Northbound- Ep 07 - Disaster in Deadhorse, AK - Vanlife Goes Wrong on the Dalton Highway

When a breakdown leaves Peter & Kathy Holcombe stranded far above the arctic circle in the oil company town of Deadhorse, Alaska, They scramble to figure out what is actually broken in their Sprinter van, whether it can be fixed there, and if not, what to do when they are stranded on the edge of the world. They rally friends to learn what needs to be done and hope they have the tools and skills to get them out of this dire and potentially trip-ending situation. This is the real ugly and hard side of vanlife and the harsh consequences of overlanding when it all goes wrong. This is a rough start to their Pan-American trip from the top of North America to the very southern point of South America.
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Famagogo website:
www.famagogo.com
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Peter- / peterholcombe
Winnebago Revel 4x4 Sprinter Van
www.winnebago.com/models/prod...
Agile Offroad:
agileoffroad.com
Inhabit Design Works:
www.inhabitdesignworks.com
Mercedes Benz of Oklahoma City:
www.mercedesbenzofokc.com
Mercedes Benz of Anchorage
www.mercedesbenzofokc.com
Mercedes Sprinter:
www.mbvans.com/en/sprinter
Deadhorse Alaska:
www.travelalaska.com/Destinat...
Dalton Highway:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalton_...

[@Beardinc]

Wow what a great attitude you both have. Having that mindset really helps. Sadly it seems like such a prevalent issue with 2500's. This is the third youtuber ive seen with this issue. Sure hope Mercedes fixes this issue so people dont get stranded out in the backcountry. Love the content, subscribed :)

[@Famagogo]

Yea, this was a pain, as are all such surprises. I learned a lot from it. I did later replace the other side just to be safe for our drive to South America. I hope they can beef it up too. Thanks so much!

[@IthacaDon]

I have to say that breaking down in Prudhoe Bay is pretty extreme way to increase your subscribers. I used to work up there in the 80's with Schlumberger. I am surprised no one would let you work in a bay. Good luck and be safe!

[@Famagogo]

LOL, Yea, It's an expensive way too. It seems everyone up there is very concerned with insurance and liability. They wanted to help but were afraid of getting in trouble with the companies rules. I don't fault them. I think it's just the time we live in. Thanks for watching.

[@Wa61105]

Thanks for sharing what you guys are going through and the process to make it all right! I hope that when all is said and done, you also get to replace that inferior stock Diff case cover with the better one from Agile.. Stay safe and look forward to part 2!..

[@Famagogo]

Thanks Walter, Yes, I'll be asking Santa for that cast iron Agile Diff cover. Maybe a locker too...

[@ramonmirabal101]

Feel very sorry that happened to you. I have Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ROADTREK for cylinder 2.1 150,000 mileage so far so good. We come from the trip from Alaska I was very worried but we made it thank good. Good luck to you guys.

[@Famagogo]

Thank you! I love that you're exploring Alaska in your Sprinter too. Safe travels!

[@ifly64s]

Makes me wonder if the new Owl rear locking diff with the full heavy duty axle is the way to go now? We own a lot of Agile and Owl gear. Glad we have these great resources for our Revels. Thanks for sharing this!

[@Famagogo]

Yes, I wondered the same. That might have at least allowed me to not needa tow to just get to a better spot at low speed. I'll be looking into this for the rest of our drive to South America.

[@SuperCleanslate]

You have a good attitude, stay strong! I've found the hardest part of unexpected problems is assuring my wife everything will be find so I hope Kathy is relaxed and taking it in stride. This breakdown only adds to the adventure, sorry it worked out this way but you are clearing the path for others. I have never heard of a bull bar for electricity. We've been traveling for 8 months in a 2023 Revel with no real issues but we are on borrowed time. Thanks for your videos.

[@Famagogo]

Hello, Thanks. We seem to really work well in crisis mode. Breakdowns are part of vehicle-based travel. Everything mechanical will have issues eventually. We are on our 10th year traveling in Sprinters and have had surprisingly few problems. I bet I'm getting close to half a million miles in Sprinters alone. Keep up on the service A and B, and they seem to do really well.

[@eyalofer5015]

Amazing how calm you are under stress. Hang in there!

[@Famagogo]

Thanks. It's funny how little stuff can be stressful but this kind of stuff makes me slow down and try to understand what's going wrong.

[@dennymeyer7410]

Now after allllllll of that it’s time for the BIG comeback. Been watching some of your earlier stuff. You’re brave and adventurous folks always look forward to your videos.

[@Famagogo]

Thanks Denny, Yes, a comeback is in the works... Hopefully. More on Friday.

