Depending on your rim size you might find higher-rated tires hard to find. I can't tell what size they are from the pictures.

Personally, I've always upgraded to load-range E tires on my full size 1500 SUVs. They ride a bit harder but they put up with a lot more . . . and as they are getting older I don't have to worry about how much stress they've ever been subjected to.

That being said, lots of folks tow pretty heavy with factory tires and often get along just fine. You're only talking 5,000 pounds so you should be fine unless you're forgetting to mention all of the heavy off-roading or police chases or whatever.

The stock tires are 265/70-R17, so it looks like the good option for winter tires is going to be a Mastercraft Glacier Trex, I’m shooting for a 235/75-17 studded for the winter lots of black/glare ice around here inland NW, and snow of varying depth, mostly wet stuff.
I’ll be tracking down another set of wheels to put some load range D/E for the summer tires, should be interesting.
Now to do some bumper research, looking at a Buckstop:
https://www.bumperonly.com/collectio...e-and-suburban

looks to be about 190# heavier than stock so I suspect that a little beefing up the front suspension will be in order.

More research looms.

235/75R17 is about 2.3% shorter than 265/70R17 and will put your underpinnings 0.35" closer to the ground
235/80R17 is about 0.6% taller than 265/70R17 and will put your underpinnings 0.05" higher off the ground

I didn't know 235/80R17 was even a size until today. Personally I wouldn't go any lower if deep snow is part of the Alaska experience.

Well, a few things have come to light. With the Z71 trim package, the truck has 18” wheels, so we went with a Cooper 265/70-R18 Snow claw studded Load range E. A couple winter trips later, 👍👍. Love the traction and handling no complaints so far.

Good to hear!

Thanks for updating us!