I say just get in and drive. How are you going to have an adventure if you've planed for everything. Its really not that big of a deal. Ive driven it a least 5 times out of Skagway. Hell AKtahoe's crew drives the thing from Tahoe to Cordova, in like 80 hours non stop, every year. The ferry is a nice way to see the inside passage, done that a few times. An engine heater would be nice to get the thing started in 40 below. And maybe a 5 gallon gas can just incase. Fill up at each open road house and you'll be just fine.

This guy knows how to have an adventure!

seward wrote: by seward » Sat Dec 21, 2013 5:51 am

Used to drive the road a lot. It is much nicer than in the past, but if it is -40 you dont want to screw around. One trip in the winter my old datsun pickup just never warmed up (even with the radiator front completely blocked with cardboard). Seals on the engine started to give way and leak oil (it had 200,000+ miles on it). I noticed this funny film on the windshield, it was oil slowly oozing out. It shorted out the alternator. We made it to Beaver for the night. I got a charge on the battery. Next day drove to Haines with no heat, no lights (followed another car's taillights), no wipers. The alternator was still dead. It was -40F until we started the descent to Haines. Never so happy as then to see a border guard. Later in BC the retaining nut on the air filter holder came loose and dropped through the carb into a cylinder. Things were banging all over, then silence. Pulled all the plugs and found it.

Have fun, but do think about where you plan to stop each night and be prepared to sleep outside.

Sean

Have fun its one of the best drives in the world!

We live in FSJ BC mile 50 of the Alaska Highway, Travel the highway often, It's not that bad, lots of big truck traffic from Alberta to Fort Nelson and Prince George to Fort St John. Price of diesel right now is $1.40 / litre Fuel around here is always fresh as they go through lots in the oil patch. The days will be a bit longer, today is the shortest daylight. If you drive for the conditions and don't be in a race you will be just fine. So if you need a stop in FSJ don't hesitate of get in touch.

Two of my nieces made the drive, starting from Tampa Florida. 3 days later my brother emailed me from Fairbanks that they were home. They seemed to think this was no big deal (they are local Fairbanks people), my brother and I are still trying to figure out how they did it No special anything, just a decent small SUV with good tires and the youth to pull it off.

courierguy wrote:Two of my nieces made the drive, starting from Tampa Florida. 3 days later my brother emailed me from Fairbanks that they were home. They seemed to think this was no big deal (they are local Fairbanks people), my brother and I are still trying to figure out how they did it No special anything, just a decent small SUV with good tires and the youth to pull it off.

Whoa Nellie! That's some kind of record.

Dad and I used to do Louisianna to Soldotna in 3 to 3.5 days depending on road conditions. You only stop for gas and pee breaks. For us it was not about the drive, only the destination. My last trip was from Kenosha WI to Soldotna solo trip pulling a 28' Chris Craft that weighed in at 12000# I did that one in 4 days just so I wouldn't sling the boat off the trailer. Its a great drive that I like doing better in the winter as long as your not racing a storm and playing hide and seek with the snow plows.

Just another thought. If you have a full trailer, you might want to write up a manifest for the customs folks. We've generally done that when there's a lot of cargo, and they seem to appreciate that you've given the matter some thought. If it's just your household stuff it should be no biggie. If you happen to have merchandise for resale then there's a whole additional process of getting it sealed and bonded that you should look into.

Wow thanks again for all the replies! It's great hearing all of the first hand accounts! All the advice seems to be paralleling what I've already been thinking and planning on, but there is a couple things that I learned.

Also, bring a trailer wheel bearing repair kit. Or two. And some axle grease. I lost a bearing on the way South.

I already changed out the wheel bearings on the trailer, didn't really need it but the trailer is new to me and so I figured a little preventative maintenance can't hurt. Cleaned up and saved the old ones for backup.

Don't use battery heat. Just get a battery tender that's weather-proofed for mounting on your vehicle. Tons less current draw and won't cook your batteries over time. Charged batteries won't freeze.

The battery tender is a great idea, even though the block heater will be plugged in, the peace of mind of having a strong battery would be nice.

don't forget to re-mix your antifreeze to protect to -50

good call on the -50, I hadn't thought about my antifreeze needing remixed for the colder temps. Thanks!

Don't be fooled by the dire warnings about the Cassiar Highway, It has consistently been faster than the other way and I highly recommend this route.

Hmm, I find this interesting, I had read about the "dire warnings" and figured I would forgo this route, but now I think I'll research it a little more, my goal is to get up there as quickly and safely as possible.

call your cell phone company and buy some minutes in Canada before you start using it up there. Or just don't use it up there.. They will rob you.. Have friends that came back from a trip with a $2k cell phone bill...

I'm glad you threw that in there, I didn't realize that international minutes cost out the wahzoo lol

If your trailer have LED tail lights, stop often the brush the snow off the lights.

This is good to know, my trailer does have LEDs, but even more important, I've been researching what auxiliary driving lights I want and decided to not get LEDs because they don't put out enough heat to keep the snow melted off. Thanks again!

Probably wouldn't hurt to have a CB in case you need help? I dunno

I have my Com/Nav radio but I believe I need an FCC license to go international with it, so not sure if that'll help or not. Was thinking about renting a Sat phone though. Anybody have thoughts on that?

denalipilot wrote:Just another thought. If you have a full trailer, you might want to write up a manifest for the customs folks. We've generally done that when there's a lot of cargo, and they seem to appreciate that you've given the matter some thought. If it's just your household stuff it should be no biggie. If you happen to have merchandise for resale then there's a whole additional process of getting it sealed and bonded that you should look into.

