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November 4, 2011 by admin
Moving to Alaska or moving to Zanzibar and all other points A to Z can have a good deal in common when it comes to preparation for the move and the quality of the moving service you secure as you move your life from one place to another. It’s all about minimizing your risk. Undoubtedly, as you have either been through many relocations in your life or if this is a completely new experience, the fundamentals of a good, professional experience do not change. Here are the things you need to be watching for remembering all the while from the beginning of this transition to the very end, proper preparation is absolutely key.
In this article, we will address proper packing of your belongings into boxes. Whether you do this yourself or hire your moving service to do this, good packing practices will assure trouble-free delivery. Boxes, which are the size of a box of copier paper, are considered to be small boxes. Anything smaller than that should be packed into a larger box which will provide better protection because it will load on to the moving van more effectively. Very small boxes, for the most part, offer little protection and create a goodly amount of unnecessary handling. Larger boxes offer more strength and stability in the load and can withstand more stress. This helps to eliminate crushing and minimizes shifting as it travels down the road.
It may seem natural or acceptable, when packing fragile items such as dishes, to lay them flat in a box as you would when setting them in a kitchen cupboard. On the contrary, wrapping each individual item in 2 or 3 sheets of unprinted newsprint paper and setting them on edge is standard practice. A plate on its edge will take a lot more stress than laying it flat. The extra paper acts as a cushion between pieces especially as you pack more pieces in an extra-sturdy box called a dish pack (sometimes referred to as dish barrels). Packing the dish pack so that each piece is snugly in place will prevent pieces from knocking against each other. The walls of a dish pack are extra thick (triple-wall construction) and offer great protection from external forces and are well worth the extra investment over standard boxes.
Other standard box sizes are the medium box – about the same size of 2 small boxes as described earlier, large boxes – about the size of 3 small boxes, and extra-large boxes that are the size of 4 small boxes or an artificial Christmas tree box. The main factors for determining which box to use depends a lot on the bulk of the items to be packed and how much the items weigh. It is important that the boxes are not too heavy so that you can handle them when fully packed. Also, you don’t want the box to “blow-out” from excessive weight when handling the box. Blown-out boxes are typically caused by books. Small boxes are called book boxes for a reason.
Crushed boxes come in all sizes and are caused most often by not properly filling a box. If you have a box that still has a void at the top, use linens, towels, clothing, or even wadded up paper to fill it. Keep in mind that someone that picks up the box for loading is assuming the box is full and is making a judgment of where to load the box depending on its contents and how hefty it feels.
“What about unusually shaped items…” you might ask. There is nothing to prevent you from modifying a couple of boxes and constructing a box by taping them together. A good moving company will always be available to make suggestions when such cases arise.
So what about crates, you may ask, particularly with regard to shipments moving to Alaska, which happens to be a specialized service which we offer. It is commonplace for some moving companies to load shipments into large crates called lift vans for Alaska shipping. We are able to provide that service because we will do whatever the customer desires. We do maintain, however, that using lift vans only increases the handling of each item and can influence a strong sense of security when handling it during loading on or unloading off the transport vehicle; after all it’s all in a crate, right? Lift vans can weigh in excess of 1000 pounds and when swinging that much weight around on a forklift or setting it down on the dock or on the deck of a truck or ship, it ALWAYS requires a gentle touch. When you know your shipment is being placed into storage for a period of time before being delivered to the final destination, lift vans certainly are worth considering but there is little to no cost advantage. This largely boils down to a personal preference in many cases, especially when moving to Alaska. You have the option ship your belongings, as we provide, over-the-road as opposed to over water in a ship or barge. When shipping must be done over water to places like Hawaii or to other countries, containers or lift vans are unavoidable. When moving to Alaska, you do have options to consider.
Hi-Line Moving Services has been shipping household goods moving to Anchorage or moving to Fairbanks and many other points throughout Alaska for about 15 years now. We have come to know this area extremely well and moving your household goods over the ALCAN highway offers many advantages over other forms of shipping to Alaska. The greatest advantage is a very competitive price tag. We invite you to check us out.
Category: PackingComments (0)
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September 27, 2011 by Brian Smith
 When planning a move from Alaska or to Alaska, there are many things to keep in mind. While packing, selecting the right moving company, and figuring out how to ship your items are all standard elements of any move, there is a little bit more effort required to make your move from Alaska to the lower 48 or vice versa successful. In this guide, we will provide you with tips on planning this move and what you can do to ensure that your trip goes smoothly.
