CTDs to Alaska

[mbaston]

by the way, I can give you some good tips on the western route south if you like.

 

[mbaston]

Any TDR members along the way?

If there are any TDR members along our route who would like to offer us any tours, fields to park in, a barbecue or the like, please let me know. Any tips on inexpensive parking would be helpful too.

 

[HBarlow]

Marty:



I am interested in your tips on the Western Access Route. Fire away when you have time.



Your request for TDR members who live along the route and might offer a little hospitality is an excellent idea.



I was talking earlier this afternoon with my daughter about the "CTDs to Alaska" trip. She suggested that a Dodge dealer or dealers in Alaska might want to offer a little sponsorship in return for the advertising opportunity this trip could provide if we get a number of CTD owners participating. It would make good advertising photos for a Dodge dealer or dealers who wanted to set up local television/print media coverage of the trip.



Harvey

 

[mbaston]

If we had 15 or 20 CTDs heading up here, it might get some attention by the dealerships. However, we only have 5 or 6 right now. If we get more, I will talk to some dealers along the way.

How many change their own oil and how many would want to have someone do it?

Marty

 

[HBarlow]

I normally do my own oil and filter service. I don't have enough confidence to trust the corner fast oil change facilities with the mighty Cummins but I would trust a Dodge dealer that works on a lot of CTDs.



Harvey

 

[HBarlow]

Hey Marty, I was just thinking... ... .



What date will you pass through Portland, OR?... ..... or what date will you cross over into British Columbia at Bellingham, WA?



I might meet you in Portland or Bellingham as you head north and follow you to Dawson Creek. Then I could return home by the East Access Route. There is a gathering of Avion trailer owners scheduled in early August near Elkhart, IN I'd like to attend. If I reversed the order I might be able to attend the Silver Avion gathering on my way home.



Harvey

 

[BRUTUS]

Plans

Yo guys



You folks keep working out the plans and details and I'll butt in if

there is something I don't like the sound of. So far everything sounds great.

My wife is still a definite maybe, but leaning more toward not going.

I'll be in a 2001. 5 SB with a puny little pop up slide in camper.

It's light, has low wind resistance and low center of gravity, but is pretty miserable in every other way. If it keeps out the rain and the mosquitoes I'll be happy.

I probably won't decide which route to take until just before its time to head up there.

Les

 

[mbaston]

My guess is I will pass through Portland/Bellingham on the 27th. Do you know what route you would take to the West Coast? If coming from Texas, my guess is you would take 84 in toward Porland to 205 then into Washington. There is a rest area, as I remember, not too far from the junction of where 205 rejoins 5. We could meet there. I can find what the MP is.

 

[mbaston]

Thanks Brutus

 

[HBarlow]

Marty and other CTDs to Alaska participants:



An old Navy buddy just arrived at my home today to visit for a few days. I was telling him about the trip to Alaska and he is seriously interesting in going also.



He drives a late model Ford PSD dually and pulls a year old 5er. Would the group permit a Ford driver to go along with us? Should I take him down to a local Dodge dealer and make him trade his Ford for a Dodge so he can join us?



Harvey

 

[mbaston]

I am not prejudice. Perhaps we should get him to buy the drinks though right

I would bring him down to a dealership though and convince him to buy a truck with a real diesel in it

 

[HBarlow]

Marty:



Thanks. I appreciate allowing my friend to join us.



After he sees how far he lags behind the real trucks on the grades he'll be shopping for a Cummins without us saying a word to him.



We're sitting at my computer asking the Rand McNally software lots of questions about the miles between various points and routes, making plans for the trip.



Harvey

 

[BRUTUS]

Oh Well

Aw, shucks guys

Any friend of Harvey is a friend of the CTD group

Only thing is, I planned to be the last in the caravan, but now with a Phord and a Phiver along its gonna be a struggle...

Guess I'll need to be installing some over-sized mud flaps to create some drag

Les

 

[HBarlow]

Les,



Thanks. I'll tell my Ford friend he has to follow at a respectable distance behind the pack so no one will know he's with us. Gotta maintain our self respect.



