Michelin Defender LTX MS2 LT265/70R18 124/121S E

When ordering a new GMC, I read as many tire reviews as I could find. The Michelin Defender LTX M/S generation 2 was receiving rave reviews. After a lifetime of burning through all brands of tires on a variety of sports cars, trucks and passenger cars, experience has taught me to stick with Michelin. And these new Gen 2 offerings were the best performing truck tire for the road, bar none. They also had the best warranty. They are more than adequate for light off roading and boat ramps, but on the road are the smoothest and quietest tires I hae had on any truck. I’ve run everything, from road tires to All Terrains to Mud tires, even installing non radial tires on a swamp buggy I owned. (Safer when airing down for very rugged conditions off road-Florida is 90% sugar sand and like 10% mud, so All Terrains and M/S tires generally do better on most conditions. The ride after installing thee tires is WAY better than any others I’ve used. The tires are so quiet I initially was hesitant while towing. But the traction is excellent off road with the sipes on the side and the generally self cleaning tread. More importantly, handling in bad weather and wet braking are all excellent. High speed travel on the interstate is very quiet and composed, just like a passenger cars tire. The occasional road trash and a couple poorly laid curbs and damaged asphalt have caused no damage, as the tires stayed in balance and showed no punctures or cuts. I do make a point of rotating every oil change an remove any stuck gravel or debris every time I wash the truck. I have automotive engineers in the family who advise running 80% of the max pressure on the sidewall and this has yielded very long tread life. I have absolutely no complaints and when my youngest son returns from college I will be putting Defenders on his Nissan as well. These tires cost a little more than average but give you much longer tread life and superior handling and braking. There are many good tires on the market but Michelin generally excels in every category for most people. When in doubt, just get Michelin. There is a reason why my company only used Michelin on the truck fleet when I was i the trades. This particular model is another win for Michelin.

I heard the name "Michelin Man" decades ago. My first introduction to car safety came from seeing a blowout at high speed. A man who rebuilt a big-block in my Mustang explained that the best tires are Michelin. Decades later, a microburst dropped a record 19 inches of rain per hour on I-45. I could see the rooster tail of the water my tires pumped out of the way as I moved forward. Countless vehicles around me went off the road. Many were hurt, two died, and I was shaken. And the ride is quieter, more comfortable, and always gets me where I am going. So, yeah, you can call me a Michelin Man!