Well, we're doing it again! Third bus trip to Alaska and every time a different toad. This time it's a new to us 08 GMC Envoy. With every nook & cranny loaded everywhere - trying to get our $money'$ worth in the haul, HA!
Feels like we packed forever to leave... But now finally on the road!:)
Haven't weighed the rig yet but want to - it's heavy... Not a spot of oil on the rear of the bus nor the toad - love it!
Almost 1000 miles under our belts and 3500 miles to go. Averaging over 7.5 mpg. Our 43 year mpg. Range = 6 to 10.8 mpg.
Our plan this time around is to pull into our full hook up Camp Malemute (as we refer to it) and completely finish the inside of the little shelter that we built on our 2019 AK road trip prior to the pandemic that got us all stuck for a spell. We'll be insulating it & doing an interior build out of it.
We plan on leaving the Envoy garaged there in Tok and are looking forward to running the Alaska Highway return trip "bareback" (a first!) - that's if we don't leave the bus up there too! We'll see how bad the fuel greed strips our funds...
good luck on your trip Dan and may the fuel gods be good to you
diesel here is only $2.50 a litre today ( x 3.78 = us gal price ) a lot
hope you have good weather
dave
Nice. My dream trip.
My wife saw you!
Coming home from ATL airport you were north of Atlanta on 75 headed for Chattanooga. She passed you not long before she took the 575 split toward our house. She said "I saw a 4104 on the way home!"
She grew up at FMCA meets in her dads 4106 so I know she is correct. She said it was towing and had a brown stripe so I showed her your departure picture. She said "I think that is it! Heck it MUST be. How many 4104s have a brown stripe headed north....?"
Great to know somebody is out there doing it! We're about to take trip just like yours! (minus 3000 miles). Headed to Fla caverns in the panhandle. We wish you safe travels up the ALCAN and no major mechanical issues.
Best regards - Ted and Rita
Safe travels Brother Dan & Sandy. If you are in the wamego KS area give us a holler. There are a few sites left here if you need them. Big storm coming through Oklahoma tonight but just rain here and above us. :^
WOW! Awesome you are on the road. Did not seem like it was on this year. Keep the travel log going. Enjoy.
Not sure where you're going to enter Canada but we're generally between you and Alaska. I can provide 30 amp power for an overnight or two - maybe 50 amp if we get a little creative. Good water if your tank needs reloading. Look up Buchanan, SK. We're off the Yellowhead highway but really not any additional miles if you are on the Yellowhead anyway.
Dan Glad to hear your headed to Alaska. I would love to go up there some day. If you have any issues up around the Lincoln Nebraska area feel free to reach out.
Dave C. Janet and I are heading to Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and up to Michigan, Will let you know if we get to Kansas and give you a shout.
Ed & Janet Vanlandingham
Dan enjoy the Ride!!! --your prob going from 57ft above sea level to height measured in thousands. Might see you all at sept rally.
Ed, Cool we'd love to see you guys/ Dave & Doreen :^
Thanks for all the kind words & offers.
About 1800 miles into the trip. Will cross into Canada tomorrow. Averaging 8.26 mpg at weights:
Steer axle 11220 Drive axle 17620
Toad 6120 Total 34960. Bus is running great and clean. Really!
Hazy from rain but no oil on back or toad. :^
Rains keeping it washed off.😁
Garmin Nuvi GPS says:
2260 miles covered
2205 miles to go
That is approx. our half way point for a one way most direct route doorstep to door step.
Moving average is 54.2mph
Highest speed is 70.4mph
Overall speed is 18.5mph
Moving time is 40.39hours
Stopped time is 70.40hour
Just some more numbers.:)
Awesome report. You folks are doing some real driving. Do you have a sense if second half takes longer, consumes more gas? I just have a stereotype of travels across such vast areas being more twisty and mountainous. Able to hop amongst low cost fuel puymps?
Quote from: windtrader on May 08, 2022, 10:24:49 PM
Awesome report. You folks are doing some real driving. Do you have a sense if second half takes longer, consumes more gas? I just have a stereotype of travels across such vast areas being more twisty and mountainous. Able to hop amongst low cost fuel puymps?
Thanks!
The second (western) half undoubtedly takes longer & consumes more fuel but doesn't lessen the impact of the experience as the mountains, waters, & wildlife saturates it.
"Able to hop amongst low cost fuel pumps" - maybe better put as " Able to find a pump for pennies less" & definitely more expensive in the far NW.
Sounds Dreamy Dan!
It must be exciting to hit the road again! Here's wishing you both happy and safe travels!!
