What are your thoughts about driving your own LC on the Dalton Highway in Alaska?

[Boston Mangler]

I've done the Dalton on both a BMW1200GSA moto and my 2014 Tundra (twice) with just the standard OME suspension.

All 3 times were uneventful, and easy peasy. The road is really just a fireroad and nothing extreme at all.

I saw sedans and 2wd Sprinters doing it with zero issues

People just glorify it for social media clout.

Only "Issue" Persay is fuel. twice i came to Eagle Plains (last stop before the longgg stretch of no fuel) and they were closed for the day, at odd hours, before dark.

I slept in the parking lot, fueled up in the morning, and went on my way.

So yeah.... FUEL FUEL FUEL is the main concern and thing to plan for. The rest of it is uneventful really.

I'll be doing it again in September in my Ram 5500 RV thing

Only issues i saw along the way were people with low quality "Offroad Trailers" Saw at least 1/2 dozen of them busted up on side of the road. The quality of most of them is absolute trash, opposite of builders claims.

Big issue up there is, if you break your silly trailer, you cant just leave it on the side of the road to go get parts to fix it, there is no SIDE OF THE ROAD.

I wouldnt even consider bringing any trailer of any kind up there, but if you refuse to accept real world advice, bring multiple spare tires, wheel bearings and axles, or youre in for a world of suck

My .02

 

[Boston Mangler]

Nice! For a road trip up there I always recommend 1st or 2nd week in September, just before the Denali park headquarters closes for winter. Traffic is down, things are less busy, but things are still open. PM me if you ever have questions about planning a trip.

Absolutely!

My first trip was in July/August. NEVER again... The amount of Mosquitos and Biting flys was INSANE

2nd/3rd trip were the month of September and 10x more enjoyable all across the board.

Reasons September is my MUCH preferred month there:
-Just cold enough, ZERO bugs, but not freezing cold
-Its dark enough at night and the perfect time of year for insane northern lights shows (this is mainly why i go)
-Colors changing are amazingly gorgeous
-Majority of travelers leave, roads and ferries are wide open
-Grizzlies feeding on the salmon runs (2nd main reason i go)

So yeah, most folks go in the Summer, which is fine, it keeps it open and empty for me in the fall!

Im excited to head back up this year as well and will be focusing more on the back country of the Yukon and Northern Lights.

 

[Tex68w]

I've done the Dalton on both a BMW1200GSA moto and my 2014 Tundra (twice) with just the standard OME suspension.

All 3 times were uneventful, and easy peasy. The road is really just a fireroad and nothing extreme at all.

I saw sedans and 2wd Sprinters doing it with zero issues

People just glorify it for social media clout.

Only "Issue" Persay is fuel. twice i came to Eagle Plains (last stop before the longgg stretch of no fuel) and they were closed for the day, at odd hours, before dark.

I slept in the parking lot, fueled up in the morning, and went on my way.

So yeah.... FUEL FUEL FUEL is the main concern and thing to plan for. The rest of it is uneventful really.

I'll be doing it again in September in my Ram 5500 RV thing

Only issues i saw along the way were people with low quality "Offroad Trailers" Saw at least 1/2 dozen of them busted up on side of the road. The quality of most of them is absolute trash, opposite of builders claims.

Big issue up there is, if you break your silly trailer, you cant just leave it on the side of the road to go get parts to fix it, there is no SIDE OF THE ROAD.

I wouldnt even consider bringing any trailer of any kind up there, but if you refuse to accept real world advice, bring multiple spare tires, wheel bearings and axles, or youre in for a world of suck

My .02

I'll pass on getting Calcium Chloride on my fancy boy bike haha. It's too cheap to rent and bash theirs and ride mine home in the same condition I brought it up in.

 

[CharlieS]

We will be up there next August on bikes and we will be renting bikes for our time in Alaska. I’d rather destroy a rental than my own bike.

Bike as in motorcycle or bike as in bicycle?

 

[Tex68w]

Bike as in motorcycle or bike as in bicycle?

The motor kind, not the pedal kind.

 

[GordJ]

Absolutely!

My first trip was in July/August. NEVER again... The amount of Mosquitos and Biting flys was INSANE

2nd/3rd trip were the month of September and 10x more enjoyable all across the board.

