Alaska RV Trip

[Shadrach]

As a Canadian I always find it interesting the fascination Americans have with guns. While I'm not anti-gun I don't own one or use one. Lots of my friends and co-workers hunt and many of them have several guns, but they don't seem to have the same "attachment" that some of you do. :-laf



Although our countries are very similar there are many differences and some or them are surprising to the tourists. Things we take for granted, like your guns for example, are different as mentioned. I drove to Columbus IN back in June ( it was my first time driving across the border ) and found some things the same and some different. I was NOT impressed with the American border guards when I drove across into ND. I wouldn't say they were rude but one was defiantly not welcoming. "LICENSE PLATE #! NO GIVE ME THE PROVINCE FIRST. SHUT THE TRUCK OFF AND GIVE ME THE KEYS TO THE CAMPER!" While he searched for ' forbidden food ' the other guy was more friendly and asked me where I was going and if the truck and camper were mine. I answered YES SIR and NO SIR ( us Canadians are polite ) and decided it was better to stay in the truck. After I had driven thru I got out and checked my fridge door to see if it was closed properly. It wasn't. I am happy to report that I only encountered one other " grumpy " American. Don't get me wrong we have our share or ( fill in the blank ) too. Just like you do we elect a lot of them also. :-laf Over all I enjoyed my trip to the States.



One thing I did find very interesting was all the cities you have with the same name. Makes for fun planning on Google Maps. Some one years ago had no imagination, but then they couldn't exactly call each other like we can do today.



I would like to go up North as well someday but I am already half way there since I live in Edmonton. Fairbanks is only about 3000 kms or about 1800 miles away, about the same distance as Columbus IN is. The biggest expense is always fuel. I spent about $1500 on diesel on my trip. I wished I could of taken my aux tank with me in the box but since I had left the TT at home and had bought a 9"9" camper for the trip I had to take it out. One piece of advice is take your time. I drove for 3 1/2 days stayed there for 3 and then drove 3 1/2 days to get back. I wished I would have had more time to see places, but I was by myself and only had so much time off work.



If I can be of any help in answering questions about Canada ask away. You are all welcome up here, no matter what your feelings are about guns :-laf David

 

[Grizzly]

David,



I've been to Canada many time and to Alaska twice. I'm here to say that the people of Canada are the friendliest and most helpful people on the planet. .



On our way back from Alaska on the first trip in 1995 I burnt an axle spindle on my 5th wheel about 20 south of 100 Mile House, BC. An old man, Canadian, stopped and helped me rig up my 5th wheel to run on three wheels and told me to turn around and go back to 100 Mile House at no more than 15 mpg and told me which garage to take the trailer to get it fixed. We arrived at the said garage at closing time on a Friday. They told me we would have to wait until Monday to get the situation evaluated and order parts. They had me park behind the shop, hooked me up with electric and water at no charge. We unhitched the trailer to use the truck while we were spent the weekend. We made a lot of friend while there as everyone was so friendly. We actually enjoyed being broke down in 100 Mile House. Early Monday morning, a mechanic look over the damage and ordered a new axle, brake drum, backing plate and other necessary parts from Kamloops. The parts arrived on Wednesday and the mechanic and I installed everything. He then inspected the other wheels and repacked the bearings. All the parts were not very expensive and the total labor was only $35 because I helped him. How can you beat that. Any shop in the US would have raked me over the coals. I tried to give them more than $35, but they wouldn't take more.



When we got home, I send them a very nice thank you letter. I wish I could have done more.



george

 

[Tractorat]

I was NOT impressed with the American border guards when I drove across into ND. I wouldn't say they were rude but one was defiantly not welcoming.

I would have to say the same thing about Canadian border guards.

As a Canadian I always find it interesting the fascination Americans have with guns.

The American fascination with guns is mostly a myth.

I've been to Canada many time and to Alaska twice. I'm here to say that the people of Canada are the friendliest and most helpful people on the planet. .

