Back Back Raids Pacifique
Raid North to Alaska
Technical corner

Road conditions

The roads in Alaska and Canada are a mix of reasonable condition paved roads, gravel roads and tracks. We will be traveling all sorts of roads.
The few paved roads may be in a bad condition, especially the well-traveled roads i.e. the Alaskan Highway, ALCAN for short. The big number of trucks, heavy RV's and cars take their toll. The asphalt is weakened and in winter, small cracks become big holes. Repairs and maintenance are only possible during a few short weeks in summer. That means there are always many construction sites along the ALCAN. Gravel bypasses go sometimes for miles parallel to the actual road through the dirt. Delays are common at these spots.
Deep potholes and cracks can damage rims and tires.
The less traveled gravel roads are in many cases better than the ALCAN. That's why we try to avoid the infamous ALCAN wherever we can.
However, the gravel roads can also mean danger to your vehicle. Unlike asphalt surface, the corners of potholes don't have sharp edges on dirt, but the road surface may be very rough.


Vehicle condition

Your vehicle must be in a good and safe condition, in any case better than just roadworthy. A few thousand miles of rough roads work hard on every car and cannot be compared to traveling on roads you may be used to.
All maintenance work must be done prior to the start. Change all fluids: Engine oil with a fresh oil filter, transmission fluid, brake fluid (LHM). Make sure that the brakes work fine, that the brake pads are at least 70% of new pads, and that motor and transmission operate reliable and don't leak oil.
The electrical system must be ok, all lights have to work, doors and windows must operate correct.
All tires should have at least 70 % tread. The dust boots on the drive shafts must be without ANY holes or cracks. Make sure that the frame is not rusty or patched up! The frame has to take a lot of force. If the frame is already weakened, chances are that it will break. That could mean the immediate end of the trip for you.

All roads we will travel are official roads, they may be rough, but still public roads. Therefore we DON'T need Off-Road equipment, i.e. reinforcements on frame or suspension system, protectors under motor and transmission. This stuff would be only extra weight to carry and totally useless against the perils of gravel roads: Potholes and stones thrown by trucks.


Spare part supply and repairs

We don't have a support truck carrying plenty of spares, tools and equipment, so you have to carry your own tools and spares.

2CV spare parts are available in the USA for a reasonable price; overnight transport is available to most areas in the US. However, to the remote areas in Alaska and Canada it may take longer. Of course overnight delivery or airmail will add quite a bit to the price.
To familiarize yourself with the spare part situation: Look here

Repairs have to be done mainly by the side of the road or in nearby workshops. Keep in mind that the northern part of Canada and most of Alaska isn't heavily populated. It can take many hours to reach the nearest settlement. Local mechanics are known for being ingenious, but even they can't do miracles. So we might have to do many repairs in the true 2CV Raid spirit.

Every car should have 2 spare wheels. In a 2CV it is recommendable to carry one spare wheel under the hood, where it is right available in case of a flat tire. From my own experience I can tell you that it really sucks to unload the entire back of the car to reach the spare wheel in the bottom of the trunk. Murphy's laws postulate that you will only have a flat tire when it just rains cats and dogs - and don't forget that old Murphy was an optimist.
By the way, for the same reason keep the jack and hand crank where it can be easily reached.


Recommended spare parts to carry for a 2CV as a minimum supply

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