Sleeping inside the truck (Winter camping) heating needs

I dont know about you guys but i have never had an ounce of trouble starting my truck even when the temp was -10F. The only difference is it makes a whining noise for a second upon starting it. Of course, this isn't the middle of Alaska and i won't be in deep shit if it doesn't start......

 

We have both diesel and gas rigs up here and you can get both. The gas station does take card, everywhere up here does and we also have ATMs if needed. I'm not sure what hotels are listed in MilePost, but the two readily available will be Aurora Hotel and Prudhoe Bay Hotel. Aurora is only a couple years old and has everything you could need, but will be expensive. I have no idea what the going rates are as I'm here for work and the rooms are provided. PBH is older but still comfortable. There will be plenty of plug-ins for your rig if you get a heater of any kind. No indoor parking anywhere. I run a gas Ford up here and we don't idle ours overnight unless its less than -30, we do try to plug them in any time they'll be sitting, though. There aren't any campsites in Deadhorse. You can park just about anywhere overnight as long as you're out of the way. There are a couple you can stop at on your way north of Fairbanks, I know of one by the Arctic Circle and another at Happy Valley which is a few hours south of Deadhorse. Nothing will have running water in December unless it has indoor facilities, though. Honestly, if you have some carhartt overalls and throw them on when you get to Deadhorse, you could probably sneak into most camps and at least get a hot meal at breakfast or dinner. There are always new faces moving through up here.
This is what it's looking like up here tonight and we haven't even hit October yet...
Good luck!

 

I read quickly tthrough here and I felt like I needed to emphasize: Don't heat a car cabin with a propane heater. Ever. People have died from heating their homes with BBQ (propane ones) during the 1998 ice storm in Qc.

Also, you should do some math about power consumption because gas isn't cheap in Alaska. Yes the car's engine running all night will mean plenty of heat but I'm fairly sure a small genny could run with less fuel and provide with enough heat for a night.

Or pack more batteries and electric blankets (but I've read that they aren't all made equals. As in "cheap ones could burn...").

But MANY explorers sleep in very cold temps without heaters. If the 2 morons from Top Gear can sleep in a tent at the north pole without heaters, pretty sure anyone of us can.

I envy your trip! Good luck!

 

Unfortunately, people confuse propane catalyst heaters with regular propane heaters.

Catalyst heaters have no flame, but uses a chemical reaction, giving off harmless carbon dioxide and water. That is why they can be used indoors and in tents.

Regular heaters require a dangerous open flame, and can be a source of carbon monoxide.

Know the difference!

 

I have a propane ventless fireplace in my house.

 

Co2 isn't harmless. If the tent isn't vented you still could have trouble.

In such a small place and remote location, i wouldn't push m'y luck.

 

I spent a few 6 week stints up at Ft McMurray, Alberta while getting mining machines repaired (24/7 jobs) - and some were in Dec / Jan (actually more than a few). You will want to run your truck all of the time - and you will want a good way to block the radiator. Gas won't be cheap and you will use a lot of it. Block heaters are nice - but sometimes you need a 50 ft. extension cord. Best cold outfit I ever saw (in eastern Siberia) routed all of the rad water through the cab first.......... the Russians weren't stupid.

It will be dark nearly all of the time, so plan for it. Get a trouble light that runs on a 12v extension cord so you can see what the hell is wrong and keep spare batteries (warm) for your hand lights. A headband set-up can help in some circumstances.

Own (or borrow) and know how to fit tire chains (do a trial fit before you go or need them) - I always carried mine in tough, empty "ventilated" anti-freeze containers (nice handles) - four tires worth. A couple of chunks of 2x6 about 10 inches long to park a pair of wheels on (while leaving the chains free to fit) will save a lot of swear words. Have bungees that work to keep them from whacking your truck. Know if your tires are a compound that can work (well) in sub-zero, some will flat spot every time you stop for an extended period and then fight when you want to roll. My 4x4 outfit had tires fitted in Ohio - by a "fleet expert" - he was an idiot. But.... it did have a 32 gallon tank which was very nice.