Reasons September is my MUCH preferred month there:
-Just cold enough, ZERO bugs, but not freezing cold
-Its dark enough at night and the perfect time of year for insane northern lights shows (this is mainly why i go)
-Colors changing are amazingly gorgeous
-Majority of travelers leave, roads and ferries are wide open
-Grizzlies feeding on the salmon runs (2nd main reason i go)

So yeah, most folks go in the Summer, which is fine, it keeps it open and empty for me in the fall!

Im excited to head back up this year as well and will be focusing more on the back country of the Yukon and Northern Lights.

The Aurora was awesome at Eagle Plains on the Dempster. The only drawback to travelling after Labour Day for us was the fact that a lot of the campsites closed down after the 10th. They kicked us out of Happy Valley in Inuvik and the NWT campgrounds close earlier than the Yukon sites.

 

[Boston Mangler]

The Aurora was awesome at Eagle Plains on the Dempster. The only drawback to travelling after Labour Day for us was the fact that a lot of the campsites closed down after the 10th. They kicked us out of Happy Valley in Inuvik and the NWT campgrounds close earlier than the Yukon sites.

Hmmm

Yes and no…

I spoke to several rangers and from what I understand, the stop maintenance on them Sept 1, meaning don’t clean toilets, stock wood, etc….

But they are still open to use and best of all FREE!

I stayed at a bunch of them and no issues at all

 

[GordJ]

Hmmm

Yes and no…

I spoke to several rangers and from what I understand, the stop maintenance on them Sept 1, meaning don’t clean toilets, stock wood, etc….

But they are still open to use and best of all FREE!

I stayed at a bunch of them and no issues at all

They’ve probably changed in the 3 or 4 years since I was there. The Engineers Creek site gate was closed when we came back Sept 12. I remember because it was a long slow walk to the toilet from the closed gate, if you get what I mean.

 

[coleAK]

I've done the Dalton on both a BMW1200GSA moto and my 2014 Tundra (twice) with just the standard OME suspension.

All 3 times were uneventful, and easy peasy. The road is really just a fireroad and nothing extreme at all.

I saw sedans and 2wd Sprinters doing it with zero issues

People just glorify it for social media clout.

Only "Issue" Persay is fuel. twice i came to Eagle Plains (last stop before the longgg stretch of no fuel) and they were closed for the day, at odd hours, before dark.

I slept in the parking lot, fueled up in the morning, and went on my way.

So yeah.... FUEL FUEL FUEL is the main concern and thing to plan for. The rest of it is uneventful really.

I'll be doing it again in September in my Ram 5500 RV thing

Only issues i saw along the way were people with low quality "Offroad Trailers" Saw at least 1/2 dozen of them busted up on side of the road. The quality of most of them is absolute trash, opposite of builders claims.

Big issue up there is, if you break your silly trailer, you cant just leave it on the side of the road to go get parts to fix it, there is no SIDE OF THE ROAD.

I wouldnt even consider bringing any trailer of any kind up there, but if you refuse to accept real world advice, bring multiple spare tires, wheel bearings and axles, or youre in for a world of suck

My .02

Eagle planes is in Canada on the Dempster highway, this thread is about the Dalton Highway in Alaska.

I live in Alaska and I drive the Dalton every year at least once, done the Dempster 4 or 5 times.

The Depmster: is better maintained, flatter, less variable, has relatively more non commercial vehicle traffic, has some villages along the way.

Dalton: or way more variable, can be cruising along at 60mph then hit a stretch of 6” washboard or a bomb field of massive pot holes, the few paved stretches are way worse then the mostly gravel, it was built to support the pipeline and therefor is a commercial road Only purpose of the road is to support the pipeline and recreation, almost all vehicles in the road are commercial trucks.

I live up here and somewhat disagree. Yes the road in itself is not all that extreme. The location of the road is. Flat tire and no spare? You could have to wait days and pay $3-5k+ for a tow. Break a trailer? Could be $10k to have it removed. Yes there are roads like this in many parts of the world, but almost every American I have no idea what being that remote is like and couldn’t imagine something like it existed in their country.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Eagle planes is in Canada on the Dempster highway, this thread is about the Dalton Highway in Alaska.

