So I did a little more research over on the samba. There are a handful
of users with this tire. Tirerack reviews are positive. I've ordered 5
and hope to get them installed this Friday.

Reasons for going with the Michelin LTX M/S 205-65-15

Treadwear 800 traction A  Temperature A. This is quite good AFAIK.
25.4" diameter (will fit between frame rails in spare tire area,
hopefully only minor mods required to use stock "clamshell")
Very close to the OEM tire diameter (I'd guess one could keep an OEM
14" as spare)
Good overall ratings in wet, snow.
My current set of unused tire "chains" should fit
6 Years / 70,000 Miles Treadlife warranty
possibly offers better braking (more rubber to pavement) than an AT type tire.
I don't really need an all terrain tire.
I can run these all year.
Reasonably affordable
I can find these fairly easily in Canada or US
Tread pattern looks very similar to the well touted long discontinued
Michelin LTX from the olden days of Vanagons.
M/S rating meets local (BC) government mandated winter tire requirements

Just my .02 CND

Neil.

On 11/29/16, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> I see comments in the archives regarding Michelin Defender tires here:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/h4r3om6
>
> but in part, they may be regarding incorrect load rated Michelin
> Defenders. I'm curious of this tire: (Discount Tire  link):
> http://tinyurl.com/h67w69q
>
> User input on the Michelin Defender LTX M/S 205/65R15 or 16" tire
> would be most welcome.
>
> Thanks
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
>
> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
>
> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
>
> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>
>

--
Neil n

Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>

1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>

1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>

Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>