Put some high energy food away in the cab that will keep you powered up when things get tough. In a crisis - you will burn a lot of calories - don't risk thermal shock, you won't think straight. Good luck - I don't think I'd try this on my first go, myself..... Did you consider trying it in July (when the sun never fully sets)?

 

Thanks and appreciate your response!!!!
MilePost lists four hotels and a semi hotel?; PBH, Aurora(I prefer this as it has views of lake Olivia), Arctic O hotel, Deadhorse camp(semi hotel?) and BlackGold DeadHorse lodge.
I have these specific questions(sorry):
a) I want to drive on frozen Ocean or a lake (the size of football field is fine as well) but I need to tick mark this. Any thoughts?
b) Making hot water from snow/ice is not a problem for me( assuming I end up camping). I will bring a portable heater coil...and there are some free dump stations listed on Milepost(down south). Now, the question is, are there any restrooms that is open to "public/truckers"? In other words, non paying campers at Deadhorse "city" in general?
c) Internet and phone service: I have two cell phones (one is on ATnT service and other on Verizon). Will any of these work? Does NANA station or any hotel have free internet(too much to ask?).

 

Ya, but those two morons had a budget the size of Africa's GDP and they were flow back home from the pole. Technically, they did not complete the journey! but I hear you and it should be doable...
On the other hand, I like "Long way Down" and "Long way around" better(in terms of overlanding)....hats off to Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor.

 

You won't be able to get onto the ocean up here without BP clearance as its part of the oil field. There are plenty of lakes in the Fairbanks area that should be frozen over by then. Definitely ask someone local about the condition of the ice before driving onto any ice, though.
Most camps(hotels) have public restrooms, but I'm not sure about finding a shower without a room. And I'm not sure what you'll find along the Dalton. Also, you'll hear people refer to the Dalton as the Haul road. They're the same.
Just about all of them have free internet in their chow hall. I have AT&T and we have 4g everywhere in Deadhorse and LTE in the majority of the state. Verizon doesn't have great coverage statewide and from what I've heard they are mostly 3G, with LTE in Anchorage and maybe Fairbanks.

 

Great advice imho.

A close friend of mine and his hunting buddy died in a camper van using a propane heater.

I have decades of experience climbing and camping down to minus 50 degrees, at which point C or F doesn't matter.

I would never sleep with a heater running. No need. Dress up. Be fed and watered. Layer up with blankets quilts or sacks. It's all about loft or dead air space. If you are not packing it on your back, fancy doesn't matter.

However, it is warmer on the ground with no air blowing under you. Think about that if it gets truly cold.

As for the RTT crowd...

Peter

 

Exactly! A fine idea in the right climate.

(Mind, I abandoned the whole roof top idea back in the 90's when I needed a pee in the night after a few beers and fell down the stupid ladder!)

 

Thanks Peter, The only form of heat inside the cab will be from the truck running or a electric heater running off of my generator running 30 feet away. So heat problem is solved but I'm now onto solving running water and much more basic "restroom" issues....

 

For fuel and stay, I have no option but to pay using credit card. The phone will be switched off except for my office phone that has coverage in Canada.

 

I have solved the lighting problem in bed and the cab. I have a LED spot light that will hook up to the truck inverter in the bed(and a head band LEDs that I use all the time to walk around). I plan on pulling the battery off my Ford F 350 dually (two of them since it's a diesel )and use that as spare/backup.
As far as chains, I will wing it until I reach Fairbanks and then decide to buy or not. My tires are all stock BF Goodrich A/T, I guess they are "ok"???
I thought about doing it in July along with all other tourists but that is not fun, is it? The sense of adventure and overlanding is lost when you pull up to a tourist center...

 

Did I miss how you intend to make hot water from snow and ice?

 

Quite a bit but mostly on motorcycle. So, in terms to "stuff" to take with me, a truck is an amazing tool. This is in many ways an upgrade to me!!!

 

Melt small quantity using stove in bed of the truck (basic propane stove- old faithful) and then move that hot water to home depot bucket(I will have three) and use heating coil(running from generator)...put more ice/snow until desire.

 

Have you posted a list of items you are bringing along for this trip?

I would like to see a list of gear, assuming you're open to helpful critiques and questions.