Need help for Alaska Trip

[SkipLieder]

We will be taking 5 1/2 month camping trip from Va to Ak in our 2000 Dodge Ram 3500, 6spd, with Banks Big Hoss, exhaust brake, and 4'' Monster Exhaust, towing a Montana 32' 5er. This is our first trip to that neck of the woods and would really appreciate any, and all, advice and recommendations concerning towing, tires, truck/camper additions, travel tips, sites that we shouldn't miss, sites that are overated, best places/states/provinces to refuel or to avoid if possible,etc etc etc.

I installed a TFI 98 gallon in bed auxilliary diesel tank, to enable me to avoid the high price states and take advantage of the lower ones.

Our route will allow us a little over 2 months in Alaska and the rest of the time will be spent enjoying the trip up and back. We will travel Va, Ca, Or, Wa, BC, Fairbanks, Kenai, Yukon, BC, Alberta, Mt (Glacier NP area), then across Nd, Mn, Wi, Mi (upper peninsular) then back to Va.

Please don't hold back on ANY advice --- WE NEED ALL WE CAN GET. Thanking all of you in advance.

Fred Lieder

 

[Crazy Horse]

Don't worry about the Alcan, it's all paved now. The only holdups will be where they are doing road repairs. When you get into Dawson Creek check with the Tourist post there and inquire about road conditions. You can get diesel at Fort Nelson, Watson Lake, Whitehorse, Haines Junction, Tok, AK, Glennallen if you are going to Anchorage, or Fairbanks if you are going north. With 98 gallons you probably be able to bypass most of the northcountry fill ups in the Yukon.





If you are going to Glacier Park drive the Road Going To The Sun, and be sure to see Upper Two Medicine Lake on the east side. Here is a link to some photos, 4 pages of photos. Y2K Trip Photos.

Have Fun! Enjoy The Ride!

 

[moparguy]

Fred, you are my hero. Now that that's out of the way, and I'm sure you've already bought one, but pick up a current "Mile Post".



From my years of interest and research, it's a gotta have.



Good luck, Ronnie

 

[DMcClellan]

You are in for an experience and pleasure of a lifetime. I have driven the Alcan several times, and I'll never get tired of it, and will do it any chance I get. Like they say, God must have loved Alaska and the Yukon, because he made so much of it. Make sure you stop at Liard River Hotsprings, and definitly consider going through Dawson Creek, and Chicken on one leg of your journey, I would do it on the northbound trip. Email me if you come up with specific questions, and look me up in Anchorage. Keep in touch.

 

[DIESELMAN]

I just finished my first Winter Trip, Flagstaff to Fairbanks and Back in 12 days. WOW! As for sites, they start in Wyoming and never stop, start planning your next trip now.



I'd make a loop, going to the sun, up through Canada, Detours at Delta and the old Denali Road through to the Park, Back to Fairbanks, visit the Hot Springs and Circle, Down to Anchorage, Ferry Down the coast, jump back on the highways, slip around Watson Lake, its just a pond, Back through Dawson, slide back down to the coast, wire home for more money, apply for a job, visit a Realtor for a new house, forward your mail... ... .



I'm not helping, am I????



An extra fuel tank is almost a must, I'm getting one before my next trip in May-September.



I'll be passing you, wave!!

 

[JR2]

There is so much to do up here in AK, I could not begin to tell you where to start. Don't miss Denali National Park, be sure to catch some fish, fuel up in BC and go as far as you can with buying fuel as its expensive up in Northern Canada and Alaska. Bring a good spare tire or two with you. Not that the road is bad, but if you blow a tire in Northern Canada you will be bummed because they do have tires up there, but they want your first born kid as a deposit on them. Also do the typical maint on your truck, change the oil, fuel filter, transmission fluid, etc. You might want to bring along a couple of fuel filters and maybe a lift pump. You can get that stuff along the way, but its sure easier if you have it with ya.



Shoot me a PM or email once you get some plans and maybe we can hook up. I spend most of my summers fishing on the Kenai Penn.



John

 

[baby.driver]

At the price of diesel now an Alaska trip will have to stay a dream for me.

 

[WDaniels]

Baby. driver,

As a whole, fuel is cheaper up here than in most places in the lower 48. Is still 1. 519 for #2 here.



Skiplieder,

If you have to get fuel north of Dawson Creek, the place to get it is at Morley River right on the Yukon and BC border. That is a truck stop and they have the best prices. If and when you get to Fairbanks, look me up and we will have some coffee and cake. If time permits I'll take you to a couple of working gold mines and other tourstie things. If you need any maintenance call me. Pm me for my number. I have a garage, most tools, air ect... Also, get lots of film. The cheapest part of your vacation.

Good luck and have fun.

WD

 

[AKDrifter]

Don't forget the road down to Haines, it's a must see. Rubber boots and bug dope can make life nice sometimes too.

 

[SnoDawg]

No need to worry about camping we have Walmarts up here. LOL

 

[WDaniels]

No Wal-Marts in Fairbanks but you can do the same at Fred Meyers' west.

 

[muddyboots]

Also, leave the handguns at home. No way you can cross the border with one. If you want to take a rifle or shotgun contact a Canadian consulate beforehand to get the paperwork out of the way before you start out.

 

[JR2]

IF you really want to bring a guy let me know and I can email you a phone # for a gun dealer I buy from. He will (for a small fee) recieve your guns for ya.





Bug dope, why did I forget that??

 

[Speedo]

Alaska

Depending on what media you use, bring some way to record

your trip, i. e. tape for a video camera, film or cards if digital.

For most people Alaska is the trip of a lifetime, for those of

us who call it home it is just an amazing place to live. Once you

get close to Alaska you should get in touch with some of the

Alaska TDR members and we will try to assist your endeavor if

we can.



Gus

 

[SkipLieder]

Thanks for the advice. We will depart early May so if anyone thinks of other "jewels of wisdom" that might help us, please add them to this thread. I'll be checking back to view them untill we depart.

Thanks again;

Skip

 

[KL]

John, This will be my first trip to Alaska. I am coming up there for a few days in May/June to try some Halibut fishing in the Kenai Penninsula area. There are numerous charters up there (between Kenai and Homer). Do you know any good ones or ones to avoid?



I would love to drive up to Alaska sometime, but I don't have the time right now. Luckily I got a free trip with frequent flyer miles up there. Thanks Klaus