Members with Michelin Defender LTX or LTX 2's on their trucks.

[Kanuck]

I want to switch to a low road noise, smother riding summer tire. I did a lot of looking and want to pull the trigge the Michelin Defender LTX 2. When I originally ordered the truck, I ordered it with LT tires and It came with LT265/70R18 General Grabbers. I ran them for 2 summers and they are a decent tire. On my 2006, 2011 and 2021 F 150 I run LT275/65R 18 Goodyear Duratrac's in the winter. Both the Grabbers and Duratrac's recommend 41 PSI. At that pressure, I "FEEL" every crack or bump in the road, as well as highway tire hum. My truck is a pavement prince and doesn't see off roading, heavy loads, pulling heavy trailers or a lot of gravel roads.

Who has run these tires and what is your opinion of them?
Noise?
Ride quality?
Stopping?
Handling on wet roads?
Tread life?

Sponsored

 

[MJG44]

I've had the Defender LTX on both an F150 and an Expedition.
Wonderful tire. You won't be disappointed with this all season.

 

[Bo15]

I recently put the LTX 2's on my '21 King Ranch replacing the Pirellis. Love them the same way I loved the LTXs on my old 2010 Platinum. Outstanding tread life and quieter. Great in the rain. Discount Tire rep is on the forum and can hook you up.

 

[Kanuck]

I've had the Defender LTX on both an F150 and an Expedition.
Wonderful tire. You won't be disappointed with this all season.

Thanks for the reply

 

[powerboatr]

i have had them my 2010, 2013, 2006, 2002, f series
and on my 16 expedition

they were outstanding in ride and, noise and even traction on the red mud pine straw clay back roads
they are whats going on the 22 shortly

 

[Kanuck]

I recently put the LTX 2's on my '21 King Ranch replacing the Pirellis. Love them the same way I loved the LTXs on my old 2010 Platinum. Outstanding tread life and quieter. Great in the rain. Discount Tire rep is on the forum and can hook you up.

I am in Canada...don't think Discount Tire is up here. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Kanuck]

i have had them my 2010, 2013, 2006, 2002, f series
and on my 16 expedition

they were outstanding in ride and, noise and even traction on the red mud pine straw clay back roads
they are whats going on the 22 shortly

Thanks for the reply

 

[Madd-Dog]

I had the LTX AT2s on my 2018 Platinum and loved them. Quiet, good traction even in the snow, wore great, and rode really nice. I have those general grabbers on my Limited, 22s though, and I am not thrilled. I’m sure the bigger rims don’t help but had 2 replaced that would not road force balance. They still don’t ride the best.

 

[Calson]

Always better to use the tire pressures posted in the truck as the engineers know what is best for a specific truck. I go to the max tire pressure for the rear tires only if I am going to be carrying a great payload in the bed.

The Michelin tires are good for picking up pebbles on gravel roads and then releasing them against the truck when you get on pavement.

 

[Kanuck]

I have 175 feet of gravel road to travel from the highway to my driveway. I go slow, so hoping picking up stones will not be a issue. Thanks for your info.

 

[Kanuck]

I had the LTX AT2s on my 2018 Platinum and loved them. Quiet, good traction even in the snow, wore great, and rode really nice. I have those general grabbers on my Limited, 22s though, and I am not thrilled. I’m sure the bigger rims don’t help but had 2 replaced that would not road force balance. They still don’t ride the best.

My plans are to sell the Duratracs, use the Grabbers for winters.

 

[Chili]

They're selling the Defender LTX M/S 2 now that's slightly different. They claim its made to handle the weight of an EV and XL load instead of regular P metric.

So it will ride a tad former than P, but it's still lightweight. The more solid outer blocks should help with some of the higher load tread squirm on the older model.

They also make it in a 285/65r18 size, which is of interest to me.

 

[Tone]

Traded up from OEM Hanooks, 20". #1 rated tire for the 150 sizes by owners and staff at tirerack.com.

$300 each plus mount/balance/taxes. $1475 out the door.

Has improved gas mileage 1 to 2 mpg.

Noise?
Quiet as a whisper @ 70 mph. It's like stealth mode.

Ride quality?
Excellent. Smooth.

Stopping?
Great. Assured and positive.

Handling on wet roads?
No problem. Deluge of rain today. Handled it like champs. Also digs into mud.

Tread life?
Only have about 5-600 miles on them.

 

[FORDTEXAS]

definitely will do well on pavement.. however off pavement good luck chief.

 

[PB2021]

Costco might be your best bet for them here in Canada. I haven’t had them on my truck yet but they will be the replacement when the Hancooks finally need to go. Did have Defenders on our Odyssey van before and they are excellent.

Sponsored