Time Management
One of the biggest ways to be successful in planning any sort of move is the utilization of effective time management. You need to give yourself time to choose a new property in Alaska or in the new community you plan to move to, but you also need time to make a budget of all the expenses that will be involved in your move. Sit down and calculate the cost of gas on the way to and from your destination, how much the moving and shipping costs are, and a variety of other elements. Since you are traveling mostly on the highway, there shouldn’t be too many shipping costs to contend with unless you are moving into or out of a community that is not vehicle accessible.
Pack Early
Ideally, it may be a wise idea to start packing anywhere from a month to two weeks before you scheduled move date. This way, you can be certain that all your boxes are packed, and if you forgot to pack something, you won’t be scrambling at the last minute to find a box to put it in. Obviously, leave out the bare essentials until the very end, and make sure that if you pack your valuables, you instruct your moving company on how to handle that box, or just move those across yourself.
Enlist A Moving Company
You may need to get help from a moving company while you are making move from Alaska or to it. No matter what you are trying to do, Hi-Line Moving Services may be able to help you. They specialize in helping people move away from the Alaska area down to the lower 48 or from the lower states up to Alaska. No matter which of these you are trying to do, you will find that the moving company’s employees are more than eager to help you make your move smoothly.
Traveling
When traveling on the highway, you need to be aware of the traffic conditions, so it is a good idea to research as much about the traffic to and from Alaska ahead of time. Also, plan for making a few bathroom or food stops along the way as necessary. These can add time to your trip, so it is a good idea to plan ahead in this instance too. Always be prepared for the unexpected so you don’t get too delayed.
Hopefully these Move from Alaska or move to Alaska tips help your move succeed.
(photo credit: John Lillis)
Category: Alaska Moving, Moving TipsComments (0)
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September 13, 2011 by Brian Smith
 Whether you are trying to make a move from Alaska to the lower 48 or the other way around, there is a specific checklist that you should follow when packing. In turn, there are a few moving services to consider that will help make the move run more smoothly. In this guide, we will explore the items you should bring with you and how the moving services can help make your move to Alaska or to it a more pleasurable experience.
Of course, you are most likely going to be moving along the highway, taking a truck, and for this reason, you should consider moving with Hi-Line Moving Services. They help people all across the United States make their move from Alaska to the lower 48 and vice versa. Some communities cannot be reached by highway access, so you may need to ship some of your goods first to a place that you can get to by highway, like Fairbanks or Anchorage. Then the movers can get your goods on the road again and headed to your destination.
Here is a checklist of some of the items to bring with you as you make your move into Alaska or out of it:
Valuable Items- You definitely want to make sure to bring your items of value with you. This includes your wallet, cell phone, any credit or debit cards you may have, professional certificates, computers and electronics, etc. You can bring these over yourself or have the movers ship them over.
Car- Getting your car shipped over to Alaska or from Alaska is one of the smartest things you can do. Moving costs money, and if you want to save a little extra money when you get to your new home, you should continue to drive the car you already have.
Animals- If you have any animals as pets, don’t leave them behind! If you can bring your dogs or cats with you, that is great. If you have larger animals, you may need to make accommodations for them ahead of time.
Bare Necessities- Of course, you will also need money, clothes, and food when you move, so bring enough of these essential items with you so that you don’t need to buy more as you make your move, or even afterwards.
When deciding to move from Alaska to the lower 48 or from the lower states to Alaska, you need to have a good plan in mind for how you are going to move your goods. Obviously, highway travel is the best option, but you can only go so far on the road. Make sure you know where to ship the goods that cannot be transported on the highway, and go with reliable movers, like Hi-Line Moving Services. They won’t steer you wrong. Bring along the most essential items when you move, and make sure you notify the movers about what sort of items are being moved. This way, you run less of a risk of loss or theft.
(photo credit: Travis S.)
Category: Alaska Moving, Moving TipsComments (0)
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August 30, 2011 by Brian Smith
 Preparing to relocate to a new town brings about a mix of emotions. You may feel excited about the new adventure awaiting you and your family in your new location or ready to take on the challenges of a new job. But relocation also comes with stress for the whole family. Change, even change for the better, takes a toll on everyone. Use these top three relocation tips to make your move to a new city smoother and as stress free as possible.