Kevin
Thanks Kevin
We're currently in a rest area in Fox Creek Alberta (between Edmonton and Grand Prairie) 27F & snowing.. 3000 miles down, 1500 to go. 2/3rds of the way there!
Fuel prices in Alberta are lower than SK & MB. Lloydminster AB Husky/Esso truck stop on the south side of the highway was a great fuel stop @ 1.899/L.
Bus stays toasty overnigjt with the two CDHs running at 1\2 throttle. Everything is good.
That white stuff better be gone in 3 or 4 more weeks. Get enough of it here in Pa in winter.
Fox Creek rest area this morning. Alberta CA. 24F & toasty inside. Two days of Canadian Rocky Mountain driving now will get us to Tok AK. :^
Dan,, how long do you intend to stay in Tok?? Your return trip to begin when.?? Am thinking I need a trip about that length from Cedar City, Utah.. Trip length for me would be 2885 miles one way,,( or about $3000.00 in fuel.. I have been to AK many times but all priour trips were with my twin engined aircraft in the late 80s and all over the state with that method...
My 38 ft. diesel motorhome is kept in top condition and has a full tank to get me started ( range about 1000 miles per tank ) It has never been to AK and is yearning to go..>>>Dan
Quote from: Utahclaimjumper on May 10, 2022, 03:33:19 PM
Dan,, how long do you intend to stay in Tok?? Your return trip to begin when.?? Am thinking I need a trip about that length from Cedar City, Utah.. Trip length for me would be 2885 miles one way,,( or about $3000.00 in fuel.. I have been to AK many times but all priour trips were with my twin engined aircraft in the late 80s and all over the state with that method...
My 38 ft. diesel motorhome is kept in top condition and has a full tank to get me started ( range about 1000 miles per tank ) It has never been to AK and is yearning to go..>>>Dan
All summer hopefully. Our return is currently scheduled around the Indiana rally end of Sept. If we don't decide to leave the bus in Tok. With the surge in fuel prices we'd been contemplating leaving the bus in Tok as a tiny home and road trip it on this end when we fly up. Just a thought, we'll see.
I really doubt you could do the trip for 3 grand in fuel. We figured $5000 Canadian for Canada fuel - $2500 each way... Ha! it's 3/4s for the one way! The 1000 miles per tank is nice. Ours is about 600 but fueled more frequently for safe keeping. We just fueled in Whitehorse Yukon for $2.349/L - $500 would fill a tank that was almost half full. No discouragement intended - can't take it with you - just do it. :^ We'll be watching to see if you decide :)
Eadh person really has to think a fair bit about what the primary reasons are for getting the bus on the road. Dan has made the trip a couple times and may thorougly enjoy the trip itself so can accept the outrageous cost just to move the bus. Some would look at the total out of pocket cost and add for wear and tear and find other attractive ways to spend that on a different adventure.
With fuel prices never this high, I'm sure most of us are thinking twice about how much we want to lay out this year and adjust trips to be acceptable moneywise.
100 gals of fuel for $515.00 takes the fun out of it, not many RV's on the road now because of fuel prices.I average 7 mpg but still cost me almost a dollar per mile for the Country Coach just for fuel
We are booking shorter trips but NOT parking the bus. Eat that Putin!
(Or whoever is keeping fuel expensive).
Rita needs dependable WiFi for her job and prefers campgrounds so we mostly stay at those. An occasional Walmart or other spots for one night, but mostly campgrounds. Good news is they are wide open right now. We just booked 2 nights at a KOA going north on 81 that is usually booked for June. And just booked 4 nights in September on NAS Pensacola campground right off the runway for the end of year air show of the Blue Angels. We are taking the nephew that lives and breathes fighter jets. Any other year it would have been booked solid by now.
So there is a silver lining. Campgrounds are open. The roads are less travelled.
Take shorter trips for a while. Alaska will still be there.
On our way to AK this AM. So far high 12's for mpg. Running 62 to 65 so far. In MI currently, visiting daughter till Monday. Then Hibbing MN next to see Greyhound museum.
Ya 6mpg going and 6 going back......
