Changing tire load range tires for ALASKA TRIP

GordonThree wrote:
It's really not that bad unless you're driving like a manaic. Hauling along four extra tires is adding weight that will cost you big time at the Canadian gas pump.

Hauling along a few extra spares tires have a such a miniscule effect on fuel cost, you'd probably never notice it.

I changed tires on my TT just because the C tires never should have been on there in the first place. Also had room for 16" wheels so I did that also.

Run your C tires until you get to lower Western Canada where there are a lot of Sailun tire dealers and change the tires there.

Bill

Oops double post.....fast fingers, slow brain :)

Every flat I have had on either my TT or my TV has been from a road hazard. A nail or metal shard plays no favorites with tire ratings.

I changed to D Rated tires because the C rated were close to the axle limit. The cost deference was minimal.

Have you had tire trouble? If so upgrade. Otherwise go with what you have.

hawkeye-08 wrote:
On our last travel trailer, we switched from load range C to load range D and enjoyed the extra margin of safety. The C LR were right at the trailer capacity and I like some head room in capacities.

I can't comment on the AL-CAN HWY, but on my old TT I changed tires for the same reason as Hawkeye-08. The original C-range tires actually totaled LESS capacity than the trailer GVWR. The manufacturer was relying on weight transferred to the truck make up the difference.

Even though I always kept the tires at 50PSI it just always seemed like the sidewalls looked squishy. When I got new tires I went up to D-range and it was a night and day difference. The sidewalls were firmer, I have plenty of extra capacity, and it felt like the TT towed easier too.

If your wheels will support 65PSI I'd say go for it and give yourself the extra cushion.

KJ

Good advice in the previous replies. Before our last trip to Alaska I put on Maxxis 8008 trailer tires with the 8 ply rating rather than the standard 6 ply rating. For such a light trailer that may have been overkill as maybe could have gotten the standard 6 ply tires but never had any tire trouble. The roads really are not that bad, just a section of frost heaves around Destruction Bay but just slow down. In two trips to Alaska I never had any tire trouble. You might search for trailer tires with a higher speed rating as I believe I have seen that Carlyle (not sure of spelling) now makes such a tire and I believe at least one other manufacturer. Now I have the Lance trailer and the Maxxis tires went down the road with the trade-in so am faced with keeping the original tires or switching.

On our last travel trailer, we switched from load range C to load range D and enjoyed the extra margin of safety. The C LR were right at the trailer capacity and I like some head room in capacities. They were the same price from Perfection Tire (local tire shop). It took a few days to get them in, they had current date codes,

It's really not that bad unless you're driving like a manaic. Hauling along four extra tires is adding weight that will cost you big time at the Canadian gas pump. Two mounted spares is plenty. They do sell tires in both Canada and Alaska if you need more.

Take it SLOW, especially past Destruction Bay.