[@mfarris7883]

Gee, the locals are typically so resourceful and helpful everywhere. I’m surprised there were no oil field mechanics who could help you out. 😢 how fortunate you found a kind & helpful local to help you to power. Now to find some food somewhere and time to work for a few days. Whew! Thankful you are creative and very talented as a mechanic!!

[@Famagogo]

I first thought the same. Maybe the best place to breakdown with all the mechanics. But, If I had been driving a bulldozer that might have been true. These guys only work on large oilfield equipment and only for their companies. There isn't a single private repair shop for any cars or vans. Only one rental place that might be able to help if I had a Chevy. I guess this is why I pack all these tools. For just this situation. Thanks for watching.

[@BWT599]

Good luck to you Peter and your wife. Thanks for the video, I learned a lot about the rear diff. Today on the highway up here in Canada a Sprinter camper van passed me and I distinctly noticed the spining section leading up to the rear diff. KZbin was reading my thoughts and I saw your video in my feed. Stay safe out there!

[@Famagogo]

Ha, that's funny and scary how KZbin can do that. Thanks so much for watching! Safe travels to you too!

[@jamestreanor182]

you two are amazing!

[@Famagogo]

Much thanks!

[@VanDoghies]

Wow Peter and Kathy what a trial to go through as you hit the northernmost part of NA!!! You both handled the situation with grace and patience (at least on camera 😅) The beauty of things breaking down is you can learn and test new skills like this. The story definitely makes for amazing content and this series should continue to blow up!

[@Famagogo]

Thank you! Yes, I find I do learn the best out of necessity. This was no different. It was really great having John at Agile Offroad and Paul at MB Tec help me diagnose the issue. Once I honed in on the axle, it was a relief and time to get to work. And today, with KZbin, You can learn how to fix almost anything. I think KZbin is the best tool in my tool kit.

[@VanDoghies]

Agree soooo much, we would be lost without the education on YT!@@Famagogo

[@larryheiny5287]

Frustrating. You lived the fear we all had when going up the roads. Glad it came out ok. Safe travels!

[@Famagogo]

Thanks Larry! Safe travels to you too!

[@stevehori673]

Peter I don't know how you stay so calm! I'd be freaking out. You guys stay safe, maybe try to borrow or rent a car in the meantime. Keep us informed, can't wait to see how this real life story comes out.

[@Famagogo]

We will keep looking over our shoulders for Mr. Grizz. Thanks so much for watching! More to come this Friday at 5pm.

[@nytrydr2]

Oh man, sorry this happened . Hopefully all goes well.

[@Famagogo]

Thanks. It's part of the game.

[@MogsAndDogs]

Well that is an unfortunate turn of events - or maybe it will make for a more interesting adventure. Hope you are able to find an axle.

[@Famagogo]

Yes, It's going to be a fun story someday. But not quite yet...

[@craigfisher67]

If we can get this up to a million views it’ll cover the tow! Seriously, sorry to see you stuck, but sounds like a little wrenching and you’ll be good as new. Best of luck!

[@Famagogo]

Yes please! Wrenching in progress... See you Friday with the results good or bad. Thanks for watching.

[@ChrisFogarty-nt6hi]

Did you get the van running? My sprinter just did this. Had it towed 100 miles to a mb dealer that told me it needs a complete axle. Said because neither wheel turned like yours it was the pinion and not replaceable so he ordered a complete axle for $10k. I’m curious to see if just fixing one axle worked. They haven’t even opened the diff but ordered an axle.

[@Famagogo]

Hey Chris, I would insist that they open and check the diff and see if one axle is broken. It’s a huge difference in the cost of the repair. It’s impossible to know until you dig into the situation to see exactly what’s going on inside the diff and axle. I’m so sorry your going through this too.

[@ChrisFogarty-nt6hi]

Your video is a big help! Thank you for taking the time to share. I’m in talks now with the service manager to find out why they ordered a complete axle without looking in the diff. Did you get your axle fixed In the parking lot?

[@vanDiesel-pe6xt]

Hope they have your part in stock and they send you all the parts you need. Any idea what caused it?

[@Famagogo]

Parts are inbound and hopefully we can roll outbound soon. I think maybe the bearings just went and the whole axle with it. They are a one piece assembly. Tune in Friday for the conclusion. Thanks for watching!

[@saken4]

Didn’t finish the whole video… but you can’t just remove the driveshaft and go at it slow in front wheel drive?

[@noelgruver]

Was wondering the same thing

[@ericdanielson4177]

I'll bet MB software won't allow that.

