Posted on May 28, 2017
Are the conditions at Fort Wainwright bad enough to require having a truck?
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Posted in these groups: 
Fort Wainwright
Alaska
Fort Wainwright Alaska
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
No, Yes, it depends
I spent 5 years in Alaska, 2.5 in Ft Wainright , 2.5 in Ft Richardson.
Winter in Fairbanks is cold, and yes you get snow.
Do you "need" a 4WD truck? No, a front wheel drive car with good snow tires AFTER the storm is over and cleared is fine.
BUT if you want more travel options, if you want to get where you want 99% of the time, Yes a 4wd vehicle with good tires and proper driving technique is essential.
I spent 5 years in Alaska, 2.5 in Ft Wainright , 2.5 in Ft Richardson.
Winter in Fairbanks is cold, and yes you get snow.
Do you "need" a 4WD truck? No, a front wheel drive car with good snow tires AFTER the storm is over and cleared is fine.
BUT if you want more travel options, if you want to get where you want 99% of the time, Yes a 4wd vehicle with good tires and proper driving technique is essential.
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SGT Patrick Wells
I spent 2 days TDY at Ft Richardson and 2 Days TDY at Ft Greely. Ft Greely might have been a different answer. But then there was no where to go at Ft Greely. That may be different now tho
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PFC Kevin Knapp
I had no problems with a Ford Escort FWD with good snowtires, but I only drove on actual roads. We were in the field so much I didn't get to drive that much anyway.
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Suspended Profile
you don't have to get a truck, there are lots of Subaru outbacks up there...
SGT (Join to see)
Thank You for the advice sir. Looks like ill be driving my Dart up there in August.
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SGT Patrick Wells
Just make sure to get advice when you get up there on how to winterize it for the coming winter. from some one that has been there thru at least one winter. There were some special things we had to add to our cars/trucks.
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Suspended Profile
Now that's no joke. Winterize your vehicle or it may not matter what you own.
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No. I drove an old Mustang then traded it for a chevelle. Your vehicle will need to be specially winterized tho.
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGT Patrick Wells With the benefit of hindsight do you feel that was the Best choice, or one you made do with what you had
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SGT Patrick Wells
Roads are paved and maintained. at least while I was there. The majority of personal vehicles on , and off base were cars. like any other base. I was married and my daughter was born there. I never worried about my rides. Summer was in the 90's and winters below 0. the winters I was there It was actually colder in Montana more often than in Fairbanks. The biggest thing to get used to is 23 hr. daylight in the summer and 23 hrs dark in the winter.
We loved it so much I extended my tour there to a double. I tried for a third but was tuned down.
We loved it so much I extended my tour there to a double. I tried for a third but was tuned down.
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