I live in Alaska and I drive the Dalton every year at least once, done the Dempster 4 or 5 times.

The Depmster: is better maintained, flatter, less variable, has relatively more non commercial vehicle traffic, has some villages along the way.

Dalton: or way more variable, can be cruising along at 60mph then hit a stretch of 6” washboard or a bomb field of massive pot holes, the few paved stretches are way worse then the mostly gravel, it was built to support the pipeline and therefor is a commercial road Only purpose of the road is to support the pipeline and recreation, almost all vehicles in the road are commercial trucks.

I live up here and somewhat disagree. Yes the road in itself is not all that extreme. The location of the road is. Flat tire and no spare? You could have to wait days and pay $3-5k+ for a tow. Break a trailer? Could be $10k to have it removed. Yes there are roads like this in many parts of the world, but almost every American I have no idea what being that remote is like and couldn’t imagine something like it existed in their country.

Agreed

To Clarify. I Did the DALTON on a Moto and the DEMPSTER in my Tundra.

The Dalton trip on the Moto was in July/August and bugs were intolerable

My experience applies to both equally, but that’s just my 3 trips and feel both were very similar ROAD CONDITIONS wise, but the scenery on the Dempster was much more to my liking.

Neither had much of a shoulder to make repairs if needed, and the remoteness and lack of services is similar.

However, my fav of either of them was Wiseman AK.

We had an EPIC experience there with an old timer we met that allowed us to camp at his B&B and we all stayed up around the campfire all night sharing stories. One of those life moments I’ll remember forever

My trips were in 2016, 2017, and 2018, so conditions may be quite different now.

 

[CharlieS]

The motor kind, not the pedal kind.

I used to want to do that. I used to have a BMW R1200 GS all set up for adventure travel. Have a great time!

 

[randywoodsman]

This thread along with others has been great...but is giving me second thoughts on my tire choice. I have a stock 2021 200 Heritage with the 18-inch wheels. Mid-May I leave from Omaha and will be driving up to the Dalton Highway Arctic Circle sign; then over into Yukon/NWT to the Dempster all the way to Tuk. I did this trip in a rental SUV (Nissan Pathfinder) back in 1996 (not the Dempster portion) and I am sure that SUV had crappy tires.

I am over analyzing my tire choices. Since the majority of this trip...and 90% of my normal driving is highway, I am looking at the Michelin Defender LTX M/S in stock tire size of 285/60 R18. My issue is they are not "10-ply" tires, in this stock size they are rated 110T with a load range of XL. My second choice would be still stock size, but with the BFG All Terrain T/A KO2 rated 118S with a load range D.

Since I don't have a lift and don't plan on extreme off roading, I do not want the aggressiveness of the KO2, or the increased tire size to go up a tire size to get a LT rated tire. I used the stock Goodyear Grandtrek AT23 last summer to drive over Medano pass in Colorado and did not have any issues.

For the group, since I will have brand new tires with good tread for this trip, how concerned should I be about getting a heavy-duty tire? Also, to note is that I am limited on space, so I will have a new stock spare under the vehicle, but no room to bring two spare tires. Thanks!!!

 

[GordJ]

We have made the trip twice, once to Inuvik and once to Tuk, while pulling a 25' trailer. As long as you keep the speeds below 60 mph I don't think you need to worry about tires at all. It is level, chipped gravel all the way and although it was muddy one trip there was absolutely no reason for anything other than regular LT tires, IN MY OPINION. I know that others may differ but we have never seen anyone changing tires and we suffered more from the bugs in June and the thick dust in September than from anxiety about tires.
Your comment on the Arctic Circle sign confuses me a little because it is on the Dempster and not on the Dawson (Klondike?) Highway as far as I know. But don't miss out on visiting Dawson City because it is one of my wife's favourite places that we have visited. It boggles my mind that Robert Service, Canadian author Pierre Berton, Jack London, a Canadian Finance Minister Eric Nielsen and his brother actor Leslie Nielsen, among others, all lived at some point in Dawson City.

