So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us)

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Sajan said:
bloc i didn't know you were running defenders...

I am running these and I am not a fan..
Toyo Open Country R/T Trail in 275/65R18
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Yep. I had kings with 285/70R17 Toyo OC AT3s but went back to new take-off stock suspension and tire size as my needs for the rig changed. Defender 2s now in XL. Very, very happy with them.
 
Just posting to say I'm glad I found this thread. Maybe I'll find some time to read the posts on pages 2 - 43. My new to me '15 LX570 came with new 275/55-20 LTX M/S2 in XL rating. I did just get a matching spare installed at Costco as well because the spare that was under there was the original, 12 year old Dunlop in 285/50-20 form. Seeing details on this thread makes me less nervous about towing my 5K lb TT with a 700 lbs tongue weight (and WDH) as well as people's experiences with moderate off-pavement excursions. I make annual trips to the San Juans and run trails like Clear Lake, Alpine Loop, Imogene, Black Bear, etc. I've been a little worried about the tire's ability to withstand the sharp rocks because I'm used to BFG KO2s Load Range E on my LC100.
 
marcfj60 said:
Just posting to say I'm glad I found this thread. Maybe I'll find some time to read the posts on pages 2 - 43. My new to me '15 LX570 came with new 275/55-20 LTX M/S2 in XL rating. I did just get a matching spare installed at Costco as well because the spare that was under there was the original, 12 year old Dunlop in 285/50-20 form. Seeing details on this thread makes me less nervous about towing my 5K lb TT with a 700 lbs tongue weight (and WDH) as well as people's experiences with moderate off-pavement excursions. I make annual trips to the San Juans and run trails like Clear Lake, Alpine Loop, Imogene, Black Bear, etc. I've been a little worried about the tire's ability to withstand the sharp rocks because I'm used to BFG KO2s Load Range E on my LC100.
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I ran mine at 18PSI for the week at the last LCDC event up there. No issues at all and we ran most all of the difficult trails, and I am running the XLs.
 
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I’ve got hundreds of thousands of miles on various Michelin tires (mostly PSS/PS4S and Cup 2s) and always been happy with them. These defenders are the only ones I have had problems with. I’ve lost 3 XL defenders all street driving. I haven’t had any issues with rock punctures- but I’m not really confident with these tires anymore. Going to replace them with E ply Dueler A/T Ascent when they’re worn out or if I lose another one.
 
xuvm said:
View attachment 4133466View attachment 4133467View attachment 4133468I’ve got hundreds of thousands of miles on various Michelin tires (mostly PSS/PS4S and Cup 2s) and always been happy with them. These defenders are the only ones I have had problems with. I’ve lost 3 XL defenders all street driving. I haven’t had any issues with rock punctures- but I’m not really confident with these tires anymore. Going to replace them with E ply Dueler A/T Ascent when they’re worn out or if I lose another one.
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Were these unknown random losses or something help them to lose air like nails/screws, potholes?
 
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