Tires again. Michelin LTX M/S2 vs Nitto Dura Grappler

[Oil Stain]

I currently have the Firestone TransForce HT tires. They have 40,000 miles. The fronts have some tread issues where every 3rd tread is lower than the rest. I had new at the time the Bilstein 5100 shocks installed and alignment. That was at 25,000 miles. The truck currently has 65,000 miles and new Bilsteins the yellow and blue version (which I feel do a better job than the 5100 silver shocks) are now on my truck and have only 2,000 miles on them.

All my driving is on the street and I tow a 5th wheel 15k lbs 6,000 miles a year. I only want a highway tire. My tire size is stock 235/80/17. I know the Michelin LTX M/S2 are very good tires, but would like to be different and try the Nitto Dura Grappler, the LT 4 rib design. My appeal for the Nitto's that they claim their tread holds up well in a nice uniform pattern vs what has happened to my Firestones.

I like a smooth and quiet ride, but am afraid of the aggressive tread of the Nitto's will be noisy.

I'm looking for any input on my two choices.

Thanks in advance!

 

[wyosteve]

Not sure how much help this will be, but I've had Nitto Terra Grapplers and was very disappointed in the tread wear. I barely got 25k before they had to be replaced.

 

[Kry226]

I've run both in different applications, and loved both. The Nittos weren't noisy at all, but I'd still go with the Michelin. Hard to beat.

 

[Flash1034]

Michelins are hard to beat. Stick with Michelin.

Flash

 

[KCJackson1]

Agree with the Michelins. I had LTX M/S (original, not the newer 2s) on my 96 for its final 2 1/2 years and 55,000 mostly-highway miles. They wore beautifully and still had some life left when I traded the 96 for the 05.

 

[RVTRKN]

I have only bought Michelin, even installed now on my Harley. Can't compare them to Nitto's, never had them. I do know not to buy General tires, ever. Generals were OEM in 07 on the C&C 3500's. I could never get out a slight vibration on my 07 C&C. When they failed prematurely @ 50K miles, I went to the Michelin's because they have never failed me. Vibrations went away immediately after.

 

[Jim W]

I run both on my 2008 Dodge Mega Cab. For winter, I use the stock size Michelin MS2 tires on the stock rims. For the summer season when I tow my 5er I am using the Nitto Dura Grapplers tires with Mickey Thompson SideBiter II rims. The Nitto tire size is LT285/70R/17 126R which I inflate to 70 PSI in the rear and 50 PSI in the front which more than adequately supports my 5er and truck. I like them both and I have had excellent service out of the Michelin tires and the Nitto Dural Grapplers tires.

 

[jgillott]

I'm happy that you all have had such good luck with Michelin tires. I was once 100% loyal to Michelin and ran them on every vehicle I owned. In 2014 I had a LTX MS 2 suffer a sidewall separation driving the truck at highway speeds. In all of my years of driving, I never experienced a flat happen in that manner. When I took it back to my tire dealer, they informed me of the following recalls on Michelin tires from 2013 and that the damage to the tire appeared to be similar to the problem they were having.

http://www.michelinman.com/US/en/help/safety-recalls/ltx.html

http://www.fr.michelin.ca/US/en/help/safety-recalls/latitude-tour.html


After several months of back and forth with Michelin, they denied my claim for recall replacement. According to them, other sizes of the LTX MS 2 were recalled for this problem but there was no way that the 265/17 that I was running could have similar issues.

I will not be doing business with Michelin anytime in the future.

 

[jhenderson]

i have had two sets of Dura Grapplers over the years. They were great tires and wore like iron. If I didn't require better off road capability I'd have bought a set for my 4th gen. instead of the EXO's I ended up with.

 

[CBari]

I know several on here are not big Cooper fan's but I have had the cooper discover ht3 on both my 03 and my 13 for 25k miles each and they are still in great shape if I don't see another 30k miles out of them I would be very surprised. I too like the Michelins very well however for the money it is very hard to beat this Cooper.

http://us.coopertire.com/Tires/Light-Truck/Discoverer-HT3.aspx

 

[Wayne M.]

