So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us) (8 Viewers)

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I had the BFGs for 4-5 weeks before I traded them in. I think they have a matrix where it depends on how long and how many miles you have on them when you trade them in. I got 100%credit towards the new Michelins. Just had to pay 100 bucks to remount and balance
any issues with tpms?

my local shop cant seem to figure out tpms so i am thinking of driving to a AmericasTire and have them handle it
 
I don’t know because I went ahead and bought 5 new tpms sensors from DT while I was at it. Figured my stock ones were around 10 years old so might as well get some new ones before they start failing one by one
 
I don’t know because I went ahead and bought 5 new tpms sensors from DT while I was at it. Figured my stock ones were around 10 years old so might as well get some new ones before they start failing one by one
good idea

i willl ask to do the same

hope not super pricey
 
I never heard back from the guy on the used tires so stopped by Costco today. They didn't have any MS2 in stock but did have a set of the 275/65r18 LTX MS in stock and were able to get me in today for install. I was surprised they would install them as I was speaking with one of the tire techs that was filling my propane tanks. He stated that he believed they would only replace with stock size but to ask inside.
The kid at the tire desk said as long as they didn't rub they would install them (within reason) but they did have a program to let them know acceptable alternate sizes.

Only drove about 7 miles home but the difference in ride and steering was noticable. It seemed easier to turn and just glided over the rough areas of the road.

My LTX AT2s were down to about 4-5/32s and I slid through a stop sign in the snow last year while towing a small cargo trailer and ran a Mercedes off the road. I snagged up a set of Blizzaks pretty quickly after that. Will be interesting to see how these do. Hopefully we miss the snow on the trip this week but will definitely be in rain most of the time. While I would have liked to milk another season or two of of the AT2s, I think the piece of mind on this trip will make it all worth it.

Thanks for all of the input.
 
I never heard back from the guy on the used tires so stopped by Costco today. They didn't have any MS2 in stock but did have a set of the 275/65r18 LTX MS in stock and were able to get me in today for install. I was surprised they would install them as I was speaking with one of the tire techs that was filling my propane tanks. He stated that he believed they would only replace with stock size but to ask inside.
The kid at the tire desk said as long as they didn't rub they would install them (within reason) but they did have a program to let them know acceptable alternate sizes.

Only drove about 7 miles home but the difference in ride and steering was noticable. It seemed easier to turn and just glided over the rough areas of the road.

My LTX AT2s were down to about 4-5/32s and I slid through a stop sign in the snow last year while towing a small cargo trailer and ran a Mercedes off the road. I snagged up a set of Blizzaks pretty quickly after that. Will be interesting to see how these do. Hopefully we miss the snow on the trip this week but will definitely be in rain most of the time. While I would have liked to milk another season or two of of the AT2s, I think the piece of mind on this trip will make it all worth it.

Thanks for all of the input.
Good choice. That’s the size I run and they will do you fine. It’s great your Costco would install those. They are much better than the AT2s in rain or snow.
 
Pacific Industry sensors are a little more finicky for tire shops due to rarely messing with them, but superior quality (odds of a dud, very long battery life) and still around the same price as the cheap Chinese ones from the tire shops.
 
Ok, so for towing and overall normal driving….which version of these do I want? I’m confused as it seems there are several options. I’m not off-roading, although might hit some forest service roads once in a blue moon.
 
I’m sure there are people on here that are more knowledgeable than I on the tire topic but from my understanding from the tire rep at DT, both the AT2 and the LTX MS are being phased out and the latest version that is being manufactured is the Michelin Defender LTX MS2 like the ones I just purchased. But again it seems that Michelin has confused most of the consumers with all the like names and tire designations. The easiest way for me to tell them apart by quick glance is the sidewall difference. Hope this helps
 
Ok, so for towing and overall normal driving….which version of these do I want? I’m confused as it seems there are several options. I’m not off-roading, although might hit some forest service roads once in a blue moon.
The exact model of tire referenced in the OP is the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2. Here’s a link to the product webpage directly on Michelin’s website. Let me know where you’re shopping for them and what size and I can grab that link and post it just to be sure.