Marty and other CTDs to Alaska planners,



I'll be off line for several days. My old Navy buddy and I located another old Navy buddy we haven't seen in 25 years or so and hadn't been able to locate until tonight. He has had a disabling stroke, lives alone with a caregiver near Topeka, KS. We're going to hook up both our trucks and trailers tomorrow and go see him. I'll be back on the forum by Sunday evening.



Harvey

 

[HBarlow]

Marty,



I'm working on a travel plan to meet you in Washington. Yes, I plan to take I-84 across Oregon but rather than meeting you near Portland, OR, I want to arrive early and spend a couple days in the Bremerton/Keyport, WA area before going north into Canada. I spent two years at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for a submarine overhaul in the early 1970s and would like to go back and look around again. I'll plan on taking the Puget Sound ferry from Bremerton to Seattle on June 27th. I can meet you on I-5 or I-405 and we can continue north.



I have some additional questions:



1) When you arrive in Bellingham, WA will it be at the end of a day for an overnight stop or will you continue on into BC that day? If so, where will you plan to overnight?



2) How many days will we spend between Dawson Creek and Delta Junction?... ... . or, stated another way, approximately how many miles do you plan for us to travel each day?



3) What clothing is recommended? I bought a video, "Alaska by RV" which recommends denim jeans, long sleeve shirts, lightweight multiple layered clothing, light weight rain jackets or parkas, etc. , even in July/August. Do you agree?



4) My CTD has factory mudflaps installed. Would it also be a good idea to construct a simple rock guard of 1/4" plywood for the front of my trailer?



Harvey

 

[mbaston]

Good morning,

One of the best things to protect your trailer would be one of the full width rock guards that mount from your rear bumper. Rock Solid is the one I see the most.

Take a look here. They are not too expensive either. These are real popular.

Marty

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=6630

Bellingham will be the stop for the day. I will drive from California to there that day.

We will travel for about 8 days I believe, maybe more if we do the trip to Haines and go fishing. I don't need to be home until July 18th so we can take it easy and see what we can see. Miles a day are hard to call... to many variables. Some of the road you can do 65, others 15 (road construction). I like to start early in the morning and stop early afternoon. We might want to move on one day and sit for another. It depends on others schedules also. I'm easy.

If anybody wants to go on Prince William Sound cruises, airplane tours or other similar things, let me know. I can help set these up (guided fishing?)

Marty

 

[mbaston]

Here is another rock guard. Looks like it might be a bit more solid.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm?deptID=&subOf=&prodID=1848&src=UPSE

Marty

 

[HBarlow]

Marty,



Thanks for bringing the two Camping World rock guards to my attention. I had seen them before but wasn't planning a trip to AK at the time and wasn't interested. I had forgotten about them. I'll inspect the rear bumper on my Ram tomorrow for mounting procedure and decide what to do. I hate to drill a bunch of holes in the bottom of the bumper but that may be the best solution.



Okay, I'll plan my trip itinerary around leaving Bremerton around noon on June 27 to allow sufficient time to take the ferry to Seattle then meet you at Bellingham. It has been many years since I rode that ferry. I think it takes an hour or two for the ferry to travel from Bremerton to Seattle doesn't it?



I understand your comment about the difficulty of planning the trip. I'm comfortable with the idea of simply deciding about each day as it comes and possibly staying in an area an additional day if the mood strikes.



It was "AKDrifter" who mentioned taking us out fishing. I'll send him an e-mail to see if the invitation for a day of fishing is still extended.



Harvey

 

[BigFun]

If you're really looking for adventure, head north to Port Townsend and take the Keystone Ferry to Whidbey Island. Once on the Island, you travel Hwy 20 through Oak Harbor to Deception Pass (very senic) and on to Burlington where you hit I-5 North to Bellingham. Seattle is a pain any more especially if you're pulling a rig in heavy traffic.



BF

 

[mgonske]

I'll be enjoying this trip vicariously through you guys who have time to do it--please post trip reports! I first subscribed to Alaska magazine back in the late 70's, and have bought lots of copies of The Milepost since then, but have never had the time to make the trip. I'm looking forward to reading all about it, and seeing more pics--have a great time!



Mark