Any help/tips on shipping a vehicle from Kentucky to Alaska?

2019-10-21T21:55:06-04:00

The nice lady at the Transportation office mentioned I needed to have my truck winterized for -70 degree temperatures before I drive to Atlanta do drop it off? Is there anything else I need to do before then? Any tips what to do before I drop it off, etc?

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Oct 21 at 2019 10:35 PM

2019-10-21T22:35:36-04:00

If you’re arriving into AK dead of winter, think about changing your truck tires to snow tires and ship your summer tires with HHG. I purchased the Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2 while in Anchorage and they were great snow tires. Very inexpensive to have your tires switched each season.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 21 at 2019 10:40 PM

2019-10-21T22:40:55-04:00

Take pictures of the exterior. No flares, chemicals, etc. allowed. Vehicles typically go two to a container. Hopefully there won't be any transfers, i.e. from ship to barge. That's how we lost some in 600 feet of water when the transfer didn't work right. Make sure your oil is 5-Whatever weight synthetic. Put gas stabilizer in the tank. If your battery is 4 years or older, get a new one. In your HHG, pack extra wiper blades, small propane car heater, scraper, and whatever else you don't want to pay double for. Clean the car well and consider a mold inhibitor. It will be travel stinky when it gets to you.

Response by TSgt David Holman made Oct 22 at 2019 12:20 AM

2019-10-22T00:20:05-04:00

Take pictures of EVERYTHING. If any damage happens en route, it will be your word against theirs, and they will likely win. As far as having your vehicle winterized, make sure that it has the proper oil, coolent, as high a CCV battery as you can get, and good all season tires (and probably snow tires as well). If it is an older vehicle, I would get it checked out to make sure it would even hold up to the winters there, they can be very harsh. If it isn't 4 wheel drive, I would almost look at options other than shipping, but that would depend on where you were at financially.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 22 at 2019 2:20 PM

2019-10-22T14:20:54-04:00

Unless you can ship it ahead of time, usually Transportation tries To get your flight lined up to leave a few hours after you drop off, from the VPC location. Keep your reciept for the cab/uber to get from the VPC to the airport.

Response by Pvt Jay Levan made Oct 27 at 2019 1:27 AM

2019-10-27T01:27:51-04:00

Add a four receptal electrical junction box under hood in engine compartment.. Then add a headbolt heater and trickle battery charger. You can plug these in during the day and at night if you do not have garage. Also you will have extra place to plug in heater for can.