Alaska Where real men dirve real trucks

100R1 · June 11, 2006

What a trip!

Not a lot of show trucks But trucks are trucks. 1500HD, 2500, 4x4, body lifts etc. Dmax is king there. High ratio of Diesel trucks to gasers.

Also was impressed with the high ratio of big 3 domestic vehicles (ratio to imports). It did not take long for our rental van to look like it had not been washed in a month of sundays, Man would that drive me nuts.

My son was quick to notice the number of electric truck and cars running around, until I pointed out that the electric plug hanging out the front grile was to keep the engine block warm buring the cold Alaska winters sleep . Hey were from South Florida what do we know about the cold other than getting a cold one from the fridg.

My wife and son were happy to see snow running around like nuts in the snow at Denali National Park (in June!)

firefighteremt3100 · June 11, 2006

What a trip!

Not a lot of show trucks But trucks are trucks. 1500HD, 2500, 4x4, body lifts etc. Dmax is king there. High ratio of Diesel trucks to gasers.

Also was impressed with the high ratio of big 3 domestic vehicles (ratio to imports). It did not take long for our rental van to look like it had not been washed in a month of sundays, Man would that drive me nuts.

My son was quick to notice the number of electric truck and cars running around, until I pointed out that the electric plug hanging out the front grile was to keep the engine block warm buring the cold Alaska winters sleep . Hey were from South Florida what do we know about the cold other than getting a cold one from the fridg.

My wife and son were happy to see snow running around like nuts in the snow at Denali National Park (in June!)

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Only thing I like from Alaska is Klondike bars!

snoman · June 11, 2006

What a trip!

Not a lot of show trucks But trucks are trucks. 1500HD, 2500, 4x4, body lifts etc. Dmax is king there. High ratio of Diesel trucks to gasers.

Also was impressed with the high ratio of big 3 domestic vehicles (ratio to imports). It did not take long for our rental van to look like it had not been washed in a month of sundays, Man would that drive me nuts.

My son was quick to notice the number of electric truck and cars running around, until I pointed out that the electric plug hanging out the front grile was to keep the engine block warm buring the cold Alaska winters sleep . Hey were from South Florida what do we know about the cold other than getting a cold one from the fridg.

My wife and son were happy to see snow running around like nuts in the snow at Denali National Park (in June!)

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Strange about the diesels because when I lived in Montana for a while were minus 40 was common and minus 50 was not rare and nor were day time highs of minus 25, they parked their oil burners for the winter and used gas trucks. You can start a gasser at minus 30 or minus 40 in a pinch without heat as I have done it but not a oil burner. They must leave them plugged in 24/7 and never shut them off long where there is no heat and also use straight number 1.

pm26 · June 11, 2006

I visited Alaska several years ago and I noticed that there is alot of 3500 series dually trucks over there with campers on them. Some of these campers are expensive - well over $ 20k.

If I lived in Alaska, I would probably avoid a diesel engine pickup. It must be a macho appeal for some folks over there - but diesels have terrible disadvantages in very cold weather. During WWII it was so cold in Russian that oil froze in the sump of tanks and locomotives. Top get them started, they actually built fires under the oil pans until the oil thawed out. Not the best way to start a vehicle, but I guess it worked.

firefighteremt3100 · June 12, 2006

I visited Alaska several years ago and I noticed that there is alot of 3500 series dually trucks over there with campers on them. Some of these campers are expensive - well over $ 20k.

If I lived in Alaska, I would probably avoid a diesel engine pickup. It must be a macho appeal for some folks over there - but diesels have terrible disadvantages in very cold weather. During WWII it was so cold in Russian that oil froze in the sump of tanks and locomotives. Top get them started, they actually built fires under the oil pans until the oil thawed out. Not the best way to start a vehicle, but I guess it worked.

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Thats what them Ford and Dodge owners do

SoCalChris · June 12, 2006

Strange about the diesels because when I lived in Montana for a while were minus 40 was common and minus 50 was not rare and nor were day time highs of minus 25, they parked their oil burners for the winter and used gas trucks. You can start a gasser at minus 30 or minus 40 in a pinch without heat as I have done it but not a oil burner. They must leave them plugged in 24/7 and never shut them off long where there is no heat and also use straight number 1.

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Living in Montana now, I wouldn't say that the diesels are more popular than gas engines, but there are an awful lot of diesels running around. Probably 1/4 of the trucks I see around here are diesel.

snoman · June 12, 2006

I visited Alaska several years ago and I noticed that there is alot of 3500 series dually trucks over there with campers on them. Some of these campers are expensive - well over $ 20k.

If I lived in Alaska, I would probably avoid a diesel engine pickup. It must be a macho appeal for some folks over there - but diesels have terrible disadvantages in very cold weather. During WWII it was so cold in Russian that oil froze in the sump of tanks and locomotives. Top get them started, they actually built fires under the oil pans until the oil thawed out. Not the best way to start a vehicle, but I guess it worked.

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Thats what them Ford and Dodge owners do

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Dmax owners too if they do not heat them. Severe cold is hard on all of them and plays no favorites.

100R1 · June 12, 2006

Gas prices are high in Alaska. $ 3.52 a gallon for regular just outside Denali Park #$%^&*()(

But for the most part regualr in other parts of Alaska was $ 2.98 a gallon. Diesel was usally a few pennies more.

Makes the $ 2.85 a gallon for regular here in South Fla. look like a bargin:)

Mule · June 13, 2006

Gas prices are high in the tourist and isolated areas. We are a little below the national average in Anchorage. Lots of diesels and duallys, since lots of people have big toys like campers, boats and ATVs/snow machines. A friend at work just bought a new Kodiak 5500 to haul his 34 foot fishing boat.

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Come back anytime.

snoman · June 13, 2006

Living in Montana now, I wouldn't say that the diesels are more popular than gas engines, but there are an awful lot of diesels running around. Probably 1/4 of the trucks I see around here are diesel.

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There was a lot where I lived BUT they were parked and absent during the colder months. When you are plowing snow at 40 below the last thing you want to worry about is your truck running or the fuel gelling.

hensonbs96 · June 14, 2006

There is a good reason why there are so many diesel in Alaska. You need the extra power to pull those boats and campers through the mountains. We have been running them in Alaska for the last ten years with not problems. Run the right fuel and there is no problem. Yes you do have to plug them in or they want start. But haven't you ever heard of auto start. Our trucks will start up automatic when it reaches a preprogram temp. I have seen 68 below, hit the auto start and she jumps to life.

The other little secret is heating fuel. What do you think most homes are heated b? Heating fuel=diesel=truck=save money. Just my 2 cents.

Rokmonanoff · July 3, 2006

Glad you could visit us in our strange state that many people do not acknowledge. Sounds like you enjoyed your visit. You'll have to come back sometime and take a ride off of the road. Plenty of places to do that up here...