What's the longest gravel road you've driven? Need input...

[eddie333]

Next week I am doing a long remote trip to explore some of northern Quebec. One of my options for route involves a 250mile stretch of remote gravel road. No gas, cell service, towns, etc.. I'm fascinated by this road due to it's remoteness, but worried after reading stories of it chewing up peoples tires and leaving them stranded.

I thought I would get input from some of your experiences... I am running Duratracs (E-Rated) with 22,000 miles on them, around 14/32 left. I have a full size Duratrac spare, air compressor, tons of tire plugs, obviously extra gas, etc. I'm guessing my average speed will be around 45-55mph. My biggest concern is the extra weight from modifications and gear stressing the tires over the distance and contributing to gravel punctures.

What are your thoughts? Thank you!

The road: Driving the North Road

 

[team_gforce]

I am about to drive the Denali Highway, 135 miles of gravel road (700 miles round trip) in a few weeks, so i am kind of wondering the same. I dont have any first hand experience yet on airing down tires, but reducing down by as little as 10 psi would make the face of the tread much softer and less susceptible to rock punctures over that much of a distance.

 

[eddie333]

I am about to drive the Denali Highway, 135 miles of gravel road (700 miles round trip) in a few weeks, so i am kind of wondering the same. I dont have any first hand experience yet on airing down tires, but reducing down by as little as 10 psi would make the face of the tread much softer and less susceptible to rock punctures over that much of a distance.

That highway is one of my dreams too!

Yes, I too will air down tires. Not sure to what psi exactly?

 

[RaisedByWolves]

I've driven logging / gravel roads in Northern Ontario a handful of times... Beware the risk of windshield cracking.

Good luck and have fun

 

[mace.]

Next week I am doing a long remote trip to explore some of northern Quebec. One of my options for route involves a 250mile stretch of remote gravel road. No gas, cell service, towns, etc.. I'm fascinated by this road due to it's remoteness, but worried after reading stories of it chewing up peoples tires and leaving them stranded.



I thought I would get input from some of your experiences... I am running Duratracs (E-Rated) with 22,000 miles on them, around 14/32 left. I have a full size Duratrac spare, air compressor, tons of tire plugs, obviously extra gas, etc. I'm guessing my average speed will be around 45-55mph. My biggest concern is the extra weight from modifications and gear stressing the tires over the distance and contributing to gravel punctures.



What are your thoughts? Thank you!



The road: Driving the North Road

A good friend of mine did this road in his heep. Brought some extra gas and his camping gear. Lots of bugs but otherwise it was uneventful.

 

[KeithMaine]

I have driven many thousands of miles on these types of road in northern Maine and Canada. The shale is a killer for P-rated tires. All the oldtime woodsmen always ran two spares in the North Maine Woods and if you ever watch Northwoods Law on Animal Planet, you will occasionally see a game warden with two spares as well. I always ran Load Range E Michelins and never had a problem... evah! I would feel very confident with the set up you are running.

When I moved out west last year, I went to a BFG Mud Terrain, a Load Range C tire in my size, and subsequently had two flats within three weeks. In fairness, they were from road debris, but still!)

Make sure you send us a good trip report when you get back!

 

[eddie333]

I have driven many thousands of miles on these types of road in northern Maine and Canada. The shale is a killer for P-rated tires. All the oldtime woodsmen always ran two spares in the North Maine Woods and if you ever watch Northwoods Law on Animal Planet, you will occasionally see a game warden with two spares as well. I always ran Load Range E Michelins and never had a problem... evah! I would feel very confident with the set up you are running.

When I moved out west last year, I went to a BFG Mud Terrain, a Load Range C tire in my size, and subsequently had two flats within three weeks. In fairness, they were from road debris, but still!)

Make sure you send us a good trip report when you get back!

This is awesome input. I really appreciate it!

 

[off-road runner]

I'd take my time if the road is freshly graded, that is when you are more likely to pick up objects/rocks. Don't do the Tokyo drift on the curves and you'll be fine. Sounds like you will be prepared, those people who end up stranded usually are not prepared and riding on cashed tires.

 

[1engineer]

In the late '90's I was in Russia to evaluate some mobile equipment performance. To get to the operating location we were on parts of what is now the Trans Siberian highway. At one point we were on gravel, dirt and mud track for two days before seeing pavement. I think we went around 300 miles in one stretch on dirt and gravel. We were riding in our guide's Land Cruisers and I remember checking the tires. He carried two spares on the roof (each LC had two spares) and the tires were a Russian brand 10 ply. Anyway that was the longest dirt and gravel road I have been on. Oh, they carried chains for all tires too.

 

[nb rob]

A couple things I find important, from driving lots of woods roads. I've driven the north road in Quebec years ago to get to NL. What a LONG drive.


Watch for moose! There seems to be 10x more here in NB this year, despite the largest cull to date last season. And I always see tons of moose every time I travel to Quebec for fishing. I find 9/10 times they're walking away from my vehicle on the side of the road, and then they turn their head to see me, and their stupid body follows their head.... Instantly in the middle of the road. I'm always on the lookout for the reflection of eyes, but in this case, you can't see their eyes until it's too late. It's just their shaggy, jet-black ass trotting on the side of the road, but I can't really tell through the blanket of bugs.