Yeah, my 4905 gets half that 😭
It's only money like they say you cannot take it with you,or come back after it, only problem you sure as hell cannot go anywhere without it ( money).We are going to try and limit our travels to around 4000 miles this summer just some trout and Steelhead fishing in Idaho with Van
Made it to Camp Malemute in Tok AK safe & sound and it is still snowing & winter is still here but the experience is priceless. Bus & toad performed flawless & yes very few RVers on the roads but the ones we meet up with seem to be a special breed no matter if Bus or S&S. We will post the numbers when we tally them... :'(
The scariest butt puckering event of the trip was approaching the top of a second gear 8+% hill climb just minutes after the sky opened up with accumulating snow. Almost 4000' at the summit the rear duals started slipping on a fresh blazed snow pack at the same time seeing a sign reading truck brake check pullout 8+% downhill grade ahead - needless to say we hit the pullout and were prepare to spend forever there but after 3 hrs with improve conditions moved on down the steep grade w/o issue. No jakes but the progressive air over hydraulic toad supplemental braking proved to be worth its weight in gold. Mostly great highway but not w/o steep up & down grades and long sections of pot holes & frost heaves and loose gravel. The full rear under bumper mud flap helped but the toad was no where to be found under the caked on road grime. Oh what fun! :^
glad you guys made it safe and sound and most of that salt $#!% from the trip will wash off when the weather warms up
we have been going through a heat wave 84 - 86 f last few days thats to hot for me for this time of the year and the black flies are out in force in the bush cuz you know they need to be in full for all the campers that come up for the may 24 weekend
Dan! u da man! It's inspiring to watch the journey and amazing progress and lack of mechanical or other issues on such a long trip. Still winter? I guess you are all set if climate changes keeps going and spring flowers show up in April or May. lol
What a great journey! Glad you made it. Alaska sounds nice right about now even for only the ice cubes, 106* here today.
Enjoy!
Thanks for all the kind words. It took me a full day just to unpack the inside of the toad. It was loaded solid. We had to use the 4 wheel toad to run over the snow in the drive to flatten it out some to get the bus in. It was such a great feeling having the power turned on ahead of time and hooking to septic, water, & electric. We made it from FL to AK w/o dumping or filling our 100Gal potable tank. We'll be unloading & pressure washing for the next few days and tromping in deep wet snow doing it. :^
Thanks for all the kind words guys...
Here's some numbers to ponder on and maybe helpful to those who plan to travel.
1st off for comparison the fuel total for our 2016 & 2019 AK road trips in that order were $4700 & $5400 round trip. With the same Bus pulling different toads but close by fuel consumption average this 2022 trip fuel cost one way was $3650 USD which would equate round trip to $7300 USD and in our favor as we estimated it at around $8000:)but a fair increase to what we expected before fuel prices spiked.
The numbers are for one way (so far):
USA miles -1966. Canada miles - 2519
USA fuel total - $1647 minus TSD discounts of $103 = $1544:)
Canada fuel total - $2567 CAD or $2003 USD
Average US diesel price - $5.39/gal.
Average Canada diesel price - $6.21/gal. USD (2.104/L CAD)
Total one way trip mileage - 4485
Moving average speed - 51.2 mph
Maximum speed - 72.4 mph
Overall average speed - 21.6 mph
Moving time at the wheel - 87:35
House genny hours run - 8.5
The above genny hours are credited to solar power & low consumption diesel air heaters. Less than 1/2 of a 30 Lb. LP cylinder used for refrigerator & HWH mostly.
100 gal. of potable water was 10% full at destination. One gal. of engine oil, no mechanical issues. 7.15 mpg average at a GVW of 34,960 Lbs. Incl. toad.
Actual general trip time was 11 days plus two days stopped - 13 days total corner to opposite corner... :^
Dan,
The only disappointing number I see is that you only saved $103 by using the TSD Card. Did you have to go out of your way any to use the card, do you think it was worth the trouble? Just like many, I envy your determination to get to Tok despite the weather. You are really living to the fullest.
Walter
$103 is better in my pocket than not at the very least. Keep in mind it could only be used in US not in Canada
With that being said it is a 6.2% savings. Cash back reward credit cards don't come near that. The TSD card didn't cost anything and the app integrates with google maps for an accurate bullseye to a truck accommodated pump which I found will fill you in short order and able to get more in the tank than at auto pumps. I think it's worth it. Discounts varied though from .50/gal. To in the teens. Wifey & I shy from people in general, especially tourists so our strategy since our 1st trip is to go off season - early up and late back. It also gives us a sense of more for the money for the cost of fuel.
DanWonderful report. Very long trip yet safe, sound, and no incidents. You are easily the expedition bus trip expert! The most interesting aspect of your trip is the fact how large North America is and how the climate varies so drastically across the land.
AK is beautiful,I worked for a oil company that sent me to Cook Inlet every year,I had to travel from the Bay Of AK to Anchorage in that muddy inlet for 2 months fishing was good though,I would not want to live in AK full time it's not fun all the time fighting the slush and insects when it warms up ,Ak should be on everyone's bucket list ,the Eagles had rally in Anchorage and had a good turn out lol Joe and Frankie had trouble getting some to leave
4 or 5 years ago I delivered a truck from BC to Haynes Junction Yukon, almost at the AK border, late April, then again early May. What a gorgeous country. Will go back in the motorhome some day, and take our time to see the sights.
