Sleeping inside the truck (Winter camping) heating needs

The 1st item you need to get in order to stay warm overnight regardless of any heating would be 2 sets of Military grade polypropylene thermal underwear, top & bottoms, socks, gloves & balaclavas. Can be bought online or at any military surplus store. Having a 2nd set means you can stay warm while washing the other or for some stupid reason the set you have on gets wet. Best investment I've ever made for cold weather years ago.

 

This is what I just did for lighting. These are just inexpensive under the counter led lights meant for a kitchen. I have them on two circuits with dimmers. The ones over the tail gate are for cooking etc. Th two at the fron t for hanging out.

I need to work on a better way to vent my cab. For now I open the window in the front and have the side doors cracked by having the doors latched open. It is not enough!

You can see that the side doors have no glass and are insulated. All of the cap is lined. Were I planning an extended winter trip I would ut foam for all the roof sections.


Sounds like a great idea for a trip. When you get back you will be the expert and can tell all of us how to do it.


Bring some good books!


Peter

 

Pro tip: Wiggy's is a shit bag, Jerry Wigutow is a crook and a liar.

Also, I suggested a few pages back that OP buy an EN rated bag with a comfort level being the minimum temps he should expect. Which is the only sleeping bag purchase I would suggest.

I suggest you do a little more reading on sleeping bags and EN temp ratings.

For someone on a budget and planning to be in -20F, telling them consider a sleeping bag that I wouldn't take out in the spring time in my town is pretty reckless advice. If someone can't spring for a bag that is appropriate, then they shouldn't be camping at -20F. That's better advice - Don't camp that cold if you can't afford to do it safely.

It's his life to be lost. Act accordingly.

 

I've only skimmed most of the posts, but the trip from Fairbanks to Deadhorse is not a major excursion into the wilds of Alaska. It's a high traffic road that sees LARGE amount of 18 wheelers. Winter is when we have all the ice roads to remote drilling locations, which means it's the cheapest time of the year to transport large quantities of supplies (fuel, food, equipment). Not to mention when the majority of exploration drilling occurs on ice pads to minimize ecological impacts.

Working out of Deadhorse for the better part of 10 years, I have to admit that I've never driven the whole road, but all I would plan for is an unexpected breakdown. If your idea is to just stay one night, spend it at The Aurora if you can find a room. Otherwise I would recommend the Prudhoe Bay Hotel across from the Alaska Airlines terminal. For driving the Haul Road/Dalton Highway I would recommend added fuel for emergencies and return trip to FBX (its expensive in Deadhorse), a warm sleeping bag and blankets, warm clothing, full size spare tire w/tools, snacks, and perhaps some Aux lighting as it will be dark 24/7 at that point in time. I would power through it and drive without stopping to camp, it will only be miserable and cold and completely unnecessary. If you have mechanical problem and are stranded on the road there should be plenty of traffic to get help.

My work truck is an F250 diesel with a Wabasco heater, it does perfectly fine completely stock throughout the year. Just plug it in at night, let it warm up in the morning. When it's colder than -30F we just leave it running over night, but that's just due to the diesel, all gas engines we shut off.

If I were to drive up there in my personal rig (I have thought about it), I wouldn't do much of anything beyond what I've already done, which is put in a block heater and good tires.

Hope some of this helps, if you have any questions feel free to PM me.

 

You should consider having a GOOD CB radio so you can monitor conditions and communicate in the event you need assistance.

 

Do you guys think that the plug-in outlet in the tailgate of the truck will have enough amperage to power an electric blanket?

 

Oh man that looks crazy nice. But I think you are missing master bath there..

 

Done.

 

Even if it did, you'd have to run the truck. If you do that...you might as well use the truck's heater.

 

Neat! I always wondered what the inside of a commercial cap looked like.

 

I won't be in the cab

 

Slide open the back glass!

 

This model doesn't have the hole in the back of the tent like the older model did
I'm thinking about just getting a small electric heater and doing a remote start system in my truck so whenever I get cold I can just start up the truck and turn on the heater without having to get out of the tent

 

I am pretty sure there is a chain of motel type places up there that are as close as you can get. At least there used to be.

They're called "Motor Inn" which is a bit of a play on both Motorin' and Motor In. They basically have a dozen or so pull in "rooms" that you drive into. They have full hook ups for electric and are basically little heated garages. Free WiFi also.

 

IIRC, pets are no problem but must be leashed on the property, inside the room itself is free reign.

 

I boiled water and put it in empty plastic bottle and put a sock over it and slept with them all around the bed. kept us very warm in side the blanket.

 

I'm sure there is. Anywhere it's cold and there are roads it's a fair likelihood.

 

Make sure the lid is tight.

 

Well, you're in for a hell of an adventure!

A few tips if I may,

1. Water, yes brings lots. You get dehydrated in the cold faster then you think. As well, just sitting in an air conditioned cab, with the the heat on. It will be drying the air constantly. You need to drink water constantly.

2. Water, again. Remember. Water supplies left in the truck overnight, will be very frozen the next day. And depending on where they are or the size of containers etc. They will stay frozen and take a long time to thaw.

3. Heat and sleeping. Beware of CO2 poisoning. Self evident I won't delve into it. But be careful. -45 with a 50 mile an hour wind cooling you down will make things look awful tempting if you in a bad spot.

