Looking for a 4wd vehicle!

[carrmann]

Yikes, sounds like a scary trip haha!

not yet, I will pick it up when it gets closer to time to go. I have 5 months before I leave. Plenty of time to plan. I also plan on having 3 or 4 5gallon gas tanks as well.

[phoebeisis]

1) Husky huh!!Guess we know how Fido is voting on this move-no sweater required for him!
You probably have to get some sort of "paperwork" to bring him into Canada.

2) I wonder if you can carry "guns" on the ALCAN?? Not that the wildlife is any concern-strictly for the 2 legged predators-Canada is probably pretty safe.

3)I think the 2000's on have 40 gallon tanks?? My 1998 has a 44 gallon tank and I have literally gone 900 miles between fillups.
Driving 55-60 mph-smooth level hy-no mountains- you'll have a gas range much greater than bladder range-human or dog.

4)If possible get a receiver hitch basket-for those gas "cans" maybe.The aluminum ones are a lot lighter-easier to handle,save weight-cost a few $$ more.They do make the barn doors tough to access but the side doors are plenty wide.
5)Avoid putting anything on the roof- it will absolutely KILL MPG-.Our 2003 Honda Pilot got 15.9 mpg on the same long trips the Suburban gets 21 mpg-all because of a roof basket.The Pilot would have gotten 24 mpg without the roof basket.

6)Mechanic-then you already know the GM drivetrains are usually pretty reliable-maybe intake manifold gaskets being the exception.
The latest Fel Pro super duper gaskets sets are supposed to finally cure that problem-maybe GMs latest do the same.

7)I might carry some sort of U- shaped bypass hose plus fittings just in case the heater hoses/core/fittings decide to let go.Looks like plenty of U-type hoses available on ebay for under $10 delivered. I think one side is 5/8 the other is 3/4" ID on my 98.
Luck-keep us posted
Charlie
PS Sister in law/Bro in law (ones I like) live in Wasilla-40 milesoutside Anchorage-they love it despite her being a S California native.

[SentraSE-R]

Everything you need to know about dogs, guns, lodge/gas locations, etc. is in The Milepost, the Bible for Alcan travelers. No one should make that move without The Milepost, a sheepherder's jack, chains, a come-along, 2 or 3 12" X 12" X 3/4" plywood jacking platforms a spare serpentine belt, etc.

Canada restricts "short arms," handguns & rifles/shotguns with 18" or shorter barrels. US citizens were allowed to transport them through western Canada in 1977 when I moved up. But (possibly because of an incident I was involved in) Canada revoked that privilege by the time I moved out. I had to ship our short arms to the lower 48 via FFL dealers.

[Ophbalance]

Oh, now that begs an explanation... that whole incident you may have been involved in .

[phoebeisis]

RIGHT!! Darrell-You can't leave it at that!

The Milepost sounds like a good idea.It is maybe 3000 or so miles from the USA border to Anchorage, right?? Lotta "middle of nowhere"

[SentraSE-R]

Well, since you asked . We moved up in late May. The Going to the Sun road through Glacier NP was still closed, so I decided to enter Canada east of the park, through Carway, AB.

I put my short arms on the counter for Canadian Customs inspection. About then, they received a radio report that some car thieves might be headed their way from Montana.. Not a minute later, they dropped the gate, set off a siren, and a car crashed through the gate. The car made it a mile up the road, crashed into a ditch, and three car thieves ran into the surrounding wheat fields.

Canadian Customs were on the radio with the RCMP, who had to drive down from Cardston, about 25 km away. Of course, my family overheard the conversation, during which the unarmed Canadian Customs officials told the Mounties a couple of times they were thankful the car thieves didn't have my guns, which were still on the counter.

Another part of the discussion was the Canadian assumption the car thieves were Americans. The Mounties arrived, drove their 4WD into the wheat field, and soon got their man, or men. About then, the American car owner came to the border checkpoint, saw the car up ahead, and asked permission to assess the damages. He said his wife had left the keys in the car when she went into the post office in Montana. Interestingly, he made the cultural assumption the crooks were Canadian, telling Canadian Customs the crooks must have been homesick Canadians.

After the excitement was over, my short arms' serial numbers recorded, the guns in a locked container under Canadian Customs seal, we drove on up the road past the crashed car, the Montana farmer's pickup, the RCMP 4X4, the mounties and the three international criminals. They're probably out of jail now, but it wouldn't surprise me if they spent a large portion of the past 34 years in jail after grand theft auto, international smuggling of a stolen vehicle, illegal border crossing, evading arrest, etc.

