Trailering on Vancouver Island

[Captain Bella]

Greetings All ~

We are looking forward to trailering from Victoria to the north end in order to launch for summer vacation.

I'm trying to pull the boat with as little fuel as reasonably possible.

Can anyone provide advice, please, regarding what type of hills/elevation changes to expect?

Should I fill the boat's tank in Campbell River, or wait until Port McNeill?

All thoughts welcomed.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff

[chromer]

Personally I would wait until McNeill. There is a couple stations as far north as Port Hardy. You want to avoid filling your truck between Nanaimo and CR, since all the gas is way off the highway, down in the old towns.

[Captain Bella]

I neglected to be specific...as little fuel in the boat's fuel tank as possible.

Thanks!

[Aurelia]

We filled up at Sayward junction late last summer then drove an additional 2 hours north to launch a telegraph cove. The mountains don't have any severe climbs or descents and are simply scenic with winding two lane in good shape. The road from the highway to telegraph is a little rough but fine if taken slowly. The route to Mcneill is all pretty smooth. There is gas just before you reach Port Mcneill on Hyde creek rd just before you pass the airstrip. Next time, I will stop there and save more driving time with full tanks like you are trying to do.

I think towing on the island is overall very easy (on paved roads) but you can't be in a hurry once you leave a primary hwy. I tow up there 3-4 times per year and even some of the un-paved routes can work well if you plan ahead.

Greg

[hardee]

The section between Victoria and Nanaimo goes over the Malahat mountain range. It has been a very long time since I drove that, but I remember it being mountains. Here is a quote, it is from a bycicle forum,

"I've done the Malahat once, but never ridden all the way to Nanaimo. The 'Hat has steep sections mixed with level sections, and climbs to about 365 meters (about 1200ft). In some places the road is wide, smooth, and has good shoulders for cycling; in others it is narrow with rough shoulders. The views, however, are gorgeous! You can bypass the 'Hat with a short and pretty ferry ride.
After the Malahat, the route is rolling terrain with long gentle grades and descents, with reasonable shoulders for riding in most places. Traffic can be frantic at times especially on the older, narrower sections, and there are usually road repairs/upgrades along the way. There are side routes as an alternate way to Nanaimo, but they add significant distance and time to the trip."

The ferry alluded to is the Brentwood to Mill Bay run, accessed from the west side of the Sannich peninsula, west of Sidney.

There are CBRATS on the island who have much more current knowledge of the 'Hat Hiway, so hope we hear from them on it. I do know Roger and Janet took Dreamer (TC-255) over on the Coho, so it certainly can be done.

I overnighted at Campbell River, at the WalMart Regency, and I also filled the boat tanks there at a little station that has "Marine grade" which is a non-tax gas. There is probably some of that available up island, but I didn't fill on the road again, only at the marinas on the water.

Harvey
SleepyC

[DrewbirdII]

Hello Jeff, you should have no problems at all traveling any parts of the highway on Vancouver Island. I've done it many times pulling the Dory with my half ton truck. If heading for the north island fill up your boat at the Petrocan station on the highway, just before Port McNeil. They have good water and marine fuel
" higher octane less methanol " Its also cheaper than regular gas. I like to leave my truck and trailer at Telegraph cove marina, they have a good ramp and safe parking. I've had bad luck in Port Hardy marina with a break in. Have fun, Jim.

[AstoriaDave]

Jeff,

Living in Port Angeles, you have been over the Malahat before, I bet. We trailered over that, coming and going. No big deal, really. Steepest roadway all the way to Port Hardy.

Definitely recommend the PA - VIC ferry over the alternate methods for getting onto the island, even motoring from here, or anyplace south of Seattle. Border crossing via the Coho ferry easier. Customs both ways friendly, professional.

Sayward good spot for overnighting if it fits your schedule.

Have a great time up there!

PS. Are you headed to the Broughtons?

[Dreamer]

Jeff, We've towed to the North end of the island 3 times. The first time we left the trailers in Telegraph Cove and that worked well. The next two times, we stored the trailer in a locked yard in Port McNeill. The yard is owned by Steve Jackman, who with his father, own the Fuel Dock and Marina, Auto Parts Store, Laundromat and Theatre!.

His contact phone is 250-902-8128. sjackman@portmcneill.com

We have taken the 8:20 AM Coho Ferry and been on the boat in a slip at his Marina that same evening. From then on, it's a wonderland of cruising!
Enjoy. PM me with any questions.

As far as fuel, I towed with the boat full of reasonably priced US gasoline. I preferred that to paying the outrageous Canadian prices. The diesel truck doesn't know the difference that the 1000lbs of fuel makes. YMMV

[rainger]

Hey Jeff the island is a piece of cake. The Malahat is nothing of a hill and only a few miles of climb. Nothing like doing the Cascades.

After that it is all just smooth highways and north of Nanaimo for a long time you can do 120K.

As for gas look for Co-Op gas stations they sell mid grade "marked" gas higher octane for a lower price because of reduced taxes.

I know there is one just over the Malahat in Mill Bay. I don't know of any up at the north part of the Island. Once in Mill Bay a fill up will not change your gas mileage for the rest of the trip other than a buck or two which you will saved on the mid grade gas cheaper than regular

If Mill Bay does not have the mid grade marked for you there are Co-op stations in Duncan. I cant speak for the Comox area.

If someone living in Comox or Campbell River can recommend a Co-op with marked gas up there then all the better. BTW none of the regular gas stations will provide you with the better gas at the reduce price. Have a great time I envy you. Because I dont have a boat any more

[Captain Bella]

Thanks all - we appreciate your help. This was exactly the advice I was hoping to receive!

Dave - yes, the Broughtons are the plan for this summer's trip. We are limited to 2 weeks, so we have elected to trailer vs. hoping for good weather on our own bottom.

[hardee]

Jeff,

With your 2 week time limit, Your choice for the Coho is probably the best. As Roger says, you can leave the house in the morning and be on the water on the North Island by dark. The Co-op Gas stations were a good suggestion. you can make pretty good time, on the highway, 4 lane until you get to Campbell River. From there on it is 2 lane, curvy and some hills. On my way back last summer, there was a stretch south of Sayward junction where there was an all traffic stop. A tree across the road. There were a couple of cars there in front of me, and a few trucks. The front cars said they saw a bear go across the road, and a few seconds after it went into the trees, this tree came down on the road. We were stopped a few minutes. A whole bunch of us pulled it around to the side of the road, and we were all off and running again.

When I go back next summer I will take a yard spray tank with Salt Away. Finding wash down places that work are not always easy but i was able to find one almost every place.

Harvey
SleepyC

[bridma]

There is marine grade gas at "Save-on-gas" in Cumberland and Comox, a little cheaper than the regular pumps. But it means leaving the main highway for a few miles. Not worth the saving in my opinion. Carry on North and fuel up just before launch.

Martin.