1. Say Goodbye
When you get ready to pick up roots and relocate to a new town, make sure you honor the life you have built in your current home. Give everyone in the family time to say goodbye to the people and places they have come to love. Taking day trips to parks, natural areas or the local pool to enjoy the spot for one last time allows you and especially your children to leave with recent fond memories of a favorite place. Make plans to have special meals at restaurants you frequent or buy a favorite local treat. You may even want to consider throwing a party. This gives both mom and dad and the kids time to spend with friends and marks a moment in time when everyone was able to say goodbye.
2. Give Yourself a Break
As you go about the time consuming and stressful process of packing, moving and transferring your life to a new place, make sure to give yourself a break. This means stepping away from the duties of relocating to take the kids to the park or to treat yourself to your favorite latte every now and then. Your to-do list will still be there when you get back from an hour on the playground and both you and the kids will be refreshed from the time away. Also consider making a long term to-do list and then schedule just a handful of tasks each day. If you finish early, don’t move on to the next task, take a break and relax.
3. Ask for Help
People embarking on a move often hear they should ask for help. And it’s one of the hardest relocation tips to follow. But asking for help will greatly ease your stress. Asking friends and family members lets them feel as though they’re contributing and could mean some extra quality time before you leave. You should also consider talking with relocation professionals who have a proven track record of relocating families, especially if you are moving a considerable distance. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel during your relocation. A moving company specializing in relocations can probably save you time, money and stress because they have done it all before.
Relocating is never easy even when the reason behind the relocation is positive. Use these relocation tips to make your move easier on the whole family.
(photo credit: Chris Enns)
Category: Moving TipsComments (0)
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August 2, 2011 by Brian Smith
Very recently our attention has been drawn to the elder members of society who are finding unique retirement options which have become much more diverse in the fairly recent past. One of those options is known as a Continuous Care Retirement Community, or CCRC. The premise for such communities is to have well-planned access to amenities that concur with the lifestyle preferences of older Americans. A significant portion of those amenities incorporate a transitioning flow of healthcare options and facilities that adjust with the needs of the members of such communities as they age and their needs change accordingly. A common comment from those seeking out these communities is “We just don’t want to be a burden on our children as we grow older.”
What is most enlightening about these developing communities is the detailed attention to seniors and the common affects to every aging member of society that are beginning to emerge. Early in life, typically we exert great efforts in education and preparation to become professional, self-sustaining and self-reliant members of our communities. Now encouragement for those same kinds of efforts is being brought to our awareness in preparing for the latter years of life. Awareness is key so that options for preparation can be sought out and implemented well in advance of potential difficulties. That preparation essentially eliminates the fears of what to do when life takes these turns and twists. There many professionals who have made concentrated efforts to really identify the options in great detail so that well-informed choices can be made well in advance so that proper and seamless preparations can be made.
So often, seniors are hit with life changing events that they know are coming but really do not prepare for them mostly because, as the adage goes, they don’t know what they don’t know. It’s no wonder that they don’t know the questions to ask. So where does one learn the questions? What resources are available that can help senior citizens set the direction could consider?
On a local level, many communities have public organizations oftentimes referred to as Aging Services, Senior Community Centers, Elder Services Programs to name a few. National associations have been organized to set ethical and reliability standards to which legitimate service providers can attach themselves. Well founded professionals are engaged in this dedicated effort. They want to assure senior citizens they will not fall prey to scam artists that are intent on bilking them of their carefully prepared savings for life’s latter years. One such organization is called the National Association of Senior Move Managers; NASMM for short. They are easily found on the internet and are a tremendous resource that can help find the right questions to ask or consider. Another more generalized association is the National Association of Personal Organizers (NAPO). These professionals are more diverse in the services they offer. They are particularly useful for those whose lives are so busy in their professions that they require assistance in handling the personal details of their lives thereby reducing significant stress and bolstering their confidence in timely execution of important details, events, objectives, etc.
