MY TV is a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 V8 with the 3.92 rear end, a camper top and I tow a 6000lb camper trailer. When we travel the truck is pretty close to it's 13K GCWR. The truck came with 20" rims and 275/60 R20 tires. We towed from SC to the West Coast last summer running Cooper Discoverer HT Plus tires which have a load range of 119 XL. These tires towed very well but have worn out quickly and I had one rock puncture on a Colorado gravel road. Thus, while in Buena Vista, Colorado, I had a tire loaded with Fix-a-Flat but still loosing air and I needed a tire, yet there were no 20" tires to be found in my size in that small city. I had my spare so I got by, but the tire guy told me that the 20" rims were fairly rare in Colorado... So... So I now need new tires....however, we are planning to drive the Alcan Hwy in 2018 and I am wondering if I need to sell these 20" wheels and go to 17" wheels (which was the Standard OEM size). My thinking is that the 17" rim gives me many more choices in tires, but also would make finding tires possible along the Alcan Hwy in Canada and in Alaska. I have read that finding less common sized tires along the Alcan Hwy is more difficult....has anyone had that problem?I would appreciate any advice from you guys on this issue AND what tires you would recommend. Like I mentioned the 20" XL rated Coopers with the stiffer sidewalls towed very well, but I am told that XL tires are merely reinforced "P" rated tires...which could explain the puncture.... There are few tires in the 20" size with C, D, or E ratings. Should I look at "E" rated tires in 20" or go to 17". ALSO, in your opinion, are "All Terrain" tires less prone to rock puncture than All Season tires?? Most of our trips stick to paved roads but on that last trip we traveled on gravel roads for a few hundred miles...and probably more in Alaska.Thanks!!

I'd go with your 20s in E all terrain. Keep the two best tires you take off and put on top of your topper plus an extra spare for the TT. Not that many miles of gravel on the Alcan... someone will probably correct us for using Alcan:S

When I came down the Alcan a couple of years ago, I had a very common 15" tire on the Jeep I was towing go bad. I couldn't find another until I got to the States, though everyone offered to order one and have it in 4 - 5 days for me.I'd take what you have, but take one spare ready to go on a rim and another spare tire with you from one of the ones you changed out as mentioned above.You'll be able to get 20" tires in Anchorage if not Fairbanks when you get there. If you really run into tire problems, call ahead to a tire shop in Anchorage and have them hold a tire for you. If they don't have it, the ships from Tacoma arrive twice a week and they can have one waiting for you by the time you get there.Bill

Personally I would go with 17's. The higher profile side walls would be more resistant to potholes and rock damage and easily purchased. My opinion.

I agree. The best thing you can do is carry some spares on rims.

Thanks guys for the good advice! Regardless of whether I choose to keep the 20's or not I will be sure to have my spare plus one other unmounted tire....that just makes good sense. Last summer I took two mounted spares for the camper but only the OEM spare for the truck...I will plan differently for this next trip!So, with either the 17 or 20 "E"s are best on my 1/2 ton? I have read on this forum that a lot of guys run "E"s...there are just not many choices (that I see) in either All Season or All Terrain.... Are any of you running E rated 20's on a 1/2 ton and if so which tire and how have they held up for you?? Did you need to use any special valve stems? Thanks!

Best for Alaska Hwy trip my OEM 20" rims or get 17" rims

Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 30, 2017
Didn't think SR As came in E load, or 60 series but haven't looked it up. 275 20s are typically 65s. Either way, it's not much of an upgrade, still a soft pavement pounder tire.

I also don't think you need to get 17s. Actually not a ton of options in 17" sizes.
Yes highway tread tires are IMO more prone to punctures. They're typically softer and less tread protection, although if you jump up to E load tires that will not be an issue with the light loads you are putting on them.

The guy that said 20s are rare is not living in this decade. They're as or almost as common as other sizes now.
I'd find some beefy load range D or E LT all terrain tires, like the Coopers mentioned above or similar.
I also wouldn't worry about bringing a gaggle of extra spares. Spare for truck, spare for trailer as long as they have good tires to start with.

