New Michelin Defenders

[sourdough]

Bought a new set of Michelin Defenders today for the truck (285/60 20). It was the culmination of several different searches.

My thoughts (after 60 miles) is that they are quieter than the Firestone TransForce tires I had (OEM).....but they had 49,400 on them. I like the full depth siping vs just partial cuts. They drive good. Time will tell how they work but wanted newer tires to kick around in the CO forests come June.

I have to give kudos to DT. I was going back and forth between the TransForce and Defenders. The Firestone tires were considerably cheaper but I'm still not sold on Firestone - although these have been great tires. I told the guy at the counter that. We discussed the price (301 per tire), add ons, tread depth, siping etc. As we talked the manager came and stood at the side. The person I was talking to was looking at availability and said they didn't have 4, they would have to come from Houston. The manager said "let me look at that". Then said we have 4 here in town right now and I can have them here in 30 minutes and you will be out of here in 45. I told him (as I had told the other guy) that I wanted to wait a couple of weeks and get my full 50k out of the old tires. He said "what"? "You want to wait 600 miles?" What if I just take $100 off right now? We discussed a bit and I told them to do it. Come to find out, in the end, they took $200 off the price of the tires. Instead of $301 per tire (my local tire store wanted $358) they sold them to me for $250 each!!!

When the guy went out to the truck with me we measured the tires on it. He looked at them and said "you're getting rid of these?" and I told him yes. He said they look good. I asked if he had brought something to measure tread depth and he said yes. I told him they will be around 7 or 8/32nds....and they were. 2 at 7, 1 at 8 and 1 at 11 (it had been replaced). Maybe that's why I got a good deal?

Needless to say I was VERY pleased with the pricing and installation. The manager brought the truck to me, shook my hand and told me they were glad to do it and how much they appreciated my business and loyalty. I used to stick with the local tire store but their prices have just not kept up and now they can't balance a 20" wheel for nothing....and that's all I have on my new cars.....so, DT....thanks!

[66joej]

Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately we don't have Discount Tire here in Canada.

[GeekSquadOfUn]

Originally Posted by 66joej

Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately we don't have Discount Tire here in Canada.

Costco has decent prices for them in Canada...

[Pmedic4]

We just put Michelin Defenders on our Ford Explorer, at it was right at $900 from Sam's Club. I guess the reason why I responded, the salesman said the Defenders are a 'Walmart's exclusive'. You showed they aren't, and looking online, I see them at several other distributors.

BTW, the Explorer isn't our TV.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Pmedic4

We just put Michelin Defenders on our Ford Explorer, at it was right at $900 from Sam's Club. I guess the reason why I responded, the salesman said the Defenders are a 'Walmart's exclusive'. You showed they aren't, and looking online, I see them at several other distributors.

BTW, the Explorer isn't our TV.

Hmmm. Sounds like Sam's has a pretty good price on them - maybe...I'm assuming you're talking about the same size tire. I have a '17 explorer but don't think the 285/60 20 tires would fit - maybe 255/55 20? (memory).

As a separate note, I don't use Walmart/Sam's for anything pertaining to tires or vehicle maintenance....I've met many of their "techs".......

[the sodfather]

Discount Tire is great. (I hope I don't regret saying that). I have spend a lot of money with them. Not bragging, but when I come in, a few of the guys know me by name...

[bsmith0404]

I love DT. The local shop here knows me very well. I've bought so many tires from them that I should have bought stock as well. They always give me a great deal. I went in yesterday to get a balance and rotation on my daughter's car. As I walked in the front door, the store manager was walking out into the shop, saw me and turned around and came over to shake my hand and see how I was doing.

My dad has been very impressed with DT as well. They don't have one in WI, so when he needs new tires he just waits until they plan a visit to NM.

The guys in the shop also recognize me when I stop in. Every now and then when I'm getting some work done I'll bring in a bag of breakfast burritos. It's amazing what showing a little appreciation for their hard work will get you. IMO, you can't find a better tire store.

[Desert185]

Dittos on DT. I like their price matching policy. I show the ad on my phone and they match the price.

We had Defenders on the wife's Volvo XC70 and they were noisy as heck. Took them off early. For some reason, the tread on the crossover version is different than on the LT, pickup version. We replaced them with Michelin Premier A/S. Best tire yet on the Volvo. FWIW...

