STREGA
Explorer
The off-road driving that I will be doing will be easy forest service road type stuff. But you can still damage lesser/inferior tires on those kind of roads. My days of doing more technical off-roading are pretty much behind me now.
Perfect off-highway tire = LTX? What?
- Thread starter Pskhaat
- Start date
Pskhaat
2005 Expedition Trophy Champion
What would be a scenario where you would consider them not heavy duty?
gwittman
Adventurer
I feel the side walls of the LTX M/S is not tough enough for even moderate rock crawling. It is easy for a sharp rock to puncture a side wall and it happens to tougher tires. Why take a greater risk with a tire with thinner sidewalls?
I have done the type of trials STREGA intends to run and the LTX M/S should serve well for that.
I have done the type of trials STREGA intends to run and the LTX M/S should serve well for that.
80t0ylc
Hill & Gully Rider
I just figured out why this thread gets under my skin. I read Gary's (@gwittman) post #211 and I just knew the OP would chime in and what he would ask. I told myself that I wasn't going to get sucked in again, but I think I figured out what bothers me. First let me ask a few questions to get readers in the right frame of mind. Shooters, do you use the same grain of bullet (excellent brand of course) in a particular gun for all purposes and call it "perfect"? Or how about your rigs, do you use your favorite one for all types of driving and call it "perfect"? How about tools? Do you use your multi tool (Leatherman, for example) when doing a project because it gets the job done - sorta? It has screw drivers, pliers, file, knife, and maybe even scissors if you're lucky. It's handy to carry, but it's rarely the perfect tool for the job. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then I can see how you're a fan of this thread. But, most of us would answer no because we know the saying - "the right tool for the job" - and why we say it. Sure Michelin makes a great tire with the LTX and it survives most of the punishment dished out with excellent mileage. But those are the only things you can give it credit for. In every other off road category there is a tire that will out perform the LTX for that particular category. So, I guess, if high mileage and overall toughness is all you're looking for, the LTX is "perfect", if you can find the right size. I still don't like the title of this thread, though...lol
Edited for clarity.
Edited for clarity.
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MontySquareo
Active member
I did plenty of moderate off-roading on 10 year old Michelin a/t2 tires, the sidewalls look similar to the ltx m/s of the same era. I did kill one by ramming it into a tree stump hidden in the sand, (I was foolin around near home) and a second one died a few months after I gouged the sidewall. the second one died with 200lbs of canoes on the roof and 3 friends in the backseat, while going 70 on the highway, and it was over 10 years old, so it was expected. the third one was thrown away because it had a slow leak and the 4th one is the spare now. I did the crown king trail on these tires, along with the sheep bridge (both well known trails in Arizona, neither are extreme rock crawling but there's still plenty of sharp rocks) so while they might not be that strong of sidewalls, they're strong enough for me. they're too expensive though, so I bough some dextero all terrains from wally world.
Fascinating thread. I have a 1 ton dually 4x4 that hauls a 2,500 lbs truck camper sometimes and I am looking to replace the tires I am currently running: Continental TerrainContact LT245/75R17. My truck sees mostly pavement but I have done some mild off-roading like driving through Valley of the Gods in Utah. The TerrainContacts have been absolutely great. But, I usually wear out the front tires before the rears so I have brand new tires on the front and four rear tires with about 7/32nds on them. I went to replace the rears and the TerrainContacts are out of stock everywhere with a possible chance to get them in January. In the mean time, I am considering alternatives since winter has arrived here in KY. I am not looking for a super aggressive tire so the Michelin LTX Defender M/S2 is a viable option. I love traveling out west when I can so I put a lot of highway miles on my tires. I have gotten over 60k miles on the rear duals with the Conti's. They are great tires and super quiet on the road. I highly recommend them when they come back in stock.
