Goodbye Duratrac's, hello Michelin Defender LTX M/S2!!!

A

AdmiralYoda

Joined
Jan 23, 2013
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Location
MA
I've got a 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 that came stock with 265/65r17 Goodyear Duratrac's . I bought it used at 20k miles and the tires had even treadwear and had plenty of tread left. From the moment I bought it I was surprised how loud the tires were, not deafening but definitely noticeable. I've also had to have them balanced a few times and they take ALOT of weight.

I drive about 28k miles per year and recently hit 50k, mostly highway miles. The Duratracs still wore evenly and probably have another 10-15k miles on them but I've ditched them. It sounds like I'm driving around with Super Swamper Boggers on there! The hum is so loud that I was starting to think I had a hub bearing on its way out! The wet traction has also really gone down hill even though there is plenty of siping left on the lugs.

I just had some Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2's put on. WOW!!! It drives and sounds like I'm in a minivan now! Super quiet and the ride quality improved a bit. My gas mileage has also improved quite a bit. I drive mostly highway with the cruise control on 70-ish. I was happy enough with the Duratrac's averaging 21mpg. Over the past few weeks with the Michelin's my mileage is averaging 24mpg.

The only bummer....the Michelin's look like minivan tires (they are) and I miss the off-roady look of the Duratracs. Oh well, I'll get used to it!
 
AdmiralYoda said:
I've got a 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 that came stock with 265/65r17 Goodyear Duratrac's . I bought it used at 20k miles and the tires had even treadwear and had plenty of tread left. From the moment I bought it I was surprised how loud the tires were, not deafening but definitely noticeable. I've also had to have them balanced a few times and they take ALOT of weight.

I drive about 28k miles per year and recently hit 50k, mostly highway miles. The Duratracs still wore evenly and probably have another 10-15k miles on them but I've ditched them. It sounds like I'm driving around with Super Swamper Boggers on there! The hum is so loud that I was starting to think I had a hub bearing on its way out! The wet traction has also really gone down hill even though there is plenty of siping left on the lugs.

I just had some Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2's put on. WOW!!! It drives and sounds like I'm in a minivan now! Super quiet and the ride quality improved a bit. My gas mileage has also improved quite a bit. I drive mostly highway with the cruise control on 70-ish. I was happy enough with the Duratrac's averaging 21mpg. Over the past few weeks with the Michelin's my mileage is averaging 24mpg.

The only bummer....the Michelin's look like minivan tires (they are) and I miss the off-roady look of the Duratracs. Oh well, I'll get used to it!
Click to expand...
LTX is very popular among off-road crowd. It is very strong tire.
You gained some mpg as LTX is really light for its size. That is why it is most popular tire in that segment. It just does everything good.
 
Tires are always a trade off. If you want low road noise it's pretty likely the tread will appear less aggressive. LTX is a great option for a daily driver in my opinion.
 
@JoelB Exactly. I really prefer the off-roady look but my driving habits do not necessitate it. I need a tire that performs well over lots of highway miles and can perform well on snowy roads in the winter. Looking at the tread design and siping it should to well in the snow.

Tirerack categorizes them as a "Highway All-Season" and I think that is a perfect description.
 
I may put these on the ZR2. The DT are loud. I go off-road but could get by with the LTX's.
 
The LTX tires are fantastic on-road tires; great manners in dry and wet.

Caveat ... they absolutely suck in mud and snow. I was never so happy to get rid of mine and get some better (real) multi-terrain tires. The thread will pack with mud or snow and stay in there; they don't "clean" themselves well at all. Hence they end up being being like slicks anything material gets stuck in the tread pattern.
 
@dnewton3 What type of snow are we talking? In my experience any tire that doesn't have open lugs like a real AT or MT will have trouble in deep snow. The AT's and MT's are good at self cleaning and digging through the sloppy stuff.

Conversely these AT's and MT's tend to suck on packed snow and ice which is where I expect the LTX to shine. It has tons of siping that should probably give some good grip. That is the type of snow I typically drive in.
 
AdmiralYoda said:
@dnewton3 What type of snow are we talking? In my experience any tire that doesn't have open lugs like a real AT or MT will have trouble in deep snow. The AT's and MT's are good at self cleaning and digging through the sloppy stuff.

Conversely these AT's and MT's tend to suck on packed snow and ice which is where I expect the LTX to shine. It has tons of siping that should probably give some good grip. That is the type of snow I typically drive in.
Click to expand...
You are correct Sir. Off road trucks with sled decks or towing up steep mountain grades in deep snow typically have at least a 12.50x 35” tire in something like a Toyo MT.
Same in mud- spin to clean or you’re not going anywhere.
Siping with studs where allowed rule on hardpack and ice.
My daughter was asking about chains for her 3500 yesterday. Apparently there’s a mandatory chain rule on a road she wants to go up next winter.
My advice, follow a logging truck. He’ll chop it up for you.
 
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dnewton3 said:
The LTX tires are fantastic on-road tires; great manners in dry and wet.

Caveat ... they absolutely suck in mud and snow. I was never so happy to get rid of mine and get some better (real) multi-terrain tires. The thread will pack with mud or snow and stay in there; they don't "clean" themselves well at all. Hence they end up being being like slicks anything material gets stuck in the tread pattern.
Click to expand...
I’ve had better results in snow with the Michelin’s on our Durango. Southeast Michigan snow and even heavy snow in the UP. Maybe it’s the AWD helping a bit but they have been night & day difference from the OE Bridgestone. Now the Durango never sees mud but snow it has been very reliable traction for us. 8” to 10” unplowed roads plus drifting heading up to Grand Marais, MI in the UP. I was pleasantly surprised how well they gripped and that’s coming from someone who runs dedicated snow tires on his diesel truck in the winter.
 
edyvw said:
Yep. Snow on snow is what creates friction.
However, LTX is only a decent tire in snow. No 3PMSF on them.
Click to expand...
but decent compared to what. I'd expect on normal highway conditions plowed/salted etc
they would do at least as good as some aggressive tires such as Toyo RT or MT tires.. in those conditions.

Now lugging a trailer up an unplowed steep road... Give me some Toyo AT's

Personally I have run winter tires last 25 years except a few seasons.
Although with winters being pansy lately and the rise of all-weather tires
there was never a better time to not run winter tires..
if you buy appropriate tires that are decent in the winter. (in my climate)
I also dont work in the primary snowbelt any longer.
 
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I have a 2017 Canyon ATX and it came with duratracs as well. I actually brought it in for warranty once because the vibration at 68 mph was so bad I thought there was something wrong with the truck.

Replaced them early with lots of tread because they sucked so hard with BFG KO2 270/65R17. These ride like glass even at 80+ mph, so much better.
 
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