Had a tragic failure on my Nitto DT at 4 yrs old last week (ask Buzz how scary that can be!) so I am pulling all of them off and getting new skins.Thought I made up my mind on Falken Wildpeak H/T purchased from tire buyer (they have been great with Customer service). When I went to my install Guy he said “no way would I run foreign tires” with the loads I carry. He suggested Michelin Defender LTX M/S (purchased from TB as he could not match their price). He runs Michelins on his tow trucks, flat beds, etc. and say he sells more of these to commercial guys than any other brand.So I call TB back and they say “Michelin are known for the softest sidewall in the market”! (Never heard that before).So. Now I am confused.I prefer a highway tread (AT’s too squirmy for me. And I am to off roading anyway). Cost not an issue-want the most robust 285 75 16 LR 126 out there. For those running this Michelin-what is your experience?I hate buying new tires!!!Thx, Bill

I had Michelin LTX on my F350 and hated them. Went to Nokian Rotiiva AT Plus tires and have been very happy. Great ride, higher load rating and great traction. I wouldn't have any concern about running foreign tires. Check the load ratings and tread design you want and feel confident on the road.

Michelins do flex a lot in the sidewalls. This leads to developing cracks early in life. Mich tech says cracks that you can't get your fingernail into are fine. Hit the Class A forum and search on 'Michelin'. See you if a few days :)There seems to be a cult following and no number of cracks will discourage them from buying. I run them on the toad, but I went with Yokos on the Sahara.

I have the Michelin LTX Defender's on my F350 and have no issues with them, nor cracking. Also my brother uses the same on his F350 and no issues either. I do have the FX4 package on my truck which comes with 20" rim's so I don't have as much sidewall to flex compared to 16" rims I suppose.

billtex wrote:Had a tragic failure on my Nitto DT at 4 yrs old last week (ask Buzz how scary that can be!) so I am pulling all of them off and getting new skins.Thought I made up my mind on Falken Wildpeak H/T purchased from tire buyer (they have been great with Customer service). When I went to my install Guy he said “no way would I run foreign tires” with the loads I carry. He suggested Michelin Defender LTX M/S (purchased from TB as he could not match their price). He runs Michelins on his tow trucks, flat beds, etc. and say he sells more of these to commercial guys than any other brand.So I call TB back and they say “Michelin are known for the softest sidewall in the market”! (Never heard that before).So. Now I am confused.I prefer a highway tread (AT’s too squirmy for me. And I am to off roading anyway). Cost not an issue-want the most robust 285 75 16 LR 126 out there. For those running this Michelin-what is your experience?I hate buying new tires!!!Thx, BillGlad you made it through the blow out. It is one hell of a white knuckle ride when a tire lets loose with the camper in the bed. I had the TOYO Open Country in the 285/75R16 on my blow out. I still have that SRW truck as a back up to my dually and I am running Cooper 19.5s , no way I would ever feel comfortable running 16s on my truck with a camper ever again

Been fan of Michelins for over 20 years and cracks are known issue, but IMHO they outpriced the brand from the market. That said my new dually truck come on Michelins. No complains.But I live in Nevada where my house see rain 3-4 times a year, when generally Michelins suck in slippery conditions. That said each tire model is different, so check the reviews.

Michelin vs Falken | Good Sam Community

sbryan
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2018
I had Michelin LTX on my F350 and hated them. Went to Nokian Rotiiva AT Plus tires and have been very happy. Great ride, higher load rating and great traction. I wouldn't have any concern about running foreign tires. Check the load ratings and tread design you want and feel confident on the road.
jplante4
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2018
Michelins do flex a lot in the sidewalls. This leads to developing cracks early in life. Mich tech says cracks that you can't get your fingernail into are fine. Hit the Class A forum and search on 'Michelin'. See you if a few days :)

