Let's talk (gasp) passenger-rated tires

Great thread. Thanks to the OP. My alter ego wants to trick out with wheels and aggressive tires, but who am I kidding - I do 99% highway driving.
 
Then I stand corrected. Those TripleTreds are no joke the best tires I've ever owned on a sedan. Unstoppable. Haven't had them on my 4Runner, but they're outstanding.

Soon be heading into our third set of Goodyear TripleTreds on our '03 Sequoia. Great all-season tire for CO, does quite well in snow, not the greatest on ice, but what non-ice winter tire is?
 
I am another fan of the Michelin LTX M/S2m which I had a on an ’08 Sequoia. But being that I live in southern California, most of the traveled miles were on dry pavement. They were very quiet and wore really well. I would by them again without reservation for an SUV application like yours.
 
Since I like the convenience of getting my tires re-balanced and rotated while I shop, I've limited my tire selection to those at Costco. I love my Revos but only got 33k out of them. The Michelin LTX M/S2 is being replaced with the LTX Defender (apparently not just at Costco).
Michelin Expanding Defender Promise - Tire Review Magazine
Anyone have experience with these?
BTW, the Nevada Highway Patrol pickups I've seen use the LT rated LTX.

Here's a shot of the LTX Defender (not in our size)
 

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Since I like the convenience of getting my tires re-balanced and rotated while I shop, I've limited my tire selection to those at Costco. I love my Revos but only got 33k out of them. The Michelin LTX M/S2 is being replaced with the LTX Defender (apparently not just at Costco).
Michelin Expanding Defender Promise - Tire Review Magazine
Anyone have experience with these?
BTW, the Nevada Highway Patrol pickups I've seen use the LT rated LTX.

Here's a shot of the LTX Defender (not in our size)

I just ordered a set of these, they are getting installed tomorrow. I've had LTX M/S2s on a couple of trucks and have always been very happy with them. Can't imagine that the Defenders won't be at least as good.

I really thought hard about BFG KO2s, but there's really no reason for me to have them other than looks. I rarely go off road at all, and if I do, it's nothing that the Michelins won't handle fine.
 
I bought these at Costco for my previous vehicle and put 18k on them when I sold it. I think they were great tires. I run mostly highway with my 4Runner and I would not hesitate to use the Defenders. I think they are 90k mile rated tires?

Since I like the convenience of getting my tires re-balanced and rotated while I shop, I've limited my tire selection to those at Costco.


Here's a shot of the LTX Defender (not in our size)
 
Michelin LTX/MS2's. I had the predecessor on my 1995 SR5 and got 98000 miles out of them. I have 30,000 on the the ones on my 2010 Trail, and they look new. Great ride, no noise, great traction. My main offroading is dirt ranch roads and the beach, so there's no real need for better offroad tires yet.
 
Maybe it's just me, but when I need to research tires, I look at the user ratings on Tirerack (no affiliation) with millions of miles of experience to discern the various attributes of tires, rather than seeking random opinions from a limited forum sample.
 
I will have to wait for a few years before getting a new set of tires. I would also buy Michelin Defender LTX as well. I exclusively run A/S and Winter Michelin tires on three other cars (Accord-Premier/xi3, Camry-Defender/xi3 and Civic-Premier/xi3). I always wanted to give Nokian Hakka a try, so I got them for my 4runner. Regardless how good Michelin LTX maybe in the snow or on ice, a dedicated winter wheelset is must for me including common sense driving.
 
Another vote for TripleTreads, I had them on my minivan and was very happy with them. Great performing tires in dry and wet conditions. Even in snow they weren't terrible. It was long time ago though, but I think they were quieter than my minivan stock tires.
 
Maybe it's just me, but when I need to research tires, I look at the user ratings on Tirerack (no affiliation) with millions of miles of experience to discern the various attributes of tires, rather than seeking random opinions from a limited forum sample.

The difference being random opinions from a larger sample?

Me, I'll trust opinions from my peeps before every Tom, Dick, and soccer mom who drive everything from clap-trap to Prii. YMMV.

And, on rare occasions I look at CR ratings on certain products because they actually TEST them, eg tires. They rate the LTX #1 and T-Treds #2, and my current Conti's #3. All are close except in price.
 
