Driving the Cassiar Highway in November

And post a trip report with pics when done!!

Truck campers are always great for adding weight and traction in snow.

I just drove up the Cassier. It was in pretty good condition. The slowest part is from Deese Lake to the Junction. It is narrower and when the snow is plowed it is hard to tell where the edges are. They don't plow alot. I met 4 southbound but none northbound. That being said I like the Cassier over the Alcan. There are plenty of gas stations. I even passed one or two! I don't let my tank get below 1/2 if I can help it. That way if anything happens I have plenty of fuel to keep warm with until help comes. I have 4 wheel drive and studs on and have not had a problem pulling a hill. I have done the Cassier in Jan with -35 F. Everything was winterized in the bigfoot.

Should be fine with the added weight.

Fishhunter wrote:
Just drove the Cassiar from Alaska down hauling a TC and pulling a small cargo trailer, road was dry all the way, but I personally wouldn't do it in winter. Don't save but about 115 miles and it's slower going. Headed back north late November or early December and will taking the Alcan.

The fact you are doing it late November makes me feel less foolish for doing it early November. :B

We do have chains but we have already decided to drive the Alcan back. The unloaded dually (+ 360 pounds to traction gravel bags) did fine with the six Blizzaks coming down, but I have no idea how traction will be with the Bigfoot on board. I'd hate to get halfway up some of those hills on the Cassiar and have a problem.

Just drove the Cassiar from Alaska down hauling a TC and pulling a small cargo trailer, road was dry all the way, but I personally wouldn't do it in winter. Don't save but about 115 miles and it's slower going. Headed back north late November or early December and will taking the Alcan.

White Whale wrote:


We are at the Nugget tonight just short of the Cassiar on the Alaskan Highway. We will head down the Cassiar tomorrow. Looks like some flurries called for but nothing worrisome. We stayed in Beaver Creek last night and left out at 0730 in the dark. Temp was minus 4 F. and dropped to minus 12F for the next few hours. Started warming into the 20's as we approached Whitehorse. I always worry about my fuel gelling at those temps even though I double up the anti-gel.

Cheers
Jim

Take it easy Jim, and make sure the camper is good and winterized before you come back. I ma prepping my Avion for a Thanksgiving trip to the mainland of Alaska from Kodiak. DId it 5 years ago. it was -9F the first night in Anchorage. The Avion maintained 65F all night, but it took a little to get it warmed up with just a Wave-3 and a 1500watt brick. This year I am installing a 12000 BTU Atwood furnace, so we should be much warmer. As well as I am adding more insulation to the camper.

If you dont already have them, I carry chains, just in case while traveling Alaska in the winter. They are really good when needed.

GArry

That's a good idea jefe.
I used the rack as a step up into the last camper after it hauled stuff so it stuck out further. I did the same thing but on the back side of the rack to stabilize it, but to reduce the chance of it tossing you off when crawling back to the camper after drinkin the campfire dry!

Jefe,
Thanks for the pics.
Apologies to the thread. But your extra storage seems
like such a neat deal, thought it appropriate.
Thanks E.P.

With the risk of walking on the O.P.'s thread:






I have a 3" lift which keeps the tail from dragging on all but the worst dips. RickW on here came up with the turnbuckles to stabilize the load. I measured and cut off the stem and drilled another set of holes for the lynch pin to cinch right up close to the bumper causing less stick-out. The rack is aluminum and very light. I wish I had a wider one but I don't see it in aluminum; only steel. We only use it when we really need extra space.
jefe