2025 Trip to Alaska, advice welcome

After reading multiple stories about the RCMP if you have firearms tread very carefully. I've read that only certain calibers are ok, but can't remember if you're allowed to have ammunition or not.
 
Kira said:
Bad fuel scenario? I thought the diesel was going to be fresh?
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It should be. Most every town up there is a micro grid running on diesel. Trucks run on it. The supply should be fresh. But you never know if you might hit a bad batch. Better safe than sorry up there…
 
JHZR2 said:
Im going to write up my thoughts here so that anyone with this sort of a car/engine or doing this sort of plan has a reference.

For the car, Id make the assumption that you'll lose a tire, and that you'll also damage your glass. I dont know how much extra space you have/want to have in the car (Ive reclined and slept in a w124 when car camping on road trips with my kids, and it isnt bad if you can get it all the way back), bu the stink and space of extra tires/spares (mounted or unmounted? Unmounted may be a better bet for space savings) would be a consideration.

I'm assuming that all fluids are replaced/baselined, all consumable parts are in fine shape (e.g., belts), etc. I would have your injectors pop tested and balanced by greazzer on peach parts. I can pm you his info. This way your injectors are enabling optimal combustion, and you’ll replace the soft return lines between the injectors too. I’m also assuming that your shocks are good, the ball joints are new(ish) and no suspension rubber is torn. Also check your cv joints for cracks - the only time a Mercedes stranded me was when a cv joint tore open in Tennessee and was too noisy to risk taking the ride home. Also check flex discs. And either swap your wastegate to a pressure actuated version, or verify that your egr/vacuum setup is correct and not leaking vacuum. What you don’t want is to lose boost because of the wastegate setup in the middle of nowhere. The OM602.96 series use a computer controlled, vacuum closed wastegate. Different from any other MB diesels of the time. I’m also assuming that your rear shocks are up for the weight. Seriously. I was quite surprised at the geometry when I took my 1991 300D to Cincinnati and back, filled on the way home with three extra car batteries, a bunch of food, luggage, baseball gear, etc.

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So for the car going kn a multi-thousand mile austere trip, Id want to have at minimum:

- Full size spare, mounted - depending upon age of your tires, maybe replace all five.
- Extra spare tire if needed (matching? Old pull-off? WM special?)
- Glass repair kit
- Jack - the MB jack may not be your favorite or most stable. A hydraulic jack is large and heavy, even if the HF 1.5 ton aluminum which is best in class.
- Breaker bar (more on this in the engine section) and 17mm (verify size) socket for lugs
- Cold weather fuel additive
- Cetane boost additive
- Short section of rubber vacuum hose
- Jumper cables
- Alternator voltage regulator
- blankets
- sun shade
- pillows
- gallon jugs of distilled water (good for drinking and radiator)
- 12v tire inflator. Some are really cheap/bad. Vlair 88P would be my pick, but the HD and HF cheaper are ok.
- Tire plug kit
- chock for the tire
- small board for jacking in loose soil on austere road

Other tools:
- Two screwdrivers - I like to have one of the cheap kind with the four bits that swap direction in the handle/shaft, and then a ratcheting one.
- decent multimeter with very fine probes
- I generally know my cars and so for most trips my ratchet set is just a 1/4” US made set with a long handle 1/4” drive Snap on ratchet and a wrench set.

I have a mess in my trunk, but this is what it looks like. It all fits in a Klein tools bag. You may want to bring at least a legit 3/8” drive set.

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For the engine:
- long 1/2 breaker bar with 27mm socket to turn the engine
- whatever tool removes your fan. All services related to belts, pullies, and tensioners require removal of the fan some of my OM60x engines use an 8mm Allen, one of them with a newer fan/clutch takes a female Torx socket. Verify your setup and the stack-up length before you leave!!!! The Allen’s are usually too long, most ratchet/socket setups are too deep too and can damage your fan!
- a pulley holder tool so you can remove the fan bolt - the $15 performance tool unit works great
- A spare belt. Continental contitech is the best bet. If yours hasn’t been replaced recently, get a new one, put it on, and bring the old one. Or vice-versa.
- Spare fuel filters - primary and secondary
- Some extra fuel line for the clear fuel filter, and a length of the smaller return hose

I think this is such a great trip. Chronicle it. You have to make a photo thread that shows the whole trip. I’m so excited for it!!!

Let me know if you want some visitors to come and work over the car in prep!!
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Nice write up and tips / suggestions.

I know you have a bunch of classic Mercedes.

I was in Austin a while ago and I saw a classic Mercedes (late 80’s / early 90’s) and immediately thought of you.
I wondered if JHZR2 is in town to buy this creampuff Mercedes. ☺️
 
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And for OP… that roof rack scares me. Not because it may fall off, but because it may mar the paint. I’d want to double check any pads or bumper points often, and be very sure no grit or dirt gets under the touch points. Having just been in Anchorage last week, I’ll say, the vehicles do get VERY dirty.
 
JHZR2 said:
And for OP… that roof rack scares me. Not because it may fall off, but because it may mar the paint. I’d want to double check any pads or bumper points often, and be very sure no grit or dirt gets under the touch points. Having just been in Anchorage last week, I’ll say, the vehicles do get VERY dirty.
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Excellent suggestions.

I’m going to spray Amzoil Mud Slinger on and around the rack mounts to prevent dirt from getting under the pads. And on the area aft of the wheel wells.
 
Sam_Julier said:
Excellent suggestions.

