Looking for some expert advice. We are planning a trip to Alaska this summer pulling our 5th wheel (about 9500 lbs. loaded) with our 2002 2500HD D/A (50,000 miles on truck). Round trip should be about 10,000 miles from Ohio. I plan on doing the following befor we leave:
1. Fresh oil & filter - Mobil Delvac 1.
2. Will take oil and filter for one change in Alaska.
3. Fresh Mobil 1 transmission fluid and filter.
4. Fresh diff. fluid - Mobil 1 75W-145, or should I stay with 75W-90.
5. Fresh fuel filter (new type) and will take one with - just in case.
6. Have purchased new (tan) transmission nutural safety switch to take with.
What am I forgetting to help insure a trouble free trip? Any and all info or suggestions will be appreciated.

You better add a full tank of fuel to your list:lol:

Make sure you have full size spares for both the truck and the trailer. During summer you shouldn't have to worry about fuel, we did the trip in April with just a spare 5 gallon can, towing our trailer. Bring or get new wiper blades and bring washer fluid, a good portion of the road is packed gravel.

During the summer there's lots of light and the scenery is beautiful. Just relax and have fun driving.

Ive driven the Alaskan Hwy...............Its LOOOOOONG

CB's good until you get past saskatoon, further north you go the less CB and more tweaked vhf the truckers use. Bring cameras and take pictures. Depending on when you come up, we might be here and could do a linkup. Can't stress the spare tire thing enough, had 2 trailer flats and one blowout on the truck on the way up. Tow strap just in case, Bottle jack just in case. Don't try to bring guns, most if not all are illegal in cananana. Make sure you keep food in the 5-er so you can cook your own food, some places aren't worth stopping at on the way. If you're tired sleep, the extended daytime will end up making fatigue sneak up on you.

Up once in summer, down to michigan and back in the winter for me on the alcan.

If you want to save a little space, you don't need to bring your oil or filter with you as we have a Walmart for the oil, and plenty of GM dealerships in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla and Soldotna. Plus, there is no sales tax in Anchorage if you buy your oil and filters there.

Also, you might think about a gravel screen for the front of the truck as it can save headlights, a windshield and the paint job.

One piece of advice that can save you tons of grief: When traveling in Alaska on our rather poor, curving, tough to pass a motorhome or fifth wheel, two lane roads, when you look in the mirror and see more than 5 vehicles behind you, you must pull over to let them by...it's the law. It's amazing to see how many morons come to our state and fail to adhere to that law. I've counted up to 27 vehicles behind a fella driving a 5th wheel and he acted like there was nothing back there. That usually ends up causing accidents as folks are trying to pass the idiot. Realizing you're running a Duramax, keeping up to the speed limit shouldn't be a problem ;)

We took a 23' 5er with my '91 in 8/03. I built a grille guard with expanded metal covering the entire front. I hit a deer doing 65 (Me, not the deer!) in Alberta on the way back and it just bounced off my grille guard. Would have disabled the truck for sure without it. The whole road is paved, but the construction areas are horrible. I got 4 new cracks in my windshield. Also, cover the grille with screen, the bugs are thick and will fill the radiator. I took a trailer spare and a truck spare, and had no problems, but my truck has commercial steel sidewall tires. Take plenty of money for fuel, the more remote you get in Canada, the higher it gets. The frost heaves will really beat up your rig, be sure to slow way down for them. I had to weld alot on my 5ver frame around the hitch when I got back, cracked alot of welds. It is a fabulous trip that you will never forget.

Looking for some expert advice. We are planning a trip to Alaska this summer pulling our 5th wheel (about 9500 lbs. loaded) with our 2002 2500HD D/A (50,000 miles on truck). Round trip should be about 10,000 miles from Ohio. I plan on doing the following befor we leave:
1. Fresh oil & filter - Mobil Delvac 1.
2. Will take oil and filter for one change in Alaska.
3. Fresh Mobil 1 transmission fluid and filter.
4. Fresh diff. fluid - Mobil 1 75W-145, or should I stay with 75W-90.
5. Fresh fuel filter (new type) and will take one with - just in case.
6. Have purchased new (tan) transmission nutural safety switch to take with.
What am I forgetting to help insure a trouble free trip? Any and all info or suggestions will be appreciated.7. ME :grd:

