Current 16” Tire Options ex: Michelin Defenders

[northband]

I ordered some 16” alloy wheels from GoWesty so now looking to purchase my tires. Looking through the forum it seems a lot of the recommended options are dated so curious what people are using.

Per GoWesty I’d like to get some Michelin Defenders but noticed their weight rating was 98 vs 102 so am a bit hesitant. Anyone running these with a westy fully loaded?

I have an 86 Westy with an EJ22 and am putting Schwenk springs, 16” wheels so would like to put on some 215/65/16.

What’s everyone running given the above specs?

[Gizmoman]

I've been running the same tires you mentioned on 4 GW alloys. Over a year now. Great tire in my opinion.
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82 Vanagon Westy - AAZ 1.9 TD, HE200 Holset, WAIC, 27.75 dia tires, Electric power steering, 5-speed AAP w/.078 5th
Oversize spare carrier - stock location (no longer for sale).

[northband]

Thanks for the reply - I'm leaning towards the Michelins as I've had good results with them on other cars but was concerned about the load rating.

[AceTaylor]

I've been running 205/70-14 Defenders on the original alloys. I have over 50k miles on them and without measuring, still have 50% tread left. Great tire in the rain. Can't say about snow as we spend winter in FL.

[northband]

I have heard they're great for water but not so much winter, which is fine as I store the westy for the winter to avoid salt.

I most likely will go with the Defenders, I just want to make sure that a 98H tire is safe for the Westy under load.

Here's my current contenders:
Michelin DEFENDER T+H - SIZE: 215/65R16 Load: 98
Hankook KINERGY ST SIZE: 215/65R16 Load: 98
Hankook KINERGY 4S2 - SIZE: 215/65R16 Load: 102
Continental 4X4 CONTACT - SIZE: 215/65R16 Load: 102
Bridgestone ECOPIA H/L 422 PLUS - SIZE: 215/65R16 Load: 102
Kumho CRUGEN HT51 - SIZE: 215/65R16 Load: 102

[Outlaw912]

I have had 215 75 15 michelin defender ltx m/s for over a year now>Great in all conditions,deep tread, make the ride super plush

1987 westfalia weighed last year 4260 lbs

[northband]

I think the problem is they may have stopped making the LTX in favor of the L + H which has a load rating of 98 vs. 102. I could be wrong, but that seems to be what I'm finding on the web.

I have seen some comparisons of the Kumho CRUGEN HT51 to Michelin LTX M/S. I'm kind of leaning towards these:

Kumho CRUGEN HT51 - SIZE: 215/65R16 Load: 102

I see GoWesty sells this breand at a lighter load rating. The Crugen has a 102 load rating and a tread pattern like the LTX M/S so seems like a possible good replacement.

[vanagonjr]

[Zeitgeist 13]

The Joker Syncro I'm TDI swapping just got 215/70R16 Toyo AT3 Open Country tires on 16" ET33 Mercedes steel rims. They had to be special ordered from Les Schwab.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?