Just Your Thoughts

No right or wrong answers here. If you are willing to accept that your jeep may no longer be "new" after Alaska then go for it. If the jeep is a "cool" factor for you you then go for it.

We towed our 04 CRV for 60,000 miles in the lower 48 without a scratch. But then "Welcome to Alaska" where we had significant paint damage and a broken windshield. But no MH windshield damage but a number of rocks from other vehicles did hit the MH.

I was in denial about providing any protection for the car. Since then I now believe that the horizontal shield is the best possible protection for the toad. Plus if you have the large heavy rubber mudflap on the back of the rig leave it at home as it causes problems.

Never towed to Alaska but I have had my Cherokee since early November and have about 6000 miles on it already and have pulled it another 500

Love the car and the high clearence - I have been on several forest service roads here on the Oregon Coast

Spoil yourself get the car

Take the older car. Alaska ain't no place for a new towed. JMHO.

Just think about how much fun it would be to Jeep around Alaska. That may just help you make a decision.

No way would I want to take a new dingy over the Alaska Highway. Our dingy was not damaged at all when we went to Alaska last summer, but that doesn't mean anything, we were just lucky. On the other hand, our coach took a large rock on the bottom left of the windshield that left soccer ball size damage. That rock, from the tires of an oncoming truck, could have just as easily hit the dingy.

Personally, I would get the Hyundai checked out to make sure you minimize any problems, and take it to Alaska.

Get the new Jeep when you return.

Just because you have a new vehicle doesn't mean you will not have problems.

JMO

Either way, enjoy your trip.

Hey, if you can afford it, go with the new Jeep. You'll be traveling thousands of miles and you don't need to tarnish your journey with a breakdown. Besides that Jeeps are much "cooler" than a Hyundai. Keep the economy churning. Buy new.

Will the 2002 Hyundai do the job and be reliable or are you just looking to justify a new toad? I would get the new jeep and go in style.
Bill