Planning a trip from Ohio to Alaska

Update: Finally made the first step toward this trip. Over the weekend my buddy and I fabricated a drawer system/sleeping platform. We plan on adding to this build after a few trial runs come spring.




Fabd the drawer system. Voted against sliders in order to save room. We also wanted the simplicity







added side cubby. lids have a piano style hinge so it folds completely down.


This is where I got to this weekend. Going to make some final additions after some trial and error runs with it



We also wanted the platform to be flush with the top of the wheel well, as opposed to putting the platform on top of the wheel well. This saves us minor head room and also saved materials.

Threw a 2 inch memory foam mattress on top and it felt like my bed at home. Could have spent more time on the drawers. Im aware they could of been built more efficiently, but this was our first large project, and itll get the job done.


ONE STEP CLOSER
 
Depending on where you go, traveling to Alaska isn't the wild and wooly "completely cut off from civilization" adventure many lower-48ers believe. The Alcan highway is pretty civilized, and you're more likely to have a life-threatening adventure in Wyoming in the winter or the Mojave desert in the summer than on the Alcan anytime between May and September. Also, I suspect a handgun for personal protection would be more useful in downtown Chicago than on the Alcan. (And, as has been pointed out, taking firearms into Canada is a pretty big deal.)

My parents made the trip 4 times (once all the way to Inuvik) in the 70's and 80's in a 4-door Cadillac sedan staying in motels everywhere, with no issues at all. My wife and I drove the Alcan in a pickup with camper in 1984, and again, never felt terribly isolated. The same is true on most of the major highways in Alaska itself. Lots of traffic and friendly folks, and lots of places that can fix your vehicle. They do it all the time.

Now, if you're planning to try to get as far away from civilization as possible, there are ways to do it up there. In that case you need to be more self-sufficient, and many of the ideas posted so far are good ones. I would add the suggestion of taking a Delorme Inreach or a Spot for emergency satellite communications in case things really fall apart and you're off in the boonies where help appears unlikely to come by any time soon.

Finally, if you are camping in May, June, or July, make sure you have industrial strength mosquito protection. Not even Minnesota can begin to compare with the mosquito scourge in inland Alaska during June. They'll get in your eyes, your food, and your mouth while you're eating, they'll bite your private parts when you're going to the bathroom - in short, they'll make life hell. Good mosquito netting for your sleeping quarters and cooking space, 100% DEET repellant, head-nets, gloves, tape for your cuffs, etc. You get the idea.

But it's a great place. I've made about 10 trips to Alaska and I never get tired of it. Have a great time, and congrats for chucking the job and doing it!
 
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strathcona said:
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.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ

US Citizens Taking Guns Into or Through Canada

Americans taking guns into Canada or transporting guns through Canada to Alaska need to know that the Canadian government has - -and enforces -- very strict gun control laws that must be followed by U.S. citizens taking firearms into Canada.

Minimum Age

Only persons age 18 years or older are allowed to bring firearms into Canada. While persons younger than 18 may use a firearm in Canada under certain circumstances, an adult must be present and will be held legally responsible for the firearm and its use.

The Canadian Non-Resident Firearms Declaration

U.S. citizens bringing firearms into Canada, or taking firearms through Canada to Alaska are required to fill out a Non-Resident Firearms Declaration (Form CAFC 909 EF). The form must be presented in triplicate, unsigned, to a Canadian customs officer at the traveler's first point of entry into Canada. Remember, the customs officer must witness the signature, so
do not sign the form beforehand.
Persons bringing more than three firearms into Canada, will also need to fill out a Non-Resident Firearms Declaration Continuation Sheet.

Once it has been approved by the Canadian customs officer, the Non-Resident Firearms Declaration is valid for 60 days.
The confirmed form acts as a license for the owner and as a temporary registration certificate for the firearms brought to Canada. The declaration can be renewed for free, providing it is renewed before it expires, by contacting the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) (call 1-800-731-4000) of the relevant Canadian province or territory.

A confirmed Non-Resident Firearms Declaration costs a flat fee of $25, regardless of the number of firearms listed on it.

Persons bringing firearms into Canada must also comply with Canadian Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms regulations. The Canadian customs officer at the point of entry can inform firearms owners on these regulations.

Firearms Allowed, Restricted and Prohibited

Approval of the Non-Resident Firearms Declaration allows only standard rifles and shotguns commonly used for hunting and target shooting to be transported into or through Canada.

