Contemplating Tire Types
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 962
Likes: 114
From: Middle TN
Funny you should ask this. It seems like most folks have forgotten about this. I won't buy Michelins, starting because of a set that I had back in the late `90s. I've seen the issue pop up from time to time since then, but I seem to hear about it less as time goes on. Last time I've heard of it was a few years ago. Unfortunately (and fortunately at the same time), I haven't owned a set in a couple of decades to be able to say from personal experience, and there are too many other great brands out there to choose instead and avoid the risk.
Yes, I hold a grudge sometimes, especially with corporations that handle their issues poorly just because they can. The issue in the late `90s was one vehicle out of 13 that were purchased as a fleet. This vehicle was assigned to me and nobody else ever drove it, except in and out of the maintenance bay at the fleet shop. The sidewalls on mine were badly weather-checked in about a year. When I asked the fleet maintenance folks about it, they told me they'd had more than half of this fleet have blowouts from the same bad Michelin tires. Same make/model/year vehicle, all were delivered at the same time, they could probably all see each other on the assembly line, similar light usage on heavy-duty vehicles. The Michelin and the vehicle manufacturer would do nothing about it.
Yes, I hold a grudge sometimes, especially with corporations that handle their issues poorly just because they can. The issue in the late `90s was one vehicle out of 13 that were purchased as a fleet. This vehicle was assigned to me and nobody else ever drove it, except in and out of the maintenance bay at the fleet shop. The sidewalls on mine were badly weather-checked in about a year. When I asked the fleet maintenance folks about it, they told me they'd had more than half of this fleet have blowouts from the same bad Michelin tires. Same make/model/year vehicle, all were delivered at the same time, they could probably all see each other on the assembly line, similar light usage on heavy-duty vehicles. The Michelin and the vehicle manufacturer would do nothing about it.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,772
Likes: 1,512
Maybe they did that so they wear out so fast that they don't have a chance to dry-rot. 
Sorry, that's the grudge talking there.
Sorry, that's the grudge talking there.
Last edited by CathedralCub; Feb 23, 2026 at 11:18 PM. Reason: Added an emoji
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 938
Maybe try a little sound deadening before speeding over $1000 on tires if noise is the chief complaint.
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Last edited by Antonm23; Feb 27, 2026 at 02:41 PM. Reason: spelling/grammar
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 689
Likes: 44
From: British Columbia
[QUOTE=Midwest87;21772335]Every single tire I recommend, any brand, is generally quite noisey. Unless we're talking about DRW tow pig tires
My trucks need as much offroad capability as possible. I dont know why every AT/MT thread turns into a dick measuring contest with lil jeeps. A good flooded road, or a muddy farm, is no joke. Lockers and MT's are a nessesity in my life. Getting my bike to the trail head, isnt hardcore jeeping, but a jeep cant get any bikes to the trail head. I loved my jeeps, but anywhere a fullsize truck fits, it was always the superior machine for the task at hand, when equipped properly.
I like Midwest outlook on tires that he needs when he has to get to that destination lol! My friends just do not understand me. I enjoy whippin down the highway in 40" MT tires that are 15.5" wide! It has a great foot print for towing let me tell you, and the sound it creates.....aagghh music to my ears lol. You never know what lies ahead when your offroading...or camping.
My trucks need as much offroad capability as possible. I dont know why every AT/MT thread turns into a dick measuring contest with lil jeeps. A good flooded road, or a muddy farm, is no joke. Lockers and MT's are a nessesity in my life. Getting my bike to the trail head, isnt hardcore jeeping, but a jeep cant get any bikes to the trail head. I loved my jeeps, but anywhere a fullsize truck fits, it was always the superior machine for the task at hand, when equipped properly.
I like Midwest outlook on tires that he needs when he has to get to that destination lol! My friends just do not understand me. I enjoy whippin down the highway in 40" MT tires that are 15.5" wide! It has a great foot print for towing let me tell you, and the sound it creates.....aagghh music to my ears lol. You never know what lies ahead when your offroading...or camping.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,715
Likes: 12,854
From: Wyoming
I had two sets of Michelin LTX load range "E" tires that had so much towing squirm that I took them back. It was scary. I switched back to the Goodyear Wranglers and it was a night and day difference in towing. This was towing two different toy haulers.
The Wranglers are quiet and do well on dry pavement. Snow traction is just OK. The biggest downside to the Wranglers is that they just don't last long on my truck, which is used primarily for towing.
The Wranglers are quiet and do well on dry pavement. Snow traction is just OK. The biggest downside to the Wranglers is that they just don't last long on my truck, which is used primarily for towing.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 275
From: South Central Indiana
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,715
Likes: 12,854
From: Wyoming
I have Michelin Defenders on my F-250. I have found that when towing, Jim is somewhat correct. There is some squirm with these tires. However, I have 1400lbs of tongue weight and run the rears at max pressure 80psi and it takes a lot of the squirm out. My next set of tires will have a stronger sidewall.
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