hey guys, so in a year I will me movin from Augusta ga to anchorage Alaska. I will be driving the entire way and either pulling a Honda Accord or a maxed out uhaul trailers it will be nearly 5000 miles total, about 8-12 hours of driving a day for 10-12 days. I will be driving through Colorado, Wyoming, montana, 900 miles of Canada and then another 4-500 miles of Alaska..

when i get there i I will not need a 3/4 ton. However I will be keeping this truck for 10 years. Afraid that if I go 1/2 ton I will ruin it on this drive

i currently drive a 2006 Silverado, over 200k miles, driven it for 10 years. 4.8 liter engine. Due to the age and the engine I know this truck wouldn't make the trip.. otherwise I would simply stay in it.

I don't want to ruin a new 1/2 ton because I wanted to save a few k, and wanted 2 mpg more in highway (currently get 11-12mpg and commute 90mikes round trip daily so I'm alread used to 400/month at the pump)

thoughts?

 

Today's F-150 "1/2 tons" are a lot more capable than the ones from 10-15 years ago. They tow and haul a lot more than they used to and still have plenty of pep and get decent mileage for a pickup. I drove an ECO-boost and was really surprised at peppy/torquey the engine was. Only drawback is that in the higher trim levels, the F150's can easily cost just as much as a F-250.

For the load you describe, I wouldn't think you would have any problem moving (or hurting the truck) with a late model F-150. You'll get better mileage later on as your daily driver, and a smoother ride than with a 3/4 ton. You'd need 4x4 and a limited-slip rear end for Anchorage. Have you ever driven in real snow/ice? The one time I was there in winter 20+ years ago - the roads were "plowed" but there was still a few inches of packed snow and ice on the roads.

However, I myself ascribe to the adage that "you can't have too much truck." Most of what I usually do, could be done with a half ton, but I bought an F-250 for those incidences that pop up (more often than I expected) where the bigger truck is the safer solution for hauling or towing. Even with that, there have been a couple of times where I wished I'd have gotten an f-450 dually..


It's your choice - go drive a few examples of each..

 

you may want to do a proper investigation of the ROADS in Alaska....

they are not all like on the TV show Alaska State Troopers...

an make sure you get an engine block heater..

 

as I read this a bright flashing light keeps saying "rent a truck", "rent a truck", "rent a truck","rent a truck"

 

For snow and ice, I prefer extra mass. Consider that a vote in favor of an F250 versus an F150.

You may not need the capacity in Alaska, but may come to appreciate better traction in the winter.

 

An F150, or a competitors equivalent, properly equipped, will serve you nicely.

The half tons ride better, are better around town, and are easier to enter and exit.

My Super Duties mostly sit now that I have a couple of Ram 1500s.

 

for sure, we are going to spend a week there in November to do a bit of a test run

 

at minus 20 degrees Gas does not burn..
and diesel become jelly..

reason for block heaters...

hopefully the members here that live up there will chime in soon. there are several.

as for renting a truck... most require the trailer be owned by truck rental company.
so renting the truck and trailer.

 

You're not going to ruin an F-150 by towing a trailer to AK. It's not a chevy, after all.

I would just rent a truck and a trailer if necessary for a car. Then get what you need when you get up there, unless you find a really good deal locally. New cars are probably a little more expensive in AK because of the increased shipping costs, but someone who actually lives there would know a lot more about it.

 

I like half tons. I have owned 6 over the last 20 years. However, for towing and less than ideal roads I like the F250 or equivalent. Rough Roads and rougher country I like the stability.

For a move from one end to another, I would rent a truck.

 

Rent a truck for GA TO MT....Buy your final truck in MT for last miles and life up there. Find a dealer up there and call ahead to get what you want ? Just an idea.

 

Gas won't burn at 20 below?

I drove a 52 GMC bus in Fairbanks, where the temps got down below -70 degrees.
No block heater.
After 30 below, the heater didn't put out any heat, either.
My gas never froze.
We parked inside a hangar at night, except for a couple of vehicles.

A block heater is a good idea, as well as an oil pan heater.

 

Just a thought. do vehicles sold in a state like Alaska have any kind of cold weather package that comes on them to be better suited for conditions? I'm sure block heaters are almost standard but anything else?

 

Ah yes, good old Eielson AFB.

Gasoline won't freeze. A block heater and a battery heat pad help, if you have to park outside in -10F and below.

F150 or F250, either will work. Enjoy your new duty station.

 

My 1 experience on a Montana ski-trip, it was -40F, rental car agency at airport said NOT to turn the car off. They gave us 1 key? Needless to say, after the 1st day we got in line for the jump-start since at -40F the oil was molasses and nobody could start their cars..

Our home in CO is almost complete with heated indoor garage parking.