Regarding the drive, gravel sections of the Alcan are typically smoother than the pavement, lol. The rocks that can get you are where a hillside is shedding larger rocks onto the highway and the side trips you'll take. Many awesome places you'll want o bomb down bobtail to explore.
Check out Amazon for tires. Bought a set of 275-65-20 MT Firestones, 3750 lb cap for $740 delivered to my door. Or craigslist for takeoffs. If you can fit a 285 60 20 tire, takeoffs for those are some a dozen around here. Have a set sitting in my shop now if you want them.....
austingta
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
roundman wrote:
The tire dealer I have been talking to has a set of take-offs in the Goodyear Wrangler SR-A in my 275/60 R20 E rated tire...with 400 miles on them. His "drive-out" price including Road-Force balancing is $740... I know NOTHING about this tire, has anyone run one and would you recommend them? In the past I have found that tires that come OEM on a car or truck are garbage and I have always had to replace them soon...almost like they were a cheaper tire than the same tire if purchased from the tire dealer....any comments??

I have them as OEM on my GMC. They seem fine. I have 16000 miles on them and no apparent wear yet. I have rotated them twice so far.
roundman wrote:

That price is way too high: They are $133.00 new at Discount Tire.
Click For Full-Size Image.
stsmark
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
Our son son went to school at UAA in Anchorage for a few years. We did the Alcan with tandem Uhauls both directions. He had an 05 Dodge just like yours with 20s and we had no issues. The return trip was in Dec so some legit snow time.
With a good spare I think you'll be fine and as mentioned shops in Anchorage will have tires in stock.
Enjoy
roundman
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
The tire dealer I have been talking to has a set of take-offs in the Goodyear Wrangler SR-A in my 275/60 R20 E rated tire...with 400 miles on them. His "drive-out" price including Road-Force balancing is $740... I know NOTHING about this tire, has anyone run one and would you recommend them? In the past I have found that tires that come OEM on a car or truck are garbage and I have always had to replace them soon...almost like they were a cheaper tire than the same tire if purchased from the tire dealer....any comments??

If I were to look for take-offs that included the rims, where is the best place to look? My tire dealer does not have any...

Running a 60 low profile tire is one of the reasons I was considering going to a 17" rim so that I could purchase 70 series tires...However, if I consider the 275/65 R20 then it would be a "higher" sidewall tire than the 60's...would that help when puncture resistance is considered??

My family took the Alcan Hwy back in 1971...my Dad had a '66 F250 with a cab-over truck camper on it. The unpaved Alcon was about 1150 miles one way...I was 17 and a fairly new driver...and when it was my turn to drive I learned to avoid the large rock-slinging trucks and pot holes very quickly !! As a driver I grew up fast on that road as that road was incredible....rough, dusty and slick when wet!! But my Dad went back in 1989 with the same camper but a newer F250 and most of it was paved by then (less 300 miles as I remember he said). Now, I am dying to go back and take my wife...I wish I could afford a HD truck but what I have is what I must use for now, so THANKS for all of the great advice and help!!
Trackrig
Explorer II
Apr 30, 2017
Yes, there's still some gravel. I came down one way and up the other in the middle of last Summer. The road crews are always working on it tearing out some of the bad sections, straightening, widening and repaving them. I seem to remember about 70 miles of gravel on both routes.

Bill
Adam_R
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
In 1983 when we ran the ALCAN it was 90% gravel with copious amounts of mud mixed in. From what I've heard, it's all paved now. Are there any parts that still have gravel?

I plan to re-run that trip in 2019 or 2020 myself.

Adam
cpaulsen
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
I have 20" rims on my Ford with Cooper AT/3's on them....Lt 275/65/R20 load range E and weight rating of 3720 lbs. Might be too much tire for your 1/2 ton but it is a good tire.
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 30, 2017
Stay away from low profile tires for rough roads or off-pavement driving.
wcjeep
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
colliehauler wrote:
Since the 17's were the standard OEM I would look for a set of takeoffs (aftermarket companies that do upgrades). I bought a set of basically new rims for a Dodge I had for $200. I sold the spare set of rims and tires after I sold the truck and got my money back.

Takeoffs are a great way to upgrade to 17" rims. Plenty to choose from if you are interested in stock. I would go with D or E rated. Tread type is highly variable.
roundman
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
An 18" might be a great choice. I have been watching CraigsList for Dodge Ram 17" which was the OEM Standard rim...I will check into 18" also, I am not sure when or if Dodge began using 18" rims, anyone know?

One problem I have run into is trying to determine if rims that came on Rams after 2012 will fit onto a 2007. The bolt pattern and Hub Bore are apparently the same but the lug bolts went from 9/16" (like the 2007) to M14...so I am unsure if the lug bolt holes in the wheels are large enough to fit onto a 9/16" lug bolt.... Anyone know for sure? Thanks!