MVPA 2012 Alaska Highway Convoy

[73m819]

The idea is a FUN idea, but ,there is always a BUT, the cost, unless you have a LOT of money, who can afford the trip, let alone the time off, this is the thing I see in the MVPA , a LOT of retired folks into more of a car club. I may be wrong but I just don't see how the average person has the money to do .The cross country trip was different, you could hook up for a mile or 100+ miles.
The only thing that made the government convoys possible in the first place, was the UNLIMTED funds and resources, thay hauled with them full shops with a full stock of parts, I see broke trucks on the side of the road or left at camp sites with NO WAY to retrieve or fixing them. I see this trip costing at least $20000+ its better to take home the extra, non-spent funds then to be short because everything was figured down to the last dime, then loose a 50 cent washer.
Just my thoughts and

 

[Stalwart]

Is it ambitious? YES! Can it be done, sure. The key will be well serviced and maintained vehicles. They are doing a good thing by planning well ahead and giving people time to get their rigs into top condition. Got a weepy seal? Get it fixed BEFORE the trip. Not a noisy transmission? R&R the thing or choose another vehicle. The convoy itself should rather easy on vehicles and drivers. A slow pace for the driver to look at the sights? This is STUPID, the driver should be DRIVING the vehicle, anything less than full attention to driving is reckless. Have a co-driver to allow trading places and take turns taking in the sights. If I'm coming, I'll have a co-driver so we can take turns, there will be plenty to see!!!!!

Regarding the 915, that I believe, is an EXCELLENT choice. A friend of mine is considering it with a 900 series with a shelter on back as a living space. They use a modern engine and parts, although you shouldn't need any, are going to be the easiest to find. The cost of fuel and 6 weeks off work will probably the biggest obstacle for most people. This will probably be a trip for the retired or self employed.

I can't commit to it yet, but driving my lil HEMTT on such an adventure is VERY tempting! I have a hundred hours of work to get it ready, but I'll have a better truck in the end. I'm not looking forward to mounting 8 new tires though.

 

[Stretch44875]

When I first looked a this thread, I thought, "Wow, what a neat idea". Then realized I would take the M108 and a camper. Then the only way for me to do it sanely is to have the truck and camper shipped to the starting point, fly in, then shipped home from AK, and fly home. By the time it's all said and done, I'm at 8-10 grand.

I don't think it's a bad idea at all, just not workable for me. Would love to see Alaska some day.

Dennis

 

[blisters13]

2,700 miles from my house to Watson Lake, Yukon. Four 12-hour days to get there; $900 in fuel based on 10 mpg, $3.20/gal diesel.

I can see it now: "Hey wifey, I'm gonna go on a little road trip. Be back in about 3 weeks, and I'm only gonna spend about $2,500!!"

NOT!!!

MAN I hate doing the math.


Good luck to all you guys who ARE gonig!! Post plenty of pics!

 

[CatMan]

MVPA 2012 Alaska Convoy

As of Nov 1st there are 30 MV's signed up and paid to make the trip.

That includes at least three M35A3's and several M35A2's & M109 Vans. Also several 5 Ton's and trailers.

Plenty of people also getting WWII trucks ready. At least One WWII GMC CCKW is being shipped from Europe to Portland OR to make the trip.

It's gonna be one heck of a trip. With camp followers and chase vehicles there will be over 50 vehicles so far. Still plenty of time to sign up and get your rig ready.

Cat Man

 

[MWMULES]

I haven't signed up yet but I retire in April 2012 and was born in Alaska in a WWII surplus Quonset Hut. My dad was transferred to Luke AFB when I was 6mos old and have always wanted to go back. I was planning on a M109/rv but after doing the math I am going with M890 and M101A2 trailer. Dodge 318 with automatic 2X4 with plenty of parts still everywhere. Now I have to figure what to do for camper, home built under cargo cover in truck or trailer, S250 or try and find a CBC for a M101, got one for a M105 anybody want to trade??

 

[denubilo]

alcan12

I'm going to see if my M-2-4 likes Alaska.
The slow pace doesn't worry me I kinda like it.
I am sure they will bunch up the vehicles IAW to speed and the faster guys will get more visiting time.

 

[clinto]

If the pace is only going to be 25-30 mph, I think I will put some slightly taller tires on the mule, add a taillight and just take it.

 

[EMD567]

Gee, if I could get the time off, The Long Easy would be the perfect vehicle. There is enough room in the bed for a 3 room house, and she rides nice with the long wheelbase. I just can't take 6 weeks off from work to go.

 

[denubilo]

alcan12 with a mule

Add a rain suit, a camp fire, an air mattress, 15 degree sleeping bag and a bee keepers hat to the supplies for the mule and go for it!

Oh yeah do not forget a red flag on a pole ala the sand buggies!

