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bigfootford's avatar
bigfootford
Nomad II
Aug 19, 2014

Another Alaska trip

Have not posted a trip report in quite a while so although this will not be a posted on rv.net report it will be a link to our blog. The picture sequence starts with the end of the trip and as you move down through the pictures and comments you will finally get to the beginning of the trip.

Look at the pictures of the trailer, camper and bike after the Dalton Hwy to Prudhoe bay on page 2 of this thread.


The blog starts here:

Bigfootfords Alaska trip


In March during a family BBQ the topic of Alaska and a trip up the ensued. Seth, our youngest son wanted to ride his Motorcycle up there and back but could not take the necessary time off. Then we discussed how we could join him during his ride with the TC.
The plan vacillated around transporting his bike up there shipping it various ways.
In the end, we purchased a 5X8 enclosed trailer and the work started modifying it for our truck/camper etc. We extended the tongue about 2 ft instead of extensions and weight distribution. Adding tiedowns on the floor/into the frame and rows of E-track on the walls along with shelves.
We carried 2 spares for the truck and a set of spare tires for Seth's Motorcycle. Along with that we carried 4 empty cans for gas... In anticipation of running the Dalton Highway all the way to Prudhoe Bay. With only 2 gas stations along the almost 500mi I wanted to be able to make it back to Civilization if the stations had trouble delivering gas.

Seth bought a brand new Honda NC700x and modified it for dual sport. Skid plates, foot rests for distance riding, cruise control, saddle bags, luggage rack and the list goes on. When he was done it looked like a loaded for bear BMW for 1/2 the price.
Finally we were all loaded up and off we went toting the Motorcycle and all the equipment and tools needed for camping/fixing/oil changes and the list goes on.

Two weeks travel to Anchorage, then Seth flew up and joined us then the real adventure began.

Seth did over 2000 miles of dirt road extra on his Honda. Canol Road to Ross River (monster) then Ross river to Watson Lake. Denali Hwy and every side miners trail he could find. Top of the world (with us), Mayo to Keno ( we stayed in Keno). Along with these there were many short trips he made. He did many 1-2 day over night camping along the way... His bike was equipped with food, cooking utensils, clothes (warm and water proof), tools etc.

So here's the link to our blog.... enjoy, get ideas for your trip!




Bigfootfords Alaska trip

Jim
  • Some of you will find it hard to get clear to the beginning of this trip and blog...

    This picture pretty well sums up the whole thing.... If you are shy about getting your rig really dirty then you should not think about doing the Dalton HWY to Prudhoe Bay or other dirt parts of the Alaska adventure when it is raining!

    This is the inside of the trailer rims after the round trip to Prudhoe Bay:



    This is after we washed the TC and trailer once:





    And if that is not enough to discourage anyone here's what I call a mess:



    Today I just finished 3 hrs of pressure washing the undercarriage of the truck...then another couple cleaning the truck body... Camper yet to go.

    Jim
  • sleepy wrote:
    Janet and I enjoyed all of your beautiful pictures and narrative...

    The first comment that Janet made was "Where is Molly?" We have never seen you without her being close by.

    Thanks for sharing your adventure... Seth added a new dimension to our trip reports. It's the only time I've ever looked at a blog.

    Chet


    This blog "Tumblr" was a choice that I was not really happy about because the first part is the end.
    It really takes a bit of work viewing clear to the last picture which is really the beginning of the trip... I had no vote...hahahaaaa, oh these girls in our life's.

    Tumblr is great for telling friends that you are beginning and to view each day or so to track. But in our case, travel through Canada is difficult for Cell data services and much of the trip was without any service what so ever. When you get cell service and start updating there is not enough bandwidth to really do a good catch up.. AS YOU and JANET already know.

    Molly left us for the great dog heaven about 1 year ago... We have not yet decided what to do.... DOG BOOT CAMP is about 1 year in duration... Training a dog to be well mannered and 100% obedient under all circumstances is difficult... She was one of those as you know.



    Thanks for the post.

    Jim
  • Pictures were great, looks like you all had fun and a great trip. Thanks for sharing.

    Paul
  • Janet and I enjoyed all of your beautiful pictures and narrative...

    The first comment that Janet made was "Where is Molly?" We have never seen you without her being close by.

    Thanks for sharing your adventure... Seth added a new dimension to our trip reports. It's the only time I've ever looked at a blog.

    Chet
  • jimmyfred wrote:
    .............Thank you for all those great pics ! I only have one comment , were I planning on riding a bike to Ak , I would pick one with a driveshaft ! How a chain can function with all the road grime on it is a miracle . , jf


    Son's been riding dirt bikes for pleasure and competition for many years.. 37 years young.

    He did carry a spare, never needed it and rode it all the way home on I5. Let me tell ya though that bike got real dirty! Chains have rubber "O" rings to keep the gunk from getting inside the rollers. He did spray lube the chain every time he filled with gas. He averaged 70MPG with that Honda.

    He did change gears and chain when he got home.

    Jim
  • .............Thank you for all those great pics ! I only have one comment , were I planning on riding a bike to Ak , I would pick one with a driveshaft ! How a chain can function with all the road grime on it is a miracle . , jf
  • jmtandem wrote:
    Lots of great pics. Thanks. Looks like the motorcycle would be more fun than the truck and camper until it is time to go to sleep.


    When our son was in camp he slept very comfy in the trailer. We had it all set up for that. It was great for him.. Air mattress and sleeping bag....Lots of room for drying clothes, dressing...
    Even had his own empty milk bottle latrine....

    Jim
  • Thanks for sharing great pictures, very inviting
    Gaetan
  • Lots of great pics. Thanks. Looks like the motorcycle would be more fun than the truck and camper until it is time to go to sleep.