2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Mass. to Alaska, 2004

[JWRowe]

Looking for guidance,

I am retiring next June and my wife and I are gearing up our plans for a 9-10 week trip to Alaska. Departure is most likely going to be the third week in June. What I am looking for are suggestions, ideas, what works and what doesn't of those things below.

Route will probably be Niagra into Canada and the lower Canadian Highway thru Calgary, Dawson Creek then North. On the return we would like to do parts of the Pacfic Northwest.

We will be taking our 96 Club Cab 3500 RWD with an 1130 Lance. Now the questions.



1. Where should we go and what should we see? For those of you who have been there, what did you like and what would you recommend, and what did you not care for and why?

2. What should we take for clothes, gear, etc. ?

3. What service and maint. should be done prior to leaving? I have started a list (long) but please feel free to suggest anyway.

4. We are going to pick up Frommer for Alaska and have Milepost, Next Exit, & Rand McNally Commercial Drivers version . Any other books, pubs. etc. ?

5. What do others do for overnight? Campgrounds, pull offs or other?



This will do for a start. All replys and comments gratefully accepted.



Moderator, if this should rightfully be in another area please move. I thought since it had 12V maint. requests it might start here to jump start it.



Regards to all

John and Vickie

 

[BillHicks]

I would suggest "The Traveler's Guide to Alaskan Camping" by Mike and Terri Church. The authors personally visited all the campgrounds in Alaska and give a detailed description of each one as well as maps showing their locations. There are no advertisements as in the Mile Post so the campground reviews are unbiased. The book is published by Rolling Home Press at www.rollinghomes.com/.Iboughtmine f...nd guide is the best I have found. Good Luck!

 

[IPULLRV]

Hi, we did the trip in the year 2000. We took about 6 weeks+. 12,000+ miles. We pulled a 32foot fifth wheel. Took extra spares, fan belt, hoses, and oil. Had two flats. Must see are Laird hot springs, on the way up. Did the top of the world highway on the way back, no trouble camping. Stop just about anywhere. Did the Dalton highway to the Artic Circle. Did not pull camper, just took the truck. Can do it in one day. Must stop at the water front campground in Valdez. Go on the Lulubell. It is a great boat trip!!! Do the bus trip in Danali, it is well worth it. Take a misqueto jacket, or hood. You will need it in the areas outside the cities. Also get a can of 100% deet. Try panning for gold when you are near Klondike. Have a great trip.

 

[shendren]

2 MUST EAT RESTAURANTS... .....



SEATTLE... . SNOQUALAMIE FALLS LODGE SUNDAY BRUNCH. OFF I-90...



VICTORIA - SUNDAY BRUNCH... . EMPRESS HOTEL... .

 

[Mac]

I did the trip in 2001. Left Georgia first of June and returned 12 weeks later. Covered 12000 miles. The only spares I took were oil and fuel filters and oil.

I most enjoyed Valdez and the cruise on the Lulabell. And the waterfront camping at Valdez. Seward is also great and has good waterfront camping also. On your return do the Cassier Highway and see Hyder, Alaska and eat some salmon at the little bus . We took good rain jackets and bug spray and some places you need them.







Take a credit card for all fuel in Canada. You get the best exchange rate with a card. Discover cards don't work in Canada.

 

[LandShark]

Extend your trip by a month at the beginning and also the end. You will not regret it.



I did trips to southeast AK in 96, 97, and 98 (one sailing, two driving). It's cold there all sumer. Only hit 80 a couple of times. Others will chime in about the heat up north.



The Dodge dealer in Smithers is one of the few I've ever used where I Drove away with a good feeling.



I stayed in rest areas while in transit with no problems. Many of the towns in both Canada and AK have nice public pools, some with saunas, and all with hot showers.



If you return via the west coast, Prince Ruppert was one of our favorite stops.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

John: You're coming back, right?!



Have a good trip - take LOTS of pictures/videos.....



Matt

 

[JWRowe]

Comments

Thanks for the comments everyone. Please keep them coming.



LandShark, Wish I could start earlier and extend the other end. Unfortunatly my timeframe is fixed as my wife is a school nurse and the school schedule drives much of this. These are just the type of comments and information I am seeking. Thanks all.



Matt, Nice to hear from you again. Got things back in one piece yet? Question for you. How are you at fine tuning a torque plate and AFC? Mine is in and runs good but is a little slow on the uptake. Especially when loaded. PM me if you like and think you could shed some light on this for me.



