Recomended Vehicle Preps for drive to AK in Winter?

[Nevets1119]

Hi, My brother is currently working at Alaska State in Fairbanks. I've never had the chance to see Alaska so plan to drive. I'm wondering What vehicle preparations should I do before the trip? I'm going to have a full inspection done prior to leaving but do you think a block heater or oil pan heater is necessary? Can I get away without these things as I do not plan to stop other then for gas or at a hotel or final destination? Thanks

 

[Kyle]

i think a block heater and oil pan heater would be a safe add on just as a precaution in my mind.:thumbs:

 

[frumaker]

I grew up with heavy snow and cold in the winters in upstate New York. Never had any of that on the vehicles we had and never had an issue.

I would say good tires, a snow shovel, and a window scraper for the ice are needed.


FRU

 

[06 H3]

extra warm clothes in the trunk, some firewood and some matches. Never know what might happen.

 

[poncho1965]

I'd rethink driving up this time of year. If you are not prepared a simple breakdown could be bad. I've been to Alaska once, it's not New York in winter (population much less). 9 degrees in Fairbanks today, 18 degrees in Anchorage. Stay safe if you choose to proceed !!


Mike

 

[Nevets1119]

I'd rethink driving up this time of year. If you are not prepared a simple breakdown could be bad. I've been to Alaska once, it's not New York in winter (population much less). 9 degrees in Fairbanks today, 18 degrees in Anchorage. Stay safe if you choose to proceed !!


Mike

Thanks for the thought Mike. I've driven in heavy conditions and will be taking my time going up its not a rushed trip, so taking a down day due to weather is ok esp. for safety. I simply wanted some advice on maybe some preparations I hadn't thought of, or advice from those who have been in negative temperature weather. Also since ill be going in late Jan to late Feb i'm starting preperations early and will be plenty prepared for the trip. I plan to take all the necessary precautions for the drive- taking my time, bringing extra clostes, med kit, food and water incase of stall and or bad wheater, sleeping bad, exc.... the things I feel are common since for anyone going on a long road trip in winter. I'll be prepared for and expecting the worst but will be hoping for the best. The advice I need is on the "Hummer specifically" as I have only owned it briefly. All fluids and filters will be changed right before the trip and the coolant will be at a 75/25%-80/20% anti-freeze(Chevy/GM Dealer in Anchorage recommended). I do my research and prep prior to taking any trip. My questions are should I get mud flaps there are some short gravel sections of the Alcan(Alaskan/Canadian Hwy) but is it necessary does the H3 get a lot of back splash, should I put the extra skid plates/differential caging on exc... the list for the hummer could be endless but as I said im asking because ive only owned it briefly and am starting the upgrades so I would like to take care of things relatively at the same time so I'm not scrambling in the end. Thanks

 

[Nevets1119]

extra warm clothes in the trunk, some firewood and some matches. Never know what might happen.

I didn't think of taking some wood along, good call. Thanks

 

[Nevets1119]

i think a block heater and oil pan heater would be a safe add on just as a precaution in my mind.:thumbs:

They sell 2 types of block heaters. One is just a coolant heater that will of course also heat the engine and are a separate unit. The other is a switch controlled block heater with multi points of heat and doesn't require any removal. Can I get away with just the coolant heater since this is a one time trip? The price difference is $300-$500

 

[poncho1965]

Google road trip from Cali to Alaska. Lots of good info. My main concern would be weather delays, with the sparse population not easy to find mechanics should your vehicle break down. I once removed my gloves at zero degrees to tie my shoe, that was a challenge. Working at sub zero temps to even change a light bulb will be difficult. Not saying this trip is not possible, but in Jan/Feb your preps/pre trip planning will be the most important thing you do. Good luck it would be cool if you do a trip report afterwards I would love to do this someday!


Mike

 

[Nevets1119]

Google road trip from Cali to Alaska. Lots of good info. My main concern would be weather delays, with the sparse population not easy to find mechanics should your vehicle break down. I once removed my gloves at zero degrees to tie my shoe, that was a challenge. Working at sub zero temps to even change a light bulb will be difficult. Not saying this trip is not possible, but in Jan/Feb your preps/pre trip planning will be the most important thing you do. Good luck it would be cool if you do a trip report afterwards I would love to do this someday!


Mike

I'd push the Trip further into spring but I cant I wont have the time to go. I did read though that the drive in winter is really nice with everything being untouched and all when the weather is ok. Plus with less traffic the likely hood of seeing some winter wildlife becomes greater. Yes I looked up the trip and others who have done it. I'll be picking up a copy of "The Milespot" for the trip, has a list of every restaurant and gas station motel exc... along the Alcan its been continuously updated since 1949 I read when the road was originally a WWII Military road and only gravel. I will take many pics along the Trip and hopefully get some good shots of the H3 in AK as well. I plan to post a trip thread as well I'll let you know and also that way anyone thinking about doing the trip winter or summer can have an idea of what its like. Ill be driving from central cali so it'll be about 6100mi round trip not including any extra driving site seeing exc... I'm hoping I wont have to remove my gloves other then inside, but that's where the adventure begins and preparations come in though. I feel the H3 is durable enough for the trip?

 

[RamRod]

Alright here is the real deal.

I regularly find my self driving in temp that reach as low as -40 several times each year. At this time of year and for the next 6 months my city averages a temp of +1*F.... Block heater to heat you oil is almost a must unless you have an enclosed (heated) place to park... that said you are not going to be spending 6 months a year putting up with these cold temps.... 3-4 cold starts shouldn't do much damage but it only takes just one cold start to have something happen...

