I just got back from two very snowy trips to my upstate camp, which is located back 3 miles of state forest road. Didn't get out to the hard road for several days at a time. No road maintenance on the dirt forest road to speak of, just a lot of hunter traffic this time of year which pounds down some of the snow into ice tracks. The road itself doesn't have all that much slope, losing around 300 feet over the course of those three miles, with only a few steep spots here and there. The really interesting part is our driveway, which gets about 50 feet of that elevation back in one 75 yard stretch, with a nice drop-off on the down-mountain side of the track (left side, when going up).
We had a minimum of 4 inches and a max of 14 inches of snow over the week and a half I was there. I never had a problem with the road itself, even making several three point turns into the deeper stuff along the sides. I had to do a bit of digging on one really off camber three pointer, where I put a wheel into a small culvert that was invisibly buried in the snow, but a minute later the AT2s had me on the road again.
The first couple trips up the driveway were flawless, but when it got driven on enough it became icy, and required a few attempts to get through the steepest sections near the top, even after we hit that ice with a good bunch of rock salt. It's a good thing the ABS system allowed us to back up a few feet for another run a few times, without turning us into a backward bobsled. Low range first gear eventually got 'er done.
I'm happy with the AT2's performance. I've driven much noisier, open treaded mud tires that did no better in these same conditions up there.
Here's a shot of our driveway from the front porch of the cabin....
...and here's another shot, standing next to the flag above, looking down slope where the driveway takes the steep drop, mixed with a left bend, and runs down to the state forest road. It makes for a sphincter tightening ride when it gets iced up. Like I said, low range is your friend.
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2007 Tundra SR5 DC 5.7L 4x4
Last edited by Pappy John; 12-10-2008 at 05:48 PM.
Here's another shot of the state forest road near the bottom of our driveway. It looked like this most of the first week, then a bit less snowy and more ice for the second week.
My LTX AT2s handled it pretty darn well.
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2007 Tundra SR5 DC 5.7L 4x4
Last edited by Pappy John; 12-11-2008 at 06:58 AM.
I put the 10 ply LT's on about a week ago. I had purchased Revo's last December and managed about 25K kilometers or about 15K miles on them and they were all but worn out.
I've done 1,500 km's of driving in various conditions including ice, snow and slush covered roads:
The tires are much quieter than the nearly worn out Revo's.
The ride is much stiffer. I am running 30/33 lbs of air in the front and rear. I can't imagine running much more without a load. I would probably bounce myself silly.
My memories of the Revo's when new would lead me to say they were better in winter driving conditions. However, it may be due to slightly different road conditions or my mind playing tricks on me. I'll keep you posted when I have more experience with them.
Its been a few weeks now with the Michelin's. During this time we've been pounded by snow, freezing rain, and blizzard like conditions here in Nova Scotia.
I had the opportunity to ride my buddies '08 Tundra with studded winter tires and compare it with the AT2's. Clearly it had better traction on ice, but they didn't do any better in snow and they sure are noisier on pave at lower speeds.
I am not saying that a dedicated studded winter tire isn't better but the AT2's are more than acceptable for most winter use on a 4x4.
Another thing I would like to note is that I always had a vibration with the Revo's I replaced and had to constantly have my wheels rebalanced when rotated. The Michelins seem near perfect. Maybe the tire shop just got lucky this time
2005 Tundra double cab 4x4 with P265/65R17 stock Bridgestone Duelers. They lasted ~26 Kmi, but I rode them out to 36 Kmi. Once the snow started, I figured it was time for new tires or risk wrecking the truck.
I always put Michelin on any vehicle I plan to keep forever. Michelin out performs and out lives any tire on the market. However, you pay, but in the long run you save. If you plan to trade or sell the vehicle in 1-3 years, you might consider cheeper tires.
The obvious choice for me was Michelin M/S, but they don't make them in 265/65R17, would have to upsize to 265/70R17. I considered this, but this would introduce 2 mph error in speedometer at 60 mph. Plus, what to do about the spare? Buy 5 tires? I considered REVO. I considered Michelin XC LT4 from Sears. I read all the reviews, not much out there on the LTX AT2.
Anyway, I put the LTX AT2 (available in stock 265/65R17 size) on over the Xmas holidays. My long time tire dealer told me the AT2 is a better tire than the M/S, so I bit the bullet. With alignment, NY tire disposal and tax, out the door for $960. I put the raised white lettering on the inside, you can't see it without crawling under the truck.
These tires are absolutely awesome! Great ride, very quiet. In fact, the noise level is comparable to a touring tire. I've had them in deep snow, slush, and ice. The track is outstanding, have not even used 4x4 since getting these tires. I would say they are a bit spongy on dry pavement cornering at high speed. But, the tread depth is a mighty 14/32 and tire should get stiffer as it wears. I can't yet speak for fuel milage, but they roll down the road much easier than the Bridestones ever did. I can't yet speak for tire wear, but because they are Michelin and 14/32 tread, I expect 60-80 Kmi. I would recommend these tires to anyone looking for the traction of a snow tire and the ride of a touring tire.
discounttiredirect.com got them 265x70x16 a week ago. $703 shipped. (free shipping) had toyota dealer mount & balance. I trust them with the tire sensors. nice on highway, great in snow, don't push in turns on snow like the bfg rugged trails, much better on ice. I like them and they were cheaper than the at ko's. doug
Well it has been a few months and winter is nearly over. As previously mentioned, the tires are more than acceptable for winter use on a 4X4.
I got the tires rotated and for the first time I didn't have to return to the tire shop to get them rebalanced. For whatever reason, in the past I always ended up rebalancing the front tires when I rotated.
I will soon be towing my trailer again and I look forward to seeing what difference a 10 ply tire makes when towing my 7K lb travel trailer.
I have towed my trailer quite a bit this summer. I air the tires up to 60lbs when towing. Big improvement over the P rated tires but a real bumpy ride when empty!
I have close to the same number of miles (km's) on the tires as I had on the Revo's when they were worn out and had to be replaced. No significant signs of wear on the LTX A/T2 . They look like they will last much much longer and I will have no trouble running them during the upcoming winter and likely another summer.
Rotated the tires again and didn't have a balancing issue.
So far I have to say that I have no complaints with these tires and would take them over 2 free pairs of Revos.
__________________ 2007 5.7L DC TRD 4x4
Last edited by roadstarca; 09-30-2009 at 06:57 PM.
I was not impressed with the REVO's I have.
They were a big improvement over stock, but a person should not lock in to turn around on wet grass (I did)
I likr the sound of the M at2 and need to look into them. My revo's are needing replacement. 4xxxx miles and the front inside is getting a chop to it.
Tim
Re: Anyone running Michelin LTX AT2
Re: Anyone running Michelin LTX AT2
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