COLD: Extreme Weather Preparation

[Freezer]

Don't forget a good snowbrush and a tool for scraping the ice off from your windshield.

If you get temperatures below -40 be prepared to keep the engine running 24/7.

 

[OutbacKamper]

If you get temperatures below -40 be prepared to keep the engine running 24/7.

On a long expedition the fuel usage would be brutal!
I still say that it makes more sense to run an Espar or Webasto coolant heater (available in gas and diesel) rather than run you engine 24 hrs a day.
Of course you can plug in your block heater, battery blanket and interior heaters when in areas with power, or run these on a generator.
Idleing (sp?) for extended time can also cause engine problems. Ford diesels have a special control unit to vary engine rpm when idleing, to help avoid these issues.

Cheers
Mark

 

[Freezer]

I remember seeing a story in the local news last winter where they had to keep vehicles running up in northern Finland, because the block heaters didn't help.
In the story they didn't mention anyting about the Webasto-type heaters.
The temperature was below -40.

Personally i wouldn't want to risk the vehicle not starting in those temperatures, but the amount of fuel is limited on expedition conditions. So there are only bad solutions to the problem.

One would think that temperatures like that would be pretty rare.
It's just someting to think about.

 

[Brian McVickers]

[*]Cadence braking, accelerator, and turning.

[*]Vehicle warming procedures (shift tcase into N for the evening to facilitate tranny warm in the morn)

[*]Don't engage parking brake, and keep hubs engaged (each can freeze)

What do you mean by cadence braking?, pumping the breaks?

How does shifting the tcase into N for the eve help as described?

Do you keep the vehicle running overnight or can you shut the engine off?

Do you have to block the tires if you have the tcase in N and no parking brake engaged?

Thanks
Learning is fun!:smiley_drive:

 

[Pskhaat]

What do you mean by cadence braking?

Yes, basically pumping the brakes or playing with the brakes so you get maximum friction; just like grandfather. Even with ABS. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadence_braking and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threshold_braking

How does shifting the tcase into N for the eve help as described?

Put the tcase in N, then with either a manual or auto, you can shift into the forward and reverse gears in the tranny allowing some of the fluid to get moving. Also when cold it can be really hard to get out of a gear (L|H), but not as hard to get into one.

Do you keep the vehicle running overnight or can you shut the engine off? .. Do you have to block the tires if you have the tcase in N and no parking brake engaged?

Shut off, but as mentioned I've heard of quite a few folks who keep 'em running if they're diesel. Just park in some deeper snow.


As for the -40 debate (F & C are the same at -40), I don't think it's as rare as people say. Those temperatures are certainly not unheard of in the Northern US, Canada, and Alaska by any stretch.

 

[HenryJ]

I picked up a small 2-cycle generator that is just enough to run my block heater , cabin heater and should the need arise, it also has a 12 volt charger that could be used to warm the battery.
The generator is an older Coleman "Ultimite". I believe it is the same unit that was marketed and sold with the Subarus in a promotion. Nice small power plant.
The cabin heater I have been using is a Zerostart "Little Buddy" 120V cabin heater. (Zerostart interior car warmer part number: ZRO 260-0900 heater $51) . It was hard to find and not listed on the Temro or Zerostart websites. Any Zerostart dealer should be able to order one. Here it is listed in JCWhitney.

This heater measures 4.5" wide x 3" high x 7" deep.

This heater does not come with a thermostat , or the LED shown. I disassembled a small space heater for those additions. The LED lights when plugged in, so I can look through the window and know I have it ready. The thermostatic switch was an easy addition and allows me to adjust the temperature where I want it as well as a nice safety feature , since it shuts the heater off to prevent overheating.
I have been using one of these for the last eight years. Before I was able to find this compact unit I did mount one of the small cube shaped ceramic heaters. It worked fine , but took up more space. This one mounts with a slide on clip and has a connector not far from the unit so removal for the summer months is easy. I usually just leave it in there though.

It really is nice to have a warm truck to jump into, and no windows to scrape
For the engine I used a freeze plug immersion engine block heater.

 

[kcowyo]

So where the hell is he gonna plug in a block heater? There's no current bushes blooming on the Dempster Highway in January.....

 

[HenryJ]

So where the hell is he gonna plug in a block heater? There's no current bushes blooming on the Dempster Highway in January.....

Bring your own current bush-

...a small 2-cycle generator ...

 

[kcowyo]

Oh.......




* note to self: read whole post before asking stupid questions

 

[Pskhaat]

Dempster Highway in January.....

It's right there, on the right hand side of the ice road, but this picture was taken in February, so they may have been in bloom by then:

​

 

[Freezer]

A small generator would be the heat (no pun intended ) for running aux. equipment in cold weather, because most batteries don't perform so well in the cold.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

scott, that is a beautiful photo but looks scary to drive on! I haven't seen weather like that in years

just a bump about rubber tire chains- good/bad? (thinking about big bear & mammoth in the winter)

 

[Desertdude]

Best part of your trip will be "zero mosquitoes" The fellow we spoke with operating the ferry - who also made the ice bridge - mentioned the cold is not to big of a deal as long as you dress in layers and don't dress to warmly all at once - you have to get acclimated and toughen up the exposed skin - he also said with a big laugh "the cold is not to hard to take but", "your not going to wear jeans and a jean jacket" ...he was a real funny guy

The message here is; get to the cold ( early as you can) and enjoy it for as long as you can before making the journey - otherwise that first chain brake will be painful


I did however notice on the side of the road (Dempster that is) ever once and a while an electrical junction box was popping up - I really could not figure out why they were there and where "it" was coming from...

You will have a few small towns along the way to stop into - get warm and see a few humans - the darkness will be an interesting twist - the road will be smooth, vast, and crispy

 

[BajaTaco]

Very cool info info all of you are posting up! Henry never ceases to amaze me with his ultra-cool and super-useful modifications.

Best part of your trip will be "zero mosquitoes"

One of the biggest reasons I am going

You will have a few small towns along the way to stop into - get warm and see a few humans - the darkness will be an interesting twist - the road will be smooth, vast, and crispy

I can't wait :jumping: Great post Dude :ylsmoke:

 

[HenryJ]

...Henry never ceases to amaze me with his ultra-cool and super-useful modifications.

I learn from the best, and inform the rest! :victory: