Michelin defender LTX ms2

Look what the ups man dropped while I was at work...these are a true 33, current stock tires look tiny. Will probably get them installed next week. No huge rush, I just had to jump a deal.
I've been saving money for these, and waiting for a deal like this since I got the truck a year ago. I hate to replace tires that still have plenty of miles left on them, but these are just going to be so much safer and better. I don't log a lot if miles in my truck so I expect this to be 6-8 year investment.

 

I had some free time this evening so I went and had the tires mounted. No pics cuz it got dark, I'll post some tomorrow. First impression from my 10 minute drive home is that these ride much better than the OEM tires, even at the 40 psi they put in them. They are softer and the truck grips better. Inclement weather conditions to be determined.

 

My guess is they won't disappoint

 

I don't know if the size that you got is the LT series, but mine are. Get the inflation around 35 to 40 and the ride and wear is great. Mine are load range E, so for towing or an unusual load I go up to 60. E rated tires are designed for 80 psi at max payload, but for normal driving go to the inflation that works, see the chalk test thread. Best tires ever, now you can stop saving money for tires and spend it on more mods, or hookers and blow, or home improvement...whatever, but you won't need new tires for many years.

 

These fill out the wheelwells much better. What a difference an inch makes. I'm at 38 PSI front and back, chalk test shows I may need a couple more PSI up front.

 

Nice! now put some wheel spacers on there
I've got the 275 55's with spacers on mine.

 

Logged a few more miles today. Very quiet on the highway. Really smooth ride and I'm still at 40 PSI. I went to a farm today and had to drive up a hill, just dry grass, which is very slippery. I had no issues and ironically my buddy was in front of me in his tundra and he said his stock tires slipped. He has a 16 limited, he ordered these tires by the time we were off the hayride with the kids.

 

We've used Michelin's LTX AT2's for several years. Prolly try Defenders next.

 

Let us know how your mpg is after the switch. Thanks!

 

I reset my mpg on the computer so we'll see. There are a few factors here though.
1. I went up from a 32" to 33" tire, I think that makes the odo off by about 3%
2. I'm in New England and it's going to be getting cold here. MPG go down when it's cold, also the gas mix will be changing over to a winter blend soon, which also causes worse MPG, as well as letting the car warm up longer.
I will compare to last winter when I averaged 13mpg, this summer I got 14.5. I'll be sure to keep this post updated with those numbers.

 

Drove 20 minutes on highway today. They are as quiet or quieter than the OEM tires.
Hit some rain on the way home bit not enough to really soak the roads.

 

Best all around tire I have ever owned. Yesterday coming back from the mountains in a deluge of hard rain my truck handled like it was on a rail. You won't be disappointed.

 

Good to hear about the Defenders. The LTX AT2s have been a huge disappointment for me. 6 flats in less than a year and they look like someone went at them with a knife. I drive 85% highway, but do drive gravel roads the other 15%. I thought them being E rated would make them be more resistant to gravel etc. My guess is the Defenders wouldn't be a good fit for my situation. I've always been a Michelin fan, but the AT2s have me second guessing that.

 

I had the AT2s on one of my short-term trucks, I thought they sucked. Huge disappointment compared to the MS2/Defenders.

 

How is your mileage with them? I have 285/55r20 now in bfg ko2 and the limeade is abismal. Those would rub without a level won't they? Looks good!

 

Had heavy rain today. Lots of large puddles. No slipping or hydroplaning (I was only going about 40 mph though). I even turned off all the nannies and tried to break it loose and had very minimal success doing so.

 

Nice! Are you still running 40psi? How do you like the ride?
I'm at 35 front and 34 rear, but I've got firmer suspension than most and I tried to tame the ride a little bit.

 

I'm down to 38 front and rear. I think I'll go down to 36 in the back tomorrow and see how they feel and do another chalk test once the rain stops.

 

What is the wheel offset?
I believe these are 20x9 Mint's. Are they the +12 offset?

 

That is correct, +12 offset (not a fan of wheel spacers at all) and the flares help keep the road "fling" on the side of truck paint to a minimum.

 

Thanks. I was worried a +12 would be too much. But after seeing your pics I am sold. BTW. I am in Pilot Mountain, NC.

 

Welcome neighbor! PM me if I can help you with any other questions.

 

Yep, tight tread. In sand you don't want a tire that digs. Long ago I ran Buckshot MTs. In sand they called them "gravediggers"

 

I sold my old tires on Craigslist today. Shop wanted me to pay them $8 to dispose of them. Figured I'd give it a shot at selling them since they had decent tread left. The guy who bought them was really nice and was so happy to get tires with decent tread for cheap, his were bald. I was asking 200, he offered 150 when he saw them, I told him you load them into the bed of your TUNDRA and you can have them for 100. He had a rock warrior with 20" wheels cuz someone stole his wheels.

 

I'm sure that diesel eats tires, plus all the towing.
In my research on the defenders I was shocked at all the negative reviews of the AT's. Now I know why all these guys with PROs ditch theirs.

 

The guy was so nice and thankful even at $150. Begged me 3 days ago to hold them til today for him. Said he'd call me at 830, he called at 830, I live about half way through his almost 2 hour commute to work. I just couldn't take full price from the guy. I'm lucky enough to be able to afford to upgrade tires before old tires were shot. I believe in paying it forward too.