I lived in Fairbanks for many years and have ridden, driven and ridden a snowmachine on the Dalton. I hope you find these responses useful.
1) My schedule is wide open. So, is there a particular time/month that is more favorable. I was looking at some time in June.
June is the driest month in the interior of Alaska. The road has been ridden every month of the year by someone, but late May thru early August are generally okay. It can always be cold, for instance Spousal Unit and I rode in 20 degree temperatures from Atigun Pass to Deadhorse in late June one year.
2) How much extra gas do I need to carry on my S10? I am aware of the 250 mile stretch without any filling stations.
Gas is normally available at Hilltop at mile 5 of the Elliot Hwy which is 67 miles before the start of the Dalton; at mile 60 of the Dalton just north of the Yukon River; Coldfoot at mile 175; and finally at Deadhorse at mile 415. So the longest distance is 240 miles. I've seen the Yukon fuel point run out of fuel before, but never Coldfoot or Deadhorse. You will probably get pretty decent fuel mileage because of the relatively slow speeds you'll be running. You be the judge of whether or not you need to carry fuel. My rides to Deadhorse were on a BMW R100GSPD with a 9.25 gallon tank.... I did not carry fuel.
3) I am considering Heidenau K60s or would I be better off with full knobbies?
I think K60s are a good choice. There is always the chance you will encounter heavy rains and maintenance stretches that would be better on knobbies, but the K60s can handle just about anything you will encounter if you ride appropriately for the situation. If you hit a fresh stretch of recently plowed road with fresh calcium chloride, then wait for a few trucks to go thru to make you a path. Heidenaus are a vey stiff tire. It is best ro run them at lower pressures. i ran mine at 35-36 on the rear and on dirt would air down to 28-30. Carry plugs and a good pump as well as the tube.
4) I really don't want to carry extra tires. So, will the rims on my S10 accept a tube if I should cut a tire?
The best place in Fairbanks for tire work is Adventure Cycle Works (
www.advcycleworks.com). In the summer months Dan operates 24/7 and pretty much just does tires. He was the first Heidenau vender in the US and carries, or will get, just about any tire you will need. Contact him before you go to AK and make arrangements for him to have the tires you want. Yes, the tires will cost more, but carrying tires around is a huge pain in the arse.
5) Do the large semi trucks operate 7 days a week?... probably a dumb question.
24/7/365. They always have right of way. The maintenance crews do shift change on Wednesdays, so the level of maintenance ops is much reduced.
Consider staying at the University of Alaska Fairbanks dorms while in Fairbanks. Relatively cheap, clean, safe and spartan (
http://www.uaf.edu/reslife/conference/) (907-474-6769)
