Alaska bound questions

[DDevers]

The wife and I are planning a trip to Alaska next year and would appreciate all the guidance you experienced Rvrs have. We'll be taking our 21' Bigfoot trailer and hope to catch some fish as well as view God's creation.



What do you recommend for travel routes, sites to see, where to get clams ... ... . I think you get the idea. I know there was an Alaska travel thread on here about 5 years ago but I fail to remember all of the info it had.



Thanks

 

[Mark31]

In 07, we pulled a Woodmizer portable saw mill from Sheridan, CA, to Palmer, AK. 1. If you don't have (or won't get) an exhaust brake and a Maxbrake, stay home. 2. Allow plenty of time. I want to go back to see some of things I had to pass by. 3. On up in Canada, push water gets expensive. After you figure your "complete" estimated costs for the trip, add 30%. 4. Moose, caribou, buffalo, think they have the right-of-way. 5. Get some 8x40 quality binoculars. Anything over 8 power is harder to hold steady without a support and detail is missed. 6 GO!!! Grizzly had a good thread with a lot of info. Maybe he will jump in. Mark

 

[Bill Stockard]

The wife and I are planning a trip to Alaska next year and would appreciate all the guidance you experienced Rvrs have. We'll be taking our 21' Bigfoot trailer and hope to catch some fish as well as view God's creation.



What do you recommend for travel routes, sites to see, where to get clams ... ... . I think you get the idea. I know there was an Alaska travel thread on here about 5 years ago but I fail to remember all of the info it had.



Thanks

Try this thread: https://www.turbodieselregister.com...forum/151781-alaska-trip-cab-over-camper.html



Bill

 

[Tractorat]

Some folks on this forum used to recommend getting a copy of the Milepost. I got one when I drove up the alcan in 2007, but didn't find it as useful as a lot of people seem to think it is. But, it does have a lot of good information if you like to read. Everything from sights to see, where diesel is available, etc.

 

[Grizzly]

I started the thread mention by Bill Stockard. It has 173 post and loaded with great information about going to Alaska. Been there twice and I will be glad to answer any question you have.



I will however be out of town for about a week to attend my brother's funeral in Oregon.



george

 

[DDevers]

Grizzly,



Sorry to hear about your brother. I looked for that thread but couldn't find it. It's definitely what I wanted as I remember reading it several years ago and it resulted an many daydreams. Now to make the dreams come true.

 

[Grizzly]

Grizzly,



Sorry to hear about your brother. I looked for that thread but couldn't find it. It's definitely what I wanted as I remember reading it several years ago and it resulted an many daydreams. Now to make the dreams come true.

Thanks DDevers, It was an emotional trip for me and my siblings.



Go to "search Forum" at the top of the page of View New Posts. Type, "Alaska trip in a cab-over-camper", where it says Search by Keywords. Scroll down to the box that says "Search Now" and click. It's the 13 entry today. That does change in time. Tomorrow it could 14th or 15th.



Good luck. george

 

[GAmes]

I recommend going a little off route through the Banff and Jasper National Parks on the B. C. /Alberta border.

 

[Silver Ratler]

There are a number of RV sites that have members blogging or posting as they RV through Alaska... ... one I have been following is on heartlandowners.org and is called Dave and Julies Alaska Adventure lot of good information there.

 

[Buffalo]

AFNash.com Alaska Trip Blog

AFNash.com stands for Arctic Fox/Nash travel trailers & they have a website for all things related. Member Bob Nelson & his wife took a trip to AK. & blogged the entire way. Lots of good info. including where to get the best cinnamon rolls, fish dinners, places to camp, etc.



I, too, want to take the trip to AK & want to spend the summer on the road with my "03 Dodge & 25" Nash trailer. I'm, also, hoping to do that next summer as I should be retired, by then. CAN'T WAIT!!!!! It's the one trip I've been longing to take for years, now. The Dream Trip!!! My plan is to see both British Columbia & Alberta (one coming the other going). I've been to Banff & Calgary, years ago, & they (especially Banff) were beautiful. The mountains were fantastic.



MARK31: Your suggestion of the absolute NEED for an exhaust brake & a Maxbrake for the trip, or stay home, makes me wonder. This is the first time that I've heard of the NEED for these items. I, agree, that they would be helpful, useful but, never heard of the NEED for them. Are the mountain grades so steep that you're in danger without them? I've thought that it sure would be nice to have them. If you could share details for this need, I, for one, would sure appreciate it. Thanks.