Pulled my 5er up there 3 times, `92, `98, `01. Never had any problems except bent the axles on the trailer a little in `01 when I had to take to the ditch to avoid a collison and that caused my tires to wear quite a bit and had to boy a couple in Fairbanks for the return trip. Other than that , no problems. In `92 I hit several frost heaves, the warning signs were little and right beside the heaves, and my trailer would actually get airborn going over them. I`ve seen a lot of problems with other fifth wheels but I haven`t had any. I don`t know how long you want to drive in a day, but the way we did it and it worked out ok was: 1st day, Dawson Creek to Ft. Nelson, 2nd day, Ft. Nelson to Watson Lake, 3rd day, Watson Lake to Whitehorse. We would stay a couple of days in Whitehorse resting up and checking trailer and trucks while the women shopped. Whitehorse is a fair sized town and has a chevy dealer there also. ( Ford too ). There are a couple of ways to go when you leave Whitehorse, you can go straight on to Tok, AK or just a little ways northwest of Whitehorse there is a road that you can turn off on and go to Dawson City. From Dawson City you can put your rig on a ferry, cross the Yukon river and go over the Top of the World Hiway to Tok, Ak, Your choice. When you get in AK, just look at your MILEPOST book ( Which I would really recommend buying and looking at before starting the trip ) and plot your tour thru Ak. On the return trip back to the lower 48, you might consider something else. About 15 miles northwest of Whitehorse, you can turn south on the Cassiar Hiway, #37. It`s about 480 miles down to hiway 16 which goes to Prince George, but it is a very scenic trip although the road wasn`t quite as good as the Alcan in `01. No problem with with fuel etc. If you need something before turning onto the Cassiar, go on in to Whitehorse to get it. You can always stop at service station and cafes to ask about whats up ahead etc. I always carried my 4000 watt generator with me just in case we wanted to spend some time at some of the pullouts. Notice I didn`t say night because there ain`t much night during the summer. Watch for animals on the roads, bears, moose, sheep and other critters and airplanes landing on the Cassiar. Use a little common sense and you`ll be fine. As for firearms, I take a shotgun or a 450 Marlin rifle. NO HANDGUNS ALLOWED in Canada. Don`t even think about it. It cost $ 35 + or - US for a permit for a firearm. Just tell them you may do some hunting in Ak. if they ask. But DO tell them you have a firearm if you take one. In `98 when we went to Ak, we left our trailers in Fairbanks and drove up to Deadhorse ( Prudhoe Bay ). My buddy had a flat out in the wild after we had just seen several grizzles along the road and it sure felt nice having that 12ga. with 00 buckshot in it. The 450 Marlin would have felt better, but I didn`t have it then. BTW I heard you can`t drive to Prudhoe Bay any more. There`s lots more I could tell you but you may or may not be interested so take a camera and take lots of pictures and have fun. It`s really an adventure and I`ll do it again one if these days


Jomar:cool2:


e

It's $50 for the firearm permit, and a big hassle from what I hear now. The Top of the World highway may be closed depending on the time of the year. Whitehorse is the last city to speak of before Tok. If you are bringing any pets, make sure you have their shot records and a well being certificate.

[QUOTE=Stubby]Looking for some expert advice. We are planning a trip to Alaska this summer pulling our 5th wheel (about 9500 lbs. loaded) with our 2002 2500HD D/A (50,000 miles on truck).


Where's MAV when you need him........He's done the Wisconsin-Alaska trip a few timeshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/hihi.gif Heck he used to live in AKhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/rockon.gif
He's probably out with the 18 wheeler now.:grd:

Bring lots of US currency. The exchange rate for Alaskan currancy is rediculous.):h

I have heard if you bring kids younger than I believe 18 you will need birth certificates to go across the border.
The only things on your list I would really bring is some extra oil and fuel filters. We are remote but we do have stores that carry this stuff as well as towns on the way up here. I would also use fuel additive when ever fueling up. You never know how well the fuel stations filter there stuff.
Good luck and take some pictures.

Bring lots of US currency. The exchange rate for Alaskan currancy is rediculous.):h

I have heard if you bring kids younger than I believe 18 you will need birth certificates to go across the border.
The only things on your list I would really bring is some extra oil and fuel filters. We are remote but we do have stores that carry this stuff as well as towns on the way up here. I would also use fuel additive when ever fueling up. You never know how well the fuel stations filter there stuff.
Good luck and take some pictures.
Yea, I was going to recommend 6 fuel filters, never know what the fuel is like and a couple of gallons of Schaeffer's fuel conditioner.

