I put this is in the Pac Northwest section, but traffic seems light over there, so I thought i would try the general section as well.

Hello all - Looks like Uncle Sam is wanting me to live in Alaska soon, I have a 02 C5 that I plan on towing behind my truck (04 Nissan Titan 4x4) and I was curious if anyone else has made this trip towing a vette, and if they could give any words of advice or point me in the direction of resources etc.
I plan on being there in Jun 09, so I have some time to prepare and get what I need.

Some initial questions I have:

Drive the whole way or take the Ferry? Pros and Cons of each?
Best way to protect the vette during the tow? I don't think I will be able to afford an enclosed trailer, so should I cover her or ?

Suggestions or lessons learned would be great.

Thanks, I appreciate the help
Steve

 

Ill wave if I see ya when you drive through Fort St John!

(BTW I towed my vette on a trailer from here to Vancouver Island, it will get dirty!)

 

Dude I'm doing the exact same thing from San Antonio June 09 (most likely last week of May) as well, going to Eielson. I'll be watching the answers to this thread!!

Where driving the whole way, planning on using a uhaul trailer and pullin it with my Z71 hoe

I do know you never want to put a cover on a trailered car unless its inclosed. It will rub a hole in the paint from the wind.

Looks like 2 more C5s in the state!
Jeff

 

Try posting on the alaskamotorsports.com forum. Some guys there may be able to provide some help.

 

You might to try and PM a gentleman who's Forum name is Alaskanpilot. He recently did this I think this past May or June. I believe he shipped his though. He could most likely give the pro's and con's. Good luck.

 

When i went to Alaska I shipped my truck there. When I left I drove back. Bring cash, cards, figure out the exchange rate and just in case, bring some cold weather sleeping gear. That way if you break down you can stay warm. Take plenty of bottle water and lots of pics. Have fun

 

Alaska is great.

 

Steve, where in Alaska? I know some people on the "Inside" that might be able to help!

 

Wow Steve, that's quite a move! Good luck and I hope you're back soon!

 

WOW a vet with SNOW TIRES!! I think a bra for the front would be a good idea along with the biggest mud flaps you can use on the truck!!

 

WOW a vet with SNOW TIRES!! I think a bra or a heavy layer of painters tape for the front would be a good idea along with the biggest mud flaps you can use on the truck!!

 

We Okies will miss ya! Have fun.

-Alex

 

best of luck with your move

 

I most common thing I see of motorhomes towing vehicles that come to Alaska are some kinda of rock guard/screen on the front of the car. need to protect your windshield even if you cover your car. You may want to check to see how much it would be to rent a trailer from U-haul. good luck on the trip. welcome to Alaska.

 

Hi Steve,

Sounds like an exciting move coming up... where up here are you headed? I'm guessing you are military... Elmendorf perhaps? I live two miles from that AFB and often see the fighters out doing their thing from my balcony. Cool stuff!

Now, as far as the drive up, regardless of towing a vehicle, there are multiple options for routes through NW Canada. One popular option is to drive to Prince George, BC (located right in the center of the Province) and then take the Yellowhead Hwy (Hwy 16) West to Prince Rupert. From there, you can load onto a ferry up to Haines, AK and then drive the rest of the way back. This cuts out a LOT of miles, but the ferry isn't cheap, especially with two vehicles. The ferry that would do this is the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System.

During the drive, you should expect both vehicles to get incredibly dirty. The AK Highway is always under construction in at least several spots, which can result in miles of dirt/gravel/mud, often behind pilot cars. There are more bugs along the AK highway than in the rest of the world combined, so expect enough splatters to make you puke. Make sure to have a good spare or two, emergency supplies, and a copy of The Milepost as well as other maps from AAA or similar. Cell reception is spotty at best so be aware of that. I've driven the Alaska Highway about 15 times so if you have any questions when the time comes closer, just let me know.

If you want my recommendation, I'd suggest towing the Vette to Seattle, then take it to Alaska Auto Transport and let them barge it to Anchorage. I shipped my Vette up here through them in April, and could not be more pleased with their service. $1160 total, and no deposit required for shipping Northbound. Your Vette arrives right in midtown Anchorage about 11 days later, shipped in an enclosed container, and their loading equipment allows vehicles to be loaded and unloaded without anyone needing to turn on the car on or even be sitting inside during the process (i.e, no door dings from the guy trying to get into or out of a vehicle inside a container). If you ship the vehicle, it will save you a lot of hassle with having to tow it, not to mention its much safer for the Vette

You might also want to contact forum member Quil, who drove his Vette up this past summer. He has traveled the Highway more recently than I, and should have some more current info! If you must tow it, however... just cover it up real good, with a HEAVY car cover, not something flimsy that rocks could fly through. Also look into rock/gravel guards for the front of the trailer you tow it on; and make sure you have good mudflaps on the truck so you don't kick up your own rocks into your vette's bumper.

Keep me informed as the time draws near and I'll do what I can to help ya out. I know the cost of shipping the vehicle might sound prohibitive, but give it serious thought... you've got 9 months to work this out and you'll be free of a lot of additional risk from towing it.

Jason

 

Thats a pretty good deal on the car shipping, considering the amount of gas it would cost and time. I hope to leave alaska someday and see the rest of the world i'd probably do that. As for the parks hwy it is defitnly under construction and the bugs are quite noticable when youve got a layer of them on the bumper. The good part is the nice long straightaways and the scenery. And the fact no one can pass you if you slam on it.

 

Thanks for all the input guys - for those that asked, I am military (both wife and I) moving to Elmendorf AFB (Anchorage). I do have some time to prepare and after reading posts on here and talking to some peoples that have made the trip, Im leaning to having the car shipped. It is free and insured, and it sounds like they do a good job taking care of peoples property. Of course I will worry anyway
I just picked p a copy of the Milepost and I have been reading it and the more I read the more excited Im getting, it is going to be a long trip but it sounds like it is going to be exciting as well - I look forward to the challenge.
Im sure as time draws near I will have more questions, I appreciate everyones input and help so far - Thanks

 

Steve sorry to see ya go man.....maybe you will come back some day in the near future try and stay warm

 

Steve,
If you have the car shipped you'll find life a lot easier... being able to make this drive without having to worry about towing/damaging a Vette, and leaving it unattended at night, is going to make your first trip that much better. There's a lot of awesome things to see along the way, some off the beaten path, that you really can't drag a trailer down so well! I hope everything goes well in preparation for the move, and it sounds like you've already began doing the homework so I'm sure you'll have an excellent time. Have you been up here before?