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Alaska bound

Yahoo Message Number: 77890
Hi everyone. Planning on a couple of months in Canada and the big state of Alaska this June and July. I have been going over the motorhome with a fine tooth comb, all seems well... we'll see. Just looking for any advice or insight from more seasoned travelers to this area.

1999 INTRIGUE #10738

2012 Rubicon Unlimited with Blue Ox Kar guard

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77897
Hi Mike and Susan

May I ask if your Alaska trip is thru a caravan type excursion? If anyone has any ideas for an Alaska trip with a few RV's, would love to hear about it..... dont want to travel thru Alaska as a single female - have heard it is not a good idea.....
Canadian trip sounds wonderful!! Have heard its absolutely gorgeous and the Canadian folks are wonderful. jan

06 Inspire Davinci 51898

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77898
You will need more than two months. Make sure you go thru Jasper/Banff Canadian Parks. Also drive from White Horse thru Carcross (worlds smallest sand dune desert) to Skagway. and much much more........................

Dave

aka Billy Byte (trusty hound)
2000 Allure #30443

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77899
Hi Mike and Susan, You may consider shock absorbers. The frost heaves and road conditions will test the rebound limits of your suspension. Slow down and enjoy!!

Skip....2002 Intrigue #11329......2008 Wrangler

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77901
My wife and I made the trip north taking our coach on its first trip to our home in Alaska last May. We stayed until October and our only issue was on the return, just about 100 miles inside Yukon Territory. We passed over a "frost heave"?, now a depression in the roadway, at less than 25 mph, which, because of the left to right slant of the depression, cause our towed 2008 Ford F250 4x4 diesel truck to want to turn right, all the while, we were headed straight, with some brakes lightly applied. The tow bar, rated at 10,000 lbs., bent on one side, rendering it useless, and we ordered a replacement in Whitehorse, which arrived one week later. Other than that, the trip north, and living in our coach the entire time (save a few days here and there in the house), was a fun filled trip, and well worth doing again. We met so many, now, great friends in the various campgrounds and caught about 400 pounds of salmon and hundreds of clams. We spent our time smoking, filleting and canning the fish and eating and freezing the clams. We picked wild blue berries, cranberries, and other wild berries and plants. We shot hundreds of photos of wildlife and drove north as far as Coldfoot and inside of the Arctic Circle. You have to have fun once in a while, and this trip was fun.

Jim Hill

2008 Tribute 260
81138

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77903
Only piece of advice I have is to to take it easy. There is no reason, ever, to drive over 50MPH.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77904
Mike and Susan,

We made this trip in 2003 with Tracks Tours. Some advice they gave us prior to leaving. Seal all openings where wires, hoses, ducts, etc. penetrate the living quarters to prevent dust inside. I used spray foam. Carry extra filters, belts, engine hoses and engine and transmission fluids. We didn't use any of these but we ran into people that did. At that time there was NO telephone service, Cell or Land line, in northern British Columbia, The Yukon Territory and parts of Eastern Alaska. The only means of communication was by short wave radio. The campgrounds when you get out of the major cities do not have electricity other than on their generator. When many campers show up the voltage can drop below acceptable levels. They told us if we have an RV refrigerator to put it on LP gas and leave it there! Also do not use your microwave unless you are on your own generator. Don't let your fuel tank get below 1/2. During the time you will be traveling there is construction going on to fix the heaving from the previous winter. We were told that when approaching any gravel area and another vehicle is coming toward you to STOP, not just slow down, and let them pass then continue on. This prevents you from driving into the rocks they are throwing up. We did not have any windshield rock chips or cracks on the trip. Some of the private campground had RV wash stations. We used these at every opportunity. The only mishap we experienced was a flat inside rear duel tire, a screw, north of Whitehorse at a Lake called Destruction Bay. At that time we were in a gas coach that had a spare tire. I was able to change the tire and get the flat fixed in Whitehorse. With the current coach, a Magna, I would have to limp very slowly into Whitehorse for a fix. Check ALL your tires everyday prior to leaving in the morning. Now for the fun part. Obtain the book Mile Markers, it gives you a detailed list of things to see and do at every mile of the Alaska highway. We also took the road to Chicken, Top of the World, going north and the Cassiar, in the Yukon and British Columbia, going south. We were told to drive slowly, 50-55 mph, and enjoy the many sites and views. If you get to Homer be sure to go fishing if you enjoy that and if the Salmon are running fish even more. If you have any questions let me know.
Don

2000 Magna

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77911
We done the trip a few years back. My advice is to take some 'sticky note' pads. Put one on every rattle as you go up the road. It'll give you something to do each night while camping. When we got back south we had the tightest motorhome in the USA.

Other than that plan on staying longer than you planed on staying!

Good luck.

