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.
So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us)
- Thread starter chriscosta416
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this is the way
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.
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.
Were these unknown random losses or something help them to lose air like nails/screws, potholes?
And I am trying to sell a set with ~10k miles for $600 and no takers... I am thinking about remounting them and using for highway driving exclusively, saving the E-load for when I go into rocks. I know crazy, but I often drive cross country and might as well burn thru the lighter rubber there.
EDIT: yup, keeping them.
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Where are you? I’m about to be in the market for what you’ve got.
NH...
I remember the post in the classifieds, I’m ironically heading up to Long Island this weekend from DC, but the 200 is packed with family and kids or I’d be taking you up on a smoking deal for those Defenders. I can’t believe nobody wants them for that price.
Yeah, uncommon size, I guess. Most guys want E-load tires. I sold Ridge Grappler takeoffs in like 3 days, Got tired of low ball offers ($300 for all 4!) on Facebook, so indeed decided to put them back into use. Perfect for highway and also good for light off-road use.
I wanted them but shipping is 400$.
True, shipping costs are killer these days.
Bingo.
My winters will need replacing before this coming winter. I've been scouring local classifieds for stock-size 285/50/20 tires over the last 2 months. Searching for just the tire size (no other criteria), I've seen zero results. Literally nothing for sale in this size. I'd imagine the market of buyers is similarly slim to none.
Not sure why you would want 20" tires for winter duty... get a set of 18" wheels...
Why would I pay for a set of 18" wheels when I already have a set of perfectly fine 20" ones? I've ran winters on OEM 20" wheels for 6 years, and will continue to do so until I have a good reason not to.
Because 18s are the business bro
I used my 20’s for winter until someone offered me $$$$$. I guy I know really wanted matching summer/winter, paid me $2k for the rims, and I turned around bought a set of tundra take offs for $450. They worked just fine for winter tires and I would still have them otherwise.
Yeah... been there, done that, they look like s*** on the 200 series. Might as well put toddler training wheels on a superbike.
Now that's a good turn of events! Can't argue with an extra $1550 in the pocket.
Interesting take, I quite like the Heritage 18s on 200s. Different strokes different folks I suppose.