CCRC’s have recognized just how valuable these professionals are and endeavor to align themselves with these professionals when establishing these community developments and working with their prospective clients. For those of us in the moving industry, there is emerging a great need for these kinds of services. The question now is whether senior citizens in our communities actually want to acquire the services of these professionals. We are taking a good, hard look at what these professionals can offer and how to integrate these kinds of services into moving. One of the saddest things we see fairly often is when a spouse dies and the surviving spouse is left with a whole house full of memories that have been acquired over a lifetime and the assumption is that the surviving spouse can pick it all up and take it with them when the move in with children or, at least, into a residence near family. That can be a very painful reality when suddenly faced with the prospect of having to downsize and having to leave many of those memories behind. This is a major transition in life that when properly approached and addressed, can be a greatly relaxed, albeit difficult experience.
Category: Moving into RetirementComments (0)
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June 17, 2011 by Brian Smith
One of the greatest concerns that anyone has when considering a move whether it be moving just a few miles away in the same town, moving across the country, moving from the lower 48 states to Alaska or moving to the other side of the world – centers on one or two simple questions.
“How Can I be Sure my Belongings will Arrive Safely?”
“What are my Options when Protecting my Belongings?”
Whether it be the heirlooms that have been passed down through generations with more sentimental value than perhaps cash value or bonafide valuable articles with significant cash value, the options available to you can be narrowed to two basic choices with moving companies. These are Replacement Coverage which has other names like Full Value Replacement Coverage, Maximum Value Protection to name just a few.
Other options available outside of moving companies in general are available through some homeowners’ insurance carriers and some renters’ insurance carriers. Right at the outset, it would be most helpful when determining your best choices by seeing what you may already be paying for and may not realize it. The very first step is for you to contact your insurance agent that takes care of your homeowners insurance policy or your renters insurance policy. Ask if your policy covers transportation of your household goods in a move from your current residence to your new residence wherever that might be. Coverage can vary from complete coverage at one end of the spectrum to catastrophic coverage in the event a loss is the result of a major accident in which the moving van might be totaled.
This will be a detailed look at these options from both household goods moving companies which will be referred to as carriers and what is available from insurance companies that your insurance agent represents. This can create a little confusion since moving companies are referred to as carriers and insurance companies are referred to as insurance carriers which do the underwriting for the policies that are available for purchase. When you hear the term “carrier”, it is important that you distinguish between the moving company as a carrier and the insurance company as an insurance carrier. To help with these distinctions, coverage that is available to moving company customers (referred to as “shippers”) is called Valuation Protection, Valuation Coverage or simply Valuation.
Technically, carriers are not able to offer insurance because insurance can only be purchased from a duly state-licensed and authorized insurance agent representing an insurance carrier. Insurance agents sell insurance policies created or underwritten by insurance carriers. On the other hand, moving companies (carriers) offer what is called Valuation Protection, Valuation Coverage or Valuation. We will simply refer to this as Valuation. Hence, what becomes available to shippers (moving company customers) comes from two different industries – the moving industry and the insurance industry. This is an important distinction particularly when it comes to settling a potential claim from problems that may occur from a move and the choices you make about your coverage before anyone even picks up a box to load it in a moving van. We will first examine coverage that is available from the moving industry called Valuation.
The term “valuation” comes from establishing a value for your belongings or your shipment. As a rule-of-thumb, the moving industry uses a value per pound to establish a minimum value from which to base a price for valuation coverage. Hi-Line Moving Services uses the factor of $5 per pound. For example, a shipment that is estimated to weigh 1000 pounds would have a minimum valuation of $5000 ($5 X 1000 lbs. = $5000). This means that if a shipper chooses Valuation, the minimum amount of coverage that shipper can purchase, in this example, is coverage of $5000. Let’s assume that the shipper has some valuable artwork in the shipment that by itself is worth $5000. The shipper has the option to acquire greater coverage than the minimum but not vice versa. The shipper in this case might choose to purchase $10,000 coverage for Valuation instead of the minimum – $5000 to cover the extra value and $5000 for the household goods.
Then there are other options for each level of valuation which are available much like the options available by insurance carriers. Those options are called deductibles. Deductibles work the same way when settling a claim as with insurance policies. Hi-Line Moving Services offers $0 deductible, $250 deductible and $500 deductible. To be clear, a deductible refers to the amount of the claim that is deducted from the settlement. For example, assuming a claim is submitting for $350 to replace some broken crystal that the carrier packed. The shipper purchased $5000 coverage with $250 deductible before the shipment was loaded. The claim is substantiated and a check is written for $100 to settle the claim ($350 claim minus $250 deductible = $100 payable on the claim).
