alaska trip 2016

[Bill B /bus]

Met up with Dan and Sandy in Tok. Dan has already made friends. Got his tale of not good things happening to them. But they did fix everything that broke.
Thanks for the meeting. It was our pleasure. Especially liked the rainbow!

Bill

[Dave5Cs]

And Dan & Sandy Have a new pit at his Garage in AK.
Dave

[dtcerrato]

Hey Bill it was a pleasure meeting you also, couldn't help to notice the FL plates as you were pulling through...Safe travels
Dave, yes it's a pit but it would be rreeaall tricky getting a bus to straddle it! Maybe with a crane!

[dtcerrato]

We're home, it is a blessing to have been able to do the round trip safe & sound and return safely home. Mechanically speaking the return trip was much easier. Only the brake drum issue. Ran like a top. Burned through 40 gallons of propane injection in 12,000 miles over a 17 week period. Brought it in on three brakes. It's truly a civilian tank. Built like one, feels like one and holds up like one. Burned five quarts of oil in the last 4800 miles. For the benefit of those that want to make the journey or make the journey again - How about some general facts & numbers on the FL - AK - FL cross continent journey that we completed... Total miles round trip - 12,000. Total road time away from home: 17 weeks (119 days). 70 days in AK. 1 week each way in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon), 23 days lower 48 going (FL, GA, KY, IN, IL, IA, MN, ND, MT), 12 days lower 48 returning (MT, WY, SD, IA, NB, MO, TN, MS, AL, FL). The following #s are total costs for each category (rounded out)... Generator gas (6.5kw Onan & .8 kw Power Source) - $700. Bus Diesel (dd671IL NA 4 valve head with at-will propane injection - coach = 28,000 lbs, toad = 7,000 lbs @ 34,000 lbs total) - $4700. Camping Fees - $784. Food (Meals & groceries) - $2400. Maintenance, Parts, & Repairs (Departure - running north - Radiator surge tank repair GA, Engine compressor drive replacement & cylinder head replacement IN, Starter replacement IL, Making oil, oil change ND, fuel crossover tubes replaced, oil change AK, blower failure/replacement AK. Return - running south - brake drum failure - removed drivers side drum & blocked air to can MO) $5600 total. Toad gas (2005 GMC Sierra 4X4 Quadrasteer with camping topper) - $750. Total travel related costs - $15,000. More than double that figure when including Misc. (Gifts, Memorabilia, and AK land purchase). Some how we're a lot closer to broke but feeling as rich as we ever have. Go figure! We plan on doing it again...& again...

[Tom Y]

Welcome home!! Thanks for the breakdown of costs. Hope to try it myself.

[Scott & Heather]

Wow. Nice cost breakdown. Cool info here actually.


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[dtcerrato]

As I break down the info in more detail I'll post it, like gallons consumed, average price per gal. Etc. I thought the (actuals) would be good info. We would have liked to spend more time in Canada but dipping back into the lower 48 really saves on fuel cost!

[dtcerrato]

Probably the last I'll post on this trip
Crunched the last of the numbers
Some interesting stuff for those who could use it
Total miles covered with the bus - 10,922
Total miles covered with the truck (incl. towed miles) - 12,030
Total bus diesel used - 1472.77 gallons
Overall average buss mpg - 7.4159
Average price per diesel gallon (USA $$) $2.44
Highest diesel gal price - Chicken AK - $3.29/gal.
Lowest diesel gal price - TN, MO, & MN - $2.199/gal.
Average price per diesel liter (Canada $$) $1.088
Highest diesel liter price - Watson Lake BC - $1.259/L
Lowest diesel liter price - Grand Prairie AB - $.919/L

The bust in the average price per diesel (using overall #s) would be due to Can-US$ conversion. I ain't going there... broke out diesel separate (US - CAN)

We've read about AK & CAN all our lives but there's no comparison to actually doing it

In comparing Autumn & Spring temps between FL & AK, if we dual residence we would do 6 mos. & 6 mos. April thru Sept in AK. Oct thru March in FL.
It was really tough returning to FL temps & humidity (both 95+)
And we've lived here for over 30 years and originally are from northern states
Go figure...

[billy6941]

A little correction to bringing guns. Handguns are not allowed at all and if you don't declare them and then later get found out, a big fine, confiscation, and maybe jail time. Rifles and shotguns may be brought, but have to be declared with Canada customs at the border and a form filled out for each one, plus a 25 dollar charge. I guess  I am so used to paying the high prices that I don't consider them at all.  We usually try to leave before snow and cold starts and come back when it starts  to warm up. The most beautiful state  in the US. I have lived here for 56 years and no plans to move "outside" permanently".  Exchange rates are good, but a lot  of Canadian establishments either won't exchange money or the exchange is given in Canadian. Your best bet is to exchange currency before you enter Canada. Wells Fargo banks exchange funds at no cost to you if you have a wells fargo account and a charge if you don't. They do not exchange change. Iguess I've spent more time  in Canada than most. I've been driving the Alaska HIghway since

[billy6941]

I don't know how that happened, but I'll try to finish up here.  Since 1968, have been stranded on it twice and stopped counting after 250 trips. I will be happy to answer any questions anyone might have......Bill

[Brian Diehl]

I also just recently completed my Alaska Trip.  Here is our final blog posting on our trip with my family's reflections.

We are so glad we went!

http://www.brihil.com/2016/09/23/alaska-reflections/

[dtcerrato]

We carried two shotguns, something to consider is they WILL do a background check for the person on the gun papers.
Keep that in mind, Canada is real thorough & strict on screening when carrying firearms. We had no problem.
The $25 charge is for the permit to carry - OK for multiple long guns on one permit. The permit expires in 60 days at which time another permit needs to be purchased (as in our case)Handguns are restricted but can be carried with papers equivalent to an act of congress (hardly worth it)

Billy I envy you on how many alcan trips you've done, that's awesome!

Brian, we really enjoyed meeting up with you & your wonderful family during our trip.
The best of luck on all your & your family's endeavors...
Really enjoyed the tour of your bus, you did a fine job

[dtcerrato]

Forgot to mention, really nice blog!