alaska

[Tractorat]

I just got the wild hair to think about driving up the alcan to Alaska from Seattle this summer. Ive never done that before, nor do I know anyone who has made the trip. I would be interested in hearing from someone who has actually made that trip. It might be good to know what to expect for road conditions (will I need a new paint job when I get back ?) Will I find diesel plentiful up thru BC, and into Fairbanks and/or Anchorage ? How many extra tires (if any) do I need to bring ? etc.



Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Featherman]

MBuck:



I was actually contemplating a similar trip. The only difference is I wanted to drive to the west coast from where I live and take the ferry up the coast and drive back. I hear the scenery is awesome.

 

[corprimo]

I've been over the "Highway" more times than I can count. It's basically all paved or seal coated now. There may be some rough areas under construction, and last summer there were very bad dips (frost heaves) from Kluane Lake to Tok, so you just slow down. We pulled our 30 foot Cardinal 5er round trip last summer. Only problem was the rear differential started howling on the way home and alternator went out 300 miles from Anchorage, but that's just due to a lot of hard miles. As long as you have good tires, one spare should be enough. There's enough fuel stops, but I always carry at least 1 5-gal container just in case. Also carry spare filters, belt, etc. Best reference book is The Milepost, available at most book stores. Nicest campground is Roberts Roost just south of Quesnel, BC! We always try to make a stop there.



Dan Heynen

 

[jandtjil]

MBuck Check out the the thread listed below. Plenty of folks you could PM for info and lots of good advice. Don't forget to post pictures when you return for all of us who still want to make the same trip someday.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70420



JJ

 

[SBall]

Last summer my wife and I drove our 01 CTD with a Lance slide-in camper from our home in Pa. to Alaska and back. 11,700 miles in total. Yes, get the Milepost publication, take along some tools and some spare filters, (especially an air filter if you do the Cassiar or Denali Hwys). The Denali highway and Denali highway took its toll on our rig with the washboard roads and pot holes, eventually shaking off our exhaust system from the header on back. I was able to separate the "hanging" tailpipe and remove it to continue on with our trip, but only because I had penetrating oil and some tools to do so. With the radio turned up loud and ear plugs, we continued on into the next city in BC where repairs were made. Because of the dust, I changed the air filters along the way. We also had a shock bolt loosen up too. NO LIFT PUMP FAILURES THOUGH THANK GOD! All in all, there are many services along the Alaska highway and diesel was plentyful. We also found that taking your time and treating the trip as a lifestyle made the trip a joy. Don't rush to see everything in one trip, but rather pledge to do the trip again if you miss something.

Steve

 

[Jerky]

Made the trip in 99. Had a wonderful time and we are talking about doing it again. Then diesel was cheaper in anchorage than it was in Boise. Canada was high. Came back via the cassiar. On that highway I took a rock in the windshield from an oncoming truck. Had one flat on the trailer. From a fish hook picked up on the Kenai. Total mileage was 10,173 miles from my driveway and back to driveway. Was gone just a little over 2 months.



Dean

 

[ak_fleming]

I've driven the Alcan four times, Three times in the winter and I never had a problem. You can expect high fuel prices in Canada. Road conditions are usually pretty good, road construction is never ending. I suggest getting The MILEPOST http://www.themilepost.com/ it has a lot of good information.

 

[DBF]

I just got the wild hair to think about driving up the alcan to Alaska from Seattle this summer.



I would be interested in hearing from someone who has actually made that trip.



It might be good to know what to expect for road conditions (will I need a new paint job when I get back ?)



Will I find diesel plentiful up thru BC, and into Fairbanks and/or Anchorage ?



How many extra tires (if any) do I need to bring ? etc.



Thanks in advance for your input.

.....

No sweat. Meet us in Bend OR, Spokane WA or Sandpoint ID in late May and tag along.



No new paint job, but probably a rock ding or two. Average about 50mph except in construction (you can go faster, but I won't go over 55 while towing the 5er north of Dawson Creek or up the Cassiar).



Diesel fuel is readily available.



One spare is enough unless you're going into the real boons (like up to Inuvik on the Dempster Highway).



See my pictures for a couple of scenes.



Regards, DBF



PS: You won't regret going; you'll only regret NOT going.

 

[Larv]

I'm planning to go this summer from Boise, thru B. C. , YT, and then eventually to Homer with return trip on the Cassiar. As others have said the Milepost is a must. I've also found two other books that are useful; "Alaska for Dummies" and "Alaskan Camping. "

http://www.rv.net/forum/.....This is a very good source of info for traveling. Look in the *Locations* forums and check out "Traveling in Canada and Alaska. "

We're leaving in the first week of May and getting home second week of July. Have fun!