In 1990,, the wife and I flew, ( my twin engined aircraft ) to Fairbanks and spent a month flying all over the state of Alaska from the Arctic circle south to Skagway and Homer then west to Bethel and back to Anchorage and back to California... Of course that was when you could afford it with Avgas at $6 dollars a gallon.. and the aircraft was only burning 32 gallons per hour to travel at 200Kts. ( 230 MPH)..>>>Dan
Happy to hear you folks made it in okay! Sounds like pretty smooth sailing with bus running great, and no problems or breakdowns. I can only imagine the feeling of the rear tires beginning to break loose in the snow however, yikes! I'm sure that pullout was a sight for sore eyes at that point, lol! Here's wishing you and Sandy a very pleasant stay. Please continue to keep us posted on your AK adventure Dan!
Nothing else handled the snow better than the 4104, except maybe the 530x transit cars.
Right balance of weight to tire contact, and not enough power to get into trouble.
Everything that came after can be put into situations, moving or stopped, that they will be stuck or sliding, when a Highway Traveller will just move along.
Thank you for the opportunity to live vicariously!!!
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Well yesterday wifey & I mowed & weed eater. Then today went to our local diesel station and filled up @ $5.20/gal.
We set the bus up in it's summer campsite, full hookups and blocked solid. Lots of sun now temp touched 60 today, yippie!
The surrounding mountains are breath taking with solid snowpack all the way to the valley floor they rise from. Life is good...
I'm trying to post a photo with this post and keep getting the message:
imagejpeg() expects at most 3 arguments, 4 given
Help!
Yeah, I got that too.
Jim
yeah,very difficult to post pictures here, but the number of ads just keeps increasing. They don't seem to have a problem.
Quote from: dtcerrato on May 20, 2022, 11:18:52 PM
Well yesterday wifey & I mowed & weed eater. Then today went to our local diesel station and filled up @ $5.20/gal.
We set the bus up in it's summer campsite, full hookups and blocked solid. Lots of sun now temp touched 60 today, yippie!
The surrounding mountains are breath taking with solid snowpack all the way to the valley floor they rise from. Life is good...
I'm trying to post a photo with this post and keep getting the message:
imagejpeg() expects at most 3 arguments, 4 given
Help!
Tried to post the photo but still getting the same failure note. :(
Test photo
Dan
it worked and nice set up
It was nasty smokey today with heavy westerly winds. Monday a firefighter helicopter pilot crashed & lost his life. The news said it was the first fire fighting casualty in AK 22 years. This is the worst season in AK history for wild fires, a by product of long wet snow record winter abruptly to warmer dryer summer - according to some - a start of a few year cycle.
Coming from Chichen, encountered the smoke about 20 miles before. Really heavy in spots. Ak. fire map shows more than a hundred fires fron less than an acre to thouusands. Incredible. Fortunately none close toTok...for now.. We travelled through this last summer in Ca.,Oregon, Arizona. Passed many forests in lastcouple of weeks that were burned in years past. So sad. Most caused by lightning.
33 this morning. Leaves are on the ground and it's getting time to leave...
Quote from: chessie4905 on June 28, 2022, 10:55:28 PM
Coming from Chichen, encountered the smoke about 20 miles before. Really heavy in spots. Ak. fire map shows more than a hundred fires fron less than an acre to thouusands. Incredible. Fortunately none close toTok...for now.. We travelled through this last summer in Ca.,Oregon, Arizona. Passed many forests in last couple of weeks that were burned in years past. So sad. Most caused by lightning.
And the do good-ers and Sierra Club not letting them take out fallen trees. It leave a very big debris pile to catch when the lightning hits and electric transformers explode because P.G.&E. never fix their old out dated equipment or cut the trees back around the wires, too
Quote from: dtcerrato on September 03, 2022, 11:14:25 AM
33 this morning. Leaves are on the ground and it's getting time to leave...
Yep when they say the last day of summer in Alaska it is time to go
Quote from: Dave5Cs on September 03, 2022, 02:00:57 PM
And the do good-ers and Sierra Club not letting them take out fallen trees. It leave a very big debris pile to catch when the lightning hits and electric transformers explode because P.G.&E. never fix their old out dated equipment or cut the trees back around the wires, too
The Electrical CO-OP here is trying to pull a fast one because of the fire in CA,they are saying now it is the landowner reasonability to keep the trees trimmed from the power lines,The jerk said they only have aerial easement across the property which is BS the easement shows up on the deed and no building is allowed on the easement LOL I told him come move his friggn power poles and transformers off my property then and give me back my 20ft of land.They think people are stupid trying to pull off this BS
Dan, I'm sure you already know to check Ak.511 and Cdn 511 for up to the minute road conditions before you leave? semi tanker fire damaged one bridge up there couple of weeks ago.