Again, Thanks everyone.

Regards, John

 

[HoleshotHolset]

John:



PM is on the way... .



Matt

 

[ox1]

Sounds like the trip of a lifetime! Oh to have the time for that! Have fun!

 

[Mundgyver]

You will definetly want new tires all around with a couple of spares on hand. Couple of head light bulbs for rattled fillments on the alcan and a good rock/gravel screen infront of the radiator. 20 ton bottle jack. 90 gallon in bed aux fuel tank and the other sorted tools that you will need.



Cameral with a 1,000 frames of film and a good refracting telescope with star drive for night sky watching and remote bear gazing.



Lots of gum and snacks, cheaper down south. Bug juice for the skeeters and such.



Do not get in a hurry and stop and fish with a good fly rod and barbless hooks for the challenge of the fight.



A jar of peanutbutter, 2 loafs of bread to be smeared up and tied to the fishing line (no Hooks pleas) and have fun with the chipmunks and golden mantel ground squirrles. Its fun as heck to do a tug-o-war with a couple of them on the other end trying to make off with the bread and peanutbutter.



Have a great time.

 

[Jerky]

Money

As soon as you get into Canada go to a local bank and get several hundred dollers in Canadian money for misc buying. It sure made our trip much easier in 99. Dean - Oh if your are a fisherman, we brought back 125 lbs of Salmon and 60 lbs of Halibut.

 

[rmrc]

Everyone is giving you great advise and I'm sure more will be adding to it.



I wish you and your wife a very safe and pleasureable journey! The trip you're taking has always been a dream of mine. If I ever get the chance to go, I know I'd face one extreme problem!!!!! I would not want to return. I was in the North West once in my life and I was totally taken in by it. I tried to make the move out there but family and finances dictated otherwise.



As far as I'm concerned, you're going to see the very best that this country has to offer. Enjoy, enjoy, ENJOY!!!

 

[Matt42]

Another restaurant or two

Originally posted by shendren

2 MUST EAT RESTAURANTS... .....



SEATTLE... . SNOQUALAMIE FALLS LODGE SUNDAY BRUNCH. OFF I-90...



VICTORIA - SUNDAY BRUNCH... . EMPRESS HOTEL... .

Turtle Club in Fox, Alaska. It's about 12 miles north of Fairbanks on the Old Steese Highway. Be hungry. Best Halibut I've ever had. Also good prime rib & crab.



Alaskan Salmon Bake on Airport Way in Fbks. Very touristy, but it's all you can eat salmon, cod and halibut. It's all open wood fire grilled, despite the name.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Halibut fishing in Homer, Alaska.

Best ocean fishing experience ever.

Down at the Homer Spit in Homer, find the captain of a boat call the "No Problem. "

 

[Clinton]

Cummins North American Service Directory and a Gore-Tex jacket.

 

[runningbird]

Landshark is right you must stay longer,I went in 2001 for 9wks. it's to long of a drive to not stay longer. I took 2 of my three kids 15 and 10 at the time,my wife flew up for a few weeks. there is so much to do and see you must stay longer, also don't limit you trip to the coastal areas the inland scenery is amazing.



feel free to P. M. if you want.



;

 

[RichB59]

Just got back.

I drove up by myself I left Nevada on 7-31 took 6 days to get to Soldotna on the Kenai River. If you would like short cuts around Calgary and Edmunton PM me. It's a great trip awesome scenery saw lots of moose bear and caribou. Lost a lift pump on the way had a spare so it turned ouy OK. My trip from BoulderCity NV was 3750 one way. Caught some Coho salmon.



Good Luck RichB

 

[ralbert]

Alaska

Just returned. Left May 27th with a wife who was not all that charged up about the trip. Did not take long for her to change her mind. Now she tells everyone about the AWESOME trip and we will go back. Had no rain, cool temps, no bugs. Put on 12963 miles, no problems. Left with new tires. Changed oil twice. Did not make advanced plains other than three ship reservations. You will need those and also a preplain to camp inside Danali park at mile post 29. Try for three days there. Don't miss Talkeetna and take the train ride out of there. Try and set up July 4th in Seward. Stay in the city park on the water. Six dollars a day. Also you have to fish for reds in the Kenai river in Soldotna. If you own hip boots take them, wadders better yet. Next trip New Foundland but a return to Alaska will be soon. Good luck