Michelin LTX M/S2 vs. A/T2

I have a very specific question about Michelin LTX tires that I'm hoping you guys can help me out with. I want to know which one, the M/S2's or the A/T2's, is better in the snow.

Quick background:
I have a '12 TRD Off-Road. I live in Southeast PA. During the winter, we frequently get all varieties of wintry nastiness around here (deep snow, slush, rain, ice, all combined, etc.). I have been shopping for tires to replace the stock BFG's that are now completely worn out at 29,000 miles. I have decided, after scouring every tire thread on TW, that its gotta be the Michelin LTXs but I'm wavering between the two choices. To keep a long story short, lets just worry about performance in snow. Anyone have any insight on this?

P.S. Most driving (95%) is done on-road. But there is some light off-roading for hunting and I do drive it on the beach in the summer.

 

I just had a set of LTX AT2's installed yesterday(265/70/16) and I couldnt be happier. These tires look GREAT on my 2011 TX Pro/TRD off road. I have yet to try them in snow but judging by the overall aggressiveness of the tread pattern, they should be much better in snow than the M/S. I also considered the M/S but they look more like a street/highway tire. Glad I went with the AT2.

 

When I bought my AT2's for my old truck, I was told the m/s would be better in the snow. One thing I will say about the AT's is they chucked rocks like crazy. They way the treads are, they will hold the rocks until you get up to speed. Not great for the paint. Now keep in mind I was running aftermarket wheels that were pushed out some.

 

Yeah I definitely prefer the look of the A/T2's. I'm afraid the M/S2's might look kinda weird. Like when guys put low profile on a truck or something but I don't know for sure. And, if its that much better of a tire, you can't really argue that.

 

I think the ms2 look more aggressive than the at2. The ms2 have a pretty blocky tread pattern.

And the ms2 is better hands down in the snow. I was not impressed with the at2s we had on our work trucks at all. The ms2s i had on my taco were awesome I'm the winter though, especially for the heavy, wet, icy snow we get up here in the northeast.

 

I used to live in Coatesville PA, for did so for over 10 years. Had a 20+ mile daily commute. When I got my new 2010 Sport DC I replaced the junk tires it came on it with M/S2. The M/S2 tires are great in the crap you get in that area.

 

I haven't heard any problems about off roading, but am wondering about these two choices myself. Also wondering about the ride quality with E load tires of these two types. Any thoughts?

I've been snooping the other Tacomas in the parking lot at work and the Michelin's wear better than any other type I've seen. One truck was missing a bunch of the side "grabbers" on the at2's, probably overloaded and overspeed at some point off road?

 

My ms2 were fine off road. Honestly I'd rate the two about equal for offroad. They are both fine for occasional offroad use. But the ms2 see by far a superior all season, and especially winter tire.

 

Sloth, I think I saw your post about M/S2's being better than A/T2's on another thread and that's part of what made me want to find out some more specific info. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!

 

Good to know! I'm in the KOP area so its all the same crap in the winter. Got about a 30 mile commute to work. Thanks for the input dude.

 

You really can't go wrong with the ms2's. They are a great all around tire. We are getting the wife a new suv soon, and I'm going to switch her tires immediately to ms2"s. Short of a snow tire or duratracs they are beasts in the snow, and all year round.

 

I was wondering if you decided on one of the Michelins, and if so, how did they do in snow/ice in PA?

 

Yes I did decide. I went with the Michelin LTX M/S 2's and could not be happier. They ride and handle great on dry roads and highways and have proven to be unstoppable in the worst PA's winters can throw at them. In fact I just recently got back from a hunting trip in Northern PA where we had fresh snow every day, eventually totaling about a foot, and I drove the truck up and down unplowed logging trails and forestry trails in the Alleghenys and the tires never slipped once. Lots of people say this but I really mean it: I could not be happier with these tires. Excellent investment for my truck. Hope this helps.