Both the M/S2 XL and the Latitude in the sizes you have listed weigh 40lbs according to the Tire Rack. Maybe the 13lb weight gain is all steel?Just got my Defender LTX M/S 2s (275/65R18) on my 2017 LC last week, along with swapping out the wheels for Tundra steelies. I was surprised it added 13 pounds per wheel. I was ESPECIALLY surprised that 8ish pounds of that was rubber not steel! Previous tire was a Michelin Latitude in 285/60R18.
Honestly, I'm not really sure if I can feel much difference due to the extra weight... maybe it feels a little bit harder to stay in Eco as I accelerate? MPG doesn't seem to be impacted based on one tank of gas. Not saying that it's not there, just that I'm not that observant.I'll keep an eye on it, and maybe swap back to stock rims or something new if I convince myself I need the weight back (the Defenders are staying!).
So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us) (24 Viewers)
- Thread starter chriscosta416
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Right you are! I was looking at the LT weight. Thanks for the catch. It seems reasonable that the 13 is all steel, although I swear in the tire weight thread I thought they were closer. In any case, like I said, I'm still getting my head around any performance differences based on the weight but I love the Defenders one week in.
Tire rack has a comparison report between the Michelin Defender LTX M/S and the Defender LTX M/S2:
Minor improvement in wet braking & handling but otherwise pretty much the same.
I noticed Tire Rack is showing the M/S2 in XL rated 285/65r18, at 39lbs per tire! This size was previously only available in LT-E rating with more weight and higher required air pressures. Had this fitment been available previously I would have purchased it over the 275/65r18’s that I have, just for the better looks of a taller tire. This size is a great option for those who don’t need LT rated tires off road.
Minor improvement in wet braking & handling but otherwise pretty much the same.
I noticed Tire Rack is showing the M/S2 in XL rated 285/65r18, at 39lbs per tire! This size was previously only available in LT-E rating with more weight and higher required air pressures. Had this fitment been available previously I would have purchased it over the 275/65r18’s that I have, just for the better looks of a taller tire. This size is a great option for those who don’t need LT rated tires off road.
Wow. 285/65/18 XL at 39 lbs is a gamechanger!!!
Get your facts straight!!!
It is NOT 39 lbs!
It is 38.4 lbs!
This is literally the best tire on the planet for our LC200!!
"Any tire will work for you... as long as you believe in it."--- Guy Lacelle, ice climber. (substitute "ice tool" for "tire")
This is incredible. If I didn’t have my 275/65/r18’s M/S already, I would be buying the 285/65/r18’s M/S2.Get your facts straight!!!
It is NOT 39 lbs!
It is 38.4 lbs!
This is literally the best tire on the planet for our LC200!!
View attachment 3554940
Hell, I may throw my old set on the tundra and upgrade them on the cruiser.
I think this will be my next tire. Unless they decide to make a M/S2 in 275/70R18 or possibly 285/70R18.
From what I am reading this tire is fine for most off-road conditions except the more extreme stuff or mud. Should be fine for my use (mainly CA/AZ/NV/UT deserts with the occasional road trip further north)
The more I think about this 285/65 XL the more excited I get. I never wanted to go to a E load range but was mentally preparing myself for the change. I think this tire with the factory spacer lift will make our trucks the perfect machine for my purposes. Being able to leave the front flaps on and not dealing with any rub is a huge plus in my book.
Now if they made a 285/70 XL that might change my mind, but I’m very doubtful on that and just happy we got this option.
Now if they made a 285/70 XL that might change my mind, but I’m very doubtful on that and just happy we got this option.
That's awesome to see. I agree the XL will be a better tire for most users and there's sizes that will drop in great for the LC and LX.
Nothing will likely be more well rounded than those sizes, but there are a few other tasty and more aggressive nuggets in their lineup for the right rig. That 295/70R18 speaks to me and would be such an awesome balance of freeway efficiency and off-road capability.
| Size | Section Width | Diameter | Tread Depth | Weight | |
| LT285/70R17 | 11.5 | 32.8" | 14/32 | 52 | 3738@80psi |
| 285/65R18 XL | 11.5 | 32.6" | 12.5/32 | 38.4 | 2756@50psi |
| LT285/65R18 | 11.5 | 32.6" | 14/32 | 53 | 3638@80psi |
| LT295/70R18 | 11.5 | 34.3" | 14/32 | 59 | 4080@80psi |
| 275/55R20 XL | 11.2 | 31.9" | 12.5/32 | 40 | 2833@50psi |
| 275/60R20 XL | 11 | 33.0" | 11/32 | 39 | 2756@50psi |
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Where did you find that chart? Is that M/S or M/S2? That 285/70R18 XL looks pretty attractive if they make it in M/S2
MS2
I think that’s a typo. That is the 285/65r18.
bloc
SILVER Star
Ohhh snap….
Edit: I saw this has been brought up in previous pages.
Couple thousand mile update:
285/70/17 Es riding amazing still. Don’t sleep on these thinking some sort of major ride penalty. It is improved imo. Never would have thought but really really liking the overall package here. Tip of the cap to the Michelin boys on this one.
285/70/17 Es riding amazing still. Don’t sleep on these thinking some sort of major ride penalty. It is improved imo. Never would have thought but really really liking the overall package here. Tip of the cap to the Michelin boys on this one.
Here is my experience- I bought a set of TRD Pro wheel with a factory set of LTX AT2 275/65/18 - P rated. I was very happy with everything about them. They were getting a little low on tread and I started looking around. I wanted the 275/65/18 LTX M/S Defender 2. I couldn’t find them but I found the LTX M/S Defender (not 2) 275/65/18 P-rated for buy 3 get 1 free. They are…. ok… I guess. Based on everything I’ve read here they should be 34psi. They started wearing on the shoulders and felt overly squishy (that’s a technical term). I like them a lot better around 40 psi (hot). But…. The max cold pressure is 44. It seems like the “best ride” (my preference at hot) is at the upper end of the spec cold. Just makes me worry. I shouldn’t but…
the ride isn’t as good as the A/T same size and rating. The noise isn’t as good as the A/T. The load rating isn’t as high as the A/T. but that’s just my opinion.
the ride isn’t as good as the A/T same size and rating. The noise isn’t as good as the A/T. The load rating isn’t as high as the A/T. but that’s just my opinion.
