Michelin Defender LTX MS2 or BFG Trail Terrain T/A or Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent??

[tsigwing]

fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...

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[js312]

I replaced Hankooks with Conti HTs. in 70,000 miles the tires were never in balance, and that after one was replaced as defective. However, the Contis looked good, rode well and were quiet. Dry traction was excellent, and wet traction was exceptional. Did unexpectedly well in snow, too in light of the ribbed and block tread.
So I figured I got a bad batch and bought four more HTs. Same excellent performance, same balance problem. Road force and rotating tires on rims helped, but after 10,000 miles I paid a pro-rated swap for Michelins. Visually smaller, lower tread depth, fairly quiet, decent ride but now my PB can chirp tires in the dry, and watch out in the wet! There is less lateral traction, but straight-line I can easily spin the rears in 2H, and braking is longer and where ABS almost never kicked in with the Contis, the Michelins do. But they balance.
I don't understand why the Contis would not balance, and Discount Tire did a major effort to cure the problem albeit with no success. But I think they are the better tire, as borne out by Tire Rack's testing for wet traction, and
I will probably try them again. Third times the charm?

Did you notice any difference in fuel economy between the Michelins and Continentals?

I'd consider the Continentals next time. These Michelins aren't quite as nice as my last ones - a little more jittery and noisier than the last generation.

 

[jrt_197]

I bought the Dueler a/t coming from the garbage Dynapros that come stock with the truck. Night and day difference, love the look, isn’t horrible in wet weather like KO3s and KO2s. I also do 50/50 highway driving with my 2.7 eco that I drive pretty spiritedly and average 19.5 mpgs for context. No road noise from the tires. I also took the truck on a moderate trail and didn’t need to engage 4x4.

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