A fool hardy plan (one day not soon)

[Malevolence4845]

As I spend my evenings toiling away in the Georgia heat and humidity, removing hat channel covers and rub rails to add my next piece of metal over the empty holes where a window sat. My mind drifts to future trips, where I'll go and what I may see. I came up with an absolutely fool hardy and dumb idea. I want to see the Artic Ocean (frozen or otherwise) which means a trip to Prudhoe bay, Alaska. Once my bus is finished, shakedown cruise taken and whatnot, I'll put it to the the test here in the lower 48, most likely Montana because Big Sky Country and Elk hunting would be a fantastic time with my father (I'd do Muzzleloader in December for that authentic frontier feel lol) Am I the only one who wants to go that far north? Has anyone who see's this done it before? I am keenly aware of the **** that cold temps of that nature would be on everything (man and machine) but I'm curious to see if anyone here also thought of that same trip (did someone say convoy? lol) besides the obvious of heated water tanks, fuel, block heaters and the sort what else would be a huge consideration to keep something operable at those extremes? Coldest I've seen would be -22F while hunting in Iowa but I know Alaska will hit -40 with no windchill at all.

 

[Rucker]

I just watched a youtube show about two guys taking the direct route across Nevada on motorcycle. Pretty insane .

But they just had to contend with heat and rutted roads. You're talking deep cold (I assume), and these buses are not designed for that.

Nor are they new vehicles. I remember how every year with the first really cold snap something on my car would break or fail. That would be your life. And you won't be able to get next day delivery or even delivery of Amazon parts up there in many places.

When I travel to the Southwest from Northern California, I either take my car or rent a car-I don't take the bus because it's expensive to run all those miles and a breakdown would put a crimp in the fun I plan when I get to those locations.

I wouldn't recommend mixing the bus travel with your Arctic dreams.

 

[cadillackid]

couple friends of mine just did the alaska highway in their van.. some of the roads they were on looked pretty rtight for any kind of full size bus to go on... they didnt encounter any really cold temps being summer and i dont think they went super far up.. they were far up enough for constant daylight.. I definitely wouldnt go in winter.. my brother lives in fairbanks and at some points during winter only airplanes and helicopters go some places.. and really far up you have a period of time where no supplies come in at all.. (fairbanks isnt that far up).. itsn ot only the cold but the wind.. and of course in winter time solar is 100% useless in alaska so you are burning fuel for everything..

 

[BamaBus]

May be wrong, but I believe he has tried twice and has yet to make it.

 

[Malevolence4845]

couple friends of mine just did the alaska highway in their van.. some of the roads they were on looked pretty rtight for any kind of full size bus to go on... they didnt encounter any really cold temps being summer and i dont think they went super far up.. they were far up enough for constant daylight.. I definitely wouldnt go in winter.. my brother lives in fairbanks and at some points during winter only airplanes and helicopters go some places.. and really far up you have a period of time where no supplies come in at all.. (fairbanks isnt that far up).. itsn ot only the cold but the wind.. and of course in winter time solar is 100% useless in alaska so you are burning fuel for everything..

There is some group that took a full size bus from the tip of South America all the way to the artic circle (in summer) which is insane to think about, so it is possible it seems. If I do it, it'll be summer more than likely, I just wanted to see what gets talked about issues wise. Which yes you're right on many points, with solar being useless and planes only (god bless bush pilots) IF (and I mean a big IF) I did it in winter I'd only go when truckers did, even then it's dangerous. Heck I've seen even rental Tahoe's have made it. I'm 1,000% going to Alaska for a Caribou hunt at least once in my life but, I'm not risking my bus (and by extension my own skin) for some bucket list item of an idea haha. That's years from now at least, for now I'll keep grinding, drilling, cutting, welding, and riveting away. Dreaming of future adventures :biggrin:

 

[Malevolence4845]

May be wrong, but I believe he has tried twice and has yet to make it.

I started watching him last night funny enough haha! Like I said full hardy and DUMB idea. I'll at least visit Alaska in the winter for a Caribou hunt once, and maybe try the drive up there in the summer (some crazy group drove a full sized bus from the tip of South America all the way to the Artic circle) so I know it's at least feasible in the summer. I wouldn't want to wreck my bus (and maybe...slightly get myself killed as well) over some bucket list type of idea.
Total sidetrack, have you seen his cabin video?? That thing is beautiful.

 

[Malevolence4845]

I just watched a youtube show about two guys taking the direct route across Nevada on motorcycle. Pretty insane .

But they just had to contend with heat and rutted roads. You're talking deep cold (I assume), and these buses are not designed for that.

Nor are they new vehicles. I remember how every year with the first really cold snap something on my car would break or fail. That would be your life. And you won't be able to get next day delivery or even delivery of Amazon parts up there in many places.

When I travel to the Southwest from Northern California, I either take my car or rent a car-I don't take the bus because it's expensive to run all those miles and a breakdown would put a crimp in the fun I plan when I get to those locations.

