WI to AK in a 600

[KBertetto]

Just finished driving the ALCAN Highway from Wisconsin up here to Anchorage, see sig for truck and trailer details. Here's what my findings were:



Truck and Trailer GVW -- 17,660 lbs. (transfer station scales)

Total Miles -- 3586

Fuel Burned -- 311 gallons

Overall MPG -- 11. 53



I can't begin to say how impressed I am with this truck. The 600 with the 6 speed is simply phenomenal. There were many a Powerjunk and Duracrap left behind in the mountains, nothing could stay with this truck. Average speed was between 60 and 70 until we reached Whitehorse YT. The road became pretty bad and were forced to slow down to between 40 and 50. Don't want to make this too long, just want to state the facts of our trip. My conclusion is not all 600's are fuel suckers as now I get over 20 on the highway empty. Thank you DC and Cummins for one hell of a truck. If anyone would like other info, feel free to PM me.



Bert

 

[klenger]

That's pretty good milage for 18K. I get about 10 MPG towing my 5er, but it's as areodynamic as the perverbal barn door.

 

[geusterman]

Bert and Holli... I plan to make that trip this summer with the BigFoot on and the T-Rex suspension... don't intend to slow down this time! George

 

[fj40dave]

Bert & Holi...

We were going to do that trip in June - ended up being able to order the '04. 5 sooner than later - so it's still awaiting to go "D1"..... and the 'ol '01 is sold :-(

Gonna haveta make the trip when another block of vacation is available... .

Sounds like your experience was super

 

[KBertetto]

George, that T-Rex suspension will be a huge help, especially when you get North of Whitehorse, YT. One thing I wish I had was a jake brake though, coming through the Pink Mountain area was a real chore on the brakes.

FJ, it was a great experience all the way, except for the 2 flat tires on the 5er, but we carried 2 spares (luckily). I just finished updating my readers rigs gallery with a few pics from the trip, will add more in a couple days.



Bert

 

[fj40dave]

Pic's... . cool... . going there next!

 

[CoastyAV8R]

How is the clearance towing the 5th wheel with a SWB? What kind of hitch did you install? Did you have to flip the axles on the 5th wheel to get the correct clearance?



I drove the Cassiar Highway up to Alaska a few years ago and thought it was neatest drive I have ever done. It was remote as I would often times go hours without seeing another vehicle or building. Moose, deer, elk, bears and wolves were pretty common. Lakes to fish in that were so clear you could see the snagged lures on logs 40' deep. That is the drive to go on if you really want to experience a drive where you don't run in to people, see some beautiful scenery and get off the beaten path...

 

[KBertetto]

Coasty, the clearance between the bed and 5er is not a problem at all, it's the clearance of the 5er with the cab that you have to be careful with. I had a Reese 15k slider hitch installed, and it works great, really simple to use. When slid back it clears the cab easily. I just couldn't justify the price of the pullrite slider because the Reese was so easy to operate. The 5er came set up as it sits now, did not have to flip the axles. We ordered it that way, our salesman was extremely knowledgeable about towing with a short bed Dodge 4x4, as it showed up with the extended pin box already installed at the factory also. The dealership is Shoeders Chrysler and Marine center in Rhinelander WI if anyone is interested, got my truck and trailer from them. Saved 18K (11K on truck and 7K on trailer) by not buying in Alaska. :-laf

 

[CoastyAV8R]

That's enough money to pay for your little vacation. Thanks for the info...



Pat