Two Bob's OH to AK 2016 - Ram + Hawk + Husky + Wing

It has taken me a long time to read and enjoy the photos...and this is my second go through!. I will no doubt do it again with the map and circle and mark with notes. If all goes to plan I will be doing a similar trip (tho no bikes) in 2017. Your experiences and detailed report has both enthused and given me pause. It was a fantastic trip you took and extremely well documented... your photography jaw-dropping. You must have done quite a lot of preparation. I am a 'safety Joe' type and will be taking along a wide assortment of patch materials... there is always something overlooked. I have a new small diesel which is new to me and do not know as of yet the things that might need to be on the list. I will have to take DEF as perhaps you did. I will bring oil/fuel/air filters and a spare belt. Two tire plug kits and a few CO2's. If you have a gear list I'd love to see it. My wife is along for the trip but I am the repairman and really want to almost overthink the details. Again that you for the time you put into your report. WOW
 
highz said:
Thanks for a great report on your epic journey. Enjoyed every page of it.
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DLN said:
I second that. Thanks for the great report and the effort it took to post it.
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I'm glad you guys enjoyed it - I've read may reports that helped me so I'm happy to pay it forward!


buckland said:
It has taken me a long time to read and enjoy the photos...and this is my second go through!. I will no doubt do it again with the map and circle and mark with notes. If all goes to plan I will be doing a similar trip (tho no bikes) in 2017. Your experiences and detailed report has both enthused and given me pause. It was a fantastic trip you took and extremely well documented... your photography jaw-dropping. You must have done quite a lot of preparation. I am a 'safety Joe' type and will be taking along a wide assortment of patch materials... there is always something overlooked. I have a new small diesel which is new to me and do not know as of yet the things that might need to be on the list. I will have to take DEF as perhaps you did. I will bring oil/fuel/air filters and a spare belt. Two tire plug kits and a few CO2's. If you have a gear list I'd love to see it. My wife is along for the trip but I am the repairman and really want to almost overthink the details. Again that you for the time you put into your report. WOW
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Believe it or not DEF was available everywhere we stopped, even Coldfoot and Prudhoe. You're on the right track with your spares list, I'd also study a vehicle specific forum to see if your truck has any unique issues to prepare for. I know on my old Powerstroke you kept a cam position sensor in the glovebox and on my Cummins you carry a spare #4 fuel line. Don't stress too much though, other than the distance covered it's really not a hard trip these days. On average you'll pass a Chevy dealership every 400-500 miles even in Canada/AK. Good luck on your trip planning and feel free to message me if you have a question.

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Thanks on that... I am (if you can remember that 'starting up' feeling) just a whirlwind of lists and planning/prep. The truck is not 'ready' yet and I am going to install a new fridge and Maxtracs rack and...... before the trip. Lots of details. Being in New England I just put the camper in the garage ...then the logging chains on the tractor with the rear snow blower.... we live in the boonies at 1600 ft and it will be April if lucky to get the camper moved out of the corner to get into. But that is what winter is for here....planning it all out and getting a lot of the stuff ready to go for that first sunny day after ice out. You might find that there is an upsurge in posts from there northern latitude people around now as it is dark at 4:20 and cold..... with that I have to go load the wood stove. Thanks again for all the support.
 
I preemptively put the 8' blade on the back of the Kubota last year and never had to push snow once - think I'm going to try that trick again this year... :)

I actually felt a sense of relief once I made the "go" decision back in Jan. Because the planning had been going on for 5yrs I felt little stress in the run up to departure. Like I said earlier, other than the distance, it's no harder than a trip to Yellowstone or Glacier with some gravel road thrown in.

Don't think I mentioned it earlier, but something you might want to consider for peace of mind is purchasing a medical evacuation policy. Dad and I had the MASA insurance that will fly you home in an air ambulance if you have a medical emergency (once you're stabilized of course). It would be hugely inconvenient to have to recuperate 5000 miles from home, and the medical flights can cost $20,000 or more. The MASA policy costs $300/yr. One of Dad's friends has traveled to AK a dozen times and had a minor stroke in Fairbanks on one trip. Even though Dad is in excellent health for 73, that story was in the back of my mind. Heck though - If you're gonna go it might as well be in Alaska :D


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I will indeed look into that insurance if they have a 2 month policy. I have good health care but vac is always a good idea.
Thanks again for all your insights and ideas.... people around me think I am wacko I do a long trip like that .... now I am sure I am right!
 
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