I'll just have some household stuff, nothing for resale. I'll look into a manifest though if it'll help make the process through smooth. I would hate to have all my stuff scattered over the pavement and have to spend an hour repacking it all.

Once again, thanks so much for all the great advice! I'm really looking forward to making the trip and living in Alaska! If anybody cares to divulge their salmon holes this summer, I'm all ears!!!

Drive the Cassiar Highway, will save you lots of time!!

Buddy of mine has done radio work all over Alaska and Canada. He told me that a plain ol' marine band radio is the best thing to carry with you in Canada. He said there are damned few places where you can't raise someone on it.

When we drove it 40+ years ago, we had a CB in the motorhome. But that was in the days when everyone was a CB-er and had a handle. Hard to say if that's still appropriate--I haven't had a CB radio in any vehicle in many years.

You sure don't want to use your US cell phone in Canada--the roaming charges will be a killer. I'd suggest if you think you'll need communication, buy a pay-as-you-go cheapo after crossing the border. Frankly I doubt you'll need anything at all. But a sat phone would be overkill on the Highway--it's really not like driving across the Serengeti.

Cary

A friend of mine has made several round trips. He is a.... Well, frugal. He ties down a couple 55 gal drums in the back of his PU to avoid the high diesel prices along the way.
However, he goes in summer, and if you take diesel from lower 48 in winter, you might need to cover all diesel aboard with additives before you get to the "real cold" this time of year.

Just a thought.

Take the Cassiar. It's not as busy, but lots of truck traffic, and most of them know how to drive, which many on the AK Hwy don't.

MTV

I am currently overnighting in Smithers on the Cassier enroute to Fairbanks, so far it's been an absolute breeze. Weather is very favorable, just below freezing with some snow showers but the roads are clear.

Looking forward to your arrival. Would certainly like to meet when you come up, though I'll be gone until February. Continue to have a safe drive.

Brett

Halestorm wrote:I am currently overnighting in Smithers on the Cassier enroute to Fairbanks, so far it's been an absolute breeze. Weather is very favorable, just below freezing with some snow showers but the roads are clear.

Good to hear it's going good for ya! I'm following you up here in a little over a month. Appreciate any PIREPS!

I hope you assholes realize how jealous I am of your trip.

Sitting here with the flu sicker than a dog. Five months till retirement (again) and Jonesing for a road trip really, really bad.

Gump

Just got spat out the north end of the Cassiar, overnighting in Watson Lake.

Drive was beautiful today, sun breaks and snow flurries. Only had one close call, nearly sucked in the ditch looking at the view. Tons of snow up here, definitely not in Seattle anymore.

Stopping in Whitehorse tomorrow, visiting a friend, then the final push to FAI on Saturday.

Well I made it in to Eagle River on Sunday night! Been unpacking and getting settled. Had a really good trip, only one flat tire on the trailer. Forgot to check the air in the spare, so it was half flat. Fortunately it was right outside Deese Lake, found the only guy stirring in that town at 8:30p.m. who just happened to have a little generator and air compressor. He had just finished airing up the tires on his own trailer and was more than willing to help out! Other than that, just a couple little snowstorms and warm temps, maybe got to -20 up by Watson Lake, rest of the trip was teens and 20*.

My Dad and my dog, two of the best traveling companions a guy could ask for.


Thanks again for everyone's advice, tips, etc. Especially the driving lights, they are probably one of the best mods I've put on my pickup and have already paid for themselves. You're all the best!

Glad you made it safe!

Just did my 34th trip up the highway a week or so ago...COLD! Sat in Laird hot springs at -40 plus below. It was awesome!

As water boy mentioned I do this trip every year up and back...Wife won't let me fly given we have 3 helicopters and she says I don't need the distraction...Yes, I strongly disagree but, happy wife is a happy life... Besides I get to do just about what I want anyway. Plane is in the shop now getting painted.

Anyhow, the road was a about as good as it gets this year. The typical frost heaves around Kluane / Destruction Bay area but aside from that, no ice, no gravel to speak of and really good driving conditions. My record run on this trip is 51 hours from Tahoe to the AK border. Tok is another 1.5 hours from the boarder. This year we did the drive in 61 hours. That included the 300 mile circle my other driver did in the middle of the night, but thats another story. When we arrived in Tok, is -43 below...Needless to say we left the car running from about Fort St John alway the past Tok whenever we stopped. Also had the card board on the front this year to keep the cold off the radiator. Don't have to do that often but it was cold this year!

Anyhow, here are some photos...




Stone Mountain


Muncho Lake




Laird Buffalo


Some really good road kill about to be had for lunch...Grouse this time of year usually taste like turpentine as they have been feeding on the pine needles but these guys were good and made a great snack



The world famous "Sign Post forest" Watson Lake


Tok AK


Alaska in all its glory


I know this one as the "Sleeping lady" but most call her Mt Susitna


My next thread will be "My trip around Lake Hood" when I have some time. Currently have 38 French folks here in house ready to ski in the AM. Weather looks good and my time on BCP has been limited due to the time of year for me.

Bottom line here for this thread, if you have never driven to Alaska, what are you waiting for. Its about as easy as driving from Seattle to NY. You just do have all the concrete and idiots on the way...or maybe I should say as many...

AKT