bloc
SILVER Star
When I checked Costco won’t mount defenders to 200s due to the lower than stock speed rating.
So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us) (33 Viewers)
- Thread starter chriscosta416
- Start date
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Towing in the mountains in the snow……..get new Defender LTX MS/2 in the 18s. You’ll want really good tires for that trek and I’m not a fan of used tires unless I know their history. Also, the trailer tires are critical, as is a perfect brake set up so your trailer doesn’t pass you on slippery downhills. Don’t scrimp on this one. I’ve been on the Icefields Parkway towing and you want to be able to look around and not be in a panic about traction with the LX or trailer.
Until Sunday 9/24 Costco has $100 a set of Michelin tires $900 or more or $50 off a set below $900. Installation is included and they give you a free 5 year road hazard warranty. I don’t know how other tire shops can even compete with this kind of pricing.
It depends on the specific Costco. I just had a set of H-rated Michelin Cross Climate 2s mounted on my wife’s 2018 RX, which calls for V-rated tires. The tires coming off were also V-rated and they didn’t give me any trouble when I asked them to install the H-rated version instead of the V. The same location has also installed H-rated Defender LTXs on our GX.
Good point - new tires may also have better rubber grip due to the fresh rubber compound. You don’t want to be white knucklin’ it when it comes to towing in snow.
I don't think Costco will put 18s on an LX as they didn't come with 18s, only 20 and 21". Although being in a small town it is possible they might make an exception.
32cls6speedmt
SILVER Star
My local costco which is in a major us city would install defenders on 18 inch lc wheels even though I have lx. They would not allow me to provide brand new denso Tpms. They stated they would use my current ones or i had to purchase after market from Costco. My local friendly discount tire price matched costco price. Installed tpms on five wheels. No problem.
In my experience if there’s already a non-OEM sized tire or other modification, they’re usually comfortable continuing on with it. But yeah asking them to add/remove or change something is impossible.
For me personally, other than the price the biggest reason I put with them is for the five year road hazard warranty. Defenders last so long that realistically I’ll still have that same set in 5 years with some decent tread. I figure it’s just an insurance policy with the cost being their stricter policies. Around here things are so expensive now that the cheapest tire patch from a reputable shop is like $35-$40. Then if the shop’s policy is to add on re-balancing its just way too much.
32cls6speedmt
SILVER Star
We have purchased many sets of tires from Costco. They are great and well informed at our local store. Tire rotations are completed in less than 45 minutes with appointment. Great service.
Disocunt tire has free patches even if you didn’t purchase your tires from them. Also free tire rotation even if you didn’t purchase the tires from discount tire. The discount tires in my area are highly rated on yelp.
What are peoples thoughts on the buy 3 get one tire free deal with Toyota that occasionally pops up? I went this route last time and had them put new TPMS sensors on my 2016 when I swapped over to the bronze Heritage wheels. They had no problem with it, and were able to throw 275/65/r18 defender tires instead of the OEM 285/60/r18.
One Costco said the same thing.
I went to another and said I'd bring in 5 wheels (in my Tacoma). Didn't seem to care, meaning I can do it.
I tow a ~7k camper up to 10k miles a summer. No issues.
sleepycruiser
I will get by….I will survive -Touch of Grey LC200
Which version do you have?
I do heavy off roading and ran defenders for 4 summers. Only reason I don’t have another set now was I couldn’t get the size I needed in the time I needed them in spring of 2022. I’ll go back to them no question when I’m due again.
The defenders were much better in the sand and on gravel/forest service roads then my current KO2s. I haven’t found a situation where the KO2s are noticeably better off road.
Were you running P Metrics or LTs? If you’ve ran both is there a noticeable difference in ride quality or off road performance?
I had the LT 265/70-18. I bought them mounted to a set of 18” tundra take offs that I wanted to mount with winter tires. They only had ~40% tread remaining, I ran them for 2 summers.
They were not what I would consider a harsh ride tire.
Pskhaat
Tourer
I love them in the snow. Arguably as good if not better than my winter tires.
Many people up here in Alaska run them year round. I used them as a summer tire as we can still get snow in the summer. I had them in the snow August of 2021 towing my camper through Denali. It wasn’t packed down snow like we have all winter, more of snow on pavement then slush. They did fine.
Sinister
SILVER Star
I have to make a decision soon too, going to get new tires at 150k. I have 43k miles on my current KO2s and trying to make my mind up for the next set. I really don’t love the boring look of the Michelin but i “think” I may go function over looks, BUT this is maddening with all the different tire names, defender, ltx, m/s 2, m/s…etc. my simpleton brain will just wind up getting aggravated at all the choices and just get KO2 or 3 again which I’m not sure I want anymore (As much as I love them)
