Author |
Message |
912 outlaw Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 30 Location: sonoma
|
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:14 pm Post subject: Michelin Defender LTX |
|
|
Hi yall anybody runnin michelin defenders ltx in
215 75 15 if so how ya like em and send a pic ot too
If dicussed before sorry
Please chime in if u are running these in this size not other tires
Thanks |
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
JudoJeff Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2013 Posts: 1179 Location: Near Springfield, MA
|
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 4:32 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
Used them for years, no problems. _________________ ________________________________________
1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout) |
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 3582 Location: Chicago
|
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:34 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
Not running your size, but have more than 1000 miles on my 15” Defenders.
Quiet so far, good traction both Dry and Wet. I don’t run heavy loads, so I can’t comment on that.
They are more ‘supple’ than my higher load rated snow tires, that is a noticeable difference with the 102 Snow Tires on hard pavement. _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
Marshj Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2017 Posts: 268 Location: New Jersey
|
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:54 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
I have 10,000 miles on Defenders in size 215-65-16 - 85% highway and 55 mph roads. They are quiet and smooth. Excellent in all conditions.
Snow traction on ice is not great. 3/10 but on snowy roadways in storms they were fine. I did 300 miles in a snowstorm and had confidence. Start and stop on snow pack not great.
But I drive 99% in summer with a single winter trip. So they are what I need. Wear had been good. |
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
Marshj Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2017 Posts: 268 Location: New Jersey
|
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:55 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
They do tend to dry rot after 6-7 years. Keep that in mind on lower use vehicles |
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
markswagen Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2018 Posts: 1039 Location: san diego
|
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:12 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
That seems to be the case on several brands, I have nexen tires on my westy 5 years old, now showing tire rot.
Marshj wrote: |
They do tend to dry rot after 6-7 years. Keep that in mind on lower use vehicles |
_________________ markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 |
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
Vanagon Nut Samba Member
![](/vw/forum/images/avatars/13492836485d61efffbe591.jpg)
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10379 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
My 205/65/15 Defenders are wearing well; the compound may be similar-same as the older 14" Michelin LTX (NLA) which wore well by all counts. The tread looks nearly the same or is the same.
I've driven these LTX on lots of dirt road, highway, city. Not great in snow but better than my Hankook RA-O8 tires. Good on wet roads. They work for me. Would buy again. I purchased them from Discount Tires. Overall, I was not impressed with a couple aspects of their after sales service but that would obviously vary depending on which Discount Tire one is dealing with.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 3582 Location: Chicago
|
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 11:01 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
Vanagon Nut wrote: |
My 205/65/15 Defenders are wearing well; the compound may be similar-same as the older 14" Michelin LTX (NLA) which wore well by all counts. The tread looks nearly the same or is the same.
I've driven these LTX on lots of dirt road, highway, city. Not great in snow but better than my Hankook RA-O8 tires. Good on wet roads. They work for me. Would buy again. I purchased them from Discount Tires. Overall, I was not impressed with a couple aspects of their after sales service but that would obviously vary depending on which Discount Tire one is dealing with.
Neil. |
. Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m running that same size on my Tin Top. I have dedicated Snow Tires for Winter that are going back on my Mefro Rims all too soon since Winter Is Coming..... ![Wink](images/smiles/icon_wink.gif) _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
912 outlaw Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2012 Posts: 30 Location: sonoma
|
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:07 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
My frends 2019 mercedes sprinter weighs 9000 lbs they come stock with michelin defenders 16 inch fwiw |
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
crazyvwvanman Samba Member
![](/vw/forum/images/avatars/171719862852758537663c3.jpg)
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9939 Location: Orbiting San Diego
|
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:49 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
Well, what that is worth is very little.
That model of tire comes in a wide range of strength classes depending on actual size.
The 215/75/15 size Defender you asked about is only an SL which is the weakest of all tire classes for cars.
Many of the other Defender sizes are a stronger class, some MUCH stronger.
Load B, SL - weakest, standard load
Load B, XL - extra load, extra pressure, not as weak
Load C - stronger
Load D - even stronger
Load E - silly strong
The above means little without also knowing the SIZE of the tire in question. The Load Index is what you want to check as well.
Mark
912 outlaw wrote: |
My frends 2019 mercedes sprinter weighs 9000 lbs they come stock with michelin defenders 16 inch fwiw |
|
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
danfromsyr Samba Member
![](/vw/forum/images/avatars/96357685246dee888707c5.jpg)
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15144 Location: Syracuse, NY
|
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:35 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
just a FWIW and not saying this is right at all by the tire or car manufacturer
but my AWD astro 7 passanger van with towing capacity of 5,ooo#s
specified tires are 215/75/15 SL tires..
should be 'ok' on a similar vanagon.. that astro is a heavy van with a cast iron V6 and front steel frame. _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
|
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
crazyvwvanman Samba Member
![](/vw/forum/images/avatars/171719862852758537663c3.jpg)
Joined: January 28, 2008 Posts: 9939 Location: Orbiting San Diego
|
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:43 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
Agreed, at Load 100 and 44 psi max, the 215/75/15 SL Defender LTX meet the load requirements for Vanagons.
Mark
danfromsyr wrote: |
just a FWIW and not saying this is right at all by the tire or car manufacturer
but my AWD astro 7 passanger van with towing capacity of 5,ooo#s
specified tires are 215/75/15 SL tires..
should be 'ok' on a similar vanagon.. that astro is a heavy van with a cast iron V6 and front steel frame. |
|
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
Vanagon Nut Samba Member
![](/vw/forum/images/avatars/13492836485d61efffbe591.jpg)
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10379 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:27 am Post subject: Re: Michelin defenders |
|
|
Vanagon Nut wrote: |
My 205/65/15 Defenders are wearing well; the compound may be similar-same as the older 14" Michelin LTX (NLA) which wore well by all counts. The tread looks nearly the same or is the same.
|
Old NLA LTX vs Defender "Extra Load" tire treads
old
_________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
msinabottle Samba Member
![](/vw/forum/images/avatars/1538805142433b049acefe7.gif)
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3492 Location: Denver Area, Colorado
|
|
Back to top |
|
![](/vw/forum/templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif) |
|