[Tinner12002]

Just put Michelins on my truck after both front factory Nexen tires had tread separation at 28K miles. Decided 2 weeks later to pull the trigger on the rear tires also as we were heading to Talladega with the new RV and didn't want to take a chance on issues with the rears. Like sourdough said they, are much quieter and I believe they ride smoother also but then I've always been a fan of Michelin tires, always had great performance from them. They will probably always be my first go to tire.

[Javi]

Happy so far with my Michelin Defenders as well.. right at 7500 miles on them so far.. way better tire than the Generals that came on the truck, especially on wet roads

[jsmith948]

Originally Posted by Javi

Happy so far with my Michelin Defenders as well.. right at 7500 miles on them so far.. way better tire than the Generals that came on the truck, especially on wet roads

Wholeheartedly agree. Put the Defenders on before our 6300+ mile trip this past fall. Best, quietest tire I've had on a pickup.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

[byrdr1]

DT put my 4 new Goodyear Endurance on my camper this fall for 608.00 out the door.
metal valve stems installed(the ford kind, I ordered online based on recommendations). Balanced them too. I had to take two at a time. Just because camper was out of it.
I DID not buy the extended warranty.
BUT I have bought several sets from DT lately and cant beat their pricing.
PLUS it helps when you know the assistant store manager.\
randy

[Dave W]

The Michelin Defenders I put on my truck now have 25,333 miles, of which about 17,000 miles towing our 5er. They started out at 13.5 32nds and now are at 10.5 32nds. Based on the fact that the Firestone TransForce (~35K) and original Continentals (~50K) am more then happy as those two had only a total of ~85,000 miles and were 'shot' with less then 4 32nds. The Michelins are waaaaay better in snow and I have yet to feel uncomfortable while driving in heavy rain. If I have any complaint, it's that they are quite a bit rougher riding at the door post psig but they are the optional 275/70-18 vs the original 275/65-18 inch to pickup ~225 lbs capacity/tire. Heck, the Michelins may even go on the 5er when the current General LTs time out as they for sure aren't wearing out

[dcg9381]

Thanks for the info here. Like many Ram owners, I have Nexen tires - 275/65-18 on a 1-ton dually. I got about 22k out of mine (50% towing) before they were at the treadwear markers in front. A friend with a 2014 got about 20k out of his before he had tread separation... So we'll look to Michelin Defenders, even though they seem to be about 20% more expensive than the Nexen.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by dcg9381

Thanks for the info here. Like many Ram owners, I have Nexen tires - 275/65-18 on a 1-ton dually. I got about 22k out of mine (50% towing) before they were at the treadwear markers in front. A friend with a 2014 got about 20k out of his before he had tread separation... So we'll look to Michelin Defenders, even though they seem to be about 20% more expensive than the Nexen.

IMO I think you'll find the Michelins are a far better tire than Nexen and worth every cent.....unless they have been marked up too far.

[notanlines]

I simply cannot imagine getting 20K out of a new set of tires. And who out there has even HEARD of Nexen tires? This is the brand you get from the Dodge factory?

[sourdough]

I agree with Jim. I've had lots of vehicles of all kinds, and lots and lots of tires. With the exception of the 60's (which I can't remember) I've not had tires done in at 20k. I did have a set go south quickly at about 30k when the alignment was off and the folks that aligned it made it worse (2003 Ram 1500 4x4 Off Road) - cost me a grand on trade in because I didn't want to buy new tires and keep the truck that long (I did have the front end repaired prior to trade in). Another case was with my Mustang, Chevy Nova (64), and various other "play" toys where I either burned them off or tore them up.

When I get rid of tires at 40-50k my dealer always asks "why?". I just do. When I bought the new Defenders all the old tires had 7-8 32nds at a little less than 50k (FirestoneTransforce).

[Gegrad]

I've had my defenders on for about 8500 miles since February and they have been incredible. Ridicuously good traction and a smooth ride. Best decision on tires I have made on a car/truck in a long time.

[Tinner12002]

Originally Posted by notanlines

I simply cannot imagine getting 20K out of a new set of tires. And who out there has even HEARD of Nexen tires? This is the brand you get from the Dodge factory?

Yes, for several years now.

[Harleydodge]

Can confirm my 2017 Built in January arrived with them (Nexen's) on it.
Watching post with interest.

Also, the people who work HERE
Have likely heard of them as well