Another thing to consider is how fresh your battery is, the older weaker batteries that function well in warm weather quickly die and freeze up in a little as a few hours (once frozen they can be toast)... make sure you have a good strong battery with lots of cranking amps!

Carry a complete set of extra clothes, a candle, matches... fire wood might be over kill but fire starters and a small hatchet would be more useful.

A small set of tools, jumper cables, tow rope would be highly recommended as an added bonus to your kit.

The sketchy part of your drive doesn't start until you get North of Fort St. John, BC (if that's the direction you choose) loads of people living up there and driving the road as there is a booming oil and gas industry up there! so that leaves you with about 1,500 miles each way that would be moderately sketchy.

 

[LagunaH1]

...bring emergency water, food, clothes and ways of communicating if you get stranded.

 

[RamRod]

oh an we have these collapsible snow shovels that are great and dont take up much space, they are great to have as well!

 

[H3nightrod]

Might want to contact alaskandan. I believe he has lived in Alaska a few years and he had a similar trip planned heading out from Midwest.

I would suggest a nice set of led bars!! Lookup led bars and you can find some good prices thanks to one of or members.

 

[Jrkilburn]

Served in Alaska for four years with the Army as a mechanic and wrecker operator. Drove the trip from anchorage to Fairbanks several times (1991-1995). My recommendations for a trip would include a mesh screen to protect the radiator during the gravel sections, can also be used for a cooking grate or traction if needed. Plan your fuel stops, back then we didn't have fancy GPS units to locate OPEN gas stations. They do close in the winter due to lack of travelers. Make a map of your route and stick to it, give copies to family and set check in points so they are aware of your progress. Back to the truck, sub zero temps are worse when you consider wind speed while driving. Outside plastics will become brittle, use care with door handles! Do not ever pour warm or hot water on your truck to "thaw" it. Prevent freezing hinges and latches with dry lubricants, wipe off grease now and start using dry graphite in your locks now. Take along a few valve stems and tire plug kit. Nitrogen tire fills prevent trapped moist air from getting into valve cores, freezing, and flattening a tire after you park (happened a lot to me with cheap army air dryers not working). Keep in mind, you are traveling at quite literally the worst time of year in the arctic circle. I hope I helped a little, safe travels.


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[cgalpha08]

Not sure how cold it'll get...but I did read an article on this once.

Make sure your tires are rated to go for cold temps... colder than what you will experience

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[alrock]

Rock protection: clear bra on the hood and the front part of the rear plastic fenders. Front mud flaps do help keep some stuff off the doors and the handles, as do the Rocky Road sliders. Might be beneficial to use Dry Gas just before the trip to help eliminate or minimize water in the tank and lines. Had my gas lines freeze once in Mass. and it was rather inconvenient.

 

[RamRod]

Rock protection: clear bra on the hood and the front part of the rear plastic fenders. Front mud flaps do help keep some stuff off the doors and the handles, as do the Rocky Road sliders. Might be beneficial to use Dry Gas just before the trip to help eliminate or minimize water in the tank and lines. Had my gas lines freeze once in Mass. and it was rather inconvenient.

Sliders are not needed if he is staying on the highway


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[alrock]

I only referenced the Rocky Road sliders as they stick out and help catch the mud, rocks, etc. that sling up on the doors. Not worth buying just to use as mud guards, of course!

 

[RamRod]

Oh I see! It would be good to have something that sticks out far enough to block the tire from throwing up too much snow/slush.... even gravel on the road can get caught in the tread of a tire and thrown up and chip your windshield (watched it happen 4 different times in my T before I put the long johns on)

 

[Nevets1119]

Alright here is the real deal.

I regularly find my self driving in temp that reach as low as -40 several times each year. At this time of year and for the next 6 months my city averages a temp of +1*F.... Block heater to heat you oil is almost a must unless you have an enclosed (heated) place to park... that said you are not going to be spending 6 months a year putting up with these cold temps.... 3-4 cold starts shouldn't do much damage but it only takes just one cold start to have something happen...

Another thing to consider is how fresh your battery is, the older weaker batteries that function well in warm weather quickly die and freeze up in a little as a few hours (once frozen they can be toast)... make sure you have a good strong battery with lots of cranking amps!

Carry a complete set of extra clothes, a candle, matches... fire wood might be over kill but fire starters and a small hatchet would be more useful.

A small set of tools, jumper cables, tow rope would be highly recommended as an added bonus to your kit.

The sketchy part of your drive doesn't start until you get North of Fort St. John, BC (if that's the direction you choose) loads of people living up there and driving the road as there is a booming oil and gas industry up there! so that leaves you with about 1,500 miles each way that would be moderately sketchy.

What type of lighting is better in heavy snow would you recommend LED bars or spot and fog lighting? I've only ever driven with vehicles stock lighting in heavy snow but would like to get some better lighting for the trip.

 

[06 H3]

arent amber lights good for snow? before you take my word someone may want to confirm that...

Also, I would highly recommend a good set of snow tires. I have had 2 sets of duratracs and I have done some snow runs out here in so cal and they do very well. I have also read many reviews online and everyone in the snowy areas of the country have nothing but good things to say about them. For rain/snow they are the only tire I would run...For rocks, I would pick another tire but overall they are a great daily driver all type of terrain tire.

 

[RamRod]

Yes Amber is good in the snow

 

[H3nightrod]

If snow tires our out of the budget maybe some good snow chains to put on as needed.

 

[Scarsman]

Or both! If you have good AT tires on now, I would have them siped. That makes a HUGE difference on the snow. A good AT tire siped will do nearly as good as a dedicated snow tire, and WAY better than a MT tire on snowy roads.

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