I remember that the bakery in Tok had excellent fresh oven baked bread. We walked down to it while my dad had his truck at the Chevy Dealer getting checked out. This was back in 1987 though. We drove up to Cold Foot (60 miles south of the Artic Circle) and had breakfast the the truck stop there. The owner had won the Iditirod and was the nicest guy to sit and chat with.

6 week trip, 14,000 miles, dad, mom, me (15) and sister (11) in a regular cab 6.2L with a shell camper. Man, I'll never for get that trip.

Don't forget to pick up a Milepost before your trip...it will make it alot easier and will give the wife something to read instead of criticizing your driving.

You can look at it and order it from www.themilepost.com

I am not related to these publishers nor do I do business with them....I just grew up with the Milepost. It's a guide for navigating the trip to Alaska as well as the roads in Alaska.

To all who have replied - great information and suggestions. Thanks, Thanks. Keep the good info. comming. We will not leave until the first of June, but the excitement is going up.

We have a milepost here somewhere, I've never read it.

Bring LOTS of bug spray. When you swat a mosquito, they keep sucking and divebomb you when they are done. We've had what I though were rocks bounce off the windshield. Nope, bugs...lol

The trip can be done quickly if you want, we make it to Michigan, in winter, in 4 days.

Not sure if you have them, but mud flaps are a good idea. The front of our trailer is wrecked from the gravel, and the wheel wells. Junes a good time, free air show on Elmendorf AFB.

Well now surprise, I see you're already at Ft. Rich and wouldn't need one. But you would be surprised how many folks from the miltary bases ask me directions, which road to take, where a good fishing spot is located or the nearest place to eat. I've lived here all my life...how about you? With most transplants, they seem to think the drive and we'll see what we can find attitude works fine but us life longs Alaskans are the ones who always get hit up with the questions. Trust me, you ought to dig out the Milepost and read it...you'd be surprised...and it might save us folks some really ridiculous questions.

For those folks visiting, it provides a wealth of knowlege including all I've listed above as well as the various routes one can take from the lower 48 to Alaska. It also serves to point out the nearest medical services, law enforcement, etc.

My favorite story is the time back in 1997 when I was at OSK dock at Nikiski (you can look it up in that Milepost that you haven't read) loading a boat for the platforms, and this elderly gentleman with Connecticut plates pulled down onto the restricted dock area. I asked him what he needed and he replied he was there to catch the ferry back to Seattle. As the whole crew looked on in amazement, I informed him he needed to go to Seward or Haines to catch the ferry....he insisted he was right and I was wrong. I asked him if he had a Milepost...answer was no, he was 68 years old and didn't see the need for it. I pulled out an Alaska map and showed him where he was...yet, he insisted on sitting there for the ferry. He sat there for two days and then finally decided he was wrong. Sad thing was that it was the middle of September and snow was on the way. He asked one of the guys how to get to Seward....he's probably at Prudhoe waiting on the ferry now!:D

It was a simple ****ing comment, not need to jump on my **** about it. Damn.

Well now surprise, I see you're already at Ft. Rich and wouldn't need one. But you would be surprised how many folks from the miltary bases ask me directions, which road to take, where a good fishing spot is located or the nearest place to eat. I've lived here all my life...how about you? With most transplants, they seem to think the drive and we'll see what we can find attitude works fine but us life longs Alaskans are the ones who always get hit up with the questions. Trust me, you ought to dig out the Milepost and read it...you'd be surprised...and it might save us folks some really ridiculous questions.


Oh, all of my life has consisted of California, Nevada, Georgia, and multiple foreign nations. Been through the majority of the lower 48 and the only time I have ever asked directions in alaska to date is when I asked a frigging cop where the DMV was because I was still figuring out Anchorage. I was used to the stupid way Georgia laid out Columbus.

The "Drive and we'll see what we can find" attitude works rather well for us, especially considering that we carry a phone book, map, and ocassionally a GPS updating reference on the computer to know where we are at. I don't have time to be LOST.

Do yourself a favor, be quiet. You make "Native Alaskans" sound like assholes. Leave that to some other state, this place rocks.

Questions are going to be asked. I really like the idea that Alaska did not allow big billboard signs. This takes away the bueaty of the scenery and Alaska has lots of it.

