Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

Hello all

I need to replace the four 275/65R18 Kenda tires on my 2018 SR5 TRD double cab .
I do tow a lot mainly on pavement at all seasons.
I'm looking at the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 and they come with different specifications such as:

• Load range E or XL
• Tread Depth 14/32 or 12.5/32
• Load index 120-123S or 116T
• Pricing $303 vs. $285

I would appreciate all advices, any comment or recommendations?

 

Your original tires were 114T.

Either of the Michelins you show are above this. So I think you'll be fine with either one.

That said, the Load Range E tire will probably be LT and the XL tire will be P. The XL tire will likely ride better.

How heavy are your towing loads?

 

I'm towing a 4200dry/6000lbs max

 

I would probably choose the P/XL. Save a little coin and ride should be better. Either should be good though.

 

Thanks a lot for your advice

 

Agreed on the XL. They will be significantly lighter as well, which will help with about everything (ride, braking, acceleration, fuel mileage, etc).

 

I went from LT BFGs to stock P rated. Zero change in mpg.
I wouldnt get P rated again

 

Any significant ride difference or degrade with the Ps when towing?

 

the rated capacity of the truck is using p rated tires.

 

at 50psi they feel fine with my 4300lb trailer.

i like how the e rated drive better though. Definitely corners better and no tire sway

 

Your trailer is almost the exact same weight as mine. When I decided to replace it will be the same Michelins that came with the truck. I run 40/43 psi all the time and they are wearing well.

 

I didn't word my question right. I was trying to get a sense of the road manners of the LTs (compared to the Ps) when not towing.

 

The p rides SLIGHTY better. Not enough to justify it. I really like the cornering of the LT better

 

I have read LTs wear quicker than the Ps. Was that your experience?

 

that i cannot say. My LT were bfg at so they were bad far before the tread was gone. My p rated are OEM michelins.

 

Unless 50% or more of the time you tow / haul heavy or your driving is low maintenace / off-road type situations, the LT doesn't really offer much benefit to you. That extra 10 lbs of weight per tire is just unsprung mass you don't need to deal with unless you really have a need to.

The LT's might appear to last as long or longer because you have an extra 1.5/32nds of tread depth. Also, I'm not sure about Michelin or this tire, but often times the LT rated tires do not have the same warranty (sometimes not any) on treadlife, etc. Sometimes it is also tire load and speed rating specfic, etc. That might be something you should inquire about and read the fine print if that is something that really matters to you.

 

I have run these on my 2015. 116T load range. I tow a 27' travel trailer at ~ 7,000 pounds.
Best tires I have ever owned short of looks.
You will not regret your decision.

 

I had LTX MS/2 in the factory P255/70R-18 size and without much loading or towing they were down to wear bars at 25k, for whatever that's worth. Maybe their skinniness contributed to accelerated wear, who knows. They were an improvement over the factory bridgestones but still not as good as I'd hoped.

Now I have LT275/65R-18 Defender LTX in E-load rating and they're better in almost every way. Only when the road gets exceptionally three dimensional do they have a noticeably rougher ride. I keep them between 42-46 psi. That's one potential downside, LT tires need a higher pressure to hold load and keep temps down for some reason.

Mileage is the same. The Defenders have gotten me just over 20 mpg a few times on long trips.

They do throw rocks like mad thanks to the wide grooves. Watch out when the speedo gets up to about 50 after going over gravel cuz if you have a tailgater, RIP

 

So i got new tires today. Went back to LT. Coopers 275/70.

they ride amazing. Definitely MUCH better driving experience than p rated. The over flexing of the p sidewalls ruins ride quality imo

 

This is good feedback. Can you try to quantify what you mean when you say "ruins"?
What about the ride of the LT tires is better?
What pressure were you running on the P tires?
What pressure are you running on the LT tires?

 

40psi for my LT. 35psi in the P.

In off camber bumps, like leaving/entering parking lots at an angle, hitting speed bumps/gutters at angles yesterday that I drive past every workday. There is less side/side rocking of the truck.

in turns, much less body roll.

driving straight line, I do feel the smaller bumps just a little more though. Not uncomfortable imo, like the tires are reading braille.