[@Famagogo]

Maybe 10 years ago before computers ruled the world. Everything has a sensor and it knows something is wrong and shuts it down to prevent further damage. But, that would be a nice workaround. I did try to drive in 4WD, that's how I know.

[@noelgruver]

@@Famagogo I feel for you, and Godspeed on the fix. Because of you, My wife & I are quitting our corporate jobs, selling our home in HI and moving to the mainland to buy a Revel. At least for a while. THANK YOU 🙏

[@JONSMITHYOUTUBE]

Do you have a block heater for the eng?

[@Famagogo]

No, I normally chase 70 degrees. Things are really off if I'm plugging into a block heater. I have had sprinters down to -22 and it started right up. But I dont want to make a habit of that.

[@JONSMITHYOUTUBE]

@@Famagogo thanks for the reply. Stay safe and good luck up there.

[@stevej7139]

Isn't your Sprinter van a 4 wheel drive ? I've helped people limp out of the trails on front wheel drive before. It might not do your rear diff a lot of good and you have to watch that your rear axel doesn't separate but you can motivate down the road like that, you would be surprised at what condition my friends and I have driven our vehicles in, a lot of miles to get them back home. Duct tape, bailing wire and a few large hose clamps are your friends when in remote places.

[@Famagogo]

Yes, it is 4WD. I tried that. But I think the computer detected the issue of drive shaft moving and no movement on the wheels and it shut it down. I couldn't go and just hear the terrible grinding. Maybe with knowing it was the axle and an Agile Offroad rear locker this might have worked. I'd love to know and will ask the AO guys on our next visit.

[@stevej7139]

@@Famagogo gotta love that new computer driven tech, it's great when it is, but when it isn't it can be a major pain. My biggest concern would be the axel separating, with drum brakes you lose them and with disk you get some major rubbing, either way it's bad. Old tech was much easier to get going out in the wild than today's high tech stuff.

[@user-uo7zg1dy1x]

Am I the only one that thinks the diff fluid should not look like that?? Looks more like chocolate

[@craigfisher67]

MB service interval is 85k miles or 10 years. Doing mine at 40k!

[@ChrisFogarty-nt6hi]

Actually MB on my VS30 says 120k but I’m joining the 40k club

[@Famagogo]

Yes, I think it had lots of dust in it from all the dirt roads I drive. I'm definitely going to be replacing it yearly and checking it more often. It's a really easy thing to do, so why not. Thanks for watching!

[@beahappy710]

Seeing you being stranded reminds me of our experienced in Northwest Territories. We drove to Tuktoyaktok just last July of this year and had a flat two tires between Arctic Circle and Fort Mcpherson, luckily a guy in Mcpherson fix it just for us to drive to Inuvik to buy a new tires. It happened Saturday and so we we're stranded in Inuvik's territorial campground for the weekend. It was so boring because we can't drive anywhere and can't walk in the campsite either because my husband and I are both scared of bears.

[@boosttv5688]

Yes agree. Wonder if he had a small leak or just the fluid accelerated the failure. Those sprinter diff covers are a weak point.

[@BAIGSON]

In America Ford....... parts everywhere

[@Famagogo]

That's true, I like Fords a lot too. But Ford parts are not as readily available in some of the 23 other countries we have taken our van too. Mercedes Benz is one of the few auto makers with a global parts network and Sprinter vans are used worldwide. It proved really handy here as I could find the part in state and have it shipped to me overnight. So it all works out well.

[@BAIGSON]

I am glad enjoy and be blessed brother@@Famagogo

[@hannahelstad]

Catching up on your videos. All ready miss seeing Tucker in the background. 😢 Holcombe’s have always had a positive, can do attitude in all situations. It’s so inspiring! Love you guys!

[@dustyroads5811]

Well i guess its a good idea not to travel to prudeau bay. Dont seem to be very accommodating .

[@Famagogo]

Lol, That was my first thought too. I then realized it is very much a company town. Everything there and all the people are there for one reason, to work. They are really limited by insurance and company policy as to what they can do. There are no private repair shops or stores. The Brooks Range Store is the one exception but it is a NAPA and gift shop of sorts. No mechanics are there to help the general public. No Tourism is encouraged here. This is as far from the tourist shops of Homer as you can get. But, that is one aspect of what makes it interesting culturally. I had no idea how life was for the workers until I was forced to spend time there. And geographically its super interesting and a worthwhile trip. BUT... a bad place to break down. So don't do that part but go and explore.

[@philandrew3603]

Id venture to say, you are going to fix the van? I hope you canceled your insurance with State Farm.

[@Famagogo]

I hope your right! Yea, I might have to re-think insurance too.