Ok, I got set of used wheels that had Michelin Defenders LTX M/S on. They had 6/32 and actually did exceptionally well in rain for tires 6yrs old. I was thinking to keep them this season and ditch them.
Not so fast. I fpund on one some kind of buckling or belt damage on the sidewall:
So, time to shop. I was toying with the idea to try Good Year Adventure with Kevlar in C load range, which would allow me to get some more sidewall strength for off-roading, but keep comfort as close as possible to regular tires. Then was thinking just P rates AT tires. But came to the conclusion that with a baby, we will probably be very limited going off road for the next 2- 3 yrs, and 99% of the time I will spend on the road. Snow performance is irrelevant, as I have snow set.
At Discount Tires, they tried to sell me Pathfinder tires. I was there to balance used tires when we discovered damage on the sidewall. And regardless of the fact that I told the guy I am looking for Continental Terrain Contact or Michelin Defenders, he was so stuck up to sell me this brand, apparently made by Hankook, to the point where he said: It is better than Continental.
OK, now you've started to insult my intelligence, time to go.
Went home, ordered online on the Costco website, Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 116T XL. I am thinking that with the robustness of that tire plus XL sidewall, it will cut on some off-road stuff that we might venture. If I decide to do some real off roading here in CO (I might) i will get used 17” or 18” wheels and slap some E rated AT tires (cheaper).
So, ordered online and the delivery date is 05/12-19. I am like “hmm, doing road trip to Vegas on 05/20, but whatever.”
An hour later, I get an email that the tires are in the center. Great! Call them, they immediately scheduled me for 04.45pm yesterday. It was raining really badly too, great!
They install them, DOT 1125, EXCELLENT! That is why I like Costco tire purchases. I always get really fresh tires.
Got out, bit slippery from all the grease on tires. By the time I was home, the grease was gone. Excellent grip in wet conditions. I can’t make Sequoia in RWD only, to spin wheels when stepping on gas from a standstill on wet. The braking is excellent too.
Today we got some snow. Great, try that too
. They just plow through water and slush!
So, we will see how they're gonna do. I am expecting great performance on the road. We will see what happens with occasional light off-roading.
