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Need advice for driving Prius to Alaska, please.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Robert Holt, Sep 3, 2013.

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  1. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Since I am mostly concerned about gravel nicks on the unpaved sections, that screen door idea sounds quite interesting as a temporary solution for the trip. I may end up with the worlds ugliest Prius, however. Has anyone else installed screening on the front of a Prius? If so, could you give me advice? Maybe use the tow hook loops as mounting points? I suspect it will kill the streamlining and decrease mpg, but better than new windshield !

    i decided for Canadian-sized bear pepper spray rather than a rifle as it is smaller and useful also for spraying mosquitoes and seasoning meat on the grill, both of which would be very hard to accomplish with the rifle!

    Don't have a dog, but will get a health certificate for the wife just in case...
    (Seriously, the US customs people almost didn't let her back in the country at a northern border crossing once and I almost had to leave her in Canada while I drove down to Virginia to get her passport!)

    Will post pics and appreciate the advice!
     
    #81 Robert Holt, Sep 18, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  2. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    I have been to alaska 3 times. A heavy duty bug screen is a must! I have never had a broken headlight or chipped or broken windshield, but windshield was so pitted when I got back I installed a new one, could hardly see out when driving into the sun. About 28,000 miles and never a flat tire, just lucky I guess. I did take one extra spare just to feel better.
     
    #82 retired4999, Sep 18, 2013
  3. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Yeah, just 230 miles on a trip to Valdez from Anchorage and ours looked like this:
    058.jpg

    :) This summer was particularly bad for bugs.
     
    #83 spiderman, Sep 18, 2013
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  4. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Nice!
    That must be from the baby mosquitoes! :D
     
    #84 retired4999, Sep 18, 2013
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  5. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Ah! Valdez,
    One place I did not go to when in Alaska. Talked about it but never went!
     
    #85 retired4999, Sep 18, 2013
  6. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Cut down the fuel economy by 1.78456% ;)
     
    #86 spiderman, Sep 18, 2013
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  7. dianer

    dianer Junior Member

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    Found an image like those I have seen in the past here.
    [​IMG]
     
    #87 dianer, Sep 18, 2013
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  8. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Thanks for vividly showing me the problem. Since I estimate the loop up from the Canadian border and around Alaska to be 5,000 miles, I can just imagine what our prius will look like at the end of it!
     
    #88 Robert Holt, Sep 19, 2013
  9. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Thank you for showing me what one solution looks like. I may do this even if I do win the "ugly Prius of the year" award!
     
    #89 Robert Holt, Sep 19, 2013
  10. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    It's worse than you think! Not only bugs but Mud, Brown thick mud! There is only one color car. Mud!
    But it is definitely worth it! :p
     
    #90 retired4999, Sep 19, 2013
  11. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    That is one ugly bug guard! Wow! :)
     
    #91 retired4999, Sep 19, 2013
  12. Old Crone

    Old Crone New Member

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    I drove my 2008 Prius from San Francisco to Anchorage, in September, 2013. The ride was gorgeous, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Looking forward to a real adventure, I was actually a little disappointed in how smooth and easy it was. I deeply regret not being prepared to camp; it was a bummer having to spend the night in crappy little towns after seeing all that beautiful scenery out the window all day. Definitely keep the bear spray handy when you camp and definitely get The Milepost! No 3G or 4G through a lot of the Yukon, and the GPS blinks out at the AK border. (Dealer can update your maps when you arrive; I haven't done it yet.) There are a total of maybe 30 miles of dirt road. It's not a big problem if you drive slowly. There was a lot of road work being done; it looked like they're trying to pave the rest. I, personally, do not see the need to carry extra spare tires. In terms of your paint, a car-bra will protect your front; you might try carrying a bucket and rinsing it off when you stop for the night - lots of nice lakeside and riverside spots.) Avoid driving after dark - didn't see any moose till Anchorage, but lots of bison grazing on the roadside. Keep the remarkable shrinking/ expanding gas bladder full; in California, once I was only able to fit 6 gallons into an empty "tank" when the temperature dropped. The Milepost is helpful just for listing gas stations. Keep your camera ready! Carry water. Have a WONDERFUL trip!
     
    #92 Old Crone, Nov 2, 2013
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  13. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Thank you for the current report. We have Gen 3, so no bladder but all your other advice is invaluable ! Using a "Dome-to-Go" tent that attaches to the hatchback end of the Prius,(Prius Super RV!) and I've mounted a second Tom Tom GPS so that should work.
    Bear spray, 2 cans! Check.
    Get Milepost. TBD when new 2014 one comes out next Spring.
    I've bought a 5th rim to mount a full-sized spare and will carry
    Slime and tire plugs plus patching glue and an air pump, so hopefully that will be enough--with all the camping gear there is not much space for the second spare tire.
    Waterproof, shockproof, snow proof, drop kick proof camera. Check.
    Have a 2.5 gallon collapsible water container. Check. Should I make that a 5-gallon one for two-person camping?
    Never thought I'd write something like this, but I might need advice for the best-fitting bra.
    Thanks again!
     
    #93 Robert Holt, Nov 2, 2013
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