.....
Having just recently traded my 03 in on a used 2011 Limited (with those 20 inch rims!), I'll be switching out the original Yokohama Geolandar G96 tires for Michelin Premier LTX tires in the fall. Only a few tires are made for this rim (P245/60R20), and I am very glad that Michelin is one of them.

My wife has put about 15k on Michelin Premier LTXs in her '10 Limited and they are doing great.
 
I picked up my truck last night after getting Defender LTXs installed. Understanding that any "review" of a set of tires after driving about 30 miles on them is pretty pointless, I can say this: The difference between these and the garbage that was on the truck was immediately obvious.

BTW, the junk that was on the truck was a set of Starfire tires. Supposedly something Cooper makes to sell at places like Pep Boys. I bought the truck used from a dealer who had put new tires on it.....clearly using the cheapest possible option. I figured I'd drive on the them for a while since they were brand new. Once the vibrations started and weren't fixed with road force balancing, it was time to junk them.

I had zero doubts that the Michelins would be worlds better in every category, but I was still surprised at how much better the truck handles. The change took a lot more of the sloppiness away than I was expecting. My next step was going to be 5100s set at .85, but I may not even bother now.
 
My wife has put about 15k on Michelin Premier LTXs in her '10 Limited and they are doing great.

I spoke with Bibendum - as an FYI for those following this thread, the Michelin Premier LTX has very limited sizes in 17", non of which match 265-70R17. Good choice for the LE 20" tho.

Another clarification: The LTX MS2 is now the DEFENDER LTX M/S. Michelin: "Our Best Just Got Better. The MICHELIN® Defender® LTX® M/S combines the proven tread design of the LTX® M/S2 with Evertread™ compound to provide durable tread life, no matter the season."
 
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The difference being random opinions from a larger sample?

Me, I'll trust opinions from my peeps before every Tom, Dick, and soccer mom who drive everything from clap-trap to Prii. YMMV.

And, on rare occasions I look at CR ratings on certain products because they actually TEST them, eg tires. They rate the LTX #1 and T-Treds #2, and my current Conti's #3. All are close except in price.

So what did you end up going with? We need closure!!!

(but my vote is on the LTX. I've never had a quiet set of Goodyear tires, and the Michelin always seemed to have better wet weather grip. Coming from a tail happy v8 dakota, I really had to be trying to break the rear end loose with the michelins. Same could not be said for the Goodyears, but it may have been more on which ones we were running at the time... It was a low end H/T )
 
The difference being random opinions from a larger sample?

Yes, that is exactly my point. You said it better than me. Whenever one can get a sample size of n>30, statistical relevance increases significantly.

You also make a good point about CR as a resource, though the number of different types and brands of tires they test is fairly limited each year.
 
Went with the Michelins. DT has a $100 Labor Day rebate running 9/2 and 9/3, plus Michelin has a $70 rebate.

Ordered them to get the rebate for install next week.
 
I pulled the trigger on the Michelins as well. $860 OTD at Costco with $70 rebate.
BTW, the tech said they sell replacement TPMS for approx $45 if I ever need to replace them. IIRC they use Dill brand. Not a very competitive price IMO.
 
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My experience with DT

Guess I should close out my experience. 4 Michelin Defender LTXs for $764.00. Added lifetime repairs, balancing, and 5K rotations for $64.00, plus TPMS rebuild kits for $28. Total $856.00 before $100 DT LD rebate, and $70 Michelin rebate, plus I kept the takeoffs saving $12 disposal and sold them to a used tire shop for $30. So, net-net is $684.00. OK deal IMO.

My first experience with DT and I was very impressed. I was in and out in <1 hr. They polished the hub faces, and the wheel inside-faces, also polished the inside and outside wheel lips - smart preventive maint. Last step, they put a torque wrench on each wheel also. Carefully explained my warranties, and rebate procedures, all-in-all professional and well done.

20 min. road test out I-80. Tried various speeds up to 85, and all is smooth. Me happy.
 
Anyone have experience with both the Dunlop's that come on the 2016 Trail Premium, and the Michelin LTX AT/2's ???

I am trading in a truck that has a brand new set of the Michelin's on it. I could swap the 4Runner Dunlop's with it at the time of trade-in. They want $120 to make the swap.

Is it worth it (to make the swap)?

Seems like it might be too much hassle if the difference isn't that great.
 

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