Ok. Now to be the bad guy on here and start giving you some, things to think on....

4. Plan for the worst... You're in the haul road. You started when you shouldn't have. The road gets closed due to blowing winds and snow. It continues for 5 days. It's dark for 5 days. There is no sunlight. You're in the ditch on the side of the road half way up. The truck is broke and won't run. The generator froze up and won't run. You are now in survival mode. In Alaska. In the Arctic. In January. It's -47, there is a 40+ mile an hour wind giving the windchill a rating of -72. Everything in the box of the truck is frozen solid. Food. Water. Propane. Yes propane will freeze/not gas and not flow. Diesel will gel at those temps. Plastic anything in or on the truck or with you will be brittle and break. You could be in a bad spot. No one else will be traveling the road until the weather improves. It happens. Be prepared.

5. Spend the money on the one thing you need and want. A good sleeping bag. A survival bag. Look up Woods 5 Star. Buy one. They are not cheap. They are not light. They will save your life. Plan on $1000. Forget Walmart or any other cheap chain. Go to an outfitter store.

6. You will not make the driving times you are thinking of. Weather, roads conditions, bad roads, darkness will slow you down.

7. Get a good set of winter tires. Leave the BF's for the summer trip. Bring two (2) ready to go spares. Bring cans of spray inflators for tires. The BF compound gets too hard, not great on icy roads. Tires can make or break this trip for you. Don't worry about chains. You're not hauling anything behind you. Studded winter tires are even better. Buy a set in northern BC on your way.

8. Forget the CB radios. They were outdated years ago. No one uses them. All truckers use VHF/UHF radios. And the range on them is useless. Wasted money.

9. Rifle. Some do. Some don't. I do. Always. Watch for bears. Bears are a nasty way to go. But if you're not venturing off the beaten path too much. I wouldn't get hung up on this one. But, You never know if your walking back out... But like I said. This is for the worst case scenario. I carry a 45-70 Marlin Gvt.

10. Most important to remember! The north ain't cheap. Form food, to gas, to emergency repairs, to supplies before you leave. etc etc etc.

11. A good knife. Various uses. I have a few. And multi tools. Garber make the best multi tool, operated by one hand in a mitt.

12. A traditional Coleman stove. Small. Compact. And works well. Cook canned food in the cans.

13. Sat phone can be handy if you break down.

14. Anti gravity battery kit. Some one else mentioned it. I started carrying one a couple of years ago. It's worth it. I use it more for my cell phone than anything. I'd bring along a good booster kit as well. Dual batteries are nice in the truck if you can.

15. Lights. Get a few extra lights on the truck if you can. It makes a nice difference.

16. Extra fuel. If you have the room. Enough to fill it up. That way, no matter where you go, a full tank got you there, and it should get you back. Plus a little extra if you plan on a generator.

17. Light synthetic oil. Mobil 1 or equivalent.

18. Winter cover for front grille. Don't use a pizza box. You can order them online. Get one that can be removed and has vents you can open if you get warmer weather.

19. Re read number 5.



Depending how far off the path you go...

Survival gear. Water proof matches. Compass. Map of area. Light (keep it close to keep batteries warm until you need it) the usual stuff... List is too long.

Good winter gear. Think Canada Goose or equivalent. There is a reason it's expensive and used at the poles and expeditions. It works. Personally I live in the stuff. But, Like I said it ain't cheap. I also use Reima gear. Good stuff too. Again. Not cheap.

Good gloves, hat, boots. You might want to get out and explore, or walk somewhere. Again. -45 and blowing wind. Is bitterly cold. You will get frost bite quickly. Your ears will literally freeze off in those temps. Again. Plan for the worst.

Survival book. SAS Survival guide is a good one. Or Hawkes.

This list could go on for days... You'll figure it out as you go!


Summary:

The two things you will want and need, is a good sleeping bag and a good set of winter/snow tires. I mean this when I say it. Get good ones. Don't skimp on these.

And everything will freeze up on you!


Good luck with it, seriously great adventure. Most people will go to the Caribbean or somewhere. You on the other hand, will do something most never even dream of, and see and experience what most never will. Spend time looking at the northern lights. Bring a good camera.

And remember. Where you are planning on going, is not a camping trip. It is the Arctic. It can be extreme. Yes there will be other people there. In some cases lots of other people. But hey are there for work and are supported by large companies, friends and family. You will be alone. On you're own. No support. Plan for the worst. Be safe and be prepared. Good planning now is essential. And don't worry about if you over packing or over planning.

There is a lot of advice being given that will not work so well... Careful, what you read.

 

#5 -I got the army surplus double sleeping bag rated at -35F.
#8 - The REI site does not list VHF/UHF specific radios. Is this what you referring to: http://www.rei.com/search.html?q=two-way+radios&ir=q:two-way+radios&page=1
Can you post a link? or this

$18 BAOFENG UV-5R VHF/UHF Dual Band Radio 144-148MHz 420-450MHz Transceiver

http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480Mhz-Transceiver/dp/B007UYKG4E
#13 - How does this work and can I just rent one in Fairbanks?
#18 -I was enquiring this before as well. where do you buy these?