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Jack_in_Dixie's avatar
Jack_in_Dixie
Explorer
May 22, 2023

'21 RAM Big Horn 3500 DRW CC/LB 4x4 with NEXEN Tire WOES!

Both OEM NEXEN front tires (LT235/80R17E) had to be replaced last week due to separation with only 11K miles since I purchased the truck FEB-21. Wish I had known (or researched) these POS tires before I signed on the dotted line or I would have insisted on Michelin Defenders I have always used in the past before I left the dealership. My bad...

I have ZERO trust/faith in these NEXEN tires. Therefore, I am going to remove/replace these crappy tires this week. My problem is finding a Michelin Defender LTX M/S or Michelin LTX M/S2 in my OEM size tires (LT235/80R17E). Only Michelin tires I can find in my size are the LTX A/T2, Energy Saver, and Agillis???, none of which I really want to pay $2K for. I NEVER had so much as a flat tire in the the 20+ years I rode on Michelin Defender LT tires hauling RVs around the USA!

Is there another SIZE TIRE that will fit on my 17" wheels so I can try and find a Michelin Defender LTX or LTX M/S set of tires? If not, looks like I will be buying new wheels also...

Thanks in advance.

Jack in North Florida, Retired
River Life on the beautiful Suwannee River
2021 RAM Big Horn 3500 DRW CC/LB 4x4
2021 Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 29RKS
Tow Vehicles

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  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    May 22, 2023
    All this complaining by the OP in 2 posts….
    Holy smokes.
    Btw they make the right size Michelins for your truck in the whatever ones you are hung up on getting. They’re 245-75-17. Compare the sizes. Could have saved half your silly rant about tires….
  • blofgren's avatar
    blofgren
    Explorer
    May 22, 2023
    My truck came new with the Generals and they were POS's too. They had a vibration that could not be solved even after balancing many times. I too said I would have made Michelins part of the deal had I known how bad the Generals really were.

    I ran into the same issue as you when looking for new Michelins, in that I wanted the MS2's. I believe the MS2 is only made in LT245/80R17. I ended up going with AT2's which are made in LT235/80R17 because I was a bit concerned that I might have rubbing issues on the rear duals when loaded heavy. It turned out that the Michelins are considerably narrower than the OEM tires were and LT245's would have been just fine.

    I don't regret going with the AT2's; they look really good and are a super quiet highway tire (my truck doesn't go off road as it's a pavement princess :B), but if you want the MS2's you will need to go to LT24580R17 and they will work just fine.

    Hope this helps.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    May 22, 2023
    I have been saying dump NEXEN's since 2015 and sell them on CL.

    I had a set of Michelins waiting to install when my factory ordered 15 LongHorn arrived. Installed the new tires at 200 miles and sold the NEXEN's for $650 first call.

    The MS Michelins only lasted 40k and I received $650 to buy any tire I wanted because warranty was 60k. I bought the same, as the Manager at Discount Tire said they did have issues but they were corrected. Fast forward those Michelin's now have 67k and are still "legal" but will be getting replaced soon.

    OP I have the same situation with the three tires and what is available now, not the MS2's. Stick with the OE tire size or you will be screwing with your gear ratio.

    I am sure I will be buying the LTX AT2, I will post my price when I talk to my manager I mentioned.

    Also get your front end aligned!!!!! Set toe to 1/64" toe in. You WILL thank me.
  • stickdog's avatar
    stickdog
    Explorer
    May 22, 2023
    Jack in Dixie wrote:
    ..

    I have ZERO trust/faith in these NEXEN tires. Therefore, I am going to remove/replace these crappy tires this week. My problem is finding a Michelin Defender LTX M/S or Michelin LTX M/S2 in my OEM size tires (LT235/80R17E). Only Michelin tires I can find in my size are the LTX A/T2, Energy Saver, and Agillis???, none of which I really want to pay $2K for. I NEVER had so much as a flat tire in the the 20+ years I rode on Michelin Defender LT tires hauling RVs around the USA!

    Is there another SIZE TIRE that will fit on my 17" wheels so I can try and find a Michelin Defender LTX or LTX M/S set of tires? If not, looks like I will be buying new wheels also...

    Thanks in advance.

    Jack in North Florida, Retired
    River Life on the beautiful Suwannee River
    2021 RAM Big Horn 3500 DRW CC/LB 4x4
    2021 Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 29RKS


    Have you been to the Michelin website could it be they don't make them anymore.
  • eHoefler's avatar
    eHoefler
    Explorer II
    May 22, 2023
    I went to 245/75R17E on all my Ram's after the OE tires wore out
  • Learjet's avatar
    Learjet
    Explorer
    May 22, 2023
    yep, it's sad Ram installs these tires...had my nexen tires replaced at about 22,000 miles with Michelin tires.
  • Jack_in_Dixie's avatar
    Jack_in_Dixie
    Explorer
    May 22, 2023
    Yes, GOOGLE does provide many different manufactured tires in size LT235/80R17E. GOOGLE also provides a lot of links to Michelin tires in the same size. Problem is the only model Michelin tires in that size I can find in stock are the Energy Saver, LTX A/T2 and Agillis. Checked with lots of online tire stores and even called local shops, but NONE have the Michelin LTX M/S2 or Defender LTX M/S in stock. Therein lies my dilemma...
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    May 22, 2023
    So, you found out Nexen tires suck. Not newsworthy although you appear to not have been aware.
    And if you somehow can’t find the Michelins in your size (unlikely), then there are plenty of tires just as good and plenty that are arguably better. Just go get some new tires.
    Although to your point, I’d think tire/truck warranty may be a possible option? (Idk never had a tire warranty claim, on OE tires.)
  • stickdog's avatar
    stickdog
    Explorer
    May 22, 2023
    Not an uncommon size Google the size and 20 different tire styles and price range pop up.

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