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Alaska Highway

Yahoo Message Number: 109022
What is your opinion on taking these wonderful coaches to Alaska? I here lots of bad stories about the Alaska Highway (rough road and rocks). I would really like to travel Alaska in it, but don't want to tear it up getting there. What do you all think?

I just returned from a 6000 mile, 3 month trip, mostly thru CO and TX, and the coach ran flawlessly. It is so easy to live and travel in. What a wonderfully built coach, we are all very fortunate to be able to run them.

Greg

06 Magna 6642
2006 Magna Rembrandt C13
2016 Jeep GC toad

Re: Alaska Highway

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109035
We bought a 2005 Alpenlite Fifth wheel and immediately drove it to Alaska. It didn't suffer any major damage. We also drove it to Alaska in 2010. I know it wasn't a motorhome, but why have something you pay a lot of money for and not use it? The roads aren't that bad. Worst section was after leaving Haines Junction, We now have a Country Coach and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it to Alaska.

If you go to our blog http://sqdncr.blogspot.com and view the web version you can see the archives. (On a smart phone you don't see the archives unless you scroll to the bottom and pick web version.)

On the right side of the screen are the different archived months. If you pick July - Sept 2005, and July - Aug 2010 you can read about our trip.

Re: Alaska Highway

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109036
Greg,

I made the trip to Alaska in 2003. I received some very good advice.

1) Travel slowly, i.e. 50mph. You're making the trip to see some of the most spectacular scenery in the world! You need to be able to react to pavement that has heaved.
2) When entering a stretch of road that is gravel and another vehicle is approaching, STOP, don't slow down. Wait for them to pass then proceed. The approaching vehicle will be throwing up stones and you will drive into them.
3) Carry extra fuel filters & fan belts. No how to change them!
4) Cell phones do not work in many areas so you can't just call for help.
5) Many of the camp grounds use generators for power. When they have multiple customers the voltage can drop to damaging levels. Don't use your microwave or other sensitive electronics unless you switch to your generator.
6) Fill your fuel tank at every opportunity. Don't go below 1/2 tank.
7) You may want to carry a spare tire without the rim. I did have a flat at a campground at Destruction Bay. A screw. The closest repair was in Whitehorse, Yukon Terr.
8) Obtain the book Mileposts.
9) Allow enough time.

Enjoy!!! 
Don

2000 Magna 5854

Re: Alaska Highway

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109052
Just for grins!

The worst section of road we ran into was between Whitehorse and Tok. It was brutal!! We had a one ton dually with 11 foot camper. We met a couple in Seward with a 42 ft. Intrigue and they had a minor engine mechanical failure and it cost them 2300.00 to have their coach towed to Anchorage for repairs and another 6700.00 for the repair. It was not a major engine failure, they had it fixed in two days. An exhaust pipe failed and melted some hoses and wires. When we got back to the lower 48 we were in Junction City at the CC factory looking at a few coaches they had for sale and there was the gentleman we met in Alaska! Lol Had his in for a lot of upgrades and body work! Lol we bought a '09 45 ft. Allure 470 and I love it to much to take it to Alaska!! Lol

Dennis

Re: Alaska Highway

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109064
We took our coach from CA. To Alaska as far as Fairbanks, then into Denali & Kenai.
Took Alaskan Highway up, then Stewart Highway back down.
Never had a problem. Started out with new air filter, bought 2 more with me and changed all out. Worst road was Whitehorse to Tok. Otherwise roads not bad. Need to slowdown for frostheaves.
Good luck

Kent 05 Allure. 31281

Re: Alaska Highway

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109066
We took our F-550 and Alpenite 5th wheel to Alaska in 2004. As someone else said we only drove about 50mph and never traveled more than 200 miles per day. We were gone 3 months and only got our first rock chip after we crossed the border back into Washington. Of course the dirt can be bad in the construction sites on the Alcan. I would not hesitate to go in our CC.

Bob

'05 Intrigue 11872

Re: Alaska Highway

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109068
I go back and forth each year with my 2008 Tribute 260. At 40 feet in length, it rides just fine, and I pull my 2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty 4x4 SuperCab Diesel, with a CanAm Outlander Max 4-wheeler in it. Never had much of a problem with the exception of one time when I had to replace the tow bar which bent passing over a frost heave.

The worst section, as many seem to have noticed, is from Haines Junction, north, to the Alaska border, which is set of Tok, Alaska. I haven't taken the coach north of Fairbanks yet, but have driven the truck and 4-wheeler up the "Haul Road" to the Brooks Range Mountains. Following the pipeline is a worthwhile experience for sure.

You shouldn't rush, and should't worry too much, as the drive is fantastic, and the countryside is worthwhile. Not to mention the wildlife.

Jim Hill

2008 Tribute 260
81138

Re: Alaska Highway

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109069
We have driven our motorhome to Alaska 3 times ... back in 1997 in our SOB and yes we got some chips here and there. We returned again in our 2002 Intrigue in 2007 and during that trip lost both halves of the windshield due to chips and actual cracks. On that trip our toad also lost its windshield due to cracks and we also had to replace the toad headlights. And this year we returned again for our 3rd time and the toad did well (although I developed some creative covers for the windshield and the headlights and grill when we knew that we were going to be driving through major road construction areas ... "there's and app for that"). The motorhome suffered a couple of windshield chips that were repairable by Safelite and of course we added a few dings in the paint. But ... would we do it again ... you bet we would! Alaska is a world beyond and that's what motorhoming is all about. We've been full-timing for 21 years

My advice as has already been stated by others is to keep your speed down. Also, don't short change yourself by hurrying through this magic land (plan on spending 2 to 3 months), get a current copy (for the year you are going) of the "MilePost", check out the coupon books that are offered online for 100 bucks or so (not only will you save well over the purchase price with just a couple of uses, but you will find things to do that you would never have thought of doing), and did I mention ... keep your speed down.

If you'd like to chat more about Alaska, contact me by personal message.

Safe travels, Steve
2002 Intrigue #11382

Re: Alaska Highway

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 109100
We will take our Intrigue to AK for the third time this coming season, as WagonMasters for Fantasy RV Tours, on a 60 day tour. We have had no major problems, nor have our guests. Only those who ignore the suggestion to slow down have problems.

DavidW

06 Intrigue 11993