John 10-4 on the 511 checks. Last I seen of the bridge incident - heavy commercial traffic is prohibited but not motorhomes. Thank for the tip. Talking with friends in Saskatoon Saskatchewan that we'll caravan to the Nappanee Rally - they are in a 90+°F heat wave - :-\ we're not ready for that (yet) but snow is already here at higher elevations - crazy. Kinda boxed in between oven & freezer LOL. Adrenaline is getting started & not even on the road yet.
27F this morning. The aurora borealis has been showing itself the last few clear nights.
Getting close to pulling the plug...
Heading back to Florida pretty soon then Dan...? If so, did you decide whether you will drive the bus or leave it there and instead drive the toad...?
Your place there in Tok looks lovely! Must be so peaceful and serene! I suppose to live there year 'round would require some serious planning and hefty equipment/supplies stores to hold you over, and would be fairly challenging with the weather, no doubt.
Still, what a treat to have your own place to summer in in Alaska! You and Sandy are the Adventurers for sure! Whichever you decide for your return trip, here's wishing you the very best and safe travels!
Quote from: Kevin on September 07, 2022, 07:29:32 AM
Heading back to Florida pretty soon then Dan...? If so, did you decide whether you will drive the bus or leave it there and instead drive the toad...?
Your place there in Tok looks lovely! Must be so peaceful and serene! I suppose to live there year 'round would require some serious planning and hefty equipment/supplies stores to hold you over, and would be fairly challenging with the weather, no doubt.
Still, what a treat to have your own place to summer in in Alaska! You and Sandy are the Adventurers for sure! Whichever you decide for your return trip, here's wishing you the very best and safe travels!
Thanks for those kind words. We're currently fueling and shopping in Whitehorse Yukon. We left the toad their garaged and are driving the bus bareback which is a first on this long a journey & a treat too. Couldn't bring myself to leave the bus there (yet). With a vehicle there it gives us the option to fly in the future. Tok is a small little town with everything except the big box stores. It's actually more convienent than our principal residence in FL. We're milking this return trip as we don't want to get into the heat any sooner than we have to. Still gets near freezing at night. We'll rondevouox with a bus nut in Saskatchewan to caravan to the Nappanee rally. So far issue free and running great - and doing it solo - not just the bus but also it's driver as wifey is at the FL ponderosa.
safe travels buddy!
Quote from: dtcerrato on September 10, 2022, 11:12:43 AM
Thanks for those kind words. We're currently fueling and shopping in Whitehorse Yukon. We left the toad their garaged and are driving the bus bareback which is a first on this long a journey & a treat too. Couldn't bring myself to leave the bus there (yet).
I hear you about leaving the bus behind. I have been without mine for over six months after leaving it in LA for collision repairs after sideswiping a fire hydrant.
I did a post to my build thread and got a 180 day warning about maybe you should start a new thread LOL!!!
Can't tell you how many times I wanted to tinker on something with the bus...
Sounds good Dan, and I get your not being inclined to leave the bus there just yet...
Take excellent care on your journey home. Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable trip!
Well we're back in the lower 48. No issues at the border although they asked me where I put the wife (she flew home earlier to take care of family stuff) and the 2nd shotgun (left it in AK) and confiscated some fresh eggs & tangelos probably to decorate the Moose antlers they siezed in 2019 LOL...
Headed to the Napannee Rally - I dread going around Chicago! :o
where did you cross? We crossed at Sault Ste Marie. Only four cars ahead of us. No issues crossing. There was 1/4 mile backup for those crossing into canada.
Emerson (Canada) / Pembina (USA) in Eastern ND. It's a favorite. We did Sault Ste Marie in an earlier time. Also have crossed at Sweet Grass in Montana.
When do you expect to get to Napanee?
I think I'll head up on Friday, come back Saturday. Not taking the bus though. It'd be ready to travel except for tankage and such but I'm going to shoot for a more complete first trip.
Jim
We're running early so we'll milk it to arrive tomorrow evening - early anyway. We'll help on setting up. We'll see you there!
Looks like tomorrow instead of
Friday. I should be there mid day sometime, probably the middle of the afternoon. Won't be any setting up for me, I'll be driving the sports car.
Jim