Joe F.

 

[RMachida]

MARK31: Your suggestion of the absolute NEED for an exhaust brake & a Maxbrake for the trip, or stay home, makes me wonder. This is the first time that I've heard of the NEED for these items. I, agree, that they would be helpful, useful but, never heard of the NEED for them. Are the mountain grades so steep that you're in danger without them? I've thought that it sure would be nice to have them. If you could share details for this need, I, for one, would sure appreciate it. Thanks.

Joe F.

"NEED" is probably too strong of a phrase. As in many other areas of the country, it is sure nice to have. I can't really remember any unusually steep grades but nothing that I've not run into in other parts of the country. I've made the trip 19 times in the last 30 years on just about every possible route. Never had any problems or issues on any of the trips with any of the vehicles I used. Everything from sub-compacts to pickups.

 

[Grizzly]

I've made the trip to Alaska twice and didn't have my PacBrake nor my BrakeSmart on either trip. I didn't really feel like I needed them either. I do have them now and I love them, but I never saw any situation on the Alcan Hwy where you have to have them.

 

[dcallaway]

Here's my only caution. My wife and I came to ALaska for a part time summer job. The part time turned into full time. We used our return trip money for a down payment on a house. That was twenty-two years ago. It sorta grows on ya. Hope we get to bump into some you at campground somewhere. As far as special equipment, I'd treat it like a trip into the western mountain area in the lower 48. I pull atwenty-eight foot Jayco with an 03 dually with no problem. Enjoy the trip.



Dave

 

[DDevers]

Thanks for all of the good information. You have given this empty cranium something to dream on.



I have no fear of staying up there since we have turkies, elk and deer around us here, if not on our property. Last night we watched a doe with her twin fawns, another doe and fawn and a 4 point buck feeding near our front yard. Hard to beat; now for some fresh seafood... ... .....

 

[BIGNASTY]

I recommend going a little off route through the Banff and Jasper National Parks on the B. C. /Alberta border.

BY ALL MEANS DO THIS Banff/Lake Louise are ????????????? no words sorry

 

[Grizzly]

BY ALL MEANS DO THIS Banff/Lake Louise are ????????????? no words sorry

Totally agree.

 

[Blygy]

And Liard hotsprings is a must I think. .

 

[starkmr]

I've made the trip 3 times now, twice going up through the panhandle of Idaho and then through 3 of Canada's National Parks; Kootenay, Banff and Jasper. Banff was 45 degrees mid day both times! Just make sure you have some time to spare as I didn't. I drove from Sandpoint, Idaho to Jasper, Alberta in a single day, no great feat, but sure would have been nice to spend a couple days in the area.



As others have said, fuel gets more expensive the further you go north. Yukon Territory was $200+ fill ups! Diesel is still $4. 25 average in Anchorage.



Most of all, enjoy your trip!

 

[DDevers]

Thank you all for your advice. Has anyone fished out of Valdez for silvers in August?

 

[Mark31]

OK, guys. I feel like I have been drawn and quartered for saying a Maxbrake and Pacbrake were NEEDED, not a "be nice to have". Maybe I am a little paranoid (for lack of a better word) about being able to slow and stop smoothly. Buffalo and DD, consider these few things. Uphill, downhill affects the way inertia controllers respond. I don't think Uncle Harvey would leave his driveway with his 5th wheel without a Maxbrake/Brakesmart. Though the highway crews do a pretty fair job of marking and repairing frost heaves, there is no substitute for the very best control when you stumble up on an unmarked one, especially on gravel. Hitting one, especially a"cattycornerd" one with 5mph too much speed, could leave a lasting impression. There are some 9% grades and I think maybe I remember a 10% or two. There ain't nothing like rounding a curve and finding 25 buffalo on the shoulder of the road. It wasn't unusual to see a (hit) dead moose beside the road. If caribou had hands, they would be flippin vehicles the bird. If one has trouble, it can be a long, long way and wait for expensive help. Would your wives handle a stress load like that well? In 3 years, at the mention of the Alaska trip, are they going to smile and talk about the most wonderful time ever, or go get a Rolaid because of the thought of the messup. If you can afford it, get the Pacbrake. Even if you can't afford it, get a Maxbrake. Boy, would I love to go again! Mark