Second spare tire for FW?

[pistolpeter55]

We are heading from Maine to Alaska this summer. DW and I are discussing the need for a second spare for our fifthwheel. Most of our trip will be on pavement. We are not going on the Top of The World Highway or The MaCarthy Road. The only planned dirt road driving with the FW is into Tek cg in Denali. So experienced Alaska RVers do you think we should carry a second spare?
Thank You

[NewallaBus]

We had a 5th wheel, blew one tire, put the spare on and bought a new tire, had it mounted within 50 miles. Did not get 10 miles from the tire store and the tire that did not blow blew! When atire blows on one side it's mate on the same side is over loaded, over heated and doomed. Take 2 spares. Richard

[joe_b_]

Over the 51 years I have been driving the Alaska Hwy, I have seen more tire problems on trailers than any other type of RV. There are very few, if any, regulations on the running gear of trailers, either TT or 5 th wheel. For many years the running gear on many trailers was just too small and too easy to overload. These days the builders appear to be doing a better job with sizing the tires and axles on trailers.

One or two spare tires? What is your confidence level on your current set of tires? When we bought our 2011 5 th wheel, it came with load range C tires, made in China. Ran them for a year but was never comfortable with them so replaced them with a set of load range E tires. A set of Maxxis made in Thailand. With the new tires I am much more comfortable. Most OEM tires that come on trailers were bought at low bid by the trailer builder. Did they buy the best tires that China builds? I doubt that they did.
I would carry one mounted spare and probably one Unmounted tire, plus a tire patch kit and air compressor. Last trip in 2011, I had a flat tire on my truck, a Dodge SRW model and didn't have my 12 volt compressor with me. The only trip I have not taken a compressor with me. LOL

For the truck, I just carry the one mounted spare. (Remember to check the air pressure in the spare also, not saying why I mention this 🙂

Many of the road houses and small stations will be ale o fix or mount a tire if you have one with you. Doesn't even have to be a new tire, just one that will hold air and get you to the next place you can buy one.

I have been caught between wash outs on the Alcan before, and had to wait a few days on the road, but never because of needing tires or other parts. There are sure many worst places to have to spend a few days or a week than on the Alaska Highway. Just keep a few days supply of food and drinks on board, and go with the flow of whatever happens.

[sue_t]

Tee Jay wrote:
Dawson to Beaver Creek was only 1202 miles on the original alignment.

I grew up at 1202 (pronounced twelve-oh-two). Ah, those were the days ...

[Tee_Jay]

Maje the trip every year. Had one problem in 1997, limped in and got it fixed.

They sell potato chips in Canada. Tires and wheels too, and lots of other stuff. Canada and Alaska are not some third world backwater. And there are some incredibly competent service providers in the North on both sides of the border.

Check the distances. Dawson Creek, Ft St John, Ft Nelson, Toad River, Watson Lake, Teslin, Whitehorse, Haines Junction, Beaver Creek, Tok. Dawson to Beaver Creek was only 1202 miles on the original alignment.

Put another way,I have over 40,000 miles just to and from Alaska, and one damaged tire from hitting a marked repair zone too fast in the past 6 years and 7 trips.

[Chuck_Gail]

Only done Alaska once, great fun. IMHO don't miss Top Of The World highway.

Anyway in over 200,000 TT towing miles we've not ONCE used the spare. We only carry one becauase we know Murphy is watching.

[Dick_B]

We always carry a second spare AND incorporate both spares into our tire rotation.

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

You really don't have to mount the spare tire, only get it mounted if you use up one tire. I would say take it, you can buy it for a lot less down here than up there.

How old are the remaining tires? Once near 6 years old, it is more likely to have a failure, but even a new one can fail.

I got a tire plug kit before leaving for Alaska, never needed it, but it was nice insurance, in case I ran over a nail or screw.

Have fun on your trip. Did you order the Milepost magazine yet? It gives details of the roadway mile by mile, such as rest areas, water there or not, where the start of the 7% steep grades are located, ect.

Fred.

[lonnie4801]

If you have the room take it.

[gkenworth]

What's your itinerary like. Do you have time to kill a long weekend in a village, waiting for a.tire shop to open on Tuesday. Once, when going fishing to northern saskatchewan, I had a mad rush back to civilization. Scared to end up on the side of a gravel road for a long weekend. Arrived at a tire shop just as the techs were washing up. No sense negotiating on tire prices @ 4:55 pm on Friday of a long weekend. I also pack plugs and a good compressor.

[Pauljdav]

Bring $200 dollars instead. If you need one spare stop and buy another.
$200 bucks is a lot easier to pack than another tire.

Paul

[sue_t]

We've only ever travelled with one spare.
Do a lot of gravel too.

[hammer21661]

Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it. If you don't take 2 and you use the one you have you will be really paranoid until you get another spare. I did like 600 miles with no spare very paranoid. Technically I still had a hard tire but it was in bad shape.

[dbbls]

I carried a second one two years ago and never used either. I did pick up two nails but I noticed both before either tire went flat. I think one spare would be sufficient.