planning for the ALCAN in 2011

[strvger]

doing the ALCAN highway in the summer of 2011. this coming spring/summer/fall (2010) will be the planning and prep for the month or so expedition.
looking for info from those that have done the trip and other input on getting my 1st gen, 1984 Ranger ready. it is running fairly well now.
i know i'll be doing the valve seals this summer at least. it already is DS'd and i have the 4.56 gears that will be going in Feb/Mar of the new year. will be getting a Detroit locker as well before they get installed.
i'll be towing either my lightweight tent camper or utility trailer with camp gear, etc. would like ideas on building out the truck bed for storage and for a few hours/overnight sleep on occasion. also, what i should be carrying for minor repairs and spares.
any and all ideas/help appreciated, and pics would be great!!

 

[mn_smokeater]

carry of course a good tool kit. spares of anything that commenly can were out or break like lights and such.

 

[PaleBlue90]

what is ALCAN? it probley a stupid question but i have no clue what it is lol

 

[country0001]

Sounds like one heck of an adventure. Yeah at least one extra of everything, starter,alt, typical road warrior stuff.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

what is ALCAN? it probley a stupid question but i have no clue what it is lol

It a highway between Canada and Alaska. mostly really narrow dirt roads.

I did it last year, but only from alaska to White horse then I went Canoeing the Yukon from Dawson to delta junction or something.

 

[AllanD]

what is ALCAN? it probley a stupid question but i have no clue what it is lol

ALaska-CANada highway.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcan_Highway

It connects the lower 48 states to Alaska through British Columbia & the Yukon and actually crosses the BC Yukon border mutiple times.

If I recall correctly there is some sort of prohibition on single axle trailers
but that might be the other road that runs up to the north slope.

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[Hopman]

That sounds like it'll be a fun road trip. Bring a few extra tires.

 

[strvger]

planning on 2 spare tires. also the usual basic tools, spare belts and hoses, oil/air filters, small compressor, 12 volt impact wrench for tire changing. also figuring out how to put a 20-30 gal. gas tank in the front of the bed. hoping it will be easier as i'm carb'd and can use the engine's mechanical pump.
i have space under the bed where the spare was originally. tried to remove the spare and the big 'J' hook was rusted and broke as i was getting it out, so i removed the whole carrier. it was the original 195/75x15 spare that had never been on the ground. i might see about fabing some extra storage there for something.

i'll check about trailer restrictions, but i see single axle tent campers in pics of the highway on the web. i know i'll have to carry some spare tires and wheels for it as well.

 

[Hopman]

Don't forget about some survival gear. (sleeping bag, camp stove, matches & fire starters, ect)

 

[strvger]

got all those in my snow storm/blizzard kit i transfer from car to car during the winters here. think i'll be leaving the snow shoes home as this expedition will be during the summer! lol

 

[mn_smokeater]

ohhh and bring a rifle or shotgun. there are critters out there that can and will eat you.

 

[AllanD]

be sure to leave your handguns at home.

Passing through Canada (with the paperwork filled out in advance)
on your way to Alaska with a rifle or shotgun isn't a big deal, but
taking a handgun into Canada is strictly prohibited.

Hell, people on international flights that had NO intentention
of landing in canada, but who's aircraft got diverted there for
emergency or mechanical reasons have gotten into legal trouble.


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[strvger]

won't be taking any of my guns on this trip. not planning on doing any hunting other than with my camera. i will have my 'man tool' (Ontario Knife Spec Plus machete ) with me as well as the usual camp axe, knife, etc.

 

[Hopman]

Apart from the holster, I LOVE my Gerber Suspension multi-tool! It's a shame they stopped making that model.

 

[AllanD]

won't be taking any of my guns on this trip. not planning on doing any hunting other than with my camera. i will have my 'man tool' (Ontario Knife Spec Plus machete ) with me as well as the usual camp axe, knife, etc.

Frankly I don't drive further than the local equivelent of 7-11 without a rifle
much less across several states and untold miles of absolute wilderness.

Because I believe so long as I have something I probably won't need it.
BUT, as a devout student of universal perversity if I don't have it I certainly WILL need it.

And it's not about "hunting", it's about surviving.

I also have a machete, and yep it's also an Ontario USGI issue
made prior to when they added the saw back (I just checked,
it's a 1986) on them, I also have an Estwing axe (a fearsome
combat tool when in need for one) and a USGI two fold entrenching tool.

I hope not to need them as much as I hope to not need a rifle.
and as for rifles I usually don't have just one, a Rimfire and a
centerfire are very different tools....

Normally I'd carry a 30-30 as a lever rifle is as far from
a "threatening" assault rifle as you can get, but anytime

I'm going where there are brown bears I switch out the
30-30 for a 45-70, but a 30-30 when confronted by a
hungry bear that thinks I might be lunch I'd rather
be holding a 30-30 than my dick.

Remember a rifle isn't a "weapon" it's simply another survival tool.

BTW, if you need to take on an inquisitive or threatening
bear with a 30-30 and the bear doesn't turn away after
the first shot, keep shooting so long as the bear is facing
your direction.

It's kinda like my other habit, a spare pair of boots and spare
pairs of laces for BOTH pairs.... and two pairs of socks stuffed
inside the boots I'm not wearing.
When I buy new boots I buy two pairs and wear one pair until they are broken in then switch to the second pair, because breaking in a second
pair immediatly while I've got fresh callouses is far less painful than
doing it later... when I may have other concerns.

Methodical Preparation can be made a habit, and it ain't a bad habit
to have in wild places.... or simply far from home...

But I wouldn't to up the ALCAN without a rifle, much less BE in
alaska without one any more than I'd drive there without
my Wallet, money, cellphone or spare tire.

A friend was in alaska to go hiking & camping near Denali National Park
(Mt. McKinley) and a park ranger asked him if he had any firearms...
thinking that "Yes" was a bad answer to someone he perceived as a cop
he said "No" whereupon the ranger pointed him to a gunstore and suggested that he strongly consider buying one... He actually got a fairly good deal on a second hand Marlin 44mag carbine, which matched well with the Ruger Blackhawk he didn't want to admit having. But he flew to Alaska and never had to deal with canadian border guards.


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