If I had time I'd look back and link my Michelin story. I'm not thrilled either. My main turnoff is the carcass construction, and the raised ribs that run the outer edges about 1/8 in on either side. Causes you to loose almost half of your tread depth in those sections. Take tread depth readings every 1/2 inch from edge to edge- you'll see. That and the cracking that happens from the lettering to the bead. I'd try Coopers before more michelins.
The crazy thing is I wound up with BFG AT KO's and love em. Same parent company right?

 

[cerberusiam]

The Dura Grappler is an HT tire, not noisy at all. Pretty much useless for anything but the hi-way. You want to go to the Terra Grappler G2 tires for better AT traction and wear. The G2's are a newer harder design tread and according to the guys running the haul roads and bad pavement with work trucks they are getting up to 80k if they rotate correctly. Towing heavy is going to eat them faster but based on input so far they should be a 50k tire on a tow rig. Lot of Nitto G2 and Cooper ST's being sold here as they are wearing much better than anything else.

If you have 17" rims it is a toss up whether the tires are any better. 17's are the new red headed step child of tires, basically good for F150's and not a real truck.

 

[gsbrockman]

If you have 17" rims it is a toss up whether the tires are any better. 17's are the new red headed step child of tires, basically good for F150's and not a real truck.

So.................the OP's 3500 dually equipped with LT235/80R17 tires is NOT a real truck???

 

[Kirwin]

I am going to try Michelin Defender LTX M&S in the LT245/75R17E 121/118R size. Greg Brockman ran this size in a Firestone on his truck with no issues. I have always had good luck with Michelin. They are a quiet and long wearing in my opinion. Your results may vary. Ken Irwin

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[Oil Stain]

Wow, you guys have valid points and is not making my decision any easier. Highway tire is what a want for sure. I've found the Grappler hwy tire is a 10ply. Couldn't find what the Michelin ply is. Anyone know?

I had my truck sit for 6 weeks once while home and the rears developed flat spots that never went a away even after 10k miles of driving. I even jacked up the rear and put it in drive and you could plainly see it. That is on my current Firestone HT's. You guys are slowing leaning me towards the Michelin's. Just worried of having similar issues as Firestone due maybe to the 5 ribs design vs 4 of the Nitto's.

Maybe, I'm over thinking this.........

 

[gsbrockman]

Any LT235/80R17 tire will be in a 10 ply rating / Load Range E.

 

[cerberusiam]

I don't think the Michelins come in that size. If you can live with the reduced weight rating then they are probably fine. These trucks eat tires so anything less than the harder compounds have problems lasting. If you only drive 5k per year by the time they are worn out they are due for replacement anyway.

 

[RustyJC]

I have Michelin LTX M/S2s in the 235/80R17 load range E size on my current 2016 dually (see signature). As with all of the other Michelins I've run on my previous trucks and 5th wheels, they've been flawless. Excellent ride, smooth running, good highway traction in wet and dry conditions.

Rusty

 

[gsbrockman]

LT245/75R17 LRE tires have a max load of 3,195 lbs at 80 psi.

LT235/80R17 LRE tires have a max load of 3,085 lbs at 80 psi.

The LT245/75R17's have 110 lbs more carrying capacity per tire not less carrying capacity per tire.

 

[WalterJ]

Greetings; I first tried Nitto tires a few years back because they advertised higher load rating [for pulling my 5'er]. The Dura Grappler highway design was quiet & tread wear acceptable, but their carcass failed in 2 tires after 42K miles. I replaced them with Michelins 285/16 MS2 & am NEVER looking back. I've sold previous used sets of Michelins for $150 & the guys were so happy to have'em. I'm conservative about tread depth whilst RV'g, otherwise I'd get 2x mileage around town, etc. unloaded.


Both rear Ntto Dura Grapplers failed, ply separation & 3 weeks later a cord failure causing egg shape. Arranging return for warranty prorated claim via Tirebuyer.com...1-Tirebuyer offers a 5 yr mfgr warranty for my Nitto's.