 

[DesmoPilot]

This thread along with others has been great...but is giving me second thoughts on my tire choice. I have a stock 2021 200 Heritage with the 18-inch wheels. Mid-May I leave from Omaha and will be driving up to the Dawson Highway Arctic Circle sign; then over into Yukon/NWT to the Dempster all the way to Tuk. I did this trip in a rental SUV (Nissan Pathfinder) back in 1996 (not the Dempster portion) and I am sure that SUV had crappy tires.

I am over analyzing my tire choices. Since the majority of this trip...and 90% of my normal driving is highway, I am looking at the Michelin Defender LTX M/S in stock tire size of 285/60 R18. My issue is they are not "10-ply" tires, in this stock size they are rated 110T with a load range of XL. My second choice would be still stock size, but with the BFG All Terrain T/A KO2 rated 118S with a load range D.

Since I don't have a lift and don't plan on extreme off roading, I do not want the aggressiveness of the KO2, or the increased tire size to go up a tire size to get a LT rated tire. I used the stock Goodyear Grandtrek AT23 last summer to drive over Medano pass in Colorado and did not have any issues.

For the group, since I will have brand new tires with good tread for this trip, how concerned should I be about getting a heavy-duty tire? Also, to note is that I am limited on space, so I will have a new stock spare under the vehicle, but no room to bring two spare tires. Thanks!!!

I did the Demptser last summer. I am running on KO2s and buddy was on Falken AT3W. We didn't experience any tire issues for entire trip(10K+ miles). However, on the Dempster we came across 7 or 8 vehicles that experienced tire failures. This was a combo of vehicles on passenger tires and more offroad biased tires. Anything can happen in 1044 miles of dirt...

I personally feel more comfortable doing that road with an AT tire. However, doing it with the Michelin is probably within my risk tolerance as well. But, I would be sure to carry a well stocked tire plug kit(and practice at plugging some old tires), a good compressor and capable jack. Worst case scenario that you experience two flats, you could plug a tire and not have to rely on getting assistance from Eagle Plains.

Enjoy the trip!!

 

[randywoodsman]

We have made the trip twice, once to Inuvik and once to Tuk, while pulling a 25' trailer. As long as you keep the speeds below 60 mph I don't think you need to worry about tires at all. It is level, chipped gravel all the way and although it was muddy one trip there was absolutely no reason for anything other than regular LT tires, IN MY OPINION. I know that others may differ but we have never seen anyone changing tires and we suffered more from the bugs in June and the thick dust in September than from anxiety about tires.
Your comment on the Arctic Circle sign confuses me a little because it is on the Dempster and not on the Dawson (Klondike?) Highway as far as I know. But don't miss out on visiting Dawson City because it is one of my wife's favourite places that we have visited. It boggles my mind that Robert Service, Canadian author Pierre Berton, Jack London, a Canadian Finance Minister Eric Nielsen and his brother actor Leslie Nielsen, among others, all lived at some point in Dawson City.

@GordJ
Auto Correct changed Dalton to Dawson. I am going to go back and edit the original comment. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[bloc]

I can’t add much to tire experience on those roads but I have probably put two dozen plugs into tires over the years with only one not holding air long term. Some were where the sidewall meets the tread.. worst case scenario.

The smittybuilt 2733 tire repair kit fits into the tailgate storage like a glove. Make sure you have some method to make a little soapy water, find a decent compressor and I’d think you are good to go.

Also I haven’t ever had a bad experience with a michelin tire. I’m 100% confident they’d be the dominant tire in this section based on real-world performance if they didn’t look so pedestrian.

Other stuff in there for those that are curious: gauge, valve core tool, spare TPMS nuts, valve cores and caps in the smittybuilt kit, coiled 4-7 pin adapter, metal flash light (plastic likes to degrade in central Texas in-car heat), spline drive socket for my rock warrior lugs, zip ties, air chuck for my ARB compressor hose.

 

[coleAK]

This thread along with others has been great...but is giving me second thoughts on my tire choice. I have a stock 2021 200 Heritage with the 18-inch wheels. Mid-May I leave from Omaha and will be driving up to the Dalton Highway Arctic Circle sign; then over into Yukon/NWT to the Dempster all the way to Tuk. I did this trip in a rental SUV (Nissan Pathfinder) back in 1996 (not the Dempster portion) and I am sure that SUV had crappy tires.

