Hello everyone. Well I'm moving to Alaska and I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on tires for my '03 3500 4x4. I was thinking about the new wrangler silent armor as they had the highest rating for traction in ice and snow conditions that I could find, but I would like some real world experience. My truck has BF rough terrain load range E tires now and them things are brutal because they are so stiff. Should i stick with the Load range E tire or go with Load range C. Is there anything else I should think about getting for my truck for winter conditions. I already have a block heater and was thinking about getting battery blankets. Thanks

 

I have the Goodyear AT Extreme which is the exact tread as the silent armor and I love them in snow and ice. The load range depends on how you use your truck. C is fine for most driving unless loaded heavy often.

 

i just left Fairbanks alaska we were stationed at Fort wainwright for about 5 years. now about the tires load range that depends on if your towing heavy or not. I had load range E Goodyears all season dont remember the exact type but they were just fine just kept it in 4hi all winter unless i was pulling our trailer, of course its was a bumpy ride but it was on avarage -20 to -30 in the winters i dont care what tires you have that calls for a bumpy ride. now you said you have a block heater thats a good start now your gonna want to get an oil pan heater pad, battery heater pads for both batterys, and a tranny heaterpad not everyone gets one for the tranny but why take a chance. all of these things will help out your truck big time. well this stuff also has alot to do with where your going in AK some places dont get as cold as others. I hope this helps you if you have any more questions just pm me or write it in the thread. Good luck up in the arctic wish i was still there dang PCS moves.

 

Where in Alaska are you moving to?

Climate, terrain, and weather conditions differ significantly from one part of the state to another. One place will routinely get to 40 below, but see only light or moderate amounts of snow, while another will rarely get as low as 0, but the snow on the ground will be measured in feet, not inches.

Some places don't get much rain, while in others it comes down in buckets, except for the the third Thursday of every other month, when the sun shines for 13 minutes, at most.

Some places are flat. Some are mountainous. So, exactly where are you moving to, again?

 

yeah, where you are moving to has a lot to do with it. but I hear the tranny blanket, battery blanket and oil pan are all a huge help. as far as tires go, I can help you much there, I didnt have my dodge when I lived there, I had a 4 runner with mud terrains. I am a big believer though that it isnt the tire, its the driver, the tires just make things fun. have fun up there, hope you go somewhere a little more temprate, anchorage is a great place, thats where I grew up, if you get stuck in barrow....I'm sorry.

 

Congrats on Alaska,

Where exactly are you heading? It does make a difference as to the climate you will have to contend with. From Juneau, Sitka, and Ketch to Fairbanks, Deadhorse, etc the temps probably vary 60 degrees on some days. However, if you end up in Anchorage, where I lived, I would highly recommend some studded snow tires. Can get a set of 4 235/85R16s load Range E studded for $580 from Johnson's Tire when you get up there. I know many have been through the winters without them, but the Glenn Highway in the winter time is something to behold. I was glad more than once that I had the studded snow tires.

You are going to need a block heater for sure. However, battery blankets, trans heater, engine blanket, will all depend where you end up. In Fairbanks, you will need it. They see -40 to -50 on some days. Anchorage, probably the coldest I saw was -20, and that was for a week or two in the winter. Let us know where you are going to end up. Have fun!!

 

I just noticed the coastie. Are you heading to Kodiak? Different world down there as well. Not alot of snow, warm temps. Big Brown bears.

 

And rock. Lots and lots of rock.

Warm is a relative term. Compared to Fairbanks in winter, Kodiak is downright mild, but Palm Springs it ain't. Oh yeah, it does rain some, too.

 

I have found the Interco Trxus MT's to be really great in snow and ice. There are plenty of 17" sizes and are E rated but they do not have hard sidewalls and even air down nicely. Point being they don't bounce you around like some of the hard tires out there.

 

Why would you tell someone to put a C rated passenger tire on a 1 ton truck? Thats just and accident waiting to happen.

 

I would also suggest you do not buy a C rated tire for your truck. Stay with a D rated minimum, E is preferred!

 

Not everyone utilizes the MGVW of their truck, C range is perfectly capable for an unladen truck if a better ride is your goal. This is why my post says it depends on how the truck is used.

 

I like my Revo's....
Come on up, we luv converting Texans, and like everyone asked, where you moving to. Lot of differance from N. to S.. Don't let them scare you Barrow ain't that bad, compared to Adak Is. its a dream vacation, and I would pick it over Anchorage. I don't recomend a C rated tire on a 1 ton anytime let alone loaded down for a trip up the Alaskan Hwy. When you headed up, if your runnin light you might get some frieght to bring up too.

 

I don't know about picking Barrow over Anchorage... Barrow is pretty isolated, costly to live there, and the whole 2 months of darkness. Not to mention the climate in Anchorage is much more mild.

 

I've lived in Fairbanks and now I'm in Wasilla commuting to Anchorage 22 days a month. The road and weather conditions are drastically different between the two. In Fairbanks I never considered a change from the Michelin ATX that came with the truck. The roads never really got ice-covered, and the colder it gets, the more grip the snow has. Anchorage is completely different. I'm still searching for a set of studded tires that cost less than $1100 mounted/balanced. Any amount of snow invariably gets packed into the roadway and turned to ice. When the temps change, frost comes out of the road and makes things really slick. There were even a few spats of rain a few days ago, and while the air temp was hi-30's, the ground was still well below freezing. Our trucks don't really lend themselves to great traction, and if you've done any mods, the rear wheels will jump out without much provocation on slick roads. Add to that the ruts carved by years of studs and the truckers, and Anchorage area driving is a really bad situation. As far as the other goodies, I always had as many heaters as possible while I lived in Fairbanks. I've been using the block heater and a small oil pan heater recently with no problems at all. Easier on the electric bill too.