]

General Q: my stock 2019 LC rim is 8” wide. LTX Trail in 265/70/18 has a rim width rating of 7-9”. So it should fit my rims without issue, right?

 

[1Maverick]

This might be the way to go for many Cruiser owners who don’t need e-rated aggressive tires.

 

[Madtiger]

This might be the way to go for many Cruiser owners who don’t need e-rated aggressive tires.

For me, i prefer big name brands. Just my bias from owning cheaper brands and getting burned. My last burn was a General tire that was rated #1 by Consumer Reports for my minivan. What a POS tire that was!

 

[1Maverick]

For me, i prefer big name brands. Just my bias from owning cheaper brands and getting burned. My last burn was a General tire that was rated #1 by Consumer Reports for my minivan. What a POS tire that was!

Continental actually makes them so they can’t be all that bad. Conti does offer the Terrain contact a/t that is probably more robust but it’s e-rated in the 275/70r18 vs. the General SL rating in same size

 

[FJ73Texas]

Tire debates always reminds me of people debating over who makes the best hamburger.

 

[1Maverick]

Tire debates always reminds me of people debating over who makes the best hamburger.

Please! I know where to get the best burger. Tires have to be the most over-researched auto upgrade. I like my Ridge Grapplers for the most part having a difficult time finding the impossible perfect tire with a blend of A/T and great highway performance.

 

[Pskhaat]

LC rim is 8” wide. LTX Trail in 265/70/18 has a rim width rating of 7-9”. So it should fit my rims without issue, right?

You're golden. I run 255s on 8". Wish they were OE 7" but NAS.