BV Geezer

I see that there is a current tire thread running where the LTX is mentioned by a couple of members. Would like additional input from the community.

I tow a 25' travel trailer and occasionally a small ATV trailer in the mountains. I'm really not happy with stock tires. They are way too soft for towing and mountain driving. I've got 18K on them and they look like they'll be ready for replacement in another 12K or less.


Back when I was towing heavy with my 3500 Ram, I always ran Michelin LTX. Was happy with stiffness, wear and noise. Would like to hear from those who have gone to LTX MS2.

frieed

Wouldn't have any other (except maybe the ATX).
Good ride, quiet, excellent highway manners, and surprisingly good on ice for a non winter specific tire.

Ron AKA

I use them and find them to be quiet and stable. But, I have a fifth wheel trailer and have never experienced instability with any tire. Was forced to tow the trailer unexpectedly yesterday during our first real snow of the year. One of the roads I drove on was quite icy and I was not at all impressed by the braking traction of them on ice. But then, I have never driven on ice while towing before, so really can't compare it. I may not have had the trailer brakes set all that well either. In any case I was really afraid of going in the ditch and rolling the trailer and truck. Not wanting to do that again. The truck was a bit better when not towing, but still not what I consider good on ice.

smokeywren

LTX is a brand name, not a spec. M/S2 is a tread design, not a spec.


For example, a Michelin LTX M/S2 in size 275/65R18 can be bought with two very different specs.


LTX M/S2 in size P275/65R18 has load index of 114 and speed rating of T. Load index 114 means a weight capacity of 2,365 @44 PSI. That's a common replacement tire for F-150s.


But LTX M/S2 in size LT275/65R18E has load index of 123 and speed rating of R. Load index 123 means a weight capacity of 3,415 @80 PSI. That tire is usually mounted on F-250 or even F-350 SRW pickups.


Both those tires are LTX M/S2. But very different tires.


Details are on the Michelin website:
http://www.michelinman.com/tire-sele...ltx-m-s2-tires

frieed

Thanks Wren,

I kinda blew through the post and my brain filled in the blanks.
Mine are MS2 LT275/70R18 E rated.

Ron,
My experience on ice was not while towing.
Short of chains on all braking axles I don't think there is a real solution to towing on ice.

jcain

My 250 had the Michelin ltx at2 tires. They rode great, little noise and had amazing wear characteristics. But they were down right scary in snow (with 600lbs of sand bags in the bed) and quite pathetic in basic wet grass or slight mud.

moosedog

I went to these tires last summer as a replacement to the factory goodyears that were wearing out. I tow a 27 ft TT, weighs @ 7000 lbs. no issues at all. Put a few more lbs of air in them, all good. They would be ok in the snow and ice but I have a set of Blizzaks for winter driving. Feel a lot more confident with those on during winter

BV Geezer

Thank you so much for this concise information. I knew there were two different types of LTX but was having some trouble differentiating between the two.

BV Geezer

You are towing heavier than I am but close enough for comparison. Did you go with the 114T rated tire or the heavier 123R tire as talked about by smokeywren? Not worried about winter driving. I have a Wrangler for the white stuff.

brulaz

I went with the LT-E version on 17" rims LT245/75R17E (as 17" tires were cheaper). Inflate them to 50-60psi (depending upon my mood). Have put about 50,000 km on them, mostly towing and fully loaded. Rotate them every 12K km.

So far so good. They look like they have a lot of tread life left. Handle well, and no squirm because of all those belts in the LT-E version.

But they are not AT (all-terrain) tires. No lugs and slippery in mud, sand and wet grass. As I only have a 4x2 this can be a problem. Dunno about winter as this truck is a "snow-bird".