I am over analyzing my tire choices. Since the majority of this trip...and 90% of my normal driving is highway, I am looking at the Michelin Defender LTX M/S in stock tire size of 285/60 R18. My issue is they are not "10-ply" tires, in this stock size they are rated 110T with a load range of XL. My second choice would be still stock size, but with the BFG All Terrain T/A KO2 rated 118S with a load range D.

Since I don't have a lift and don't plan on extreme off roading, I do not want the aggressiveness of the KO2, or the increased tire size to go up a tire size to get a LT rated tire. I used the stock Goodyear Grandtrek AT23 last summer to drive over Medano pass in Colorado and did not have any issues.

For the group, since I will have brand new tires with good tread for this trip, how concerned should I be about getting a heavy-duty tire? Also, to note is that I am limited on space, so I will have a new stock spare under the vehicle, but no room to bring two spare tires. Thanks!!!

I think Defenders would be way better than KO2s. Defenders are THE all season truck tire in AK. I had the LTX m/s as my prior summer tires and would have gotten another set if they were available last spring, I do off road often and feel overall it is a better tire for my use then KO2s (even off road, especially in sand). That said I’m currently running KO2s as my summer tire (as options were limited at the time) and they are an ok tire.

As for p metric vs LT, I run p metric (Nokias Hakkas) in the winter, if I didn’t tow my camper all summer I would run p metrics in the summer as well. If you are worried about flats (which you should be somewhat) I’d consider carrying 2 spares or at least: a tire plug kit, 2 cans of fix a flat, and a compressor.

For the trip you are doing KO2s throw gravel as bad or worse than any tire I’ve ever owned which will be an issue on the dalton and Dempster. I’ve windshields cracked from gravel from my own tire….

Hope this helps, PM me if you have any questions about AK, NW Canada or the trip.

 

[Boston Mangler]

I think Defenders would be way better than KO2s. Defenders are THE all season truck tire in AK. I had the LTX m/s as my prior summer tires and would have gotten another set if they were available last spring, I do off road often and feel overall it is a better tire for my use then KO2s (even off road, especially in sand). That said I’m currently running KO2s as my summer tire (as options were limited at the time) and they are an ok tire.

As for p metric vs LT, I run p metric (Nokias Hakkas) in the winter, if I didn’t tow my camper all summer I would run p metrics in the summer as well. If you are worried about flats (which you should be somewhat) I’d consider carrying 2 spares or at least: a tire plug kit, 2 cans of fix a flat, and a compressor.

For the trip you are doing KO2s throw gravel as bad or worse than any tire I’ve ever owned which will be an issue on the dalton and Dempster. I’ve windshields cracked from gravel from my own tire….

Hope this helps, PM me if you have any questions about AK, NW Canada or the trip.

Great first hand info! Thanks for sharing

 

[GordJ]

@GordJ
Auto Correct changed Dalton to Dawson. I am going to go back and edit the original comment. Thanks for the feedback.

Now I get it! I had not thought of the Dalton and I should have, it is kinda obvious now.

 

[Julian73]

Great first hand info! Thanks for sharing

I think Defenders would be way better than KO2s. Defenders are THE all season truck tire in AK. I had the LTX m/s as my prior summer tires and would have gotten another set if they were available last spring, I do off road often and feel overall it is a better tire for my use then KO2s (even off road, especially in sand). That said I’m currently running KO2s as my summer tire (as options were limited at the time) and they are an ok tire.

As for p metric vs LT, I run p metric (Nokias Hakkas) in the winter, if I didn’t tow my camper all summer I would run p metrics in the summer as well. If you are worried about flats (which you should be somewhat) I’d consider carrying 2 spares or at least: a tire plug kit, 2 cans of fix a flat, and a compressor.

For the trip you are doing KO2s throw gravel as bad or worse than any tire I’ve ever owned which will be an issue on the dalton and Dempster. I’ve windshields cracked from gravel from my own tire….

Hope this helps, PM me if you have any questions about AK, NW Canada or the trip.

Timely, I needed new tires and just changed my order to the Defender LTX M/S'. I'll be making the Alaskan drive to the north slope in about 1-1/2 years. I'll test out the Defenders before hand and see if I use a new set on that trip.