Well looks like I will be going up to Kenai AK, I think there was someone posting from Anchorage earlier. But I need an opinion on what kinda tires I should buy for the winters up there. I have some Geolander A/T M+S tires right now.

 

Phil!

Who did you kill to get assigned to the Kenai peninsula on your first time to the Greatland? Just kidding--make sure that you bring you SO (wife/girlfriend) up to Anchorage once in a while so she doesn't get too cranky. YOU will love the place, wonderful outdoorsy location.

As for the tires...I stick with the Goodyear Wrangler R/T tires that came with the King Ranch and my wife's Expy. There just fine for every day driving no matter the weather. If you have the desire and the cash to buy the best studded tires its going to be a pair of those studded Haakapelitta jobbies. Expect it to be pricey, but worth it on pure ice. My dad runs these on his 98 Ram 4x4, but thinks that after five winters my 02 'screw 4x4 with the Wranglers handles better on the snow than his truck. It will also depend upon when you are driving the AlCan. Right now it may be worth putting on the Haaks if you are going to drive up here. Last week the road sucked...:santa:

 

Hey thanks for the reply, I have heard alot of great things about the Kenai penninsula. I cant wait. I really dont know what to expect going up there, but I did some thinkn and I would be going a little overboard with getting some new tires. The ones I have right now should suffice, are you up in Anchorage? Im probably going to drive up to Bellingham and from there take the ferry to Junea, then a ferry up to Seward and then drive over to Kenai. I dont know anything about AK and based off some of the things ive heard this is going to be truly a blessing. Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

Is your truck a 4x4? If so, then your current tires should be fine provided they have good tread life. Just dump a few hundred pounds of weight over your rear axle and go easy on the throttle. My opinion only, but on a 4x4 studs are only needed if you're consistently driving on ice. Snow/snow pack shouldn't be a problem if you drive appropriately in winter conditions. I'll put a plug in for Bridgestone Dueler Revo's, though. I replaced my factory Fire-craps this past summer with them and I wish I'd done it sooner. I don't even bother with adding weight over the rear axle anymore, the traction is that much better, but I also have a canopy on the bed.

Welcome to Alaska, you're going to love it! Bring on the kings!

 

Phil,
If you do decide to get a second set of tires for winter, BUY them and bring them with you! You'll save a few coins. I thought of getting a set through tirerack until I saw shipping!!

I survived 3 winters so far with stock GY ATS. The only gripe was when it melted/froze several times in a week a year ago. Roads were sheets of ice. In that scenario, 4x4 was worthless. I parked my truck in favor of the wife's Honda with studs. I could go in the truck, but forget about stopping on ice without a great tire or studs. I must say that winter was unusual though.

So...where are you transferred to exactly? I went to Kenai in 2000, then got transferred to Anchorage in 2003.

IceKing hit the nail on the head...you'll get familiar with the Seward Highway in a hurry if you're married. I know we made at least one trip a month for "shopping". When it comes to fishing...you'll never leave the peninsula in summer. Everyone will be headed down there!!

Anyhow, welcome to AK. Get your driver's liscense asap (PFD, hunting/fishing liscense, etc.)!!
Good luck with the trip.

Rock

 

I will be getting stationed in Kenai, thank you guys for the warm welcome and all the advice. I will be taking the drive to Bellingham, hop the ferry for the four day cruise to Juneau, then another ferry to Seward and then drive to Kenai mid May. Do you guys know if I will have a hard time finding a place to live round there? Any other information or experiences would help me out alot and would be greatly appreciated.

 

Phil,

It would behoove you to stop by the Governor's Mansion, the Mendenhall Glacier, the Fiddlehead restaurant, the State Capitol and the brewery (in reverse order) during your stay in Juneau. I've been here since the early 70's and have only visited Juneau this last January. Quite a beautiful place with the mountains coming straight up out of the ocean. The brewery in Juneau produces a fine selection of beers, most famously the Alaskan Amber, but most importantly the Alaskan ESB. It is awesome. The Amber is quite good in pancakes, too! I have a good recipe for 'em...
If you have kids the Sealife Center in Seward is nice. You can probably do no worse than Remax on the internet to see if there is property available. I'll try to dig up a website for our local Real Estate magazine. Any other Alaskans have ideas for Phil?
Hey Phil...where are you getting stationed? Which branch? What is your MOS?(many military here in AK)

 

I will be stationed in Kenai, im in the Coast Guard and I will be stationed at the Marine Safety Detatchment out there. I will have a 1 day layover and transfer to a different ferry in Jeneau so I will definately hit those spots up. Thanks again

 

Phil,

The website for real estate is HomesAndLand.com

Good Luck!

Are you doing a traditional military PCS? If so there shouldn't be any problems with getting as much gear as possible up to AK...bring all the gear you can afford to haul up here. Get ready for all of the fishing you can possibly stand!

 

Well, make that 2 dudes heading to Alaska. Me and the black lab will be loading the truck in early April and heading to the Kenai peninsula. I have the Goodyear ATS's in the garage and on the truck Bridgestone duelers. I want to bring both sets and desperatly want to fit all that I'm taking but an extra set of tires will force me to tow a U haul trailer and that would be an extra 500 Bucks for rent and 250 for the ferry from Bellingham to Haines.

I think I'll put the ATS's on and try to sell the others at my garage sale. Phil, I never served and congratulations on being a US service member. Can't tell you how the liberal trash has behaved over the last few years while our men and women are risking their lives for freedom. Too bad I'm 46. I sent you an email phil. I'm leaving on the ferry April 9th or I may have to move it back a week to the 16th.

YOu guys in Alaska, hi. Can we order a lariat crew from ford with the lift kit and rancho shocks on the truck? A dealer up there said yes. If you recommend a good dealer who has great prices, let me know which one. It's always been a dream of mine to live and work in Alaska. My precious and beloved grandmother had died on Feb 2nd from a filthy rotten stroke and it's complications since Oct 2nd. I've been with her 38 yrs and will be missing her greatly. We're selling the house according to my wishes and her living trust. Once her house is sold, I'll be glad to give the toll bridge their money for the final time. It's all I've been thinking about. Living with the bears and eagles.... Dan

 

Hey firstFord,
I would've replied alot earlier but I havent been around the forum for a while and my email has the habit of deleteing things without any notice.
Thanks for the congrats, it sucks living out in the Bay Area due to all the liberals out here, weve had problems with them and there protesting. But hopefully a move to Alaska will help my situation. Yeah my trip is all set, so maybe ill see you out there sometime if you want to email again try rigidthinkn@hotmail.com that one should work a little better.
ICE, thanks for the site and I dont have much of anything to haul up there. The majority of my things are being shipped by some moving company CG paid but I want to by an extra set of tires and I also need to look into getting a block heater, I will probably have Ford do it so I wont have to worry bout warranty issues. Talk to yall later.

 

Welcome to Alaska fantasticphil and 00firstford!!! You're going to love it up here! Alaska is an adventure that everyone should experience at least once in their lives! Hope you both get this, don't know when you're leaving but this is the first time I've looked at this forum.

00firstford...the Nye Frontier Ford dealer in Wasilla is where I went to have some recall work done. They are friendly and I liked the atmosphere there.

fantasticphil...We're in the CG too!! Stationed for 3 years in Cordova, loved it and wanna go back!! We are in Juneau now, don't like it as well but I'm a small town girl. If you haven't left the Bay area yet send me and e-mail. Maybe we could get together while you're in Juneau and we could show you all the things that IceKing02 talked about. wild_mtn_rose@hotmail.com

Hope you all have a safe trip and fall in love with this beautiful state like I did!