Anyway, I'm sure the incident report mentioned the danger to Canadians from illegal short arms in the hands of Americans. Short arms were already illegal in eastern Canada, and the Alaskan transportation loophole was waiting for the Darrell L incident to seal the gap. Canada sealed the gap before I left Alaska.

[phoebeisis]

Interesting story.
For a second I thought you were going to say the unarmed Mounties grabed your guns and hosed down the perps

I'm guessing their must be plenty of armed cops at border crossings now.
Thanks
Charlie

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Are you any closer to picking a vehicle yet, CarrMann?

[carrmann]

Not yet rightlane!! Waitin for the 'right' deal to pop up etc.

Originally Posted by phoebeisis

1) Husky huh!!Guess we know how Fido is voting on this move-no sweater required for him! You probably have to get some sort of "paperwork" to bring him into Canada.
Im assuming that health papers from the vet etc will be fine... he voted for it for sure tho he doenst know it! He was born/raised here in FL so he hasnt ever really experienced cold, and def. no snow.

2) I wonder if you can carry "guns" on the ALCAN?? Not that the wildlife is any concern-strictly for the 2 legged predators-Canada is probably pretty safe.
Im pretty sure rifles are ok, which means my .30 will do just fine

3)I think the 2000's on have 40 gallon tanks?? My 1998 has a 44 gallon tank and I have literally gone 900 miles between fillups.
Driving 55-60 mph-smooth level hy-no mountains- you'll have a gas range much greater than bladder range-human or dog.
Yikes! Thats even bigger than my rams tank haha.

4)If possible get a receiver hitch basket-for those gas "cans" maybe.The aluminum ones are a lot lighter-easier to handle,save weight-cost a few $$ more.They do make the barn doors tough to access but the side doors are plenty wide.
Not sure if I have a sub/tahoe if I will have doors or a gate, but I was def. already looking into those carrier baskets
5)Avoid putting anything on the roof- it will absolutely KILL MPG-.Our 2003 Honda Pilot got 15.9 mpg on the same long trips the Suburban gets 21 mpg-all because of a roof basket.The Pilot would have gotten 24 mpg without the roof basket.
nope, nothin on the roof for sure lol

6)Mechanic-then you already know the GM drivetrains are usually pretty reliable-maybe intake manifold gaskets being the exception.The latest Fel Pro super duper gaskets sets are supposed to finally cure that problem-maybe GMs latest do the same.|
Whenever I get 'the' vehicle whatever it is, I will def. be looking into parts that may fail on the trip and try to bring them and the tools needed to fix it with me.


Luck-keep us posted
Charlie
PS Sister in law/Bro in law (ones I like) live in Wasilla-40 milesoutside Anchorage-they love it despite her being a S California native.

Thanks man! Im incredibly excited and ready for it. I wish I could get the orders pushed forward so i could leave sooner, though that would mean hitting the ALCAN sooner which may be a bad idea lol.

[phoebeisis]

Yeah Suburbans have HUGE tanks- NOT SURE IF THE TAHOE HAS THE SAME huge TANK.
When I bought my 1998 -4.5 years ago 195,000 miles $2900- it was on E. I drove it to the gas station-expecting a 30 gallon tank-maybe needing 27 gallons which would have been $80 at $2.89.Well 38.5 gallons $112 later I was stunned!!
They have stunning range when driven at 55- 60 mph.

I would make sure I had some way to bypass the heater system-maybe some adaptors(the hoses have different inside diameters on mine- 3/4 and 5/8").I had a Y fitting literally turn to plastic grit when it cracked and I had to replace it). Heater cores also seem to leak in the 10-15 year range.You won't be able to get water to half ass a duct tape slow the leak repair out there"
Yeah I carry that heavy duty duct tape- you never know.

Your vehicle will be 4-6 years newer-so probably no problem.

Yeah a 308 30 06 30/30 bolt or lever is plenty of "dissuasion" ( sic )


40 gallons should safely carry you 600 miles with 50-100 in reserve on slightly hilly terrain.A nice smooth sea level hy 55-60 mph would get you 17-19 mpg with the 4x4-assuming 15% ethanol and relatively mild tread-more aggresssive tread will hurt a bit and make it REALLY NOISY- no need for that on concrete asphalt or gravel.Of course most folks just use the tires a used vehicle comes with-considering a set of 4 tires is maybe $900 installed now.

Good luck- keep us posted on your adventure.The Husky will love the cold weather despite being a Fla dog-he will be "hot/happy/very active" once he feels the cold.
Charlie