However, since the TerrainContact is such a mild off-road tire, the LTX M/S2 seems like a viable alternative. My truck is about 8,800 lbs empty with my aluminum topper and that is how I use it 95% of the time. It is my DD but I do load up the Lance TC for trips out west. My recommended PSI for the rear tires is 60 PSI. Unloaded, I run them at 38 PSI and 60 PSI when hauling the TC. Unloaded the lower pressures improve the ride greatly. Having 4 tires spreading out the unloaded weight of 4,180 lbs (1,045 lbs per tire) improves the wear as well because 60 PSI makes them wear in the middle of the tire. I don't lower the pressure in the front because that weight never changes (75 PSI in all conditions). i am really liking what Scott is reporting on the LTX M/S tires and I thinking they might do well on my 1 ton. I am absolutely looking for a softer ride and less noise althought the Conti's are the quietest AT tire you can buy. They still make some road noise after they wear in, especially on grooved pavement.
Thoughts?
(photos are from when I first bought the tires)
However, since the TerrainContact is such a mild off-road tire, the LTX M/S2 seems like a viable alternative. My truck is about 8,800 lbs empty with my aluminum topper and that is how I use it 95% of the time. It is my DD but I do load up the Lance TC for trips out west. My recommended PSI for the rear tires is 60 PSI. Unloaded, I run them at 38 PSI and 60 PSI when hauling the TC. Unloaded the lower pressures improve the ride greatly. Having 4 tires spreading out the unloaded weight of 4,180 lbs (1,045 lbs per tire) improves the wear as well because 60 PSI makes them wear in the middle of the tire. I don't lower the pressure in the front because that weight never changes (75 PSI in all conditions). i am really liking what Scott is reporting on the LTX M/S tires and I thinking they might do well on my 1 ton. I am absolutely looking for a softer ride and less noise althought the Conti's are the quietest AT tire you can buy. They still make some road noise after they wear in, especially on grooved pavement.
Thoughts?
(photos are from when I first bought the tires)
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Bringing this thread back because it's tire time!!
2020 Tundra. Pretty much a pavement queen, maybe some gravel roads, absolutely no intention of any sort of hard core off-road driving. Down south, so very little chance of snow. Truck mostly used for family adventures and towing a few small trailers (<4k lbs.)
Stock size is 275/65r18. Tons of choices. I'd like to upsize a bit to 275/70r18, narrows the choices a bit:
2020 Tundra. Pretty much a pavement queen, maybe some gravel roads, absolutely no intention of any sort of hard core off-road driving. Down south, so very little chance of snow. Truck mostly used for family adventures and towing a few small trailers (<4k lbs.)
Stock size is 275/65r18. Tons of choices. I'd like to upsize a bit to 275/70r18, narrows the choices a bit:
- General Grabber in SL rating. 45lbs (only a few lbs heaver than stock), OEM on the f150 Tremor
- Of course the Defender M/S2. E-rated. 52lbs. About the lightest e-rated tire. My only real concern is the rough ride from the e-rated tire. I know i do not need an e-rated tire, but that's the only option for this size.
80t0ylc
Hill & Gully Rider
If your main concern is "rough ride", you should probably be looking at P tires and not LT tires. They ride better and will do fine on the roads you mention traveling on. They're also probably less expensive. Just beware that dropping pressure while off road is not recommended for P tires since their sidewalls are not as strong as LT tires.
And that's the issue. There are really only 2 non-e rated 275/70 18 (33") tire options, General Grabber ATX and Grabber ATP. Pretty much the reason i'm considering the Grabber ATX.
ThundahBeagle
Well-known member
The LT type BFG AT KO2 also come in load C. I have some on my truck now. Not exactly 33's but they are 32.7" (LT285/70/17 or thereabouts), and 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake rated. Ride comfort maybe not quite as smooth as the Michelin LTX, but I dont feel like my ******** and back are being treated roughly at all either. Really not a bad ride. For what its worth
Todd n Natalie
OverCamper
rruff
Explorer
The takeaway is that ATs are pretty much show. If you need something more than a highway tread for traction in mud, then a MT with big voids is required. Durability, longevity, puncture resistance, noise, and mpgs are other aspects to consider.
My Hankook ATMs are phenomenal for mpg, even though they are heavy beasts with thick tread and 3 ply sidewalls. Longevity looks good, but I've gotten several sidewall cuts and a couple punctures that are close to the sidewall. I don't drive in mud, and rarely in snow.