Alaska MH Owners And Salt Corrosion.

[Shaky]

Neither my MH, or my Toad have been on roads that are treated with salt due to winter weather. How bad of a corrosion problem do owners have in Alaska? I've often thought a trip north would be quite an adventure, but the thought of my MH, or Jeep being devoured by rust just doesn't make the trip seem worthwhile.

[Easyrider]

I'm sure Alaska is just like the other states. In the spring, it warms up, rains, and then the salt is gone.

[twogypsies]

Your Alaskan trip would most likely be in the summer months. Why would salt be an issue? It's not.

[F4Gary]

Hose off the bottoms when you get home or somewhere enroute.

[stevemoores]

Do they use Salt on the roads in Alaska?


I only ask because I'm in Western Canada and we don't use Salt where I live. Salt only reduces the freezing point by 10 degrees or so (from memory, correct me if I'm wrong). We can see 30 or even 40 below, so Salt is no use.


They just use grit here. All that damages is windshields


Are you travelling to Alaska in the Winter?


Steve

[sdennislee]

In the 8 years I lived in Alaska I never saw salt used on public roads.

We used a chemical on the North Slope (can't remember the name) the slope is not open to the public so no chance that you would encounter this chemical. Doubt it was salt based since salt water freezes at 0 deg F and dead winter on the slope would bounce between -30 to -80 deg F.

Avoid the midwest in the winter, they use slat likes its free.

[Papa_Jim]

Originally Posted by stevemoores

Do they use Salt on the roads in Alaska?


I only ask because I'm in Western Canada and we don't use Salt where I live. Salt only reduces the freezing point by 10 degrees or so (from memory, correct me if I'm wrong). We can see 30 or even 40 below, so Salt is no use.


They just use grit here. All that damages is windshields


Are you travelling to Alaska in the Winter?


Steve

I hate to tell you this, but we use LOTS of salt on our winter roads in Western Canada!

https://www.ec.gc.ca/sels-salts/

I live next to the Trans Canada highway, and it is kept absolutely clear of ice and snow with the application of a mix of sand and salt. Those big trucks can't be stopped, those deliveries have to be made.

Jim

[AKJohn]

Your MH and TOAD are not going to rust out from one trip to Alaska in the summer. I'm driving a 19 year old Dodge pick up that has lived it's entire life in Alaska. It has some rust on the bumpers, otherwise it is rust free. I'd be more concerned about the windshields when driving the AlCan.

The article linked below has accurate information on how the roads are maintained in Alaska.

The price of fighting roadway ice - Alaska Dispatch News

[GoneRVn]

What a lot of highway departments use is Calcium Chloride or
Calcium Magnesium Acetate under the guise of being environmental friendly.
I am no chemist but I believe both the above are harder on vehicles than salt.

[Trackrig]

I've been in Alaska for 55+ years and have never heard of a salt problem.

The DOT will use a chemical in their sand piles to keep it from freezing so they can load it in the sander trucks but that's it.

I believe in Anchorage they use some sort of liquid chemicals in a spray to keep the ice down because of all the new drivers from stateside every year. I don't think they use it vey much and will probably cut down on what little they do use due to budget cut backs.

Bill

[markndianna]

hi shaky, I wouldn't be concerned either. Just a good washing up under when your trip is through. I have no idea what is used in AK, but here in NY, it is beyond debate, THEY USE SALT! It is horrible to deal with but certainly not the end of your vehicle. My Nissan PU just got Simonized because I blew off the pressure washer the last 3 years or so.

[twogypsies]

Here's an article from Fairbanks, Alaska:

The science behind brine use on roads | Community Perspectives | newsminer.com

As mentioned, if you take your trip during the summer months as most folks do, why the concern for what is on the road in winter?