It should all fit on the mule just put a wind reflector on the camp fire.

 

[MWMULES]

If the pace is only going to be 25-30 mph, I think I will put some slightly taller tires on the mule, add a taillight and just take it.

I got clocked in town doing 22mph on a mule and that was the most pucker factor I have had since my first free fall. At speed on hard surface with 10psi as suspension is the only time a mule is not a joy to drive.

 

[davidkroberts]

Ummm ..... 2500 miles from Tennessee to Dawson Creek . Then another 3400 miles at 35 mph +/- through northern Canada and central and south Alaska. Then another 2500 miles coming back to Tennessee.. Oh I so have to go.

I WONT be doing it in a M35/M818/GamaGoat/Unimog or anything else I couldnt get parts for. I think Ill take a M1009 with bumperpull camper or a M1008 with a truckbed camper. Im thinking a few fishing poles a mountain bike maybe a friend or two and the wife/kids this could be great. I think it would be way above my means in anything bigger than that. I fear having mechanical issues in a antique MV or even a more modern one like a M35A3 would be a parts nightmare and just awful on fuel.

I was thinking something like this pulling something like this would be much more doable and comfortable

 

[sirmrtow]

IM RETIRED NOW SO TIME IS NOT A PROBLEM
WILL HAVE MY DUECE THIS SPRING WILL CONVERT A 105 TO CAMPER
WIFE MAY WANT TO GO,KIDS ARE GROWN THIS COULD BE GREAT

 

[davidkroberts]

yeah i was thinking about that.... then i realised that the convoy itself is like 3 weeks long and im looking at 5 days up from tennessee and 5 days back. Thats a month and some change living out of the back of a cargo trailer and i think im gonna pass. Even a small bumper pull with almost no comforts is still better than a m35 cargo bed in the cold.

But to each his own i guess......

 

[area52]

Thats my problem also, too much time up and back plus the convoy itself. Not to mention the fuel costs and repairs needs to the truck itself beforehand.

Should not be too cold in Aug though even up in Alaska.

come on lottery!!!!!!!

 

[davidkroberts]

I dont think its going to be too cold at all....... in the trailer......

this way i can carry my fishing stuff and im not sure what the hunting seasons are in august for BC and Yukon but i will before then. Im making this a once in a lifetime trip.

 

[MWMULES]

Time is a issue for me also, so I am thinking on going up with the convoy to Anchorage then splitting off and coming back at my own speed.

 

[oldMan99]

August 2012...

Roughly 18 months from now. A year and a half.

Starting point (for me) Central Florida (Between Orlando and Tampa) Aprox 3,100 miles to Dawson Creek.

Well, this is something that I would definitely consider. In fact, I very much want to "Go all the way" Key West to Prudhoe Bay, (Roughly 5,500 miles)

I'm currently bidding on the vehicle that will be built into my MV RV/camper/road trip vehicle. If and I say "IF" I can buy it, overhaul, modify, build, test and "Personally certify" it is good to go in time I will definitely be joining.

I'll have plenty of time to put in for a leave of absence from work and get all my affairs in order to be gone for roughly 2-3 months.

One concern I have is that after funneling most of my disposable income into the build I'm not sure I'll have the reserve funds to finance the trip. Given another 6-12 months for the kick off date I would feel much more comfortable with the time frame but somehow I'm pretty sure the people in charge would be at least hesitant to postpone for 12 months...lol. Yes, I know there are other trips planned later but coast to coast (East to West) USA is not nearly as interesting to me as a trip to the frozen north.

I just spent the last hour or so reading this thread start to finish. Lots of comments noting good, bad and possible issues. Here are my personal thoughts...

I am not nor will I be retired at the time of this trip. This is not a weekend trip or even something that can be done on a typical 2 week vacation. However, I look at it this way; It will be an adventure! Due to the time and financial requirements of such a trip it is likely an adventure that I will only have the opportunity to do once in my lifetime. So it will take commitment from me. As noted above, the time is there to plan and arrange finances and work scheduling and if I am committed to such a personal project as a trip like this then I can either choose to do it or make 1,000 excuses why I can't. For me the 2 big variables will be can I build and prove the worthiness of the rig in time and will I be able to save the funds in time being that it will be so close to my (Hopeful) completion of the rig.

To pull this off I'll take a pass on the big screen TV I was thinking about. instead of taking 2 weeks of vacation to go to wherever , I'll stay home and work on the build. I can eat out a few less times a month and so on and so forth. Commitment or excuses?? Each person has to make that choice on their own...

Some of the issues I have read about in this thread: Time away from home/work, overall cost of trip, speed of travel, maintenance/break downs, and safety. I'll address those issues below.

