Greetings all! I have a 2018 LC200 that I purchased new last October, it currently has around 4500 miles. I’m planning a month long trip this summer to Alaska and Canada. I will be traveling with my wife, three daughters and my son. I’m looking at set of 285/70/17 Cooper discoverey at3 tires on rock warrior wheels. Do I need a lift to allow this setup? Cabin space will be at a premium, what type of roof storage are you guys using for luggage, etc? I wel come all suggestions. No heavy wheeling, just hitting the parks and enjoying some family time.
2018 Mild build help
- Thread starter Mikesvander
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Sounds like a great trip! For tire sizes, you *should* be fine with a stock suspension. I had 285/65/18 on my 2011 LC before a lift, and it only had minor rubbing on some of the plastic fender trim pieces in full lock/tuck scenarios (i.e. not that frequent to be overly concerned IMO). You can run some numbers here - Tire Size Comparison and get a sense for fitment of various tire sizes, plus check out the tire size database.
For your storage needs, have you considered a hitch mount solution? (lots of options, just linking a list of suggestions for you to browse) Just thinking about all the highway miles you'll be logging, plus the occasional fast food drive through, hotel garage parking scenarios, etc. having limited clearance - not to mention fuel economy! Having your cargo tucked in behind you, vs overhead, will definitely help with MPG. I bought a cheap option from Amazon and it has the PVC coated duffle bag that holds a ton of gear!
Edit: I also have the Yakima Sky Box 21 for the roof which I use for skis, snowboards, etc. and it also works great. But if I had to drive a lot of miles and get away with the hitch mounted option, I would definitely do that.
For your storage needs, have you considered a hitch mount solution? (lots of options, just linking a list of suggestions for you to browse) Just thinking about all the highway miles you'll be logging, plus the occasional fast food drive through, hotel garage parking scenarios, etc. having limited clearance - not to mention fuel economy! Having your cargo tucked in behind you, vs overhead, will definitely help with MPG. I bought a cheap option from Amazon and it has the PVC coated duffle bag that holds a ton of gear!
Edit: I also have the Yakima Sky Box 21 for the roof which I use for skis, snowboards, etc. and it also works great. But if I had to drive a lot of miles and get away with the hitch mounted option, I would definitely do that.
I probably missed it, but I don't see those Coopers in that size on the Tire Rack? For a family trip from MS to AK, I would seriously consider a non-AT tire, but you may have other reasons for an AT. For the stuff, you may want both a roof top box and a hitch box. Keeping both 3rd row in might make the family happier and that means pretty much all your cargo outside. I use a big Thule box on top for when family comes along on trips. I don't use hitch boxes because I use the tailgate so much. But, they are a good solution like @kevinfoutch noted. Ultimately, it depends on how much stuff you're talking about; full camping gear or a few changes of clothes for a motel-based trip?
As a start, here's some "required reading" fgor anyone running the 17" TRD Rock Warrior wheels: https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/ins...er TRD Alloy Wheel PTR45-34070-34120 IssF.pdf
You will note in that poop sheet that Toyota recommends LT285/70R17 tires. That setup will not require a lift or any other measures to run without problems on your LC200.
The Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT tires are available in size LT285/70R17 121/118S Load Range E: Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT | Cooper Tire.
Be careful, there are other Cooper Discoverer AT3 tire models available in P285/70R17 that are NOT recommended - LT285/70R17E 121/118S AT3 XLT tires are recommended.
And just in case you do go with that setup, the Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure for the LT285/70R17 121/118S Load Range E tires on your LC200 is 40psi F/R.
I would also highly recommend 5 wheel/tire setups not just 4. This not only allows you to do a 5-tire rotation, but also assures you will have a fully capable/compatible spare that you could use with confidence for long distances - just in case a tire shop with the correct tire is not available close to you should you need a rfeplacement.
Hope your trip is rewarding - sounds like a good one!
HTH
I echo gaijin’s recommendation in the fifth same tire spare. Middle of nowhere in Canada on your way to alaska is no place to hobble along with the wrong sized spare tire.
Re storage, i am a big fan of roof top boxes (thule, yakima). I have a thule use it all year long. Campming trips, to carry skiis, any extended travel. They are water tight and you have several options in size. Just remember that the box is up there when entering garages.
Sounds like a fun trip!
Re storage, i am a big fan of roof top boxes (thule, yakima). I have a thule use it all year long. Campming trips, to carry skiis, any extended travel. They are water tight and you have several options in size. Just remember that the box is up there when entering garages.
Sounds like a fun trip!
Great information above.