I live in Seattle which is not that far from the border. I have a different opinion of Canadians from Vancouver and just over the border. But, when when you get just a little farther north of Vancouver, I cant agree with you more.

 

[JR]

The American fascination with guns is mostly a myth.

Hmmmm, I suppose it all depends on geography, upbringing, beliefs, etc. I know quite a few people (many of them I'm related to) that get VERY excited at the thought of ever having to turn over their guns. Then again, we are just lowly country folk :-laf:-laf





"From my cold, dead hands"

 

[Tractorat]

Hmmmm, I suppose it all depends on geography, upbringing, beliefs, etc. I know quite a few people (many of them I'm related to) that get VERY excited at the thought of ever having to turn over their guns. Then again, we are just lowly country folk


"From my cold, dead hands"

I think you're confusing being fascinated with guns with allowing anyone to take away your guns (or anything that you have a right to own)

Ive been around guns all of my life. Had a . 22 when I was a kid. Carried an m16 when I was in the Marine Corps. I've had my deer rifle for close to 45 years. I try to go hunting at least once or twice a year. But Im not fascinated with guns. BTW, I agree with C Heston's "cold dead hands" statement as well.

There are a lot of Canadians who hunt. I have an idea that most have the same thoughts towards guns that I do.

 

[Shadrach]

I would have to say the same thing about Canadian border guards.


I live in Seattle which is not that far from the border. I have a different opinion of Canadians from Vancouver and just over the border. But, when when you get just a little farther north of Vancouver, I cant agree with you more.

Agreed Border guards are paid to be suspicious and both sides can be just as bad.

People form Vancouver ( and the Lower Mainland ) are in a world of their own. Our head office is out there on the Wet Coast and sometime I think they are more than "an hour behind" if you know what I mean. Generally people from small towns are friendlier than those from "the big city". I would like to travel to Washington some time and Oregon too. David

 

[Tractorat]

A border guard is a border guard. That is their job, and they need to do it right. The more unpredictable they are the better. The more predictable they are, the better the chance that someone (maybe even a bad guy) will slip something past them that we dont really want slipped over the border. The Y2k bomber comes to mind.

 

[icman95]

I realize that I'm a bit late to chime in here, but your question and the nature of this thread jogged my memory. There is a very similar one from 8/2009 here https://www.turbodieselregister.com...310-What-quot-Special-quot-Tools-do-you-carry. Good info there and I have a very pertinent story on the second page post #30. I learned a good lesson then.



Also, ship your guns. Throw them in UPS and address them to your address up there. That way no fooling around with the Canadian laws, no worries. I'm really excited for you. That's a trip I have always wanted to take but won't be able to for some time. Enjoy and please give us an update when you get there.

 

[Road Dog]

Hmmmm, I suppose it all depends on geography, upbringing, beliefs, etc. I know quite a few people (many of them I'm related to) that get VERY excited at the thought of ever having to turn over their guns. Then again, we are just lowly country folk :-laf:-laf


"From my cold, dead hands"

Sounds like Canadian country folk. Long gun (rifles & shotguns) ownership in Canada is the same as the US. It's the handguns that are different. They're much more restricted and not used for defence. There's no carry permit; they have to be stored unloaded and locked up at home; you need an authorization to transport permit to take them to the range; hunting with one is not allowed.

(There's a wilderness carry permit but that got abused so now you have to be employed and required to work in the bush to get one. )

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Get a MILE POST book at Costco or any other book store. Lots of info in it for travel to/from Alaska.
Don't count on lodges being open. Some are burned down, some closed. Buy your fuel in the towns along the way. They are all approx. 300 miles apart. There is a reason for that. Read up and find out why.
I am about to take my 76th trip over the Ak. Hyw. next Sat. I do not take an extra tire anymore but do have a good spare with air in it. I carry 83 gals of diesel when full. 1450 mile range when not towing and 875 mile range towing. No problems dealing with that.
The road is paved entirely except for short stretches under construction. Drive slowly in those areas. Frost heaves north of Whitehorse, Yukon to near Tok, Alaska.
NO GUNS. They are a giant PITA in Canada. In my 73 years trudging around this earth I have never needed a gun for protection. I use my gun to shoot halibut.
Cell phones do not work in a lot of the areas along the highway. They do in the towns.
Have a great trip and don't put plastic pipe racks with wire mesh on the front of your rig. That requirement is long gone.