Bruce

2001 Intrigue #11278

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77912
Don't try to tell the NASCAR boys that.

lol
Rofl

mikee

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77915
"Plan on staying longer than you planned on staying" Now there's some good advice for most any trip. I'll remember that one. Thanks

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77917
Well, the NASCAR boys aren't paying for your coach either!

Don
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77940

Is there a way those possibly interested in at least a partial caravan in Alaska, summer of 2013, post a note indicating their possible interest. I travel as a single and have been told Alaska is not a place a single woman should venture into --- numerous tour groups offer caravans but they are extremely expensive and dont think going with 20 motorhomes would be much fun......

Any opinions or suggestions, or anyone have any interest? thanking you all,
jan

06 Inspire DaVinci 51898

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77949
Janice, I certainly wouldn’t worry about being a single female when traveling to Alaska.  I would worry more doing the same in the lower 48.  Just use common sense when traveling.  Alaska is a safe place and a fun and adventuresome place to visit.  Don’t go driving off the beaten path.  Stick to the popular campgrounds and there are plenty of them to be had.  Drive during the day hours only and try to limit your planned drives to 5-6 hours, thereby giving you lots of time to relax and enjoy where you are.  If you have questions, feel free to email me.
 
Jim Hill
2008 Tribute 260
81138

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77953
We could be interested also. We would want to go slow and see the sites in Canada and Alaska, over a month or two, mid June to mid Aug. Let us know.

George James, WB5LDN
08 Affinity 6877

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77956
We would be interested. I have been working to persuade my wife to take the Alaskan trip for some time. A similarly interested group traveling together might ease her concerns for the really long trek North.

G Brown

2007 Allure 31447

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77957
Wow - already four positives, thats wonderful ----- I cringe when I think about a caravan of 20 RV's with those professional tour companies -- and I would want to go slow too in order to be able to really feel the flavor of the various areas.
Let's keep this up to date with interested folks --- thanks all very much jan

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77965
Remember, always drive to the road, even if it's only 5mph. Don't rush or push it. You hear of stories where people in a hurry end up sitting because they bend/break/tear off parts from driving too fast over frost heaves.

Dave

aka Billy Byte (trusty hound)
2000 Allure #30443

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77966
One other thing I have not seen mentioned. Do not go without an up to date Milepost. http://milepost.com/
It is the definitive guide to the whole experience and covers, with mile by mile details, all the roads you are likely to ever use in Western Canada and Alaska. Don't leave home without it.

We did the trip in 2007 by our selves and we had no issues worth mentioning. We traveled alone and thus had no problems of touring by committee. What ever your comfort level is, GO. The trip is one of the greatest you will ever do in an RV.

Dave

aka Billy Byte (trusty hound)
2000 Allure #30443

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77969

Dave - thanks so much for all the info. I do have Milepost - the latest - thank you for the tip on that - Can you comment on the talk that the roads have ruined RV's? Did you find that to be true and all sorts of protective devices have to be installed prior to driving into Alaska.... thanks again
Jan

06 Inspire 51898

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77975
Hi all,

I just completed our own 56 Day mini caravan trip to the Yucatan.
I would add 2 more books to your Alaska library after the Milepost before departure. The Travelers Guide to Alaska (RV) Camping by Mike and Terri Church. ISBN 978-0974947167. I use their book as the basic guide in Mexico. It describes the campsites for RV's, size, hookup's, available services, telephone numbers, email and GPS location. I could not have had a very successful journey without it. We also used the Lonely Planet as the 'sightseeing guide'.
Even with a few RV's on the trip requires careful planning, a general outline of an itinerary with everything STC and a lot of flexibility.

Have a great time.

Michael

05 Inspire #51381

**************************************** Michael Title

Halfmoon Bay, BC, Canada
CDN Cell: 604.741.3328

San Miguel De Allende, GTO Mexico MEX Cell: [52] 415.100.1543

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77978
Janice

Frost heaves are Natures speed bumps, with little WARNING just watch the road ahead of you observe the on coming lane for skid marks left by people that were going too fast, and watch vehicles in front of you that are bouncing. With on coming traffic try to stay to the right and slow down.
Take your time and enjoy one of the best trips you will ever take.
We left Michigan June 15th and returned September 9th. We drove every mile of the Alcan Hwy. Only 11700 miles from our front door and back.
The only stone chip in the windshield we got was 15 miles from the house on a newly paved road.
Greg B.

Re: Alaska bound

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77983
We done the trip some years back and had no major issues. Lots of rattles. We stayed late and almost everything closed down so watch your dates.
We returned via the Cassiar Highway. Fantastic but a very primitive road by comparision. Lots of dirt/mud. Narrow bridges and big hills. Almost no facilities.

Take your time and the memories will last a lifetime.

Bruce

2001 Intrigue #11278