planning for the ALCAN in 2011

[Doofy]

Don't forget your passport or your vehicle insurance papers. You are also required to have a certain amount of cash, when entering Canada. You should call Canadian Customs and find out all the particulars.

 

[strvger]

yeah, i'll be getting all the 'skinny' from CA. this summer for what they require for their section of the highway. as my wife is from another country, no passport problems really.

and for AD: ok, i'll also check what i need to transport one of my rifles or shotguns with me. spent quite a few years in the military and certainly know the difference between a 'tool' and a 'weapon'. sure don't want to antagonize the local constabulary.

 

[AllanD]

If you have a shotgun with a rifled barrel that'd probably be a better defensive tool against four legged dangers.

But remember bears aren't the only four legged danger,
even big plant eaters can take exception to your presence.

being kicked and/or stomped on by a moose is just as deadly
as being mauled by a bear.

I'd rather have to explain myself to some humorless mounties or
game officers than ask "What the hell happened?" when I wake up
in ICU... or ask St. Peter when I don't wake up.

AD

 

[BigWaffles]

strvger,

Living in Alaska and having driven the ALCAN since the late '60s here's what I would recommend:

1. Basic vehicle prep. As of 2006 (last time I drove it) the ALCAN was completely paved except for road construction. You can drive it in any vehicle with minimal problems. A lot of the road surface is chip seal and can be rough on older/worn tires. Carry at least one good spare.

2. Spare parts. I always carry spare belts, hoses & lights. Any other parts you can change out on the side of the road might be handy; it just depends on what is likely to go wrong with the vehicle during the trip. You will have service stations in most towns but they are fewer and further between the further north you get. Parts will also be harder to come by the further north you get.

3. Gas. During the summer months (tourist season) the farthest distance between gas stations is appx. 50mi. Some people carry extra gas but I've never needed it.

4. Guns. You will need to register rifles at the border. I'm not sure if you can take hand guns through Canada (check with customs on this before trying). I do know that if you use a gun while traveling through Canada or get caught with an unregistered gun you will probably end up in jail until things get sorted out. This has happened to 2 people that I know and it wasn't an easy fix.

5. Survival gear. I always carry a full survival kit but have yet to use it (That's the whole idea). During the summer months you won't have any trouble getting to a town due to everything being open and lots of traffic. In the winter months (yes, I've driven the ALCAN in December) half the towns will be closed and you might not see another traveler for several hours in the far north reaches.

6. Trailer. I’ve towed nothing but single axle trailers on my trips. I’ve lost wheel bearings/seals so carry an extra set. I always have a good spare but as of yet haven’t had to use the one on the trailer. The biggest problem with trailers is throwing gravel up against the front (road construction). Be sure to cover the front of the trailer with a sheet of plywood or something or you will chip the h*** out of it.

7. General. Prepare like you would for any long trip. The roads won’t be an issue and gas/service stations will be available. If you take side trips you could be on narrow/dirt roads so keep that in mind. In all my trips I’ve found the average Canadian to be very helpful. Above all, get a copy of the MILEPOST (www.milepost.com). It contains a mile-by-mile log of all the roads in Alaska and Canada to include services, road conditions, road construction and places of interest. It’s updated every year so it is current. This would be the first item I would purchase for the trip.

If you have any specific questions, please let me know.


C.P.T.

 

[Fast Doc]

I'm planning on flying the route this summer, in a Maule. For airplanes at least a gun is REQUIRED as part of the survival gear. I'm bringing an 870 12 gauge. No way would I try a trip like this unarmed. I don't leave the house unarmed, and I live in one of the safest areas of the country.

 

[strvger]

been reading the Milepost online. and i've visited the RCMP site for firearms registration so that shouldn't be any problem. living in northern Minnesota, i've been back and forth across the border to Thunder Bay a few times, so i'm familiar with the routine at the crossings.
thanks for reminding me about extra wheel bearings for the trailer. have the spare tire, but forgot the bearings.
i use lockable luggage and storage containers that are bolted to my utility trailer to store all my camping gear, clothing, etc. they are pretty heavy duty, but i'm thinking i might just add a good, used front road protector off a snowmobile/atv trailer if i can find one.
while my mechanical skills are somewhat limited, i'll be taking basic wrenches, electrical tools, etc. along with my rolls of Gorilla tape, Permatex Black adhesive/sealant, assorted zip ties, and Locktite.
sure was simpler back in the bubble gum and baling wire days!
anyway, thanks C.P.T. for all the help.

the only thing left it seems are some design ideas for framing in storage compartments in the short bed of my ranger.

 

[86isuzu]

the only thing left it seems are some design ideas for framing in storage compartments in the short bed of my ranger.

Ideas like this?
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33316

 

[strvger]

yeah, not the side mount boxes, but the pics in the links are more of what i'm looking for. found a 20 gal. gas tank that should mount across the bed in front of the wheel wells. it's a new reproduction of an early 60's chevy Impala tank and only $105 shipped. i'll need to build the rest of interior around it and my spare tire that i keep in the bed. thanks for the info, it helps for sure!

 

[koda6966]

Bring lots of blankets. Maybe a fat chick to keep you warm.

Invest in some of those cheap crappy instant potatoes. You know, the fluffy kind the food pantries always end up with. It's light, small, and all you need is water.

But then again, you could just bring real potatoes. All depends on where your at space-wise.

 

[strvger]

not concerned about the camping part. been doing that since i was a kid about 50 or so years ago. my ranger is fairly new to me and just wanting to make sure it will be ready for the adventure.

 

[koda6966]

Hmm... JB Weld.

 

[strvger]

actually, i've had much better results with Marine-Tex. more spendy for sure, but it really works!

 

[JohnnyO]

My sister and bro-in-law did it a few years ago in a fairly new E-450 motorhome without incident. They did report that the road can be rough, the going is often slow, and at points you have to wait a while for an escort vehicle. If anything is likely to break, it would be suspension parts, although I'd have everything as close to 100% as I could. In a Ranger I would carry some extra gas cans.

Car & Driver took a Corvette to the Dempster Highway, which is probably similar.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/07q4/the_road_to_remorses_the_road_to_divorces-feature

 

[MountainMike]

strvger,

Living in Alaska and having driven the ALCAN since the late '60s here's what I would recommend:

(Bunch of good advice)

If you have any specific questions, please let me know.


C.P.T.

I know this is an old thread but I am sure you are still planning the trip so I would definetly like to help out any way I can.

Living basically smack-dab in the middle of the Alaska highway the biggest thing I can I can say is watch out for constuction, it becomes a major pain in the butt. And that chip-seal is a killer on old rubber. Let me know when your about to head out, I'm sure you can even run across some internet in the towns along the way.

 

[strvger]

this is the summer to get it all together. planning on going there mid-late June thru most of July 2011.
new passport on the way (old one expired last Nov.). gears and locker in. aux gas tank (27 gal) going in 1st week of April. and new valve seals before the end of this summer. will be doing all the fluid changes then too. already have all the camping stuff i'll need. might upgrade the tires next spring. might go from my current 215/85x16 to the 235/85x16 TreadWright AT's. i love those E rated tires!! everything between now and then are just the little things, but they'll keep me busy this summer for sure. i'll be posting on this thread every now and then. when i get close to departure time, i'll be sure to give you a pm there, Mtn Mike!! thanks.