If you need a place to stay Walmart or the lot across the road "Sport Authorty" allow for overnithgt stays if needed. I am not sure if they do this done south or not. I know it is not the kind of scenery I was talking about but you can atleast get an even parking spot and some groceries and then leave the next day with out having to worry about anything.
The mile post is a great piece of information, but I have never read my self. My wife gives the directions and I drive.
I recomend Homer as an overnight spot or two. Great fishing, bueatifull scenery, and it is as far as you can go on the highway. You should be able to park right on the spit during that time of year and I believe it costs about $15 a day for power and water.

"Do yourself a favor, be quiet. You make "Native Alaskans" sound like assholes. Leave that to some other state, this place rocks."

Where did you come up with this? Nice language.

Back to my original statement, the Milepost will "make it alot easier and will give the wife something to read instead of criticizing your driving" and nothing more. It's been printed for over 25 yearly editions and thousands of tourists have found it invaluable. It's also saved folks from getting lost and/or finding assistance when they need it (medical, law enforcement, hotel, food, good fishing spots, good camping spots, etc.).

Not everyone belongs to the U.S. Army and has that innate compass that can direct them where to go...but then again, after the wrong turn that one military unit took in Iraq and found themselves in a tight spot, perhaps they could have used an Iraqi Milepost :laugh_exp

Touchy! Touchy! I can usually navigate without asking for directions also. But! I like to BS with the locals and 99% of the time they like to visit and tell us what they like about where they live. You are not going to find the best fishing and what they are hitting in any book. Later! Frank

but then again, after the wrong turn that one military unit took in Iraq and found themselves in a tight spot, perhaps they could have used an Iraqi Milepost :laugh_exp
:blahblah:

I could go on all day about this... but it'd all end in the same conclusion.. they were there, you weren't.

back seat driving and armchair quarterbacking is a true mans game.

Where have you been deployed to, btw?

Oh jeez, what's next, are we going to compare battle scars and jewelry.

You might have heard of it, a little place called Nam...two tours and yes, they shot back at us...they didn't run or surrender like the Iraqis or Afghani's.
Now that we've got that settled, you have a good day.

Stubbs, back to your original post, one thing you might do is look at all the different routes you take to Alaska from the lower 48. I've driven the Cassier twice and that is one beautiful, wild trip...you could take a side trip to Prince Rupert and then take the Cassier, or even take the ferry from Prince Rupert to Haines. Just watch on the Cassier as it's got alot of 18 wheelers that run the route from Anchorage to Seattle and back, and they can throw the gravel as they go by. The big thing is there are numerous "routes" you can take that lead up to the Alcan...each has their own sights along the way that can add up to a great time. You can check out http://www.themilepost.com/hwy_north.shtml for info on the routes.

I've got several friends who drove the Alcan and then on their way south took the ferry from Haines to Prince Rupert. It can be a little pricey on the ferry but you get to see our towns in southeast Alaska that can be accessed via a road system. It's beautiful. You can check out http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html for prices, dates, etc.

Just get ready for a great time!

Stubby:

How much time do you have to go on this trip to Ak? We always were gone about 10 weeks or more. If you ever want to see the coastal towns you can pack a suitcase ect. drive to Seattle, store your vehicle and get on the ferry. You can also go to Prince Rupert to get the ferry.
It makes stops at most of the towns along the coast. We did that in `96 and got off at each town and spent a few days , then got back on the ferry and continued on.

Jomar:cool2:

Jomar:

We are planning to be gone about 8 weeks. No set time schedule is necessary.

XTOAK:

We do have the Milepost, and intend to use it. My wife is in the process of absorbing each page. We are intending to come back on the Cassier. How much of it is not paved? We see two sections of about 20 miles each, is that correct?

We will have a lap top with us with the Trailer Life maping and campground software. The software has a provision to attach a GPS system to show actual location on the computer maps. Does anyone have a not-to-expensive recommendation for a GPS system?

You know, arguing with people on the internet is like running in the special olympics, even if you win your still retarded! sorry if I offended any mentally challenged folks by comparing them to asshats who aregue online :)

Jomar:

We are planning to be gone about 8 weeks. No set time schedule is necessary.

XTOAK:

We do have the Milepost, and intend to use it. My wife is in the process of absorbing each page. We are intending to come back on the Cassier. How much of it is not paved? We see two sections of about 20 miles each, is that correct?

We will have a lap top with us with the Trailer Life maping and campground software. The software has a provision to attach a GPS system to show actual location on the computer maps. Does anyone have a not-to-expensive recommendation for a GPS system?

We took the cassiar up in 04. There's a significant portion that is packed gravel. Don't know if they were getting ready to repave or what. Mudflaps recommended with a second truck-width flap off the rear bumper if you can swing it.

