Michelin Defender...off-road capable?

Hey all,

For those who own(ed) Michelin Defenders LTX M/S, how are they off-road?? Any sidewall failures? Most of my miles will be highway, but i do venture off-road on occasion. I worry about sidewall puncture because i do plan on off-roading over rocks/gravel/etc. Mild terrain, no rock crawling.

I know that they are great on-road and lasts forever......but how are they off-road?

Please also mention if you have LT or P-metric.

Thanks in advance.

 

Aside from mud they are suppose to work well off-road.

 

yes, P metric

 

I've never used them, but know lots of folks who do. For light duty use they do fine. Even better in typical mud than you'd think. Realistically, unless you are running a true mud tire they are probably just as good as most other All Terrain tires.

LT vs P. I've run both types over the years and prefer LT's. They aren't needed most of the time and I don't do any hard core off road driving but do spend a lot of time on rough dirt and gravel forest service roads. They can get muddy and snow covered in fall and winter months. My Tacoma currently has E rated Pirelli tires which have a similar tread as the Michelin's. They do fine in the conditions I drive in.

While LT's cost more initially there is a good chance they will cost less in the long run. LT's typically have a bit more tread. And I've had several P series tires damaged driving on rough dirt roads to the point they couldn't be repaired. It sucks to have to throw away a tire with only 10,000 miles on it and buy another. Buying 4 LT's is cheaper than having to buy a 5th P series tire to replace the damaged one.

 

Yes to what? Yes to sidewall failure? Yes to off-roading with them?

 

Depends on your definition of off-roading. If you are driving down a dirt road they are fine. If you have no intention of airing down, they are fine.

To me there is a difference between off-roading and off-pavement driving.

 

Yeah I understand that it’s tread is very mild for hardcore stuff (esp mud). I am just worried about its sidewall and how strong it is over rocks.

 

I have lightly wheeled Uwharrie in my FZJ80 running LT’s. Rocks, hills, roots, ruts, they did fine. Mud clogged them to hell, and traction at that point disappeared. I was able to cover everything I tried, mud just slowed me down.

 

yes

 

Uhhh, ok...wrong forum dude.

This should help find your way:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7oWyHK79Z8Q

 

Isn’t BF Goodrich owned by Michelin? They already sell the best-selling truck tire: KO2.

Just get the proven tire and be done.

 

They air down fine.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z2AkStT18wVgvhfu8
They wheel fine.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cgSvBAXj5HnXY2618
They do snow fine.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WXjN2zxDb4kRujt19
They're the best tire you can get. The only reason to buy something else is if you're really in to looks more than performance.

 

LT or P?

 

LT load E.
Ride way nicer than any P rated tire I've ever had.

 

I’ve seen many 2ply tires take a dump doing fairly easy off-roading. If you don’t mind the risk of a flat, and usually a destroyed tire, while out in the boonies, go for it. They are lighter and handle marginally better on road. Off road, on anything more than fire roads, they are a liability that’s easy to eliminate from the equation. My 2 cents.

PS...this location is about 30 miles from any signs of civilization.

 

Another..I’ve been wheeling for 30+ years.

 

They call them "10 ply" fwiw.
I have had a sidewall puncture. Once. It was a 1" gash.
I've seen many many aggressive looking tires (coopers, duratracs, bfgs, you name it) get sidewall punctures too. Most of them you could put your hand in.
Agressive looking bits of rubber on your sidewalls don't actually do anything for you. I believe tire performance is much more about rubber compound and ride quality is all about carcass construction.

Looks are actually really important to a lot of people. For some it's their number one criteria. That's fine, just don't kid yourself that something that looks more aggressive will actually provide better performance.

 

30 Jeep trail miles or 30 miles as the crow flies? It’s Nice to camp where it is truly wild.

 

This is why it’s important for the OP to identify what type of off-roading he is doing. Because 99% of tires can do what your pictures are showing.

But to say they are the best tire and everything else is for looks is probably one of the most ignorant statement I have heard in a long time and quite honestly took away all of your credibility.

Aggressive tires have their place. That’s why they make them and bulky side walls also have their place as well and are needed depending on the environment that you are in.

MT tires are a perfect example of this and will outperform most ATs in most offroad conditions.

I do agree that aesthetics are a factor for most buyers and many MTs never leave pavement but that doesn’t mean the tire won’t perform.

 

Sidewalls are weak like most radials but unless you are rock crawling and doing something crazy high speed that shouldn’t be much of a concern.