Are the conditions at Fort Wainwright bad enough to require having a truck?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 May 2017 21:23:12 -0400

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 28 at 2017 9:26 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sun, 28 May 2017 21:26:29 -0400

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.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2017 9:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 May 2017 21:32:16 -0400

you don't have to get a truck, there are lots of Subaru outbacks up there...

Response by SGT Patrick Wells made May 28 at 2017 9:59 PM

SGT Patrick Wells — Sun, 28 May 2017 21:59:38 -0400

No. I drove an old Mustang then traded it for a chevelle. Your vehicle will need to be specially winterized tho.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 28 at 2017 10:08 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 28 May 2017 22:08:09 -0400

Had to laugh as we had an E-5 show up on Adak with a pimped up pink Cadillac. Didn't see it much during the winter. Good advice all around. Don't forget your Go Box of safety gear, shovel, food, etc. especially in the winter. All 4WD means is you'll won't tap into it so often. I did get one of those teeny propane (1 pound) heaters which runs for a day on a disposable cylinder. Crack the window and enjoy it 40-50 warmer on the inside.

Response by SGT Patrick Wells made May 28 at 2017 11:40 PM

SGT Patrick Wells — Sun, 28 May 2017 23:40:52 -0400

As a side note. If you want to impress some young folks there was Santa Claus house just up the road in North pole AK. Good paved road all the way. This was several years back.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 29 at 2017 12:19 AM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 29 May 2017 00:19:33 -0400

Yes, or anything with AWD or 4WD..... Seriously... Alaska? My 1st duty assignment....

Response by MAJ William Dolen made May 29 at 2017 8:27 AM

MAJ William Dolen — Mon, 29 May 2017 08:27:35 -0400

Studded snow tires for the winter, special lubricants, engine block heater, interior heater. Lowest ambient temp we saw was -58 deg.

Response by MAJ Christopher Daily made May 29 at 2017 11:31 PM

MAJ Christopher Daily — Mon, 29 May 2017 23:31:20 -0400

Currently in Alaska at Ft Wainwright. I have spent a total of 6 winters here over 2 assignments. I have driven a front wheel drive Honda CRV with Blizzak tires for all of them and had no issue. Not a single accident.....ok so I got t-boned by a moose but it was in the middle of the summer and she hit the side of my car, all panels. But not to fear, she walked it off. A few spinning starts at bad intersections but nothing I couldn't handle. All in all this place is not that bad. You might enjoy the AWD and 4WD vehicles but no matter what you drive ICE IS ICE. You will have to get your vehicle winterized and I would highly recommend auto start with a long range. Let me know if you need to know more!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2017 1:27 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 May 2017 13:27:56 -0400

I PCSd from Alaska last year. The first 2.5 years were at Ft Wainwright, and the last 2 were at Ft Greely. If given the choice I would've stayed forever. When we first got there we had a minivan and a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I soon traded the Jeep for a truck. The van, with snow tires, worked just fine. The truck was also fine, assuming you put weight in the back during the winter. When we left we both drove Audis that were AWD. So the type of car you 'need' is far more dependent on your lifestyle and hobbies than the weather/road conditions. If you're going to take advantage of all the hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation activities then a truck may not be a bad idea.

Response by SPC Brent Melton made May 31 at 2017 6:38 AM

SPC Brent Melton — Wed, 31 May 2017 06:38:45 -0400

No you don't need to have a truck for Wainwright. In the deep of winter, it gets too cold to snow and cars wear the snow/ice down to the road surface so you have pavement to drive on. Roads tend to remain clear and I think they closed post one day out of 4 years.

Response by CPL(P) Nathaniel Burke made Jun 3 at 2017 7:28 PM

CPL(P) Nathaniel Burke — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 19:28:49 -0400

Hey SGT, I think that largely depends on what kind of conditions you are used to driving in. If you need to haul, then sure, have a truck, but not necessary. I drove a 4WD Jeep for my first 1.5 years and it sure made it easier, but fuel in Alaska is expensive. If you live in town or on post, basically not in a cabin and stay on paved roads, you can do just fine with a FWD vehicle and good snow tires, if you know how to drive in the winter. I had a Ford Focus for my last 1.5 years up here and it never gave me any issues that I couldn't quickly rock out of.

Quick Summary: Don't need a truck, good AWD car is fine. FWD will be fine and save on gas if you know how to drive in the snow and don't skimp on tires.

Response by SPC William Galloway made Jul 26 at 2017 11:18 PM

SPC William Galloway — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 23:18:13 -0400

Was there back in the 70's, one doesn't really need a truck. I had a 1965 Chevy Bel Air and got around okay. They are nice to have camping, but not necessary. The Chevy had a well stocked trunk, extra spare, tools, E-tool, case of C-rats, sleeping bag, and a blanket. Never hurts to have a good knife and matches or a lighter in your pocket.