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Strange.. it does have XL load ratings in at least a couple other sizes... Not that that helps us on this board.
So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us) (20 Viewers)
- Thread starter chriscosta416
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. Tire pressure, ask him ! 
Most certainly. I played with tire pressure on my other vehicles a lot (also used to autocross), somehow I did push the easy button in this case, and did not pay attention. Now with more miles at 38psi I can say the tire is okay even if pushed a bit. Stiff E Load LT tire can be driven more aggressively still (and I am comparing 285/65/18 to a LT285/70/17), but it not like these are bad.
Just to add my own experience here: My LX470 is HEAVY at about 7400 lbs!
I picked up a slightly used set of Defenders in 275/65/20 LT/E rated size for three season driving. Made me realize how quiet my LX470 really is when I am not running Nitto Ridge Grapplers all the time! Haven't taken the Defenders off road yet but for everything else including, rain and light snow they have been great. Ford F350 come standard with Michelin Defenders in this tire size, and Super Duty Bros take off and sell these "boring" tires right off the lot, so you can pick up a set for a song.
Since we get proper winter here, I run Blizzaks Dec thru April - they seem to stop much better in deep freezing temps.
For comparison my 2017 BMW X5 is slightly lighter at ~4900 lbs and I run Defenders throughout the year. I just need to be a little more careful in the slippery winter conditions (300+ hp and 300+ lb/ft torque can be a handful
). I used to run Michelin X-ice winter tires until a couple of years ago but decided that Defenders are good enough as long as I can fall back on my truck in the really worse days.
I picked up a slightly used set of Defenders in 275/65/20 LT/E rated size for three season driving. Made me realize how quiet my LX470 really is when I am not running Nitto Ridge Grapplers all the time! Haven't taken the Defenders off road yet but for everything else including, rain and light snow they have been great. Ford F350 come standard with Michelin Defenders in this tire size, and Super Duty Bros take off and sell these "boring" tires right off the lot, so you can pick up a set for a song.
Since we get proper winter here, I run Blizzaks Dec thru April - they seem to stop much better in deep freezing temps.
For comparison my 2017 BMW X5 is slightly lighter at ~4900 lbs and I run Defenders throughout the year. I just need to be a little more careful in the slippery winter conditions (300+ hp and 300+ lb/ft torque can be a handful
). I used to run Michelin X-ice winter tires until a couple of years ago but decided that Defenders are good enough as long as I can fall back on my truck in the really worse days.
I realize this is subjective and may not even have an answer but,
Currently on LTX Defenders 285.50.20 in XL load on stock 200series excluding 100# rooftop tent.
Got a great deal on rock warriors and am looking to get 285.70.17s for them which appear to only be offered in an E rating.
The ride in the XL defenders is great(firm, sturdy on highway, fine for the mild off-roading they have seen so far) yet speed bumps and rough roads it feels like I’m on 20s.
Can anyone weigh in on if the “net ride” going from 20” wheels to 17”s with way more tire but a firmer load (E) would feel?
Am I off my rocker thinking this will be a softer ride? If it feels similar to my current setup without sacrificing comfort nor stability I’m all in.
If not I may consider a P metric in 285.70.17.
Currently on LTX Defenders 285.50.20 in XL load on stock 200series excluding 100# rooftop tent.
Got a great deal on rock warriors and am looking to get 285.70.17s for them which appear to only be offered in an E rating.
The ride in the XL defenders is great(firm, sturdy on highway, fine for the mild off-roading they have seen so far) yet speed bumps and rough roads it feels like I’m on 20s.
Can anyone weigh in on if the “net ride” going from 20” wheels to 17”s with way more tire but a firmer load (E) would feel?
Am I off my rocker thinking this will be a softer ride? If it feels similar to my current setup without sacrificing comfort nor stability I’m all in.
If not I may consider a P metric in 285.70.17.
Mentioned before but will offer it up again. I like the ride better on 285-70-17 E def2s than the oem P285-60-18s. Not sure how much is tire wall height vs compound vs vs vs. I personally love the ride/durability balance. Never looked back. Running around 40psi.
What tire pressure are you using with the current XL defenders?
I don’t have apples to apples experience. But I would guess the ride will be much firmer with LT-E tires and the appropriate higher required air pressures. Others can chime in on what tire pressure will be required on the LT-E tires, but somewhere around 40psi I would guess. I believe the move from P or XL to LT-E would more than outweigh the increase in sidewall from 17” wheels.
Some people prefer the more firm ride of LT tires. It doesn’t sound like you would. If you don’t need the toughness of LT-E then I wouldn’t do it. They will also impact braking, acceleration and MPG to some degree.
Was running 34-36 on the XLs.
The other factor is that I’m not really gaining weight going from heavy stock 20s to the 24# rock warriors despite heavier tires.
Follow up random question: are there any negative side effects from going “too light” ?
ie: 24# rock warriors and ~40# or less tires. Talking 60# or less per corner.
I am not an engineer, but assuming quality wheels and tires of an appropriate size and construction for our weight and usage parameters, I cannot think of a single performance category that would be negatively impacted by a lightweight wheel/tire combo.
It will not be a softer ride. I run 265/60-18 XL p metrics as my winter tire. They are smooth as butter compared to my 285/70-17 LT C load tires run in the summer. That is despite my summer tires having 2” more sidewall and way more air volume. The E load I ran prior to me current C were even more dramatic.
We got some snow in middle Georgia today...an opportunity to review the Southern snow performance of my Defender LTX M/S tires. I was very pleased--no slipping at all, felt safe, grippy, sure-footed all 15 miles of my drive home. Other vehicles were already struggling, slipping, sliding, and running off the road.
We will rebuild…
You call that snow? Lol.
They are not great in snow. Just an average "no season" tire. Sure, better than most A/T tires, but noting to write home about. Add some ice, and things will get sketchy real quick.
I agree that the LTX m/s is not close to a dedicated snow tire. But they are a very common tire to run year round here in Alaska for those that don’t swap out tires summer/winter.
For sure. I am temporarily in NM now with the Michelins and they are right tire for the climate I think. Though I turned back on one trail that was just too icy. Really hate the sensation of being stopped... and sliding down. Studded Nokians would take it no problem. But this is apples to oranges. Hard to justify winter tires in NM climate, maybe if I was constantly up high in the mountains.
sleepycruiser
I will get by….I will survive -Touch of Grey LC200
I can’t find any info on these exact tires.
Michelin LTX M/S 285/60/18 120H
They say ‘extra load’…I thought they would say XL. Can anyone tell me if this is a tow rated tire? I googled and couldn’t find the exact tire this is. Hoping these will work for towing my 3500lb camper with tongue weight if around 400lbs.
Edit: Got a pic of the 120H. Would this tire suffice for towing the above?
Michelin LTX M/S 285/60/18 120H
They say ‘extra load’…I thought they would say XL. Can anyone tell me if this is a tow rated tire? I googled and couldn’t find the exact tire this is. Hoping these will work for towing my 3500lb camper with tongue weight if around 400lbs.
Edit: Got a pic of the 120H. Would this tire suffice for towing the above?
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Bro, a Honda Civic's tires will be just fine for towing a 3500lb camper. Seriously.
400lbs of tongue weight... I've had Costco runs that weighed twice that.
Go at it, have fun!
That tire is the same size and rating as the OEM Dunlops the truck came with. They will support the full 8,300lb towing capacity of the vehicle with the proper hitch.
If you are buying new, try to get the MS2. The MS are discontinued and may be difficult to find a replacement in the future.
No, it's not rated for 3,500 lbs. For that much, you need to get an F350 dually with a fifth wheel.
