So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us) (9 Viewers)

[JohnPW]

Man, I just picked up some Rock Warriors and I'm bummed to learn now that the Defender only comes in E-load in 17" (285/70). The XL would be probably be perfect for my needs. Maybe blasphemy in this thread but should I consider the C-load BFGs instead? I've run E-load BFGs on other vehicles and they were unpleasant but I have no other experience with E tires. I assume there's little hope the M/S 2 will come out in new configs in a 17" at this point.

If you don’t need an LT rated tire for what you do, I would not buy an LT rated tire. The weight, stiffer sidewalls and higher required pressures will impact ride, traction, and braking, arguably more than which tire brand you pick.

Falken Wildpeak, Toyo Open Country AT, and BFGoodrich Trail Terrain, among others, all come in 285/70r17 in a P rated tire. I love my Michelin Defenders but I wouldn’t love LT-E rated anything.

 

[mceagle555]

After 10k miles with a set of LT275/70/18 (E) BFG KO2 tires (59lbs) the lack of wet traction is driving me crazy. I'm switching back to tires with better rain grip as I live in TN with a decent bit of precipitation.

Planning on either going with:

- LT275/70/18 (E) Michelin Defender 2 (52 lbs) - $290/each installed
- LT275/70/18 (E) Cooper AT3 LTX (57 lbs) - $255/each installed

I like the looks of the Coopers, but I know the Michelins are the cream of the crop durability-wise. I'm leaning that direction, plus saving 7 lbs per corner.

Driving is 85% road, 15% fire trails, 0% rock crawling.

 

[M1911]

Defender 2 will be fine for that use. It will also be quieter than the K02 and get better fuel economy. I've got no opinion on the Coopers.

 

[nautiquelover]

I have Cooper AT3 4S and they drive me insane between the cupping issues and the road noise. I’m getting Defenders put on before this winter.

 

[Sinister]

Absolutely love my Defenders.

 

[trudd]

Finally moving from stock 285/50/20 M/S to 275/65/18 M/S2 this week. Same XL load, just looking for a little extra sidewall. Didn't even bother looking at other tire options.

 

[Yossarian]

After about a decade on LT's I'm thinking of trying something else. I like the 285/65/18 XL option, maybe on some of the Toyota BBS rims? Lighter than the stock wheels even.

 

[JohnPW]

Finally moving from stock 285/50/20 M/S to 275/65/18 M/S2 this week. Same XL load, just looking for a little extra sidewall. Didn't even bother looking at other tire options.

Be aware an XL rated Defender MS2 in 285/65r18 is now available. If my 275/65r18 Defenders ever wear out, that’s what I will step up to.

 

[Yossarian]

Be aware an XL rated Defender MS2 in 285/65r18 is now available. If my 275/65r18 Defenders ever wear out, that’s what I will step up to.

Interesting though the difference in speed/load rating between the two tire sizes, stock vs. upping to the 65.

MICHELIN® Defender LTX M/S 2 285/60R18 120H XL BSW vs. MICHELIN® Defender LTX M/S 2 285/65R18 116T XL BSW.

 

[JohnPW]

Interesting though the difference in speed/load rating between the two tire sizes, stock vs. upping to the 65.

MICHELIN® Defender LTX M/S 2 285/60R18 120H XL BSW vs. MICHELIN® Defender LTX M/S 2 285/65R18 116T XL BSW.

Not up to speed on my tire coding. What is the difference in English between 120H and 116T?

 

[bloc]

Not up to speed on my tire coding. What is the difference in English between 120H and 116T?

The numbers are the load index, the letter is the speed rating.

116 = 2,756lb (per tire, at max pressure on the sidewall)
120 = 3,086

T = 118mph (at max load)
H = 130

 

[g rant]

Anyone running 295/70/R18's? I have 285/70R18 Nitto Ridge Grapplers installed on my stock wheels with Spidertraxx 1.25" spacers and a BP51 suspension lift. Did not know if moving to 295's would be plug and play or if any additional trimming would need to be done

 

[JohnPW]

The numbers are the load index, the letter is the speed rating.

116 = 2,756lb (per tire, at max pressure on the sidewall)
120 = 3,086

T = 118mph (at max load)
H = 130

Thanks. So I’ll need to keep my cruiser below 11,000lbs and 118 mph. I think I’m good

 

[36J594]

The numbers are the load index, the letter is the speed rating.

116 = 2,756lb (per tire, at max pressure on the sidewall)
120 = 3,086

T = 118mph (at max load)
H = 130

I wonder if the discrepancy is due to a difference in construction, or simply reflects the relative properties of similar tires where one has more sidewall and the other has less sidewall.

 

[Yossarian]

I wonder if the discrepancy is due to a difference in construction, or simply reflects the relative properties of similar tires where one has more sidewall and the other has less sidewall.

Snipped from the Michelin website.

And.

The 65 size is taller with more tread depth. I tried asking Michelin support for details, I should have known better.

 

[gasman4u]

Was their support decent? Or just canned garbage? Sorry if I missed the blatant answer I missed.

 

[Yossarian]

Was their support decent? Or just canned garbage? Sorry if I missed the blatant answer I missed.

The responses to direct questions were not answered. Canned replies read from a script, waste of time.

For example related to the question above, why the difference in the load/speed rating between the two tires so close in size, i.e. 60 vs. 65. Answer from Michelin support - "it depends on the options your vehicle has".

 

[gasman4u]

The responses to direct questions were not answered. Canned replies read from a script, waste of time.

For example related to the question above, why the difference in the load/speed rating between the two tires so close in size, i.e. 60 vs. 65. Answer from Michelin support - "it depends on the options your vehicle has".

Dang. I was hoping I missed their actually being helpful vs toeing whatever corporate approved garbage canned response.

Too bad.

 

[Yossarian]

Just ordered 5 from Tire Rack in the 285/65R18 XL flavor. These will be mounted on the new to me BBS Pro rims with new OEM TPMS and a fresh alignment.

Funny how things come full circle sometimes. I just put the original spec Michelin tires back on the 80 after years of having LT E's, it drives so nice again. Hoping for a similar experience with the 200 soon.

 

[36J594]

Just ordered 5 from Tire Rack in the 285/65R18 XL flavor. These will be mounted on the new to me BBS Pro rims with new OEM TPMS and a fresh alignment.

Funny how things come full circle sometimes. I just put the original spec Michelin tires back on the 80 after years of having LT E's, it drives so nice again. Hoping for a similar experience with the 200 soon.

Post pics, please!