Running produce to Alaska

Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by vikingswen, Feb 15, 2014.

  1. 49statemurphy

    49statemurphy Bobtail Member

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    Worked in Alaska on afognak island logging driving 1974 kenworth lowboy kta
    600 15spd main box 4 speed progressive
    Browny box, loved it did it for 4 seasons been back lower 48 for 3 years. About ready to go back, Alaska is a great place and still has a lot of old school values! Work hard and be around people who also work hard and help each other out like it should be! If you don't have good mentality you get ran off,,, been driving 21 years and running off road switch back 10% grades etc, chained up 4 months out of they year it puts the word professional back into driving. You really keep your skills sharp and always learn new tricks etc. makes mountains in lower 48 look like speed bumps lol
     
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  3. Sportster2000

    Sportster2000 Road Train Member

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    How are the roads conditions up there right now on the Alcan?
     
  4. vikingswen

    vikingswen Road Train Member

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    I only see the Alcan North of Watson Lake YT to Delta Junction, AK.. The road has been pretty good this winter. We had some ice here a while back, but not a lot of snow up North this winter.
     
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  5. Sportster2000

    Sportster2000 Road Train Member

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    I'll be up that way tomorrow. Flying up to Fairbanks to bring a truck back south.
     
  6. tekilka

    tekilka Bobtail Member

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    Apr 29, 2013
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    Very interesting thread and helpful as well . Thank you for sharing . We are considering to take a load up there , so I appreciate all the info .
     
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  7. NJTrucker

    NJTrucker "Let the Games begin"

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    Tekila, where have you been? Miss your videos on YouTube!
     
  8. vikingswen

    vikingswen Road Train Member

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    Remember, that if you go up there everything is expensive and bid your load accordingly. Fuel in Canada is between $2.70 to $2.80 a gallon. Have cash and credit cards to buy it. Lot's of card locks with no attendant too. Also your truck and trailer will suffer badly. I just had both windshields replaced and first trip both were broken again. I have been home for a week and have spent most of the time fixing my truck and trailer.

    Spring weight restrictions are on right now as well. be sure you got your weights right if not you will sit at the scales. Bid your load for a round trip since most summer trucks will come home empty. Lot's of people take a load North to fulfill a dream, but end up loosing money. Some could have paid for an Alaskan cruise with Holland America and been money ahead.
     
  9. tekilka

    tekilka Bobtail Member

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    I'm trucking :) ....started my own company last year in May , busy , busy . You can follow me and Dave on FB Trucking Diaries . Regards
     
  10. tekilka

    tekilka Bobtail Member

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    Thank you ! We are still negotiating and I think it is the long shot we will get this load . We bid high , to cover the cost of the whole trip . I have a many concerns though , we own 1yr old equipment , volvo 780 , which is not exactly the toughest truck, would hate to tear the truck apart . Still doing lots of research on legal stuff ....anyways I enjoy reading your posts and looking at the pictures ! Regards . Alicia
     
  11. vikingswen

    vikingswen Road Train Member

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    Another thing to keep in mind there is no support for Volvos up there. You have Babine Truck in Prince George and Smithers and that is it. I have a friend that was stuck in Anchorage for a month due to transmission problems on his new Volvo. There is a heavy equipment dealer in Anchorage that works on trucks, but you are screwed if you need them.

    The roads are breaking up real bad so lots of bad sections on the Cassiar. The Yukon has not done much grading on the gravel sections and it is either muddy or dusty and lots of wash board. A lot of trucks wont slow down for you and pepper you with rocks. Seems like the super B tankers are the worst offenders.

    My Western Star has 133,000mls of running up there over the last 13 month and it looks atrocious. All the polished aluminum is sand blasted, the truck is covered in rock chips and the frame and axles are almost bare and rusty all over. That part of the world is amazing, but it will destroy your equipment. My maintenance costs are through the roof. I am at almost 9cpm on my trailer without tires and I had no reefer breakdowns just basic maintenance. I did buy 22 tires last year and most of them are only good for one year and they are wore out.
     
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