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Michelin Defender LTX Platinum

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RAM-Ewad

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I have a 2022 2500HD Laramie 6-4 box, 6.4 HEMI. Tires are LT285/60-R20

Pull a 32 foot Keystone Cougar 5th wheel, dry weight 8760 lbs. - Gross 11,000 lbs. PIN about 1950 lbs. at gross.

Does anyone pull a similar camper with a truck equiped with the Michelin Defender LTX Platinum tires?

What is you opinion of the tires' performance?

Opinions regarding tire performance when not pulling a camper?

TIA
 
Not exactly the same tire, but I got the Defender LTX M/S2 a while back. Pull an 8K TT. So far I like them. Way better than the OEM Transforce on wet roads. With the Firestones I could actually feel through the steering them losing grip on the highway when raining and they did that from the start, empty or towing. The Defenders do not do that at all. I do air them down some when not pulling the TT as the ride is less bumpy. Not so far as some here do, but probably about 65 front and rear. The other thing I noticed as I use an aftermarket TPMS, the Michelins do not heat up as much as the Transforce did. The Firestones did not heat up dangerously but the Michelins definitely run at least 10 degrees or more cooler on the highway when towing. Probably should have changed sooner, but I didn't. I only rotated the OEMs once in 15,000 miles, at about 4,000. So the rear tires were almost worn out. The front still had more than 1/2 wear left but still I think even with good rotation, with towing getting 20K miles out of the OEMs would have been the most. I will rotate the Michelins at least once a year or every 5K if not more often. Discount tire does not limit your rotations.
 
RAM-Ewad said:
I have a 2022 2500HD Laramie 6-4 box, 6.4 HEMI. Tires are LT285/60-R20

Pull a 32 foot Keystone Cougar 5th wheel, dry weight 8760 lbs. - Gross 11,000 lbs. PIN about 1950 lbs. at gross.

Does anyone pull a similar camper with a truck equiped with the Michelin Defender LTX Platinum tires?

What is you opinion of the tires' performance?

Opinions regarding tire performance when not pulling a camper?

TIA
Click to expand...
When I received my 2025 3500, I switched the tires out to Continental Terrain Contact H/T only because the Defender LTX M/S are not available in 285/60/20 any longer. The Platinum was the only Michelins available in the tire size I needed and could not convince myself to by them. I am super happy with the Continentals so far.
 
I’m running the Michelins Defender LTX. I’m happy with them thus far. Most improvement when running in the rain, I’m pulling 41’ forest river loaded at 14.5k.

TransForce tires did not feel sure footed in rain and snow.
 
RAM-Ewad said:
I have a 2022 2500HD Laramie 6-4 box, 6.4 HEMI. Tires are LT285/60-R20

Pull a 32 foot Keystone Cougar 5th wheel, dry weight 8760 lbs. - Gross 11,000 lbs. PIN about 1950 lbs. at gross.

Does anyone pull a similar camper with a truck equiped with the Michelin Defender LTX Platinum tires?

What is you opinion of the tires' performance?

Opinions regarding tire performance when not pulling a camper?

TIA
Click to expand...
I also have a 2022 2500 Laramie, 6.4 bed, but it's a diesel. I replaced the OEM Firestone tires at 33,740 in Oct. 2023 with a set of 285/60/R20 Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Currently at 55,500 miles. I was pulling a 29' 5'r with gross of 10,000. Just upgraded to a 34' with 11,500 gross. The tread was checked at rotation two weeks ago - depth all around is 9/32. The tires are in great shape. I am very pleased with the wear and ride. I keep the tires at 65 psi all the time, and while the truck might ride softer with a lower psi, for me it rides just fine; after all it is an HD truck! My truck use is about 40% towing. When driving on the highway without towing the tires perform great. I don't think you will go wrong with a set of Michelin Defenders.
 