We use a Garmin E-trex hooked up to the computer for GPS. Don't know the software you're using, but it should be relatively easy to hook up. The GPS can send info via multiple data types so you can pick the one your software likes the most.

XTOAK, thanks for your service back then. Unfortunately, I take offence when people want to talk bad about the military, especially since I participated in a small part in the Lynch rescue. I would actually like it if these guys would stand and fight, but with you being a vet from that era, you know just how big a pain it is when the enemy looks/dresses/acts the same as non-combatants and will use suicide bombers, children, vehicle bombs, etc, to achieve their goals. That being said, the fight for the haditha dam showed rather well that although the iraqis were very outgunned and used poor tactics, they wouldn't run... even when picked off one by one by our snipers, they kept trying to assault the dam.

Stubby: You`er going to have fun. Enjoy. As for paving on the Cassiar, it changes from year to year. They can tell you in Whitehorse or at the cafe/sevice station at the turnoff. You might even find a truck driver there that just came in from the south. Toward the south end of the Cassiar you can turn off on a side trip to Stewart and Hyder. It`s really interesting and has great bear watching. The towns are right together with one in Canada and the other in Ak. When you get back be sure and tell us how it went or even while you are on the road.


Jomar:ro) :ro)

Stubby:

You might want to check out Delorme's Earthmate GPS receiver. It's about 1/4 the size of a computer mouse and plugs in and is powered by the USB port. The GPS receiver and the maping software is a little over $100. I just checked their web site. It's $129.

It sounds like you've got just about everything covered. The only thing i might suggest is a few extra light bulbs for both the truck and trailer. When traveling at night and even during the day, i like people to see im coming. Im with the others that said to just sit back and enjoy the drive. Have fun, and post some pics when you get back. ;)

Stubby,I did the Alaska run last year(not pulling) and it is FANTASTIC. Lots of boring stretches from Ontario but i will be doing it again. The most spectacular scenery i saw was on the Top of the World Highway. AWESOME!!!. I went that route on my return. From TOK AK i drove to CHICKEN AK and got caught in a forest fire. Never inndanger but it was an experience.Fromm Chicken it's a fantastic drive to Dawson City,Yukon and on to Whitehorse.Saw lots of 5th wheels and dieselpushers so don't let the view of the road from the map scare you off.It's a drive you won't soon forget,especially the stop in Chicken where there is a good rv campground.

On the outbound I drove to Port Angeles Wa. and took the 90 min ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island. I then drove across the Island to Port Hardy and took the BC Ferry to Prince Rupert. It is a great trip-good ferry and absolutely wonderful staff and food.

Any info or comments on my trip just send me a pm or email

I just came down the Alaska Marine Ferry from Skagway to Belingham. Wife and 2 kids 50' unit. Cost $3800 U.S. Drove down to see Mickey mouse in Disney for a couple of weeks. I will be heading back to the Yukon via Las Vegas back thru Alberta and homeward bound. The trip in the north is great, don't let anyone scare you the road is as better by far than the #1 in Califonia!

See you up there stop in and visit.

Posting to follow this....

We may end up in Alberta, and plan on taking hollidays to Alaska.

burntb4
We intend to drive Top of the World Hiway on our way to Alaska, and are looking forward to the scenery you describe (not the forest fire). I will e-mail you in the next day or two for some recommendations.

DMAXYUKON
Sounds like you are having quite a trip. We don't think the roads will be too bad. I may e-mail you for your location to see if we could make contact when we are in your area.

Stubby

Not hard to find me. I will gladly let you know how to meet up.

I might as well add my 2 cents worth. Being born and raised on the Kenai and the Valley, I have had a chance to travel the "highway" a few times. back when I was a kid the ol man never wanted to stop. We almost always did the tok to Mt route. if you want to take the time Skagway is a nice little side trip out of whitehorse too. I agree with most, and also highly recommend the Milepost. lots of good info in there. also if your into fishing, my in laws (plug a little for the Dalby famliy) wrote a couple of books called "Anglers Guide to the Alaska Highway". tells where, what and sometimes how to fish your way north or south. I'll be moving back home here in a couple of years and just hope the eco nuts haven't ruined it all. Really Really miss the hunting and fishing, cant wait to get "HOME". You'll really enjoy the trip and memories will last forever. good luck and have fun........ Billy

Ive driven the Alaskan Hwy...............Its LOOOOOONG
and not the best either.......