I wouldn't recommend mixing the bus travel with your Arctic dreams.

I'll more than likely (If I ever make such a trip) do it in summer, some crazy (cool) group took a bus from the tip of South America all the way to the Artic circle in summer so it's feasible it seems. I'll see how the bus does in an extreme cold area in the lower 48 before going to Alaska, I want to go once for a Caribou hunt but won't go much further north than that. Just a bucket list type of idea haha nothing concrete but if I feel like it wouldn't kill my bus (or me) we'll give it a crack. I won't do that trip alone for sure, be better to have more than one rig haha.

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

lets see what our Canadian members have to say.
they have more experience with those temps.

 

[nikitis]

I plan to go to Alaska. Not sure about the arctic circle but to the state at least, leaving from South Carolina. If you do the needful of good spray foam and a decent heater, 4 inch floors with 220 XPS and 3 inch of ceiling foam spray will give you your best shot at it

A South America trip would be cool too except itd require $8000 just to get past central America/South America border. $4000 each way.

 

[Shaqu]

That sounds like an epic adventure! I've never made it to the Arctic myself, but I know a few folks who’ve braved extreme cold. Besides the essentials like heated tanks and block heaters, make sure to invest in good winter gear for both you and your rig. Snow tires or chains are a must, and it’s smart to carry extra fuel and oil since it can get really thick in the cold. Also, having backup power sources or extra batteries can save you from a lot of headaches.

 

[kidharris]

As I spend my evenings toiling away in the Georgia heat and humidity, removing hat channel covers and rub rails to add my next piece of metal over the empty holes where a window sat. My mind drifts to future trips, where I'll go and what I may see. I came up with an absolutely fool hardy and dumb idea. I want to see the Artic Ocean (frozen or otherwise) which means a trip to Prudhoe bay, Alaska. Once my bus is finished, shakedown cruise taken and whatnot, I'll put it to the the test here in the lower 48, most likely Montana because Big Sky Country and Elk hunting would be a fantastic time with my father (I'd do Muzzleloader in December for that authentic frontier feel lol) Am I the only one who wants to go that far north? Has anyone who see's this done it before? I am keenly aware of the **** that cold temps of that nature would be on everything (man and machine) but I'm curious to see if anyone here also thought of that same trip (did someone say convoy? lol) besides the obvious of heated water tanks, fuel, block heaters and the sort what else would be a huge consideration to keep something operable at those extremes? Coldest I've seen would be -22F while hunting in Iowa but I know Alaska will hit -40 with no windchill at all.

You might run into some legal issues. In 1969 I tried to go to Alaska down the Alcan Highway/Alaskan Canada Highway. The cops wouldn't let me on the road, they said that I needed to have all of the rubber parts, way more fuel and enough crap to rebuild the car (1968 Camaro, 396, 4 speed, positrack) All I had was some dry food, water, a bunch of tools, and some gas cans. Not much of a plan (typical 19yo) The car was full. They said it was a 2000 mile dirt road full of washboard and potholes with no where to buy anything. It is all paved now, gps, cell phones, satellite internet, and S O S rescue services. Point is you need a good/better plan. It is a different world.



That said, a lot of people do Alaska now in RVs, so it is doable.


The Artic Circle also has some daylight issues. More Planning & Research.



Good luck. The convoy sounds easier

 

[Kentucky Dreaming]

Loved my 1970 Chevelle with 392 and cowl induction hood

 

[Gyrkin]

I drive school bus for a living and live in northern Wyoming, so I have some experience driving busses in extreme cold. At -40 most older busses, even with a block heater, will give you trouble about starting. The newer busses, with deck plate heaters and such, are better about starting when it's that cold. Your best bet would be to have a block heater and also a Webasto heater. Between the two you should be able to get an older bus started at -40

Other than getting it started your biggest worry will be diesel fuel gelling up. If the temp are 0F or below go with number 1 diesel, or at least a 50%/50% blend of number 1 and number 2. Note number 1 diesel cost more and gives less power therefore lower milage.

 

[kidharris]

Loved my 1970 Chevelle with 392 and cowl induction hood

I lost a street drag race in the Camaro to a Chevelle SS 396, but he sent 3 pushrods thru his hood doing it. He said it was an old engine and everything was a bit loose in tolerances.

 

[kidharris]

I drive school bus for a living and live in northern Wyoming, so I have some experience driving busses in extreme cold. At -40 most older busses, even with a block heater, will give you trouble about starting. The newer busses, with deck plate heaters and such, are better about starting when it's that cold. Your best bet would be to have a block heater and also a Webasto heater. Between the two you should be able to get an older bus started at -40

Other than getting it started your biggest worry will be diesel fuel gelling up. If the temp are 0F or below go with number 1 diesel, or at least a 50%/50% blend of number 1 and number 2. Note number 1 diesel cost more and gives less power therefore lower milage.

interesting and usefull info