Going to Alaska ... now what ?

[HoofinSoot]

We are planning a 6-week trip with the big Dodge and our 27' TT. My plan is to take a couple of fuel filters and enough oil and filter to do a change once we get there. Got a new serp. belt. New tires are going on all the way around. What else would y'all that have done it recommend ? This is going to be about a 10,000 mile round trip once it is all said and done. Oo.

 

[jimnance]

Spare Tire?



I also hear a rock screen of some sort is good protection for the radiator/condensor. Something to protect the front of the trailer from the rocks that will be kicked up.

 

[Rebel Ram]

Swing by and pick me up! Oo.

 

[Tom W]

It's a wonderful trip, you will enjoy it. You might consider putting some protection on the front of the truck and on the trailer where gravel from the rear wheels will hit. I have grill guard and I put hardware cloth across the front. You will probably not be able to wash the truck or trailer until you get back and the bugs are unbelievable. Any screen in front of the radaitor will help. Take your time and enjoy the sights. You probably won't have any problem at all.

 

[RMachida]

Don't lose too much sleep on the preparations. I drove out (south) on June 9th and am near the end our road trip (14,000 miles so far) and ready to head back home to Fairbanks in a week or so. The road is great with only a little bit of construction and gravel roads near the border. This is my 12th trip and never had any broken glass and ony one flat tire but the tire had 60K miles and was on it's 4 trip down the highway. It's a great trip if you drive sanely i. e. keep the speed down. I would recommend a screen to keep the bugs out of the radiator/condensor since there are a lot more bugs than rocks flying around.



BTW, the advice about something to protect your trailer from your own gravel is a good suggestion but remember that there is only about 100 miles of gravel unless you take the Cassiar (recommended) or head up to Dawson City (also recommended)

 

[WM-300]

RMachida'



What is the Cassiar ? I too am driving to Alaska (Delta Jct then down to Valdez hopefully next summer when my truck is complete. I even built in a spare 24 gallon fuel tank. I will be driving from the Adirondack Mts of NY in a 1954 Dodge M37/Cummins Power. http://imageevent.com/moosecreekmaple/m37project I drove my 1943 Dodge/Cummins to Labrador in 2005.



Paul

 

[RMachida]

The Cassiar is road running from the Yellowhead Hwy, which runs between Prince George and Prince Rupert, to the Alaska Hwy near Watson Lake. It is pretty scenic and a less travelled alternative to the southern part of the highway.



Great lookin M37!

 

[WM-300]

Are there services on the Cassiar Road ?



Paul

 

[RMachida]

Are there services on the Cassiar Road ?



Paul

Yes, several lodges with very expensive fuel and quite a few campgrounds.

 

[WM-300]

With 2 fuel tanks, I wil have a range of approx 1400 miles. I base this on my carryall with the cummins which is almost 1000 pounds heavier. I can buy fuel when I find it at better prices. I am really excited about the trip.



Paul

 

[r Hollander]

There is a campground in Tok that has a wash station for RVs

 

[KennethS]

I am impressed on what you are doing

What do you think the cost will be. There a red Army truck on e-bay but it got a chevy in it what a bummer. But it sharp and looks like a nice rig . Wish it had a cummins instead of a chevy.

 

[WM-300]

The fuel is going to be the heavy hitter. I am guessing about $2K for fuel, then you have

Lodging, food, beads and trinkets, Alaska Marine Highway out to Dutch Harbor from Valdez. Probably $5 to 6K my home to my home. My Labrador Expedition last summer with my 1943 Dodge Carryall was 18 days, 3411 miles and cost $1600.

http://imageevent.com/moosecreekmaple/translabrador2005

http://imageevent.com/moosecreekmaple/1943dodgecarryall



Paul

 

[Tom W]

I made the trip in 98 and want to go again next year. I had one funny experience about road construction. I think it was on the road to Valdez. First sign said "construction next 58 miles" after 58 miles of gravel see "end construction" go 1/4 mile and another sign "road construction next 68 miles" The trip to Valdez was worth it - got to see salmon in a stream where Valdez was before the earthquake. Hundreds of salmon in a stream 10 ft wide and 6" deep.

 

[Nate]

When I drove down from Anchorage this fall to Idaho, I spent about $900 in fuel. Of course that was back in the $2. 40-2. 50 diesel price days too. I remember the first time I filled my truck and I got wide eyed when it took close to $50!... . if it only cost that now!

 

[n7gxz]

We are planning a 6-week trip with the big Dodge and our 27' TT. My plan is to take a couple of fuel filters and enough oil and filter to do a change once we get there. Got a new serp. belt. New tires are going on all the way around. What else would y'all that have done it recommend ? This is going to be about a 10,000 mile round trip once it is all said and done. Oo.

What is your route going to be? I'm leaving on Aug 14th to help out with the Alcan5000 Rally . We will be leaving Kirkland (just east of Seattle) and going up through Quesnel then over to the Cassiar to Whitehorse. Then up the canal road to the Yukon/NWT boarder then over to Dawson City with a side trip to the Artic Circle. Then taking the Top of The World highway to Tok and on to Fairbanks. From Fairbanks down to Glenallen with another side trip to Valdez and finishing up in Anchorage. Then of course back home to Seattle. All of this in two weeks. We'll have about 12 vehicles and 30 motorcycles that we have to keep track of and score a couple of times a day.



Kevin

 

[HoofinSoot]

Not totally sure what our route is gonna be yet.



Also - are they now requiring passports to x the border ? Or does a birth cert. still qualify ?



Also Also - can you bring your own firewood across the border ?



Tx.

 

[PAllyn]

We went 15400 miles on our Alaska trip. Spare tires are a must. I carried 2 for the truck and 2 for the trailer. Used 1 tire on the trailer. We were in the middle of nowhere on the Cassiar Highway, British Columbia. There is a lot of nowhere there - that is what makes it so beautiful. I covered the radiator/condenser to protect against rocks - lots of rock. I have a cracked 2x windshield to prove it. Bumper brushes to protect the trailer from rocks flying off the rear truck tires. Some basic tools - Thankfully I did not need them but while driving the Haul Road in the middle of the Arctic tundra we were able lend a hand to help some other get fixed and rolling. Use Mastercard or Visa when traveling in Canada to get the current exchange rate, otherwise they will charge you more than the exchange rate with cash. I took 1853 photos and 24 hours of video - take lots of film - better yet digital and archive them to DVD. Most valuable is the "MilePost". http://www.themilepost.com/ The MilePost will tell you what to expect as you go but most useful when planning where to get fuel and hookups. PM me if like - I can go on for ever about Alaska. Been there twice and can't wait to go again. 1st trip 2 1/2 months - 2nd trip 1 month.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

54 trips over the Alaska Hyw. here. Last one in May.

Fuel was up to $4. 25 US/US gal. in Watson Lake and at Dease Lake on the Cassiar.

Fuel for my Dodge was $1900 round trip to Seattle pulling a 25' Airstream one way.

Protect your trailer from gravel coming off of your truck.

A screen behind the grille is sufficient for truck front end protection.

There are plenty of do-it-yourself car washes along the way.

Use a VISA card for your purchases to get the best exchange rate but know that VISA now charges you for that service. It will be on your next bill. Oo.

A little Canadian cash is handy to buy a paper or a soda or tips in eateries etc. along the way. I usually get $150 US changed to Canadian in a bank.

You are really not driving off the edge of the earth anymore. We do live in houses not igloos or eat muktuk.

Have a good trip and ask if you need answers.