First, a bit of a qualifier; I have been a member of the 2 largest brand related motorcycle groups there are. They are the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and the Gold Wing Road Riders (GWRRA). HOG is for owners of any Harley and I have owned several, my last few were full dress top of the line "Condo cruisers". The Goldwing is Honda's answer to the full dress Harley. Both the Goldwing and Harley Ultra Classic have a big engine, full upper and lower fairing, trunk, saddle bags, electronic cruise control, in helmet intercom, stereo and CB. In short, the best of the best.

Both HOG and GWRRA have world wide, national and local chapters. At one time I was active in both at the same time being on the demonstration riding "Drill Team" of both local groups, a Road Capitan and very active in most chapter activities, especially the monthly chapter rides.

I have ridden in groups of over 100 motorcycles without "Official" (LEO) escort and several groups well over 500 (At least 2x over 1,000) with LEO escort. The monthly rides were usually 50-150 miles, sometimes more, sometimes less. Riders of all skill levels were invited to join.

Annual State Rallys for both groups usually included large group rides to/from the rally in various locations through the state and frequently to other states to attend their state rally.

In both groups I heard every single one of the "issues, arguments, complaints" discussed so far in this thread. In each group and on ever ride there were people with excellently cared for and maintained rides and people with rides that you had to wonder if they were even going to start. There were people that would complain that the ride was to long, to short, to slow, to fast, to hot, to cold, to much traffic, not enough traffic, to many stops, not enough stops... the list goes on...

Let me say 2 things about the above because they both relate to the motorcycle group rides and to a trip like a convoy to Alaska, (or almost any other group ride/convoy for that matter):

First:

If your very set in your ways, you despise people that do not get up and out of bed by 0500 and are ready to go at 0615 you must drive at least as fast as the posted limit on all roads at all times and you must eat each and every day at precisely 1310 and 1625.. Well, a trip like this is NOT for you.

If on the other hand you do not mind being a bit flexible, you don't mind letting somebody else take the lead and are willing to pitch in to help set up the group kitchen and take a turn now and then on KP duty, if you don't mind falling out occasionally to help a broken vehicle get going, you don't mind getting up early and going with a lead group to help secure, establish and organize the next nights camping area, or occasionally being in the group that lags behind to police the trash and clean last nights area, then.... A trip like this is right up your ally!!


Second:

Equipment maintenance. If you take your MV out for a weekend and it breaks down 4 times on the 40 mile round trip, you have no serviceable spare tire, and your road tires are 20+ years old, the total contents of your tool kit is a small screwdriver, a hammer and a cell phone, you really don't know much about the mechanics of your vehicle and don't really want to know... Well, a trip like this is NOT for you.

If on the other hand you keep your vehicle in good shape, it rarely breaks down and when it does, you probably have the tools, spare parts and know how to get it going. Your road tires are in good shape, you have a good spare (Two or Three for a trip like this!), a good jack, maybe an electric or pneumatic impact driver, and a basic knowledge of the workings of your vehicle and are always up for learning more about it, you don't mind helping your fellow travelers work on their stuff, then.... A trip like this is right up your alley!

And finally, onto the issues:

Time away from home/work, overall cost of trip:

I already addressed these issues above, no need to repeat them here. Again, it comes down to commitment. Do you want to do it or not? If so, commit and make it happen. If not, quietly sit out and enjoy the discussion and trip through the postings and pictures of those that are going.

Speed of travel:

This was always one of the biggest issues with the motorcycle folks. There are several ways to "Fix" it. In short order those that like to go faster and those that like to go slower will find out who the others are that like to go comparable speeds and they will usually "Self group" together. As a Road Captain in my pre-ride drivers meeting we would have those people group themselves. As part of safety we would break the convoy or group size to no more than 10 bikes per segment. (More on that later) Those people that liked a faster speed would depart in the first group. Those that liked a slower speed would hang back and depart in the last group. Everybody else would go in between. That way the various groups would not run up into each other on the road and have to pass each other.

Another way around the speed issue is to simply "Ride with the group alone". What? Simple, if you like to cruise faster than the group can/will go, no problem. Simply let the ride officials know that you will be making the various stops, camping, eating and whatever with the group but you will be driving to them outside of the group. That way you can stay in camp later, take your time packing up, roll out when your ready and if you catch the group then you are just like any other vehicle out there on your own. Pass the group if you like or (By CB or phone) contact the group and let them know your going to fall in line. If you pass the group and arrive at the next stop early, great, you can if you like start prepping the area as needed.


Maintenance/break downs:
This is going to be a LONG DISTANCE TRIP. Simply put, "Have your vehicle properly prepared" There is no excuse for even thinking of bring a garage queen or a vehicle that you have not properly prepared. Nobody is going to mind and everybody will understand if your well preped vehicle has some kind of mechanical issue on the way and you will find more than enough fellow travelers willing to fall out and help.