One last word about Valuation… An important difference between Valuation and Insurance is that Valuation is purchased for the whole shipment. One cannot purchase coverage for just the one or two items of concern. Referring back to the example of the shipment with the expensive piece of artwork, let’s assume a major accident occurred in which the artwork was deemed a total loss as was the rest of the shipment. The shipper purchased $5000 coverage with $0 deductible. The loss really amounted to $8750 because the other household goods were totally destroyed. The maximum amount payable on this claim would be $5000 because that is the limit of liability due to the level of valuation coverage purchased. It should be noted that anything shipped that has a value of $100 per pound or greater would be required to be listed on a High Value Inventory describing the items and the real value. Otherwise, it would be subject to a lesser value since it was not properly declared.
Catastrophic coverage typically does not cover losses due to breakage from neglect, whether from your own handling when packing your own boxes or neglect of the moving company you select if providing full-service packing at your request. This typically refers to major damage caused, for example, by a vehicle accident where the contents in the moving van are a total loss or at least receives major damage as the result of a major accident. This is the kind of coverage most often provided by homeowners’ policies.
This all comes down to risk management. As a customer (shipper) contracting the services of a moving company (carrier), it is very important that you understand what coverage you really have and who to address a claim with. No matter the claim, the moving company you choose will definitely be involved in resolving the claim. Make sure you understand who has what responsibility for settling the claim should you experience damage to your belongings. Nobody wants claims and everyone should be exerting their best effort to reduce the possibility of a claim. Even so, claims sometimes do happen. Keep in mind that furniture and household goods are not made or produced with the idea that they will be moved. Otherwise, that would be a significant factor in the way things are designed. A professional moving company is one that pays attention to the small details and stays informed of the most current concepts is handling your precious things. It is in everyone’s best interest that your belongings arrive safe and sound whether you are moving to Alaska or to Zanzibar or anywhere in between.
Category: Insurance and Valuation, UncategorizedComments (0)
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June 3, 2011 by Brian Smith
 Motorcycles to Alaska
What do you do if you need to get four high-end touring motorcycles from Florida to Alaska?
In June of 2009, employees of a moving company based in Florida were planning the ride of a lifetime—an adventure to remember.
Their equipment was in the class of “pride and joy.” Four champions of the road, real “dressers,” plus sidecars and saddlebags—polished, perfect road machines. This should have been a magazine feature for Harley-Davidson.
The group planned to bike the last frontier, ride down the AlCan highway, taking their time to get back across the country to Florida in the opposite corner of the continent.
This would be a life-changing trip. The right equipment was all. How do you get all your bikes, and all you’ve invested in this trip, safely and reliably to Alaska so it will be ready to go when you get there?
Remember, these guys are in the moving industry themselves. So they knew who to call: Hi-Line Moving Services, the experts – the Alaska moving company to call when transporting household goods to Alaska from anywhere in the lower 48.
“Shipping by highway to Alaska provided them better service than going by sea—and was certainly a lot safer for their bikes,” says Art Groux, Chief Operating Officer for Hi-Line Moving Services. Each motorcycle and sidecar was individually strapped to a pallet and loaded into a truck and trailer customized for the Alaska route. On the appointed day, right on schedule, the riders met up with their wheels in Anchorage and hit the road.
The ones who know the business of moving to Alaska know Hi-Line when it comes to—or goes to—Alaska. Expert, one-step moving household goods, crated goods, cars and, oh yeah, motorcycles.
For more information and a quote, visit
http://www.hilinemoving.com/houseshold/form.php
Category: Recreation in the Abundant Beauty of Alaska, UncategorizedComments (0)
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June 1, 2011 by Brian Smith
 May begins bear awareness in Anchorage
Alaska residents are proud of the fact that they share their state with so many varieties of wildlife. But imagine sharing the neighborhood with some of North America’s largest predators. More than 290,000 people live in Anchorage, along with 250-350 American black bears and 55-65 brown (grizzly) bears.
In early May, the bears begin emerging from hibernation. All too often, they come to residential neighborhoods looking for food. Unsecured trash cans are a favorite target.
