So, I ended up bailing on the Coopers because my local Tireman would not have them in the size 245-65 r17 for a few weeks. I did not want to get ling longs they had in stock well because they looked sketchy and I wanted to stick with a brand that has some reputation.
I don't know if it is just the world we live in, but I went around Toledo and the Goodyear tire center, Tireman, Bell Tire, and Midas had very little inventory and what they had was the wrong size or weeks out if they could even get them.
So the other day I went to Costco with my mom to help her grocery shop for new year's finger food and on the way out I stopped by the tire center. I spoke with the general manager of the tire center and she pulled out a Ipad and showed me that they had Michelin defenders and Costco Exclusive MICHELIN X LT A/S 245/65R17 107T BSW ALL SEASON in stock on the shelf.
From what I understood the XLT is the defender slapped with a different name to give it that Costco exclusiveness. However as she showed me it has the same Michelin part number.
I looked at the tires on the shelf in the back and also discussed the BFGoodrich tires she also had in stock for that size for a bit cheaper however there was no $150 off a set of four with those.
I ended up purchasing a set of the Michelin XLT tires for $778 out the door with tax, discounts and install fees and all that included. I think I got a good deal, since Tireman quoted me 970 for a set of Michelin defenders. From what I read here and online I guess Michelin is the whos who of tires?
I get them installed tomorrow, If you guys want, I can upload pics and whatnot of the tires.
Thank you thou for the recommendations; I would have gone with the coopers if they had them in stock.
Happy new years btw.