 
The exact model of tire referenced in the OP is the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2. Here’s a link to the product webpage directly on Michelin’s website. Let me know where you’re shopping for them and what size and I can grab that link and post it just to be sure.

Thanks. Discount Tire is probably the place closest to me with them.
 
The exact model of tire referenced in the OP is the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2. Here’s a link to the product webpage directly on Michelin’s website. Let me know where you’re shopping for them and what size and I can grab that link and post it just to be sure.

Hello! It is actually the OG Defender - Discount Tire | Tires and Wheels for Sale | Online & In-Person - https://www.americastire.com/buy-tires/michelin-defender-ltx-m-s/p/11296

It appears at time of creating this thread, Michelin was slowly phasing out the Defender LTX M/S, however I have my full faith that the LTX M/S2 will be just as good :)
 
Ok, so for towing and overall normal driving….which version of these do I want? I’m confused as it seems there are several options. I’m not off-roading, although might hit some forest service roads once in a blue moon.
The Defender LTX M/S is being gradually replaced with the Defender LTX M/S2. The latter is brand new and is only available in a few sizes at this point, although I’m sure a complete array of sizes will come. The prior version is what most here have experience with.

As to what size, and what load rating, that depends on your uses. LT - E rated will require higher air pressure, and therefore will ride harder, than standard load ISO- metric (or P rated) tires. LT rated tires are heavier, which means worse mileage and longer stopping distances. But LT rated tires will have tougher sidewalls that will resist cuts on rocky terrain. Certain sizes are available in either LT or P rated, some sizes are only available in LT rated.

My off road needs are modest, but I tow a 4500lb boat regularly. I have P rated Defender LTX M/S in 275/65r18 size. Hope this helps.
 
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I guess the Defender debate just refuses to die. Michelin was probably aware their boring sidewall design was likely hindering sales. So now they’ve just unveiled a new Defender LTX Platinum with arguably the most agressive sidewall I’ve ever seen on one of their tires. It says available in six 20” sizes, but I don’t know if that’s only for the initial launch. Will be interesting to see how they perform compared to both other ATs and the new Defender LTX M/S2s. While the sidewall looks aggressive, the tread looks like pretty interesting. Wonder how they’ll work off-road compared to the original Defender LTX. Looks like the ride on pavement should be as quiet and compliant.


IMG_2311.jpeg
 
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I saw those as well. From the looks of the tread on the Platinum, I feel like it would hydroplane easily but I feel like Michelin wouldn’t release a tire that does that. Looking forward to some reviews.
 
I guess the Defender debate just refuses to die. Michelin was probably aware their boring sidewall design was likely hindering sales. So now they’ve just unveiled a new Defender LTX Platinum with arguably the most agressive sidewall I’ve ever seen on one of their tires. It says available in six 20” sizes, but I don’t know if that’s only for the initial launch. Will be interesting to see how they perform compared to both other ATs and the new Defender LTX M/S2s. While the sidewall looks aggressive, the tread looks like pretty interesting. Wonder how they’ll work off-road compared to the original Defender LTX. Looks like the ride on pavement should be as quiet and compliant.


View attachment 3446452

Finally! And a good time for me... I've been waiting for this.
 
I saw those as well. From the looks of the tread on the Platinum, I feel like it would hydroplane easily but I feel like Michelin wouldn’t release a tire that does that. Looking forward to some reviews.
Yeah I haven’t ever purchased a single Michelin tire that didn’t perform well. Some might’ve worn out quicker than I would have liked, but those were all summer tires for sports cars or had a relatively low tread wear rating. I’m very happy with their all season, highway, etc. offerings…I only realize how good their tires are when I drive a car without Michelins. Pricey but worth every penny…I’ve put cheap tires on sports cars and it was the dumbest thing I ever did…bad tires completely ruin even the best cars.
 

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