Planning a trip from Ohio to Alaska

[Munf]

I'm currently in the process of engineering a sustainable living environmental out of my 4th gen "4Runner inn" aside from all the exterior mods (which I've factored in ). Are there any recommendations or sustainability tips to allow me to freely live and operate out of my runner. I will be traveling with one other person and my dog. I plan on converting then entire back to a sleeping quarters/kitchen. I'd like to set my depart date within a year to save sufficient funds and do some trial trips to eliminate unnecessary cargo


God speed

 

[Munf]

Also time is irrelevant as I plan to abandon my desk. And please don't bring me down with your logistical negativity. This WILL HAPPEN before I'm thirty.

 

[radlynx]

I don't know how long you intend to do that but here are things you need to bring...
tools, extra fan belt, maybe extra alternator, extra fuses, tow strap, tire puncture repair kit, extra engine oil and other things. it's a lot better to have extras to avoid getting stranded somewhere if you don't have the parts.

 

[radlynx]

also, I would suggest getting a small trailer that's just big enough for your stuff. not trying to be negative about it but being able to stretch out at night and sleep well would make your adventure better. Good luck!

 

[ebg18t]

Instead of converting the inside to sleeping quarters have you considered a roof top tent?

 

[Antman]

I assume you will be using a fridge, so I would definitely do a dual battery setup as well as some solar panels as a backup.
For cooking you can probably do just about everythnig you need with a Jetboil and maybe a small grill. A good, updated first aid kit is a must too!

 

[NuclearN8]

@Munf

I appreciate your passion for adventure because make no mistake, that trip with a dog and another person will be one. Good on ya!

I would consider a trailer if doable budget wise, if not you could get a foldable hitch/reciever table and some camping chairs to have an outdoor dining table under the tailgate shielded from the weather.
a good/ large mosquito net (so you can sleep with the windows/ sunroof open for fresh air) to drape over the Runner.
I would also investigate post offices that accept packages you can mail to yourself with resupply items in the more remote areas. This could be invaluable to help you save space along the way and not have to find a store in a remote area with items you want/ need. (this is what thru-hikers do and it works)... anything to save, space and weight shuold be at least considered.

a battery operated fan or two (for comfort during sleeping for air circulation within the cabin). used these on fishing trips in fishing outpost and they work great where there is no electricity.


a fishing pole and a small tackle box (even if you're not a fisherman you could use it to catch food)
a nice fixed blade knife
a multitool/ can opener
a nice camera
some form of self-defense, bear mace if nothing else and you don't believe in guns
a journal to document your journey
some waterproof tinder, fire starter for camping/cooking outside
some dental wedges/floss (nothing more annoying on a road trip than eating while driving and having something stuck in your teeth in my opinion)
some great off the grid music (rhapsody, ipod whatever... don't rely on a streaming service that requires a cell signal)
a good gps
a cb
a way to filter water
an emergency 3 day water supply at all times
5 gallons of gas (never pass up a gas station)
$500 cash (not every takes debit/ credit and not everywhere has an atm, cash talks)

good luck and would love to hear about how your trip goes when it's over
-Nate

 

[strathcona]

some form of self-defense, bear mace if nothing else and you don't believe in guns-Nate

Be very careful what you bring across the border. You need a license to own a pistol up here and I doubt very much you would be able to tour through the country with one on the way to Alaska.

Mace and tasers are illegal, however, bear spray is not unless you use it on a person in a non-self defense scenario. You can't say that you have it for defense from humans.

We have some really dumb-ass laws up here so check them out before you make the trip. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) - Home

Have a great time with the trip. Wish I could do something like that but it's not in the cards now.

 

[waldosgone]

I've actually done this trip (it was in reverse from Anchorage Alaska to Panama City Beach Florida). As the Google map directions said it was 4K miles and my wife, dog, and I crammed it into 8K miles. We did it in 30 days and we spread out camping, staying with friends/family, and hotels. Here's a rough idea of what we brought:
3 man tent (all gear for camping)
Air Mattress (for tent/4 runner) We were able to find an air mattress that was formed around the stair wells
Thule soft side car topper (carried all the camping gear)
5 gallons of water (filled up at every stop)
Milepost (guidebook to traveling the ALCAN Highway) Phones will not work for most of the trip and some GPS maps don't cover NW Canada and Alaska
5 days worth of meals
small bit of firewood
knife
bear spray
two headlamps


We did the trip in August of 2010 and we camped from Alaska to outside of Mount Rushmore before it got too hot at night to sleep. If you have any questions please post them up and I'm happy to answer.

 

[eviele]

I think this is cool as hell and hope you'll keep us updated.
Like others my first reaction is bring a trailer, but that's because I have an M416 that I'd want to take along...

There are fairly inexpensive trailer approaches.
Two good ones:
No longer dual purpose or AKA how to improve a 400 dollar lowes trailer - Expedition Portal

this one is an awesome little trailer for short money: (and yet another) Mini Harbor Freight Trailer build - Expedition Portal

I just don't know how you'll carry all the necessities without amping up the storage capacity somehow.

 

[eviele]

I've actually done this trip (it was in reverse from Anchorage Alaska to Panama City Beach Florida). As the Google map directions said it was 4K miles and my wife, dog, and I crammed it into 8K miles. We did it in 30 days and we spread out camping, staying with friends/family, and hotels. Here's a rough idea of what we brought:
3 man tent (all gear for camping)
Air Mattress (for tent/4 runner) We were able to find an air mattress that was formed around the stair wells
Thule soft side car topper (carried all the camping gear)
5 gallons of water (filled up at every stop)
Milepost (guidebook to traveling the ALCAN Highway) Phones will not work for most of the trip and some GPS maps don't cover NW Canada and Alaska
5 days worth of meals
small bit of firewood
knife
bear spray
two headlamps


We did the trip in August of 2010 and we camped from Alaska to outside of Mount Rushmore before it got too hot at night to sleep. If you have any questions please post them up and I'm happy to answer.

