BFG All Terrain Vs. Mich LX at/2

[joe308]

My original BFG's are almost worn out - they have treated me fairly well but looking for a little better mileage and snow performance. Anyone have experience with the new Michelin LTX AT/2 yet?

 

[Buffalo]

Regarding the Michelin, LTX-AT'2's, they are so new that I think it will be hard to find anyone with actual, on-road experience, with them.



Yesterday, I ordered a set of LTX-AT-2's (235/85/16-E) for my '91. 5 Dodge W-250. These will be replacing the old style LTX-AT's that I put on in 8/00. Got 7 years out of them in Phoenix AZ. The desert environment is very hard on rubber products. Dry' the tires out quickly.



The LTX-AT's were the best tire I ever had on the '91. 5. The first thing I noticed was that the pull, to the right, was completely eliminated. All the other tires (Kelly-Springfield, BFG Mud-Terrains, Firestones) had a slight pull to the right. The truck came with Michelins & I don't recall having the pull, with those. The other thing I noticed with the LTX-AT's was the better grip, on the road, with them. I had to make an emergency stop when I originally installed them & the truck stopped very quickly, I thought. Very controlled, also.



The NEW LTX-AT-2's have a very unique tread design that I really don't care much for but, I was so impressed with the OLD LTX-AT's that I thought I'd try them, again. Michelin's technology seems to be at the "cutting edge" & they have had a great reputation, for many years.



If you have a Discount Tire, in your area, they are having a "Tent Sale" that gives you 10 % off the price plus, if you apply for their credit card, you get an additional $50. 00 off the price. FWIW, Tirerack.com wanted $170. 00/tire. Discount asked $165. 00 less the 10 % brought the price to $148. 50/ tire. Then, you subtract the credit card application discount ($50. 00) of $12. 50/ tire & the final price is $136. 00/ tire. Remember, this is for 235/85/16-E's. Your tires will be more expensive.



On my '03, 3500 SRW, I recently changed tires & went with the Bridgestone Dueler REVO's, in the stock size. I had read great reports on Tirerack.com about them & thought I'd give them a try. They are supposed to do very well in rain & snow. I've only had them on for 1-1/2 months & they seem to be fine. They have an "open tread pattern" & they do pick-up stones if you are driving on gravel roads. Good, large mudflaps would be a good idea with these tires. Final installed price was about $909. 67.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[MAllen1]

No, but, I have tried a mastercraft courser a/t that looks good and got about 10k more miles on it than my bfg's. Interesting to note, i've got bridgestone a/t that are getting better mileage as well, and they're quiter as well.

 

[rbattelle]

Hey Buffalo, how long did your LTX A/T's last?

Ryan

 

[WUnderwood]

I really like my BFG All Terrains

 

[Buffalo]

RBattelle,



I checked the bill & they were purchased in Aug. of 2000. Got about 54,000 miles out of them, I believe.



The sidewalls were cracked & one finally let go. It did not just blow-up but, lost air slowly. I was doing about 55 mph. on the freeway & noticed a sound that changed with speed differences. Pulled over & found the tire to be flat with the tread starting to disassemble.



Phoenix, AZ. is very tough on rubber products, especially those that are directly exposed to the sunlight. My truck does not fit in the garage so , it has spent its entire life outdoors. I'm sure that caused the early demise of the tires.



In my opinion, the Michelin LTX-AT's were an excellent tire & the truck never ran better than with them on the ground. That's the main reason for investing in the new LTX-AT-2's. I could have found cheaper tires but, the old ones were so good that I decided to spring for the more expensive tires.



I stopped by Costco, yesterday, & spoke with one of their tire guys that went to the Michelin factory for a tire seminar. He said that the new AT-2"s should be excellent. They have a technology that creates a larger footprint. Regular tires have a footprint that is in the shape of a circle. The new tires have a footprint that is rectangular, very much like the shape of an old TV picture tube. Therefore, you should have more grip on the road. More rubber on the ground. Also, the tread design & numerous sipes give more grip on the road.



Joe F. (Buffalo)