Alaskan roadtrip

[Foxbat]

Me and my wife are planning to drive up to Alaska this Summer for about 2 or 3 months, from June to late August and I was wondering if anyone had been and had some pointers.

Vehicle wise our Jeep Wrangler did pretty well in our previous trips so I think it has everything it needs except for a HAM and spare fuel tank.

Camping wise - we got a REI Half Dome 2 tent, some down/synth 0 degree bags and a dozen other nicknacks. Mosquito nets for the head to look like idiots when we do some wilderness overnighters.

Self defense wise - I need your advice here. Is it worth buying a shotgun as a backup to pepper spray for bear defense? Since Canada bans guns and we won't be taking the ferry handguns are out of the question.
The only other thing I could take is a 5.56 bolt action truck gun which might sting a bear a little if I manage to poke it in the nose - but a better deterrent than nothing for any of the 2 legged threats.

Any tips or suggestions are appreciated.

[ratled]

12 gauge for bears and spares tires, lots of spare tires.

Will you be taken the AlCan up and the ferry back?


ratled

[Foxbat]

Will you be taken the AlCan up and the ferry back?


ratled

Thanks! I plan to drive up the 37 and some of the AlCan then drive back along the AlCan.

[M1NM]

Thanks! .... drive ..... some of the AlCan .

Spare windshield

[riddler408]

Bring a gold pan!

[GeeZer81]

Your gallery is awesome, just awesome. I would love to have the opportunity to do something like this, take off for 3 months and just live.

[GeeZer81]

Did I see horseshoe bend from Page, AZ? Or was it another location?

I was just out in Page, AZ this past fall. It was good times.

[GeeZer81]

Been considering a JK for overlanding. What are your thoughts, on it as a overlanding vehicle? Without bias, what do you think of the full-cab Tacoma as an overlanding vehicle?

I've been researching, test-driving and don't know which route to take. I have a family which means comfort is important along with reliability. I've considered the Lexus 470 as well.

Only thing I dislike about the JK is road-noise and comfort. Even with aftermarket suspension, can I really address comfort and ride quality?

Thanks man.

[guns4life]

Bears and moose EVERYWHERE. Do not make light of your preparations for either or it could cost you your life, it's not a safe place.

[ivanimal]

Make sure you can transport your guns through Canada.

[Foxbat]

Your gallery is awesome, just awesome. I would love to have the opportunity to do something like this, take off for 3 months and just live.

Thanks!

It was a hard choice but luckily everything aligned and I was able to hire a student over the summer to take over my job while my wife had saved holiday time she hadn't been able to use for about 4 years.

The feeling is amazing and also terrifying but well worth a try if you somehow can.

Did I see horseshoe bend from Page, AZ? Or was it another location?

I was just out in Page, AZ this past fall. It was good times.

It was Dead Horse Point near Moab UT - where they filmed the final scene of Thelma & Louise.

Been considering a JK for overlanding. What are your thoughts, on it as a overlanding vehicle? Without bias, what do you think of the full-cab Tacoma as an overlanding vehicle?

I've been researching, test-driving and don't know which route to take. I have a family which means comfort is important along with reliability. I've considered the Lexus 470 as well.

Only thing I dislike about the JK is road-noise and comfort. Even with aftermarket suspension, can I really address comfort and ride quality?

Thanks man.

Thats a tough one to be honest. It depends what you are after, enjoy my wall of text:

Jeep Wrangler

If you want some really advanced off roading I would recommend a JK 4 door - a decent amount of space, you can replace the top with some awesome tents - http://www.ursaminorvehicles.com/jeep.htm .

Capability: The vehicle is capable out of the box with Rubicons. The best thing I would do to get comfort is get a Rubicon (so you have the 4:10 gear ratio, Front/Rear Lockers and electronic sway bar disconnect) then get a set of road tires/rims from someone in a lower model that is modding his jeep a lot. You can always upgrade it into a monster if you feel like it, but out of the box you get a vehicle that will take you safely over most obstacles. I did my whole trip including some of the harder trails in my JK, with the only addition being a winch (that was thankfully not used).

The drawbacks are - cargo space - way less than in the pickup

Road noise - yep, a bit louder than the loaded Tacoma - but if you have room to store 4 tires at home you can switch out between fast wearing offroaders and comfortable on roaders. Just take a sport and rubicon jeep on test drives to compare the massive difference.

On road comfort - yep not the best but I quickly got used to it. Not so good as a daily driver with its sub 20 mpg either (Only time we got over 20 was in Yellowstone where the speed limit was 45 everywhere). It's solid axles still make me cringe when it drives over a narrow speedbump but other than that its ok.

Tacoma Full cab - most loaded offroader

If you are looking at a more relaxed less capable vehicle - it's a good choice. You will get to maybe 85% of the places I drive without an issue, in more comfort too.

The drive feels quieter and engine a little less thirsty. The interior was a little more spartan on the models I tested but I doubt that would be an issue for you. You get a load more cargo space - less secure but you can always drop a topper, cover or even tent on the top.

Off road it will be worse with it's longer length, bigger breakover and less capable axle and single rear locker. You won't manage the Rubicon but longer trails like White rim in Canyonlands, most places near Ouray, the Oregon Trail in WY and others won't be an issue and a pleasure to drive from place to place.

Summing it up:

More capable off road - Jeep
More livable everywhere - Tacoma


If you live anywhere near the Bay area I can drive down to Hollister Hills SRVA one day and show you what my jeep can and can't do on the obstacle course and on road so you get a decent idea.

Once you buy it - make sure to take Tom's off roading starter course - http://www.4x4training.com/ - the guy trains millitary, state and utilities on the more extreme off roading and is amazing. Well worth paying for the basic 2 day course so you can see how capable both you and your vehicle are. Lots of stuff I would have never even tried until Tom walked me through it. Here is a video of my 2nd day driving my jeep offroad ever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS_45jNszn8

[Foxbat]

Bears and moose EVERYWHERE. Do not make light of your preparations for either or it could cost you your life, it's not a safe place.

Yep, preparing for that as well as I can.

Make sure you can transport your guns through Canada.

Yep, that's why I can't take any handguns. I'm considering the KSG now - due to the fact it's more compact than most shotguns and is Canada legal.

[ratled]

Bring a gold pan!

Doesn't everyone carry one all the time?

Yea, something for the windshield would be a good idea. Might be nice to list your basic kit, 2 high lift jacks, 4 spare tires, etc so we can see whats missing rather than try to piece meal our thoughts

ratled

[ratled]

GZ also consider this before you go. Well worth the time and money

http://www.overlandexpo.com/west/

ratled

[Foxbat]

Might be nice to list your basic kit


ratled

There is a lot of it gathered from other trips but here is the basic:

Hi lift jack with base
Bottle Jack
Regular spare
Off roader tire repair kit
Compressor
Winch and recovery kit, tree savers, bubba strap, pulleys etc
Basic tool kit w torque wrench
Oil, coolant, lots of electrical and duct tape
CB radio
2 FRS radios
Emergency kit w 5 gallons of water, life straws, 1 week of food, mylar blankets, shelter.
Large first aid kit and separate trauma kit.
Bear Spray, Fire extinguisher, Bug spray, Deodorant (all stored together for fun)
Standard backpacking gear - backpacks, tent, mix down and synth bags, compass, maps, headlights, flashlights and all the other little bits.
Mosquito nets and hats.
SPOT beacon

I'm probably missing half of it but that's the basics I think.

I'll skip the spare windshield. At worst if we get it smashed we can just put it down on the hood and continue with goggles and face masks.