Alaska trip

[Rthardison]

I would like to pull a camper to Alaska with the Cybertruck. It appears I will need to take a generator to charge the truck along the way. It would require 7kw+ generator with a clean power output. Looks like costs range from $1-2K for that size generator.

Researching campgrounds along the Alaska Highway, many don’t have power or only have 30A at 120V. I might be able to convince some of them to let me install a temporary 240V plug, but I can’t rely on that.

By my calculations, charging at 30A/240V will take me 20 hours to charge 150kw on a tri-motor Cybertruck. It looks like that would take approximately 25 gallons of gas for the generator.

This would only be used when no 50A campsites are available. This beats charging at 120V which I calculate would take 104 hours (at 12A).

Any other suggestions? I would love to hear how anyone charged taking a Tesla Model S/X/3/Y to Alaska.

This is a painful way to travel. Will take several weeks to get there. Hopefully more charging options will be available in the coming years.

 

[CyberMoose]

There was a resident years ago in the Northwest Territories in Canada. He was the only person to own a Tesla since they have no chargers anywhere near them up there. I read that he charged at a welding shop. Wouldn't be as fast as a supercharger, but if you find nearby places like auto shops, you can probably charge faster if you ask them.

 

[akcoyote]

I would like to pull a camper to Alaska with the Cybertruck.

As a former Alaska resident who has driven the AL-Can twice, I can see the appeal of your plan. Unfortunately due to the extreme remoteness of much of the area I doubt there will be reasonable charging opportunities anytime in the foreseeable future.

I don't know your camping requirements, but from an energy conservation/range perspective, a Cyberlandr might be a better option than a camper trailer.

 

[kev12345]

I have the same trip in mind but I think we're limited to Hyder for the time being

 

[Wendell]

The tesla supercharger map has a supercharger location listed on the Kenai penninsula. It is supposed to open in Quarter 3 of 2021. A single super charger in the entire state seems a bit odd to me. I hope that this is just the first one, and that by the time I get my cybertruck, there are more chargers available.

Another option is a CCS to tesla adaptor. You can already order one of those. Looking at CCS maps, it is getting really close to doable. Fort St John to Whitehorse is where you are going to have to find a 50A RV campground, or a welding shop or figure something out for 1 full charge. Otherwise, you can ALMOST make it from the CCS charger in Haines Jct to the CCS charger in Wasilla. 1-2 hours at 30 or 50 amps, and you can make it.

I confidently hopeful it will be doable next summer.

I have a low reservation number (around 9,000) and REALLY want to try this next summer.

 

[Crissa]

You need a larger generator than the rating, because
peak power > constant power
and charging is a constant load.

-Crissa

 

[John K]

Is there a rail line you could ship the Cat while your family rides in comfort in a private cabin?

 

[akcoyote]

Is there a rail line you could ship the Cat while your family rides in comfort in a private cabin?

Rail - NO.
There is the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) system that is a possibility for taking your CT to Alaska and back. Southern port would be Bellingham, Washington. Northern port for the trip would be Whittier, Alaska.
Alaska Marine Highway

It should be noted that it is a SLOW trip as there are several stops is southeast Alaska.

 

[Rthardison]

I have the same trip in mind but I think we're limited to Hyder for the time being

Can we drive to Hyder?

 

[Rthardison]

Is there a rail line you could ship the Cat while your family rides in comfort in a private cabin?

Just not the same. I think there is a ferry.

 

[kev12345]

Can we drive to Hyder?

sure. Tesla superchargers will be up to Prince George by next year and there's currently bc hydro fast chargers all the way up to New Hazelton. unfortunately only 50kw but better than nothing!

 

[electricAK]

I would like to pull a camper to Alaska with the Cybertruck. It appears I will need to take a generator to charge the truck along the way.

From my research it appears several people have made the trip from the lower-48 to Alaska in a Tesla (NOT pulling a camper). No generator needed, and It appears to be quite easy if you don't mind staying/paying in RV parks and using their plugs.
See christmy1savior's post here:
https://forums.tesla.com/discussion/163911/sacramento-to-anchorage-in-a-model-3-possible/p2

That was in 2019, and there are more/better chargers along the way by now.

I've been keeping an eye on Plugshare, and over the last year I've seen a bunch of new fast chargers pop up in the Yukon. The wave is here and things are improving fast. Alaska itself is also rapidly adding chargers. The blank spot on the most remote part of the Alaska highway is sure to fill in.

Now, that said, towing a camper is a whole other story. Even if you can get 250 or 300miles to a charge while towing with the CT3... We're talking about 240V RV outlets here, not superchargers. You might need to take 2 days to charge at each stop. That does make for a nice trip if you have a few weeks to spare, but man is it inefficient.

My advice, definitely make the trip, but don't tow a camper. Camp in the truck bed, or bring a super nice extra-large tent that you can pack away. It's a beautiful trip and you can't beat the cool breeze and the sounds of nature you can hear from inside a tent.

 

[Rthardison]

sure. Tesla superchargers will be up to Prince George by next year and there's currently bc hydro fast chargers all the way up to New Hazelton. unfortunately only 50kw but better than nothing!

Thanks for telling me about Hyder! Now I want to go there. ?

 

[Rthardison]

From my research it appears several people have made the trip from the lower-48 to Alaska in a Tesla (NOT pulling a camper). No generator needed, and It appears to be quite easy if you don't mind staying/paying in RV parks and using their plugs.
See christmy1savior's post here:
https://forums.tesla.com/discussion/163911/sacramento-to-anchorage-in-a-model-3-possible/p2

That was in 2019, and there are more/better chargers along the way by now.

I've been keeping an eye on Plugshare, and over the last year I've seen a bunch of new fast chargers pop up in the Yukon. The wave is here and things are improving fast. Alaska itself is also rapidly adding chargers. The blank spot on the most remote part of the Alaska highway is sure to fill in.

Now, that said, towing a camper is a whole other story. Even if you can get 250 or 300miles to a charge while towing with the CT3... We're talking about 240V RV outlets here, not superchargers. You might need to take 2 days to charge at each stop. That does make for a nice trip if you have a few weeks to spare, but man is it inefficient.

My advice, definitely make the trip, but don't tow a camper. Camp in the truck bed, or bring a super nice extra-large tent that you can pack away. It's a beautiful trip and you can't beat the cool breeze and the sounds of nature you can hear from inside a tent.

Thanks for the great info. I am not a fan of 120V charging. I can wait on 240V but it kills me to wait on 120V. This is something I will have to wait until I retire to do. Sounds like an adventure.

 

[Crissa]

When weather is inclement or range is super-important, or you're sitting somewhere for a long time... (like storage or in-laws) don't pass up 120v charging ^-^

-Crissa