Which brings me to my next point; bring extra washer fluid. There's something about the 4R.... Bugs don't glide over it on a cushion of air. It seems that 98% of them spash on to the windshield. Northern Quebec is a firestorm for bugs.


I'm also very interested in a trip report! best regards.

 

[eddie333]

bring extra washer fluid. There's something about the 4R.... Bugs don't glide over it on a cushion of air. It seems that 98% of them spash on to the windshield. Northern Quebec is a firestorm for bugs.
.

I knew this and am bringing windex bottles too haha Some trips I come back and bugs are plastered to every imaginable surface, even the antenna.

 

[KidVermicious]

I've driven over 250 miles in a shot a couple times, it's not that big a deal. You've got a functional spare, you've got tire repair stuff, you've got extra fuel just in case, I'd say you're fine. If you wanted to add more to your "just in case" kit, bring full jugs of motor oil and ATF and something to patch your oil pan/trans pan/radiator in case one of them makes friends with a sharp rock.

If you're going alone, let somebody know when you depart, with instructions to call the mounties or whoever if you don't call them back the next day.

 

[Texas777]

I knew this and am bringing windex bottles too haha Some trips I come back and bugs are plastered to every imaginable surface, even the antenna.

Having spent my fair share of time on gravel roads (and cleaning windshields) try some SprayWay Glass Cleaner. Hands down the best product on the market. A buddy told me about it years go and I haven't used anything else since. Costco carries it, and I'm sure you can pick it up a million other places too. Comes in a spray can.

As for gravel, I've run hundreds of miles on mining and secondary roads in a desert environment (Big Bend Nat'l Park) without issue on BFG A/T Load Range C. However, I was never more than 30 miles or so from a paved road. I would think that if you are a significant distance in the middle of nowhere with a slim to zero chance of encountering anyone, I'd echo the advice from others and consider carrying a couple spares. Or some commercial grade fix-a-flat and a good tire plug kit.

 

[Jetboy]

Another vote for 2 spares. I've driven a few thousand miles around africa - gravel roads are a blessing compared to 90% of the roads out there. Wouldn't go out without at least 6 good tires. Most people run very heavy truck tires with tight tread patterns. Mostly because they wear the longest more so than being more durable I'd guess.

If you really want a durable tire, super swamper bias ply tires will take a more abuse than anything else I've had. But they are heavy and horrible on the highway. I've read that michelin XZL or XML tires are very tough, but never owned a set.

For me - I'd grab an extra spare tire and go for it. You'll probably come back with 2 spares.

 

[Dirty Brigade]

All the above advice is great. Let us know how it goes.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Here is a u tube video of a 4runner in Alaska. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spEo5YSutY8
I think you will be fine with the equipment you have. I recently ran 250-300 miles of gravel roads in Arizona. Be prepared for the stones sandblasting the rear shocks etc. and the lower door panels if you do not have running boards. My running board mount brackets got all the paint removed on the front side. Also be prepared for other vehicles passing you going the other way going to fast. They will be throwing stones your way hitting the windshield and every other body part. Be prepared for stone chips on the rear wheels also, they are constantly bombarded by the stones.

 

[3wbdriver]

Which brings me to my next point; bring extra washer fluid. There's something about the 4R.... Bugs don't glide over it on a cushion of air. It seems that 98% of them spash on to the windshield. Northern Quebec is a firestorm for bugs.

I would also recommend one of those truck stop style sponge/squeegee windshield washers if the bugs are bad. Sometimes the wipers just don't cut the bugs even with good windshield washers. You can use a spray bottle of bug cleaner to get the windshield wet and scrub it clean.

 

[eddie333]

This is all great advice. I'm feeling confident my setup should handle it.

 

[NoDak]

for bug removal you have some options, just depends on your money outlay

1. most expensive option but also the most effective, just remember to dilute a lot since it only suppose to be applied for short periods.
its the stuff commercial car washes use

Bug-Be-Gone - Ver-tech Labs? Ver-tech Labs

2. cheaper solution but again dilute or dilute even more for spot cleaning

Chemical Guys CWS_104_16 Bug & Tar Heavy Duty Car Wash Shampoo (16 oz)

3. really cheap way, goto walmart and pick up a brand bug remover.

ArmorAll Bug Spray Remover - Walmart.com


also get a garbage bag and disposable rags (box of rags - Walmart.com) cause removing all those bugs will stink if you use a towel and keep it inside the vehicle

and do a good detail when you get back, especially on the parts facing the bugs. if you don't your vehicle will stink to high heaven from the bug guts.

learned my lesson on not cleaning a car during the summer from bugs. that smell never went away, think it seeped into the front plastic bumper.

 

[eddie333]

what's somewhat interesting is here I am worried all about my tires blowing up and the most common reply I got was concerning the bugs! Now... If bugs could destroy tires I might reconsider my trip :spider: