20" Inch 20" Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

[Ladiver]

My 275/60/20 are actually a little less efficient than my stock Perelli AT. Not sure how, but they are. I had Rivian reprogram for 21 and they are displaying 2.03 efficiency over 2,300 miles. My lifetime efficiency over 38,776 miles is 2.11.

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[waitingforrivian]

According to TireRack, 275/65r20 has a tread width of 7.7", even worse than 275/60r20, how's that possible? It's already much narrower than OEM 20" AT and Goodyear 20".

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Defender LTX M/S2&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=765HR0DLTX2XL&tab=Sizes

 

[rbix8]

What is the significance of the tread width?

 

[DayTripping]

According to TireRack, 275/65r20 has a tread width of 7.7", even worse than 275/60r20, how's the possible? It's already much narrower than OEM 20" AT and Goodyear 20".

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Defender LTX M/S2&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=765HR0DLTX2XL&tab=Sizes

That is exactly why I didn't go with either of them. Not a lot of contact patch for such a big truck.

 

[DayTripping]

What is the significance of the tread width?

It can result in less rolling resistance but typically with an impact to traction such as braking, turning, accelerating, etc.

 

[swflor]

Here are some pics I snapped if anyone is curious how these look!

Raj….how those running boards holding up for you? I put them on for you.

New shoes look good.

 

[LL75]

My 275/60/20 are actually a little less efficient than my stock Perelli AT. Not sure how, but they are. I had Rivian reprogram for 21 and they are displaying 2.03 efficiency over 2,300 miles. My lifetime efficiency over 38,776 miles is 2.11.

That should not be in theory. Maybe it is weather related?

 

[rbix8]

Raj….how those running boards holding up for you? I put them on for you.

New shoes look good.

They’ve been great. Wife and kids don’t complain about getting into the car anymore ?

 

[SamDoe1]

Those Defenders actually look a lot better than I expected, going to go this route in January.

 

[rbix8]

After 600miles, efficiency is at 1.80. We’ve had 40degree temps, give or take and a lot of my driving is short trips.

Taking a road trip in a few days. Curious to see how the efficiency will be on the trip!

 

[Matt D.]

Efficiency is the big question for me. Would love to see a comparison. Between these and the new OEM Goodyears.

 

[ksurfier]

Efficiency is the big question for me. Would love to see a comparison. Between these and the new OEM Goodyears.

It’s not a fair comparison.
At 820 BA, the Michelin will have better wear/treadlife but will sacrifice some traction.
At 580 AB, the Goodyear will have worse wear/treadlife but better traction.
Goodyear also is suitable for snow/ice whereas the Michelin is not. If in southern states then the Michelin will most likely be your pick, northern/Canada then you may prefer Goodyear…

 

[DayTripping]

It’s not a fair comparison.
At 820 BA, the Michelin will have better wear/treadlife but will sacrifice some traction.
At 580 AB, the Goodyear will have worse wear/treadlife but better traction.
Goodyear also is suitable for snow/ice whereas the Michelin is not. If in southern states then the Michelin will most likely be your pick, northern/Canada then you may prefer Goodyear…

I'd say that is spot on. I'd add that the Michelin LTX M/S2 look like soccer mom tires aesthetically. Another thing is the Michelins 275/60's have an almost inch narrower tread. So if you like to drive your truck more like a sportscar, have more tread width and likely are stickier.

The Michelins, when comparing /60 to /60, are slightly lighter. At the same time, the Goodyear's have a slightly deeper tread by 1/32's. That likely and the wider tread likely accounts for some of the weight difference. With the Goodyear's be slightly wider, and if someone in your family is a curb magnet like my wife, you might appreciate the wider tire as it should protect the rim a bit more. If you saw the wheels on our Tesla that my wife drives the most, you'd understand how important this is to me.

The Goodyears were specifically tuned for the Rivian. That may or may not factor into your decision. For me that is the difference between an off the rack suit or having one mostly tailored for you. That assumes that your driving is someone similar to what the tire designers had in mind.

They both seem to be great tires. I have been a Michelin man for most of my life with respect to car, truck and motorcycle tires. This time I switched it up and bought the Goodyears. The narrowness of the tire was the deciding factor, as well as the tailored to Rivian design.

Also it will be curious to see the efficiency difference between the LTX 275/65 and 275/60. I suspect the /65's will be worse.

 

[Matt D.]

It’s not a fair comparison.
At 820 BA, the Michelin will have better wear/treadlife but will sacrifice some traction.
At 580 AB, the Goodyear will have worse wear/treadlife but better traction.
Goodyear also is suitable for snow/ice whereas the Michelin is not. If in southern states then the Michelin will most likely be your pick, northern/Canada then you may prefer Goodyear…

Let’s pretend that I don’t care about traction and only efficiency. Which one has the edge?

 

[ksurfier]

Let’s pretend that I don’t care about traction and only efficiency. Which one has the edge?

No question the Michelin will be what you are looking for…

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