Larv

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I'm on my way mid-September to mid-October. Having read the long 03 pilgrimage post I have a question about the Cassiar. Is it "worth" it. Is it a lot of the same scenery for hundreds of miles? I get the drift that it is rough (Kore suspenion justification ), dusty, and if it is raining (which it will be in sept) that it may not be the best option?????? My wife and I have already had some of the "we will sleep in the camper"/"we will sleep in a warm motel" discussions. :-laf



I'm planning on avoiding the Calgary and Edmonton way and taking some of the roads to the west of banff-jasper since we've been there a number of times.

 

[Larv]

After leaving Banff and Jasper Parks we plan to swing into just the corner of Alberta and go up Hwy 40 to Grande Prairie and back into B. C. at Dawson Creek. I've been told that Hwy 40 is beautiful. Plan to find out!

Larv

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Having driven the Alaska Hyw. 49 trips I can tell you that the info given in the above posts is correct. It is not a narrow, chuckholey trip anymore. The road has been rebuilt and paved or chip sealed and is in great condition.

The Cassiar is a beautiful trip but there is an 18 wheeler truck line that uses it hauling from Boise to Tacoma to Anchorage/Fairbanks. They do not drive slow. Just expect them.

The Canadian money is not as good in exchange as it was several years ago. $1 US is now $1. 19 Canadian where it was $1. 50 several years ago.

Have some Canadian money ($100) is plenty to buy snacks etc. but use your credit card for everything you can as you will get the correct exchange rate then. Lodges are famous for running their own bank in changing US money. Any way to make a buck. Buy your fuel in the towns along the way to get the best price. Avois the lodges if possible for fueling. FAST GAS stations have a good diesel price.

Have a safe trip and shiney side up.

 

[DBF]

I'm on my way mid-September to mid-October. Having read the long 03 pilgrimage post I have a question about the Cassiar. Is it "worth" it. Is it a lot of the same scenery for hundreds of miles? I get the drift that it is rough (Kore suspenion justification ), dusty, and if it is raining (which it will be in sept) that it may not be the best option??????

We run up one way and back the other just to look around. Worth it - yup. Most of the RV Caravans stay to the Alaskan. There are only a few miles that aren't paved. Not enough rougher to notice. Different attractions - try Hyder AK and Stewart BC off the Cassiar. Less traffic, more animals. And no one can predict rain down to the two or three days you're going to be on it.



Regards, DBF

 

[s.hale]

We drove 12,000 miles this past summer from Georgia to Alaska pulling a 38 ft 5th wheel with a new 2004. 5 Dodge CTD 325/600. The roads on the interstates in the lower 48 were rough and the roads in the Yukon and Alaska were under repair in numerous areas. They keep watering the areas being repaired so your vehicles get plastered with mud. The scenery is great and do try the fishing for salmon and halibut. We're still eating that delicious fish. That had to be the best trip (7 weeks) that we have ever taken and we have travelled over seas a lot.

Have fun, think you will really enjoy it.



Steve

 

[Larv]

Anyone have any halibut/salmon charters they'd care to recommend? I have a long list of charters in the Homer area but they all appear to be very competitive in pricing and services offered. Thanks in advance!

Larv

 

[Waterpete]

Salmon charter

I recommend Mike Mann's charter on the Kasilof river. Great guy and will treat you right. 907-252-3961.



Reserve early as they fill up quick.



Waterpete

 

[Larv]

Waterpete, got a webpage address? Did a search and came up empty.

Larv

 

[Waterpete]

Fish guide

Mike probably doesn't have a web site. He's too busy fishing. Uses a drift boat on the Kasilof and has a brand new 28 footer running out of Homer for Halibut. I have been out with him many times and have sent my relatives to him. Give him a call and just tell him that Pete from Johns road turned you on to him! 902-252-3961

 

[Larv]

Steve Hale, care to share with me what mpg's you got on your AK trip. I also have the 04. 5 CTD but with a 6 spd transmission and 3. 73 gears. this will be our first trip with this truck and our 29' pull trlr.

Thanks, Larv

 

[s.hale]

Larv:



Pulling a GCWR of 22,000 lbs. (38 foot 5 er) I averaged exactly 10. 0 MPG. A friend of mine was pulling a 32 ft Carrie Lite 5er with a 1998 Ford 7. 3 diesel and averaged 10. 5 MPG.

The six speed manual should give several MPG better.

Have a great time and if you have any other questions din't hesitate to ask.

We saw about everything accessable by paved roads.



Steve Hale