There seems to be a cult following and no number of cracks will discourage them from buying. I run them on the toad, but I went with Yokos on the Sahara.
Kalabin
Explorer
Aug 09, 2018
I have the Michelin LTX Defender's on my F350 and have no issues with them, nor cracking. Also my brother uses the same on his F350 and no issues either. I do have the FX4 package on my truck which comes with 20" rim's so I don't have as much sidewall to flex compared to 16" rims I suppose.
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Aug 09, 2018
billtex wrote:
Had a tragic failure on my Nitto DT at 4 yrs old last week (ask Buzz how scary that can be!) so I am pulling all of them off and getting new skins.
Thought I made up my mind on Falken Wildpeak H/T purchased from tire buyer (they have been great with Customer service). When I went to my install Guy he said “no way would I run foreign tires” with the loads I carry. He suggested Michelin Defender LTX M/S (purchased from TB as he could not match their price). He runs Michelins on his tow trucks, flat beds, etc. and say he sells more of these to commercial guys than any other brand.
So I call TB back and they say “Michelin are known for the softest sidewall in the market”! (Never heard that before).
So. Now I am confused.
I prefer a highway tread (AT’s too squirmy for me. And I am to off roading anyway). Cost not an issue-want the most robust 285 75 16 LR 126 out there.
For those running this Michelin-what is your experience?

I hate buying new tires!!!

Thx, Bill

Glad you made it through the blow out. It is one hell of a white knuckle ride when a tire lets loose with the camper in the bed. I had the TOYO Open Country in the 285/75R16 on my blow out. I still have that SRW truck as a back up to my dually and I am running Cooper 19.5s , no way I would ever feel comfortable running 16s on my truck with a camper ever again
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2018
Been fan of Michelins for over 20 years and cracks are known issue, but IMHO they outpriced the brand from the market.
That said my new dually truck come on Michelins.
No complains.
But I live in Nevada where my house see rain 3-4 times a year, when generally Michelins suck in slippery conditions.
That said each tire model is different, so check the reviews.
ardvark
Explorer
Aug 10, 2018
Michelins here on everything for years. No problems, no cracks.
srschang
Nomad
Aug 10, 2018
Michelin Defenders highly recommended. Stiff sidewall, 3 years and 40,000 miles, about half tread left. Will buy them again. Don't know about cracks. Live near Buffalo, NY, do good in the snow, much better than the factory Firestone tires I took off at 17,000 miles. They were worthless in snow.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Aug 10, 2018
I am partial to Bridgestone/Firestone or Michelin’s.
billtex
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2018
Buzzcut1 wrote:
billtex wrote:
Had a tragic failure on my Nitto DT at 4 yrs old last week (ask Buzz how scary that can be!) so I am pulling all of them off and getting new skins.
Thought I made up my mind on Falken Wildpeak H/T purchased from tire buyer (they have been great with Customer service). When I went to my install Guy he said “no way would I run foreign tires” with the loads I carry. He suggested Michelin Defender LTX M/S (purchased from TB as he could not match their price). He runs Michelins on his tow trucks, flat beds, etc. and say he sells more of these to commercial guys than any other brand.
So I call TB back and they say “Michelin are known for the softest sidewall in the market”! (Never heard that before).
So. Now I am confused.
I prefer a highway tread (AT’s too squirmy for me. And I am to off roading anyway). Cost not an issue-want the most robust 285 75 16 LR 126 out there.
For those running this Michelin-what is your experience?

I hate buying new tires!!!

Thx, Bill

Glad you made it through the blow out. It is one hell of a white knuckle ride when a tire lets loose with the camper in the bed. I had the TOYO Open Country in the 285/75R16 on my blow out. I still have that SRW truck as a back up to my dually and I am running Cooper 19.5s , no way I would ever feel comfortable running 16s on my truck with a camper ever again

Yep...next truck is dually for me too. It is really a wake up call when you go through something like that. But after buying new boat last year a new truck is not in the cards right now.

So...back to the original question; Michelin or Falken?

Thx, Bill
billtex
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2018
srschang wrote:
Michelin Defenders highly recommended. Stiff sidewall, 3 years and 40,000 miles, about half tread left. Will buy them again. Don't know about cracks. Live near Buffalo, NY, do good in the snow, much better than the factory Firestone tires I took off at 17,000 miles. They were worthless in snow.

Can you verify the sidewall ply on these?
I cannot find it published anywhere

Thx, b