I’m going to spray Amzoil Mud Slinger on and around the rack mounts to prevent dirt from getting under the pads. And on the area aft of the wheel wells.
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Good idea. The dirt that converted our rental in anchorage was very fine. And we didn’t go very far or fast. It just got everywhere. Like couldn’t see out the rear window everywhere and bad. So I’d probably want to check and clean when possible regardless…
 
97prizm said:
I don't travel much but I'd definitely let your cc provider know your intentions. If they see spending in the USA then Canada then back in Alaska they will likely shut it off. When I visit my parents I call my cc company and tell them the dates I'm going. I've driven on multiple occasions and also have notified them of the states I'll be traveling through as well. Not sure if it's an option but a satellite phone might be helpful if you plan on real remote venturing.
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We plan to carry enough cash for fuel and food purchases should internet service be out.
 
What I do for my multi-thousand mile trips is just pack and drive. I always have a plug/patch kit, tire inflator, and spare in the car. I'll bring bottles of watch and a husky toolkit but if I had to worry that much about a car in road trips, I'd find a different car. Although I understand being prepared, you don't have to bring everything but the kitchen sink.
 
Pew said:
What I do for my multi-thousand mile trips is just pack and drive. I always have a plug/patch kit, tire inflator, and spare in the car. I'll bring bottles of watch and a husky toolkit but if I had to worry that much about a car in road trips, I'd find a different car. Although I understand being prepared, you don't have to bring everything but the kitchen sink.
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Agree. Prepare well, the rest is an adventure.
 
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JHZR2 said:
And for OP… that roof rack scares me. Not because it may fall off, but because it may mar the paint. I’d want to double check any pads or bumper points often, and be very sure no grit or dirt gets under the touch points. Having just been in Anchorage last week, I’ll say, the vehicles do get VERY dirty.
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If any part is in contact with the paint, like that air deflector appears to be, it WILL mar the paint, and potentially remove it entirely if left in contact long enough.
 
If it was me, I would rent a car for sure, and buy the extra insurance.,
ecotourist said:
If you have car trouble don't leave your disabled car at the side of the road. Stay with it and have it towed.

In many northern areas (no idea about this route) vehicles left at the side of the road may be stripped and vandalized (wheels gone, windows broken, possibly torched).
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If it was me, for this trip I would rent a car for sure, and buy the extra insurance. One less worry going down the road.
 
Snagglefoot said:
Don’t plan on taking a handgun with you into Canada without the neccesary paperwork done ahead of time. Also, I see you don’t plan on on coming back through the same crossing, so storing your gun at a place near the border is not an option. If you try hide it in the vehicle, be aware they are pretty good at finding guns, and you may get it confiscated and worse.
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Stun guns and pepper spray is also a no-no, except bear spray.
Chains are not needed since you have proper winter tires. Take a tire repair kit, couple wheel chokes, a mat to put knee on, gloves, paper towels, air pump, may be extra coolant. Make sure your cell phones will work and not at $20/day.
 
02SE said:
If any part is in contact with the paint, like that air deflector appears to be, it WILL mar the paint, and potentially remove it entirely if left in contact long enough.
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Good points about marring the paint. I added 2 layers of 3M clear paint protection film plus the strips of 3M VBR tape.

Thanks!

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I think you're massively over-preparing.

My wife and I drove to Whitehorse (and well up the road toward Dawson City) with a Solara on all season radials. That's hardly a vehicle for driving back of beyond. We took no extra fuel, no bear spray, no repair parts, just a few changes of clothes and our tent and camping supplies. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

You can't prepare for everything. If something happens you'll just have to deal with it.
 
dubber09 said:
Make sure your cell phones will work and not at $20/day.
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One random trip I took from Chicago to Pictures Rocks, MI, my LG G4 started booting looping as I crossed into the Michigan UP. No GPS but I kind of memorized the GPS routes; I was going North-South anyways. It was pretty fun wondering if I was on the right road, that was an unexpected adventure.
 
ecotourist said:
I think you're massively over-preparing.

My wife and I drove to Whitehorse (and well up the road toward Dawson City) with a Solara on all season radials. That's hardly a vehicle for driving back of beyond. We took no extra fuel, no bear spray, no repair parts, just a few changes of clothes and our tent and camping supplies. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

You can't prepare for everything. If something happens you'll just have to deal with it.
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Agree. I’m just a belt and suspenders type of guy. 😉
 
Pew said:
One random trip I took from Chicago to Pictures Rocks, MI, my LG G4 started booting looping as I crossed into the Michigan UP. No GPS but I kind of memorized the GPS routes; I was going North-South anyways. It was pretty fun wondering if I was on the right road, that was an unexpected adventure.
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I think I got my first GPS in 2006-7 or so, my cell phone wasn't Internet browser capable, I was to catch a flight home from NC and had to drive close to 200 miles from SC in torrential rain with hwy exit signs barely visible. I pulled over into shopping area and bought a Nuvi 200 at Best Buy... it was the most expensive GPS I ever spent money on... LOL
Local tourist info centers and gas stations may still have maps available.
 
I'm a big planner & worrier. My last hunt in Wyoming I started to make a list of things I might need. A couple weeks before heading out I did a preload just to see how much space I would have. After trying to load up all the stuff I thought I might need I got a rude awakening. Got rid of half the stuff and had the hunt of a lifetime. No regrets. That said, prepare but as an old timer once told me, "don't get wrapped around the axle kid"


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