 

[realfine409]

Thanx, All great input! My wife has been reading your responses over my shoulder and has suggested "We move the Alaska trip up to next year as opposed to 2015!" Gotta start thinking about brakes all around and tires, I'll also get a "Milepost" sounds like a great resource to read this winter.

Thanx to All keep it coming.

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks Jack in Alaska for the great post. We have made the trip twice and have screened the front end both time. We are planning a third trip in July 14. I won't use my screen again, unless you think we may need it for the Cassiar Highway. We came back on the Cassiar last trip in 06. There was many miles of gravel on about two stretches' at that time. The Cassiar is a short cut for us and it is far more scenic.



george

 

[jelag]

Jack... I've never seen the MILE POST in Costco in the lower 48... . could it be so popular up there that they carry it there... and not here... .



George... . we're on track to make another trek to Alaska in 2014. . we've got the list of places to go, and things to see already poured into soft jello and will firm it up this winter... . we're traveling with another couple... going to kind of mosey along... and expect to spend most of the summer there... We're currently working at Bonneville Fish Hatchery (volunteers) getting ready to spawn 15 million salmon eggs... one, two, three, four... .

 

[Grizzly]

Jack... I've never seen the MILE POST in Costco in the lower 48... . could it be so popular up there that they carry it there... and not here... .



George... . we're on track to make another trek to Alaska in 2014. . we've got the list of places to go, and things to see already poured into soft jello and will firm it up this winter... . we're traveling with another couple... going to kind of mosey along... and expect to spend most of the summer there... We're currently working at Bonneville Fish Hatchery (volunteers) getting ready to spawn 15 million salmon eggs... one, two, three, four... .

Jim, Glad to hear you and Connie are going to Alaska. We should exchange itinaries. Maybe we can hook up somewhere . You can get the Milepost at any major book store or online.



george

 

[jelag]

George... . we've always used the mile post in the past... and as you suggest buy it at a local book store... it was a surprise to see it in Costco... We're leaving Mid June... heading into Canada, Banff, Jasper, than to Prince George... . your welcome to join us if you wish... .

 

[DonFitzwater]

Funny, I always seem to run into the nicest folks working at the Canadian border checkpoints. Then I get hammered by the biggest dorks that work for my own country when trying to get back in!

 

[jelag]

DFitzwater... remember when coming to the US, they want to keep everyone on edge... when people are tense they make mistakes... its all changed since 911... I'm not personally pleased with the way they have to be... but respect the way they attempt to protect us...

 

[Bonecollector34]

One thing I wish I knew before I drove it was that they do not put signs up for dips. The have little flags next to the dip and with the speed limits on the Alcan it is possible to get airborne on some, so keep that in mind. I drove it in mid January. Average temp was -30. A lot of the stations were closed, so don't pass up fuel. I had pets with me, so if you plan on bringing any 4 legged friends make sure you have their shot records within 6 months.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

If you notice the red flags are usually on one side only. For a big bump they are on both sides.
If on both sides it means the bump is all the way across the road. No way to avoid it. SLOW DOWN.
If on the left side only the bump is only in that lane, use the other side and visa-versa. It works about 90% of the time.
Drive slowly in the frost heaved areas and it will make a much more safe, enjoyable and trouble free trip.

The Cassiar is totally paved and in great shape as of last spring.

My truck has made 9 round trips over the Alaska Hyw and still has the original windshield. It has some small nicks mostly from blowing sand but no cracks or chips yet. We are leaving on our 10th trip early Sun. morning.

Jack

 

[Grizzly]

Thanks Jack. Have a good trip.



george