Did you document the trip anywhere?
I'd love to read about it...

 

[waldosgone]

Did you document the trip anywhere?
I'd love to read about it...

Unfortunately it's all just saved as "pictures" on my laptop. This was pre having an iPhone for me...

If there's any specific questions you have please fire away!

 

[Lowetony]

I just returned from a cruise/tour of the Yukon and Alaska. Great trip, but if you are on a budget and have the space, I would suggest you purchase as much staples & food as you could before you get up North. Food seemed to be about 50-75% higher in Canada and Fairbanks than it is in Ohio. Beautiful country and well worth the trip.

 

[KBToys]

Lowetony i live in Westerville too. Wondering if i have seen your 4runner before. I have a silver one with black rims

 

[iBison]

Great ideas so far. My dad and his best friend did this trip about 25 years ago. They took a small motor home. I'd take things like extra headlight, brake light bulbs, fan belt, some basic tools, oil and water and jumper cables, fuses. A small air compressor may come in handy if you have the room.

A jetboil is nice, but they are pretty limited in what you can cook with them. Unless you get the pan, boiling water is about it, but they are very good at that. You cannot change the heat level on them at all. For a trip like that I'd take a small charcoal grill or two like this, small lightweight and cheap or small gas grill. If you want a camp stove look at the MSR XGK, it will burn just about any fuel including jet fuel and kerosene. If you want to take some dehydrated food try it in advance, some is good, some sucks, look at mountainhouse.

Take a steripen or at least a lifestraw in case you need to filter some water on the way. Both are small and effective. Nothing beats ice cold mountain water out of the stream.

Take some of the mosquito coils that slip into the small metal tin.

When you are picking things out think like you are going backpacking and opt for smaller, lighter items and look for types that serve multiple purposes.

Get the milepost book. Take a tarp and paracord. If you need tent stakes for the tarp get some big gutter nails. Install some kind of underhood light in case you have to work on the vehicle at night.

Just a few ideas.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Sounds awesome. Subscribed.

 

[Munf]

Wow very solid advice from all of you, in regards to a rooftop tent, I love the idea of it. But man they aren't cheap and i like the idea of being able to move and relocate if need be.

I have also considered towing a pop up, again cost comes in to play and I dont want to be restricted to where I can go because i have a trailer. (yeah i could outfit the trailer to handle the offroad but again I cant justify spending the coin on that)

I do plan on getting a full size heavy duty rooftop rack to haul spare fuel and my outdoor gear.

Just ordered a milepost book and cant wait to begin the micro planning of this trip. Still working on blueprints for my sleeping quarters/kitchen.

Its going to be heavily influenced on what this guy did with the back of his land cruiser!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CwU_AyIAuM

Thanks again for all the feedback, it goes along way.

 

[radlynx]

I guess, just go for it no matter what your plans are. you can do it without those we suggested. a rooftop rack maybe able to do it. hopefully you don't get it overloaded. have fun!

Wow very solid advice from all of you, in regards to a rooftop tent, I love the idea of it. But man they aren't cheap and i like the idea of being able to move and relocate if need be.

I have also considered towing a pop up, again cost comes in to play and I dont want to be restricted to where I can go because i have a trailer. (yeah i could outfit the trailer to handle the offroad but again I cant justify spending the coin on that)

I do plan on getting a full size heavy duty rooftop rack to haul spare fuel and my outdoor gear.

Just ordered a milepost book and cant wait to begin the micro planning of this trip. Still working on blueprints for my sleeping quarters/kitchen.

Its going to be heavily influenced on what this guy did with the back of his land cruiser!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CwU_AyIAuM

Thanks again for all the feedback, it goes along way.

 

[bagelsjustbagels]

Expedition Portal Forums would be much better for this. I advise their storage solutions threads

 

[gshadow325]

Expedition Portal Forums would be much better for this. I advise their storage solutions threads

agreed, i'll add my two cents.


I actually just came back to atlanta from north pole alaska 5 days ago.

Beautiful place. here are some interesting facts.

-summer around july/august forget what month, you get almost 24hrs of sunlight in fairbanks. its like 3 hours of constant dawn then sun for 21 hours.
-fairbanks is in the middle of the state.
- prudo bay is still another 500 miles north of fairbanks
- denali national park aka mt mckinley, tallest mountain in us is 125 south of fairbanks or 250 north of ankorage.

you might consider borrowing a RTT, buy one and then resell it after you done. You can do this too, from ohio drive to cascadia tents, or tepiu in oregon and buy one. install it then head up to alaska on the eastern coast.

Your back will thank you in a rtt. also, there is a cheap alternative. $900 for the smittybuilt RTT and $180 for the awning. all shipped via amazon prime!!! Im sure you can sell it for $500 and 100 when you are done with your trip. I cant stress the convenience of a RTT. setup is done in 10 minutes, tear down in 20. all this while taking your time. i have timed it, 7.5 minutes best opening, 14 closing!

buy a ground tent and it will eat up precious cargo space inside. tent, tarp, mats, cot etc. it turns into LOTS of stuff inside with a tent.

only 2 people and a dog? consider removing the second row seats for more space.

also consider a adjustable gate to keep the stuff in the rear from flying up at you and on top of the dog.

i'd get a front mount hitch so you can have flexability in carrying stuff.

alaska is beautiful place. there is tons of fishing charters that leave fron ankorage. i had the pleasure of being invited to a fish fry. friend caught a 325# halibut the week before. AMAZING, and he brought over some moose steaks too!!!