[luciusf]

Considering buying a 2019 X5 with Offroad Package. Like to have the capability to drive the Dalton Highway in Alaska. It's >400 miles of gravel road. What tires, equipment, and other accessories would you consider driving the Dalton Highway to Deadhorse and back? Needless to mention that there is no road service on that highway and no tire repair shop for non-trucks in Deadhorse.

[Colibri]

Welcome to the forum.

I did the drive about 30 years ago in a 1974 VW bus (so I already had food, water and shelter). The only "gear" I had was the basic toolkit that basic engine required, extra fuel and 1 spare tire. If I did that again, I'd have a 2nd spare. Once that spare went on I was real nervous if I'd need another, but did make it back and promptly got a new tire (and a second spare).

I had driven from Portland, OR around AK, to Deadhorse, then around YT some more and ended in Steamboat Springs CO. On the way North, I drove the Cassiar Highway (before they paved it) - I broke a rear shock mount on that, had to wait a week in Whitehorse to get replacement parts. Besides routine maintenance, no other issues.

An X5 is a very different animal than a '74 VW... you might want to bring a service center diagnostic computer, a satellite data link and a generator to run it all But in all seriousness, just because they sell it and you can bolt it and strap it to every square inch of you interior and exterior, definitely doesn't mean you'll need it. (I also rode my motorcycle to South America and back, by myself, and didn't need much then either). YMMV

[X3_Alaska]

If it were me I'd drive to Fairbanks and rent a true 4x4 for that road. You are almost guaranteed a cracked windshield on that trip too. There are groups on FB that can answer more specific questions about the trip and driving around Alaska in general.

[mscot]

Was about to say something similar. The first accessory I would buy is a Toyota 4Runner or Landcruiser.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by mscot

Was about to say something similar. The first accessory I would buy is a Toyota 4Runner or Landcruiser.

I was going to say 4Runner too. One of cars that you can come home for sure.

[rmorin1249]

IMHO and based on driving a fairly rough logging road for about 10 miles I am of the opinion that a stock X5 is not a good "off-road" vehicle. Ground clearance is nominal. Lacks protection for critical underbody components and does not often have a spare tire or a jack and tire removal tools. Listen to the advice of others who have experience driving unpaved roads in isolated areas.

[Photographer918]

Wild Blue drove his X7 as far north as the Arctic Circle and back on the Dalton Highway. I’d want tools, a couple of spares, camping and survival gear, and a satellite gps device to call for rescue if needed - but I suspect an X5or X7 could handle the drive, if driven with care…..

[Ryan5034]

I think the vehicle will make it just fine. But I would definitely carry a full-size spare, and I would put on All terrain tires, not street tires. I would also carry everything you need to sleep in that X5 make meals and hang out for 24 hours just in case. Food, jet boil, clothes, tools, hat, gloves, boots at minimum. I've done plenty of miles of gravel in my X5, yours will be fine.

If you are doing this in winter, make sure you have a way to stay warm in case of failure.

People drive that road in subaru's, you'll be fine if you have some outdoor living skills. Be aware I've never been on the road so YMMV.

[luciusf]

I used to own a LandCruiser (J100) that I sold 10 years ago, and regret having sold it every day. I am considering buying a used J200 LandCruiser, but as good as the LandCruiser is, the insane used car prices are hard to justify.

The Dalton highway isn't really off-roading. Just gravel with potholes. I had not thought about the risk of a cracked windshield. Further research mentioned that the rental car companies that allow driving on the Dalton highway slap heavy duty windshields on their rental cars.

Lots of food for thought. Thank you!

[BlkGS]

Buy a Tahoe Z71, and then go from there. I would be looking for LT tires, maybe some of the kevlar reinforced off-road tires. All the other stuff mentioned to have backup heat, food, water, communications, etc.

The old Lexus GX470 would be a good choice too, but then you'd have to spend a good bit of money refurbishing an old one most likely.

[luciusf]

Follow up question: Since windshield cracks came up, due to lose gravel swirled up by oncoming trucks, is a heavy-duty windshield an option for the X5? That seems to be a good add-on to have in general for any vehicle that has to drive a lot on gravel roads. Apparently, that's what the rental car companies do in Fairbanks that allow driving on gravel.

[BlkGS]

I'd be tempted to put some sort of clear bra type material over it. They use thick layers of basically PPF over their windshield in racing, I'd do something like that.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by mscot

Was about to say something similar. The first accessory I would buy is a Toyota 4Runner or Landcruiser.

Yes, this would be my recommendation. I was in Bhutan last year and up in the rugged Himalayas they only had Landcruisers (I believe what is sold as 4 Runner here is a Landcruiser there). They were pretty bullet proof even in crazy terrain. I think that is what Landcruisers are designed for. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s might also be a good choice.

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Buy a Tahoe Z71, and then go from there. I would be looking for LT tires, maybe some of the kevlar reinforced off-road tires. All the other stuff mentioned to have backup heat, food, water, communications, etc.

The old Lexus GX470 would be a good choice too, but then you'd have to spend a good bit of money refurbishing an old one most likely.

Tahoe for sure. Best choice here, no question. Hard pass on the Lexus.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by cobramite

Tahoe for sure. Best choice here, no question. Hard pass on the Lexus.

The real perk of a Tahoe is that it's a Silverado, and in every small town in North America, you can find someone that knows how to fix just about anything on a Chevy work truck. So that way when a moose runs out at you and you end up with a cracked differential, they can swap it in days or hours, not wait weeks for parts and not really know how to fix it.

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

The real perk of a Tahoe is that it's a Silverado, and in every small town in North America, you can find someone that knows how to fix just about anything on a Chevy work truck. So that way when a moose runs out at you and you end up with a cracked differential, they can swap it in days or hours, not wait weeks for parts and not really know how to fix it.

I would not even think of any of that Asian stuff when the Jeeps or Silverado truck based vehicles are available.

[Fuzzy Master]

Originally Posted by luciusf

Follow up question: Since windshield cracks came up, due to lose gravel swirled up by oncoming trucks, is a heavy-duty windshield an option for the X5? That seems to be a good add-on to have in general for any vehicle that has to drive a lot on gravel roads. Apparently, that's what the rental car companies do in Fairbanks that allow driving on gravel.

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