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the municipality of Anchorage encompasses 1,959 square miles, including a large state park, two military reserves, a portion of Chugach National Forest, other lands managed by federal agencies and a large state wildlife refuge. People occupy only about 10 percent of the total. Anchorage is a major modern city, but bear habitat encroaches on all sides.
It isn’t just the leavings of human activity that draw the bears to the developed areas—though bears are highly attracted to bird feeders, pet food and garbage. Anchorage’s metropolitan area also includes several large city parks that are chiefly natural, wooded habitat that provides abundant natural food sources for the omnivorous bears. Numerous streams are populated with spawning salmon from May through November.
So when moving to Alaska, be aware. The presence of the bears is watchfully tolerated. But with so many large predators present, encounters are inevitable. At least three near-deadly incidents have occurred in one Anchorage city park in the last three years. A 15-year-old girl was savagely mauled in 2008 when she surprised a brown bear while participating in a 24-hour bicycle race. A few weeks later, a runner on the same trail survived a mauling by what was believed to be the same bear. In 2010, another bicyclist had an incredibly lucky escape from a bear while he rode his daily commute along the same creek-side trail.
Wildlife managers use a balanced approach and examine each case to decide if a particular bear is dangerous and needs to be destroyed. In 2002, the Anchorage Bear Committee was formed to develop and implement recommendations for bear conservation and management. Numerous public education programs emphasize safe practices and bear awareness. Keep it in mind if you’re on your way to Anchorage. Do your hiking in a group and give the bears a chance to hear you coming..
Category: UncategorizedComments (0)
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May 30, 2011 by Brian Smith
 From February 25 through March 8, the winter streets of Anchorage will come alive during the annual Fur Rendezvous. Over the 76-year history of the celebration, unique events have been added to the traditions of the Fur “Rondy”—snowshoe softball, the running of the reindeer, World Champion Dog Weight Pull, outhouse races and more.
A new event added for 2011 was the first official Yukigassen in the U.S.
The “snow battle” invented over 20 years ago in Sobetsu, Japan, has finally made its way to North America and debuted in Anchorage during the final weekend of the 2011 “Rondy”.
Yukigassen is a highly structured snowball fight tournament. Two teams of seven players pelt each other madly on a rectangular court punctuated with shelters and a flag tower for each team. Certified officials oversee each match, consisting of three periods of three minutes each. A team wins by either capturing their opponent’s flag or hitting all of their opponents with snowballs. Spectators watch the chaos in wonder.
Since its origination to boost winter tourism, Yukigassen has developed zealous participation in Japan and annual championships in Finland, Norway, Australia, Holland and Sweden (which held its first in 2010). Edmonton will host the first Canadian tournament in March.
Anchorage’s Fur “Rondy” was established to coincide with the time miners and trappers brought their winter yield into town. What would those old sourdoughs think of a Japanese-style snowball fight?
Hi-Line Moving specializes in moving household goods to Alaska every day of the year.
Learn more:
Online www.hilinemoving.com/alaska,
or call toll-free 1-800-769-1096
Category: Recreation in the Abundant Beauty of AlaskaComments (0)
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May 27, 2011 by Brian Smith
 A simple breakdown becomes serious at 30-below. Diesel fuel and standard lubricants gel at extremely cold temperatures. Tire air pressure fluctuates with temperature change. Hi-Line Moving Services uses science to improve performance and prevent breakdowns on the 5000-mile round trip for household moves to Alaska in the winter months.
“Attention to detail is critical,” says Hi-Line’s Art Groux. “We’ve got to give our drivers the equipment to get there and back safely on their own.”
And they do. Trucks are fitted with special tires and four-wheel traction. Tires are inflated with nitrogen—resulting in constant inflation, less chance of leaks due to the larger molecule, and better tire wear and fuel mileage. Synthetic lube and engine oil are used for better performance in extreme cold. Left and right rear fuel tanks are heated by engine coolant. Fuel and coolant lines are insulated. Fuel conditioner is used along with a low temperature diesel mix. Auxiliary engine heaters are programmed to start two hours before the driver wakes up. An extra cab heater is also installed in each semi-tractor.
“Our trucks that go north are truly customized for the trip,” says Art.
Category: Moves to Alaska in the WinterComments (0)
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