Handguns with at least 4-inch barrels are considered "restricted" firearms and are allowed in Canada, but require the completion an approval of an Application for an Authorization to Transport Restricted Firearms. This Non-Resident Firearm Declaration costs $50 Canadian.

Handguns with barrels shorter than 4-inches, fully automatic, converted automatics, and assault-type weapons are "prohibited" and not allowed in Canada. In addition, certain knives, even those used for hunting and fishing, may be considered prohibited weapons by Canadian officials.
 
RonJR said:
. Also, I suspect a handgun for personal protection would be more useful in downtown Chicago than on the Alcan. (And, as has been pointed out, taking firearms into Canada is a pretty big deal.)
Click to expand...

Really have you even been to Chicago? You do know downtown Chicago is only 1.6 square miles out of the 234 total miles of Chicago? Your chances of needing a weapon down there is slim to know its the other 232 miles you need to worry about
 
As far as making 4runner living easier, I would consider working out a way to open the rear hatch from the inside. I think it would be easier than always getting out through a rear door. I don't know if anyone has done this before.
Also, I'm planning to install a rear window switch in the cargo area on my vehicle, so I can raise and lower the window from inside, or auto raise it by reaching in after having used the key fob to lower it. Perhaps this kind of mod might interest you too.
 
Sleeping platform looks great!!


What do you have for support under the section that is over the back seats?
 
Code2 said:
Really have you even been to Chicago? You do know downtown Chicago is only 1.6 square miles out of the 234 total miles of Chicago? Your chances of needing a weapon down there is slim to know its the other 232 miles you need to worry about
Click to expand...
Sorry, didn't mean to insult Chicago. Just pointing out that the Alcan Highway is not the wild west, and there's no greater need of self-defense there than most other first world places.

I apologize for putting that poorly the first time.
 
RonJR said:
Sorry, didn't mean to insult Chicago. Just pointing out that the Alcan Highway is not the wild west, and there's no greater need of self-defense there than most other first world places.

I apologize for putting that poorly the first time.
Click to expand...

your all good bro its the outsiders that think chicago is 1.6 miles only that being downtown. You have no idea how many times someone living across the street from chicago will ask after you say you live in chicago they respond downtown as if its the only part of the city :biggrin1: Mind you they live across from the city in the burbs


MY GF thought the same thing but she's a county girl and then i took her into chicago she realized it was a lot bigger then what she had thought and uglier then she thought in the neighborhoods
 
dkyleb said:
Sleeping platform looks great!!


What do you have for support under the section that is over the back seats?
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I measured out 2x4 pieces that would fit under there to where the back part was level. Then i used L brackets to secure them to the back of the platform. Only issue is, when the the platform is folded down, they are sticking up. Im eventually going to make the legs collapsible, or removable
 
Munf said:
Thanks!

I measured out 2x4 pieces that would fit under there to where the back part was level. Then i used L brackets to secure them to the back of the platform. Only issue is, when the the platform is folded down, they are sticking up. Im eventually going to make the legs collapsible, or removable
Click to expand...
This is the issue I'm running into with the design I am planning. I've considered using a threaded connection and legs, similar to the bottom of a couch.
 
dkyleb said:
This is the issue I'm running into with the design I am planning. I've considered using a threaded connection and legs, similar to the bottom of a couch.
Click to expand...

If you do that let me know how it works. I was thinking about that design too. but just wanted to get the platform finished. I figured I could always alter the leg design later.
 
This is mine. Sleeping inside works great. It's pretty tight with two people and a dog though. I took mine on a month long trip before I had most of these mods. Having a platform that I can just fold out works way better than a tent.

The dual battery isnt expensive, and is worth the effort. I would recommend having redundancy for such a long trip. I found my fridge on craigslist for $150. It's been a huge improvement over the cheap coolers I used.
 

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T4rman said:
This is mine. Sleeping inside works great. It's pretty tight with two people and a dog though. I took mine on a month long trip before I had most of these mods. Having a platform that I can just fold out works way better than a tent.

The dual battery isnt expensive, and is worth the effort. I would recommend having redundancy for such a long trip. I found my fridge on craigslist for $150. It's been a huge improvement over the cheap coolers I used.
Click to expand...

LOVE the set up T4rman. Dual battery is high up on my to-do list. thanks for the info!
 
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