Planning an ice road trip for work. What should I bring?

New to TacomaWorld so let me know if this is the best forum to post this.

I am planning a 1 year work trip to a northern indigenous reserve that is only accessible by ice road or airplane. This will be a 24+ hour drive. I am told the ice road portion could take 4-6 hours depending on conditions. I am told that minivans can do this trip if the conditions are good.

I am planning on staying practically stock as I will not be taking much chances with any significant off roading while up at the reserve. I do not want to take any risks of becoming stranded but I may be asked to travel between some near by reserves for emergencies.

Truck :
2021 TRD OR DCSB
Practically stock except:

• 265/75r16 KO2's
• Rock sliders
• ARB front tow point
• Leer cap
• Roof rack on cab and cap
• Planning on installing which ever radio is most commonly used up there

Recovery gear:

• Straps
• Hi-lift jack
• Recovery boards
• Chain saw
• Shovel
• VIAIR 400P-Auto
• Tire patch kit
• NOCO Boost Plus GB40 (potentially GB70)

Emergency/survival:

• First aid kit + nurse wife
• Fire extinguisher

What 3rd gen Tacoma parts/supplies would you bring on something like this?

• Murphy's law might make it so I don't have the right part no matter what.
• Maintain/replace/refill everything before leaving.
• Upgrade battery before leaving - higher cold cranking power

Any good links for extensive tool lists for my 3rd gen?


Any other suggestions?

• PLB or Sat-phone
• Winter camping supplies
• Deicer spray
• Tire chains
• Spare gas lots
• Spare wiper blades
• Block heater and battery blanket
• Bear spray (check if rez allows it)

 

How many dogs do you have?




I'd think about a PLB or sat-phone as backup to the radio.

 

A candle and a beanie

 

I have 2 huskies. Your image isn't working on my end. I am planning on bringing them with my sled to get some dog sledding in as well.

Good point about a PLB or sat-phone. Will add that to my post. Thanks

 

Prepare yourself for -40F survival gear.

I wouldn't pack a load of parts. Murphy will make sure the part that breaks isn't the part you have on hand.

I'd just pull full maintenance on all items, replace anything that is questionable or nearing end of life. Prep the truck for starting after long shutdown periods in -40F, specifically battery and ALL fluids.

Suggest watch a few episodes of Ice Road Truckers paying particular intense attention to the weather conditions. Build a mindset to survive at least 24 hours in severe cold and wind chill without heat or shelter.

 

Tire chains
Block heater
Windshield fluid that won't freeze
Space blanket

 

Good point about the parts and maintenance. I am told that getting something mailed there is actually not that bad. I would just need to make sure everything is good to leave the next winter.

I am told the batteries are the biggest issue up there. I was planning on bringing a backup and keeping it inside as a back up for the year I return.

I have some experience with winter camping and was thinking of getting a nice canvas tent and wood stove to camp up there but also for emergencies.

 

curious what you do that requires this trip!

 

Wife is a nurse. They regularly fly her in and out periodically but would be willing to do a 1 year contract.

I am just a bum that wants to make an adventure out of it and will do any work they ask me to do.

They also have an overpopulation of dogs mostly huskies. I might bring a dog trailer similar to the one pictured below. I have some experience dog sledding and am connected to a local husky rescue.

 

So I was looking over your list again. Is the

$100 NOCO GB40 1000A UltraSafe Car Battery Jump Starter, 12V Battery Pack, Battery Booster, Jump Box, Portable Charger and Jumper Cables for 6.0L Gasoline and 3.0L Diesel Engines, Gray

NOCO GB40 something you already have, or are you planning to get? I would think about doubling capacity to GB70, strictly because cold weather diminishes available draw on a battery.

 

I already have the GB40. I got it for my winters/camping out here in in eastern Ontario. I'll look into the GB70 to be safe. The wife says people are constantly boosting each other up there so would be nice to have some good reliable tech to simplify that.

 

thats really cool.

My squadron in the AF Reserves would often go up to Alaska and help people in the villages and stuff, I never got to go because apparently no one up there needs physical therapy... it was all dental and general medical work, unfortunately for me.

 

We hope to eventually go for NWT or Yukon. It is beautiful where she works now in northern Ontario but would really like some more mountainous terrain.

I've worked in a mental health hospital for 10+ years as an orderly and admin now so the leaders there say come up and there won't be a shortage of work for me. I'm sure you could find a reason to go outside of the reserves even if it's not specifically your profession.

 

It's not the ice road part that I'd be worried about, it's the rest of the roads which are primarily loose chip rock. I would get some LT tires, E-rated. Heaviest duty you can find.

Also make sure to bring your supplies for whatever oil changes you will have to do. My buddy who for a while lived in Northern Labrador in a remote village tells me an oil filter can be $70 up there.

 

Fun stuff:
Wildlife photography
Make a documentary about your trip (camera, digital recorder, etc.)
Gold prospecting equipment (Metal detector, basic pan and shovel, etc.)
Drone and good cameras for scenic photography
Kayaks or Canoe?
Art supplies (painting, drawing, etc.)
Books you wanted to read
etc...

Solar panels and a lithium battery powersource (for the right seasons when there is a sun)
Extra lights
Small generator
Good shovel
Spray deicer for door locks and rear brake drums (try not to use the parking brake when parked in cold weather)
Ducted 12v diesel heater (ducted so the exhaust stays out) -

12V 5KW Diesel Air Parking Heater Air Heating LCD Switch Thermostat for Truck Boat Caravans Campervans w/Silencer

https://www.amazon.com/Parking-Ther...gid=pla-851768415824&ref=&adgrpid=92996539388
(or get a mini electric one and use the generator outside - both are safer when used in the truck if sleeping in it)

Bear spray (If allowed in Canada and on the Rez)
Bear proof food storage containers (your truck won't stop them)

 

Beer & Doobies.....

 

Lol no go up there

 

I have BFG K02's. Seems to be what a lot of the locals have up there from the recon my wife has done. Anything wrong with those in your opinion?

Supply list has spare oil and oil filter in case but I will also do one right before leaving my last stop before the ice roads. Hoping to not have to do one before I return.

My wife says they would probably give us 1-2 flights home to resupply in the summer which is nice but I want to try to make it without.

 

I have some of those on my list but spray deicer is a good idea.

Good point about checking if the Rez allows bear spray. Was planning on bringing some hunting rifles but bear spray is apparently the way to go under stress.

 

I updated the list see my post again...