To add, for an IFS suspension, lift really doesn't have any bearing on whether a tire will fit or not. The suspension stroke is always the same (and needs to fit throughout its articulation stroke). Just the point at which it rests is different. A 285/70/17 will fit great though, and will also fit in the spare tire well.
A note on the 285/70/17 Cooper discoverey at3 tires... Not sure what season you're traveling, but they are not 3-peak snow rated. They do advertise light snow capability. If you're looking for a better AT tire for cold/snow, there may be better options.
I echo @kevinfoutch thoughts on exterior storage. I have both a roof mount box and rear hitch storage. For a long road trip, aero would be very important to me. It may very well be that you need both storage options? But if you can choose one, I'd do the hitch mount with swingout capability.
To add, for an IFS suspension, lift really doesn't have any bearing on whether a tire will fit or not. The suspension stroke is always the same (and needs to fit throughout its articulation stroke). Just the point at which it rests is different. A 285/70/17 will fit great though, and will also fit in the spare tire well.
A note on the 285/70/17 Cooper discoverey at3 tires... Not sure what season you're traveling, but they are not 3-peak snow rated. They do advertise light snow capability. If you're looking for a better AT tire for cold/snow, there may be better options.
I echo @kevinfoutch thoughts on exterior storage. I have both a roof mount box and rear hitch storage. For a long road trip, aero would be very important to me. It may very well be that you need both storage options? But if you can choose one, I'd do the hitch mount with swingout capability.
SQRRRL
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- Thread starter
- #8
Think I might just put some better tires on the oem wheels with the cargo carrier on the back.
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- #9
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- #10
Looks pretty straight forward.
I used one of these for a while and it was handy because it didn't interrupt access to the rear too much.
StowAway Cargo Carriers - Versatility in Action.
StowAway Cargo Carriers - Versatility in Action.
- Thread starter
- #12
I do like the swing away option. We will be traveling as light As possible with four kids.
Excellent choice!
I second this notion. Summer in Alaska, trip sounds like just regular dirt roads at most, stock with ko2’s will get you than anywhere you want to go. My 200 was stock (even stock tires) for a while after I got it, and I’m impressed the places it got me with notstruggle.
SQRRRL
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It is. Since this pic I have Tough Dog suspension and Hankook Dyna Pro ATM tires on OEM wheels.
I was always very happy using a big Thule box on the roof.
Those of you with hitch mounted options doesn’t it make getting in and out of the rear cargo area a hassle? We usually keep our soft sided duffel bags with clothes and other camp gear in the roof box that way it only needs acccessed once per day. The rear cargo area gets accessed every stop.
Those of you with hitch mounted options doesn’t it make getting in and out of the rear cargo area a hassle? We usually keep our soft sided duffel bags with clothes and other camp gear in the roof box that way it only needs acccessed once per day. The rear cargo area gets accessed every stop.
^Valid point. When I use my hitch carrier, I have it setup with enough of a gap such that I can still access the rear via the upper hatch. I've recently picked up a swing away adapter and will use that when it makes sense
Roof storage is great too. It's a trade as when driving faster (>80mph>, I do notice it causing more drag.
Roof storage is great too. It's a trade as when driving faster (>80mph>, I do notice it causing more drag.
I have the stowaway2 with swingout and it works really well for road trips. Big advantage is it has no noticeable impact on gas mileage. The LX levels out the back and I couldn't tell it was even there. Anything I put on top I seem to lose a few mpg. My ski racks in winter take me down to 12-13mpg all winter.
There are a few downsides to the stowaway. It's bit hard and heavy to get off/on - make sure to get the wheels. Their owner's manual says it is not for offroad use. I used it a few times anyways offroad and dust leaks in. I usually unmount it and leave it at our campsite, but a couple times we came across stuff I had to see during travel. It does bounce around a bit offroad and their hitch tightner will not work with our hitch..
This picture was up a "jeep" trail to a mine in idaho a ranger told us about. The top layer of stuff in there was covered in dust.
There are a few downsides to the stowaway. It's bit hard and heavy to get off/on - make sure to get the wheels. Their owner's manual says it is not for offroad use. I used it a few times anyways offroad and dust leaks in. I usually unmount it and leave it at our campsite, but a couple times we came across stuff I had to see during travel. It does bounce around a bit offroad and their hitch tightner will not work with our hitch..
This picture was up a "jeep" trail to a mine in idaho a ranger told us about. The top layer of stuff in there was covered in dust.
SQRRRL
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I have no issue opening rear hatch. It’s the best way to travel without using a trailer.
SQRRRL
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