22" Wheel Tires option other than Defender MS2?

[madhat]

I've been running my 115 Defender MS2 for about 10k miles. They're quiet and soft and good range, but I'd like to get a bit more bite from them. Much as the Pilot Sport 5S would be awesome, and not available yet, the Pilot Sport All Seasons my wife's Cx5 turbo has would be more usable for daily life. Sadly, Michelin has not heard my wants!

Anyone finding the Continentals to be gripper?
What about those new Toyo Proxes I see on tirerack?

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[electruck]

I am more than happy with the grip of the Terrain Contact HT but I can't provide a comparison with the Defender MS2. I can reasonably offer that it isn't going to grip anywhere close to a max performance summer tire. So, basically, I don't have anything useful to share here. Sorry.

 

[madhat]

I am more than happy with the grip of the Terrain Contact HT but I can't provide a comparison with the Defender MS2. I can reasonably offer that it isn't going to grip anywhere close to a max performance summer tire. So, basically, I don't have anything useful to share here. Sorry.

Are you generally a truck/suv or more sports car driver? Are they more/less grippy than your stock Pirelli? (As a reference point you being happy with the traction)

 

[electruck]

I lean heavily sport and the Contis don't give up anything to the factory Pirelli. Dry grip probably not a significant improvement but wet grip was a notable improvement.
(edit: the only spec where the Pirelli exceeds the Conti is its load rating of 116 vs 115.)

 

[citizen]

I read the Continentals were better in the wet than the Michelins, which means... better than the Pirellis. Dry grip, it was either equal or Michelins were slightly better depending on the reviewer. If I were living up north, would've leaned towards the Continentals. Might still go that route when my Michelins wear out.

 

[madhat]

Yeah, I'm thinking I might try the Proxes next. I read some forum posts (Charger, BMW X5/6) that they were really grippy for the price. Yeah, they don't last 70k, but they're still going to be half the price of Pirelli even if they only last 30k!
... time to go spin my tires and bunch so I can justify the swap!?

 

[McMoo]

Yeah, I'm thinking I might try the Proxes next. I read some forum posts (Charger, BMW X5/6) that they were really grippy for the price. Yeah, they don't last 70k, but they're still going to be half the price of Pirelli even if they only last 30k!
... time to go spin my tires and bunch so I can justify the swap!?

Toyos are probably your best bet without going to off brand Chinese tires like this…
https://simpletire.com/brands/zeete...=Del2&curationSource=none&productPos=9&rad=AC

 

[mkg3]

I've been running my 115 Defender MS2 for about 10k miles. They're quiet and soft and good range, but I'd like to get a bit more bite from them. Much as the Pilot Sport 5S would be awesome, and not available yet, the Pilot Sport All Seasons my wife's Cx5 turbo has would be more usable for daily life. Sadly, Michelin has not heard my wants!

Anyone finding the Continentals to be gripper?
What about those new Toyo Proxes I see on tirerack?

It's really hard to have a better tires than PS series. Unfortunately there is none from external outlets.

According to Michelin, PS S5 for Rivian is only available through Rivian. While other PS S5 sizes are available from TireRack and alike, 275/50/22 and 305/45/22 are Rivian only with reduced speed rating (S) so its only available via Rivian.

I would be thrilled with just PS AS3 or even CrossClimate2 in the Rivian size. I have Defender M/S2 and they are not great handling tires.

If you go with the Toyo Proxes ST III, let us know how they workout. I usually replace all of my vehicle tires around 30K miles so not bothered by shorter tire life.

 

[madhat]

Ugh. Yeah, I get it's a truck, but it's a truck that can beat most other elective vehicles off the line. And it handles its mass pretty well around corners.
I'd be ecstatic for PS AS3. My wife actually really wants me to have the most grippy tires i can get, so I can probably convince her it's worth the early swap. Will definitely report back once I've tried.

 

[madhat]

? "Your in trouble for not telling me you decided those aren't great handling tires. Go order the new ones now"
I'll update yall on the Toyo performance soon!

 

[usofrob]

I assume you are on 22" rims?
I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback for how they compare to the M/S2 tires as well. I was considering those (or my stock MS) tires for winter use.

I too am looking for the grippiest tires for the season.

 

[madhat]

Haven't got to put any real miles on them and test cornering speeds, but so far I think I'm happy. I can only compare 22" Michelin Defender LTX MS2 to the 22" Toyo Proxes ST III. I had 21" stock, not the 22" Pirelli Scorpion Zeros. I would be curious to hear people's experience with the Pirellis simply to feel like I bought the most grippy tire currently available.

Definitely more noise on certain surfaces, but not objectionable as far as a sporty tire goes.
Noticeable improvement in ride firmness, in that they don't feel as squishy and feel more solid. I expect fairly good steering transitions when I get a chance to test the cornering.
Full power launching still results in wheel spin, but probably a bit less given equal conditions. (I've had the Defenders vacillate between a super satisfying sec plus worth of spin down to a chirp all at the same intersection)
Braking. This so far has been the most dramatic and will definitely please my wife. Defenders give up during 70mph panic braking as the truck slows down to around 30mph and I can hear and feel them slipping all the way down to a stop on an 80F sunny day. The Toyos at about 75F let me stand on the brakes and held to a stop. Do I think they've got even more to give? No, but they do their job in a straight line panic brake situation.
Looking forward to cornering with them... and to a lesser extent how they wear and handle Phoenix heat this summer.


Also, Toyo has a $100 rebate on them right now. Ordered through tire rack, and they broke the order into two separate orders since neither warehouse they pulled from had 4 in stock. Toyo rejected my submission because they weren't 4 tires on one invoice. Called TR's customer support and they got their tire rebate liaison to get it pushed through within 24hrs.

 

[Tarponman85]

I also just ordered the toyos for myself. I never off-road And drive it my truck like I stole it. I need a tire that does well on pavement nothing more.

 

[Eeyore]

Haven't got to put any real miles on them and test cornering speeds, but so far I think I'm happy. I can only compare 22" Michelin Defender LTX MS2 to the 22" Toyo Proxes ST III. I had 21" stock, not the 22" Pirelli Scorpion Zeros. I would be curious to hear people's experience with the Pirellis simply to feel like I bought the most grippy tire currently available.

What kind of range are you getting on the Toyos?

 

[madhat]

Honestly, not much different than the Defenders.

The swap coincided with a commute change, but i see within .1 mi/kw of the Defenders under similar conditions.

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