On the other hand, when you get to day 3 and your vehicle has already had 4 issues forcing you to hold up the group your going to find is a very long trip indeed.

You don't need to completely rebuild every system on the truck and have a complete second truck in spare parts with you... BUT, when signing on for a trip like this you have a responsibility to everybody else on the trip to have done your very best to insure that you will not have a breakdown along the way. You also have the responsibility to have the spare parts that you reasonably think you might need. If you think you will just swing by GL, pick up your new ride, fuel up, throw in some grub and a sleeping bag.... Simply put, you need to bow out and stay home.

Safety:

I have no idea how the MVPA does it (But I will get their paperwork, read it and know and understand it - I know the GWRRA has a whole manual on how to set up, design and lead a ride and contingency plans for almost any issue that might come up while on the road, I suspect the MVPA has something similar)

That said, I am sure they have some sort of plan to deal with "Civilian" traffic on 2 and 4 lane roads.

I would not be at all surprised to find out they use many of the same procedures the "real" military uses. "Convoy ahead" signs, yellow flashing lights, breaking the group into smaller segments and setting them off 5 minutes apart and so forth.

Most if not all vehicles will have CB radios, some may even have HAM radios and just about everybody has a cell these days. Communication should not really be a problem.

I'm sure they will have some established procedure for what to do when the vehicle in front of you has a mechanical issue and is forced to pull over. Very likely there will be several people along who not only don't mind but enjoy helping out and these people will probably be detailed as chase/assist vehicles. I would not be surprised if somebody has a MV wrecker and a trailer to camp in. If needed they could have another truck take the trailer and they could tow a disabled vehicle to a repair point.

They probably have a plan for when they are on a 2 lane road and holding up traffic. My guess is that they roll for awhile then pull the group over to let traffic pass then roll again.

In short, these MVPA boys have been to the rodeo at least once before and I'm confident they have learned a thing or two about how to safely and successfully pull off a trip like this.

Now all of that said... I want to go, either in my own vehicle if I can get it ready in time and if not, then riding with somebody else if I can arrange it.

Now, assuming that I can not pull off my build and finance myself for the trip....

If you live in the lower 48, you have a MV capable of this trip, have a space to realistically sleep your party and me please let me know via PM. I'm willing to help with fuel and driving and if you have a flat I can probably be persuaded to get out and help...lol.

If you live in the lower 48 and want to go but can not take the time to drive to Dawson Creek I can drive my POV (or fly) to you and drive your MV to DC for you as long as I get to tag along for the rest of the trip and then I can bring the MV back home for you. Doing this you will not have to pay to ship your ride and you can go without having to take so much time off work/away from home. If this is of interest to you and a possibility, please PM me and we can discuss it.

Sorry this got to be so long, I hope you found it worth the time..... And I hope to see you there!

Old Man 99

 

[paulfarber]

That was a nice long post that really went is a bog ole circle.

You know what.. if the MVPA did something like, publish 'The Archives' (TACOM papers) they would get some credit from me. But seeing thats a 6+ year boondogle (and I'm sure all the really good stuff has already 'found a home') they are starting off in the hole.

Biggest issue: Who is this supposed to appeal to? The Lincoln Highway drive I could see, you were never really out of civilization (ok, mid-west is pretty lonely) but there is a whole lot of sameness in those forests. And add on to that the costs (fuel is how much in Canada? How much in AK?) Boarder issues, and the constant spectre of breakdown..... I can't see how a person can say 'good idea!' to a trip like this.

There is nothing in AK. Their biggest city (Anchorage) is a small town in the lower 48. You can't hunt, and fishing is probably illegal (my guess is everything is going to be some sort of sanctuary.. don't know, don't care) and NOBODY is going to know Canadian Provence Laws. They get goofy.

But seeing that the MVPA is really 'controlled' by a few dozen people that actually show up and vote they get these ideas... and thats that. 'The Membership' has decided... all 30 of them (that show up and want more than a magazine).

Go, don't go... I don't care. Its a really lame idea, that costs way more than any real vacation that you would enjoy, that will be full of people who really have nothing better to do than drive 8 hours a day at 45 MPH or whatever speed it is.

I can't wait for the next convoy idea... lets all drive to Normandy! No, wait, lets all drive to Chile! No wait, lets all drive to Japan and see where the bomb dropped!

 

[paulfarber]

In Whitehorse the average price PER LITRE of diesel is 1.229. That was the lowest. Most 'average community prices' are 1.30. I'll assume Canadan dollars per liter.

Yukon Gas Prices

The dollar is trading TODAY at 1:.98 (the Cn Dollar is worth more than a US dollar).

3.7lt per gallon = $4.55 per gallon.

You think that's gonna go up or down by next year?

Thats one heck of a vacation.. I could get into Disney for a week for one tank full on an M35.