Alaska Vacation with 04.5

[Larv]

Just got home from a 10k trip with my 04. 5. Weight of TV and TT was 17k+. Trip was to AB, BC and AK. Let me tell ya' this truck is a pulling machine! I have the 6 spd with 3. 73 gears and the dlr installed jake brake. What a pleasure to tow with. Uphill or downhill was no problem. Towing mileage was in the 11's. While I'd like a little better mileage (wouldn't we all?) I'm happy overall. Only trouble encountered was an issue with worn out TT bushings and a TT tire.



Larv

 

[AK RAM]

... ... and you didn't even stop in to say hi?

 

[macdaddy]

Larv

Did you do the whole trip on the same oil change?. I'm leaving Friday for a four weeker. I'll be doing 6K or so.



Mac

 

[Larv]

Macdaddy, no, I got the oil changed in Fairbanks and probably shoould have gotten it changed again as it is verry dirty now. I'll take care of that today.



AKRam, sorry' bout that.



Larv

 

[Stretch]

How was the road between the Boarder and Haines Junction (Canadian Side) and the road between Tok and the Boarder (AK Side)?



Hope you saw enough here to make the trip worthwhile!!



Cheers,

 

[Grizzly]

Did you take the Cassiar on the way back? We are planning that trip next year. We made the trip in '95. I understand the Alcan Highway is much improved. Grizzly

 

[mberry]

Larv,



How many miles do you have on your truck now?

 

[Larv]

The road was much better than anticipated, just watch for curvy fog lines. that will tell you when the dips are coming up (most of the time). The road from Tok to the border was ok. The Cassiar was rougher with more construction but worth the trip. The construction is watered down with a corrosive calcium chloride. We came home on the Cassiar and stopped in Hyder to see the bears but were too early as the salmon weren't in the streams yet. Did see a couple of grizzlies in the town dump, tho. A dude in Hyder will wash your TT and TV and does a good job including underneath, charged me $50. Well worth it.



I now have 26k on my truck.



I don't know how much time anyone has for their trips but we took 10 weeks. Some "don't miss" places are Valdez, Seward, Homer and the tour from Whitehorse, YT, to Skagway via bus and narrow gauge RR over the Chilkoot Pass. Awesome!



If I can answer anymore question just post 'em or PM me.



Larv

 

[Larv]

I forgot about the border crossings. Our TT and TV were searched when entering BC. The guard couldn't believe I was from Idaho and didn't have any guns with me. He asked me if i carried guns while traveling in the States. The same questions were asked of my wife by a different guard and then I suppose they compared answers. I had to turn over 2 pocket knives while they searched and then they were returned. The crossing into AK was a piece of cake. When entering the States at WA they confiscated a pkg of CN hot dogs and were very interested in the pet food. Mad cow disease, ya' know. ALWAYS remove your sun glasses at the crossing.



Another "don't miss" place is Chicken, AK, and then the Top of The World Highway over to Dawson City, YT, crossing the Yukon on the ferry. That road is a lot of gravel. Just drive slow. For those who like to have an occasional drink be sure to get a Sour Toe cocktail in Dawson City!



Larv

 

[GSiefken]

Alaska Trip

We are from Nevada, Iowa and on way home from trip to Alaska. I am writing this reply in Hyder, Alaska at this moment. Things to see are as everyone else mentioned but don't miss seeing Whittier which is between Seward and Anchorage. People along the way said don't go there but we were camping in Anchorage waiting to have Jacobs E-brake installed and took a day trip to Whittier. Well worth the trip. My truck is awesome too. 1994 turbo diesel, regular cab, long box, 5 speed. Now it is the best with the exhaust brake. If you are pulling a 5-wheel trailer like I am the exhaust brake is almost a must. Put the cruise on and smile everytime you start down hill. Sometimes downshift to 4th and watch the e-brake slow her down----tremendous!!! Truck has 65,000 miles on her and everybit stock. My license plate says PWRWGN on it and thats what it is a 175 horse power wagon.

GSiefken