Will_T said:
Not exactly the same tire, but I got the Defender LTX M/S2 a while back. Pull an 8K TT. So far I like them. Way better than the OEM Transforce on wet roads. With the Firestones I could actually feel through the steering them losing grip on the highway when raining and they did that from the start, empty or towing. The Defenders do not do that at all. I do air them down some when not pulling the TT as the ride is less bumpy. Not so far as some here do, but probably about 65 front and rear. The other thing I noticed as I use an aftermarket TPMS, the Michelins do not heat up as much as the Transforce did. The Firestones did not heat up dangerously but the Michelins definitely run at least 10 degrees or more cooler on the highway when towing. Probably should have changed sooner, but I didn't. I only rotated the OEMs once in 15,000 miles, at about 4,000. So the rear tires were almost worn out. The front still had more than 1/2 wear left but still I think even with good rotation, with towing getting 20K miles out of the OEMs would have been the most. I will rotate the Michelins at least once a year or every 5K if not more often. Discount tire does not limit your rotations.
Click to expand...
One thing I would add is that the LTX M/S2 seems to have a tread that likes to hold on to a few of the gravel stones of our driveway and spit them out when getting up to speed on pavement. Just looking at the tread of the LTX Platinum, they look like they would do less of that.
 
Will_T said:
One thing I would add is that the LTX M/S2 seems to have a tread that likes to hold on to a few of the gravel stones of our driveway and spit them out when getting up to speed on pavement. Just looking at the tread of the LTX Platinum, they look like they would do less of that.
Click to expand...
What size Tires do you have? I really enjoyed driving on the M/S2, but I was super disappointed they don't make them in 285/60/20. My Continentals do the same as the tread pattern looks almost the same.
 
Xflight29 said:
What size Tires do you have? I really enjoyed driving on the M/S2, but I was super disappointed they don't make them in 285/60/20. My Continentals do the same as the tread pattern looks almost the same.
Click to expand...
275/70/18

I have after market mud flaps so hopefully those will control the stones being spit out. Once in a rare while, I hear one ping so know it has hit something metallic.
 
Thanks all for your thoughts. I have worn out several sets of Michelin LTX Defender M/S and M/S 2 over the years and was very satisfied with their performance. The LTX Defender Platinum's are a little different in my opinion. Pulling the 5th wheel in corners, they seem "squishy" -- meaning does not feel as stable as the previous Defenders did or the OE Firestone TransForce AT that I took off the truck at 39,300 miles with 6/32's left. I was not expecting this kind of performance when towing. On the positive side, they are very quiet and smooth. Road expansion joints are way less noticeable. Also, they seem to follow the groves in a milled highway surface, giving you the sensation of rocking back and forth, left to right. Maybe I am over sensitive to all of this, but a $1700 expenditure should be near perfect. Anyway, thanks for listening.
 
JABAR357 said:
I’m running the Michelins Defender LTX. I’m happy with them thus far. Most improvement when running in the rain, I’m pulling 41’ forest river loaded at 14.5k.

TransForce tires did not feel sure footed in rain and snow.
Click to expand...
Is this tire the Defender LTX Platinum?
 
Xflight29 said:
When I received my 2025 3500, I switched the tires out to Continental Terrain Contact H/T only because the Defender LTX M/S are not available in 285/60/20 any longer. The Platinum was the only Michelins available in the tire size I needed and could not convince myself to by them. I am super happy with the Continentals so far.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply -- Discount Tire stated the Continental would be a good alternative - however, when I googled the reviews for the Terrain Contact H/T, there were a lot of comments regarding not being able to get them balanced - even on the Continental website. Its good that you have a set the avoids that issue.
 
RAM-Ewad said:
Thanks for the reply -- Discount Tire stated the Continental would be a good alternative - however, when I googled the reviews for the Terrain Contact H/T, there were a lot of comments regarding not being able to get them balanced - even on the Continental website. Its good that you have a set the avoids that issue.
Click to expand...
I reviewed every review number of times. I found out they had small amount with th A/T not the H/T. I could not be any happier than I am with the H/T. Check out Tire Rack reviews.
 
I have the platinums in 285/65/20 and they have been fantastic both towing and unloaded. They haven't seen snow yet, but seem to be great in all other conditions.
 
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