Should we take our L33RSE to AK?

[Bruce and Jenna]

We're working on new plans to go to Alaska this summer. Now we are in info-gathering mode.

We feel uncertain about making the trip to AK in our L33RSE, fearing significant wear and tear on our FT home. It ain't an RT after all.

The trailer has the Glide-Ride pin box and disc brakes, but no Mor-Ryde suspension. More than one person has suggested mounting a shield on the front of the trailer to protect from road debris.

What say you who have made the trip? Can we reasonably tow our trailer up the Al-Can highway for three months, or should we look for another RV, perhaps a truck camper, just for the trip?

As always, thanks much for your ideas.

[ExcelRVGuy]

If I were you I'd consider leaving my L33RSE behind since it IS your full time home and getting a new D28RLW Winslow to make the trek to AK!!
JMHO

Bryan :-)

[George Z]

We assume you bought your 5th wheel so you could travel, see the sights, and stay at different places. Why change, just go.

[rockintom]

My answer is a profound NO WAY! Of course, this comes from a guy that hasn't been in my rig to AK!! I have seen the results of rigs that have been there (many are Excels). My suggestion is if you HAVE to see AK in a RV.....fly up and rent a class C and do your thing. Let someone else have the headacres of the beaten up rig.

I know folks that went up there without incidents.....but those are the ones that drove 20 MPH. Do what you want, but I'm not taken my "home" there. SKIA has spoken!!! rockin'

[Endeavor2BnC]

I would call Ralph & Kathy at RV Sales in Moriarty, NM. They went with a big group of Excels & SOB's a couple of yrs ago and can give you the details of how the rigs faired.

[Jim & Bona]

YES, take your rig to Alaska! We crossed into Alberta from Montana 6/1/09 and crossed the border into AK, in rain and fog, on the Top of the World highway 6/27. From then until 9/18/09, when we re-entered the Yukon, we hauled our Excel on just about every "highway" in AK excluding the Dalton. As fulltimers we don't travel light. Most of the time we carried about 20 gallons of water with a couple of gallons in the waste tanks.

The only damage the trailer incurred was the failure of one lag screw at the bottom of the wall adjacent to a slide. That happened when I inadvertently hit a frost heave at 45mph when I should have been doing 30-35. That was the last time I allowed a tailgater to determine my speed. And.... you've already read of that failure in this forum from a number of others, most of whom probably haven't made the trek to AK. Flat tires? Zip/Nada/None.

As to speed, although we rarely came within 10 mph of the speed limit, we generally ran between 35 and 45 on pavement, with an occasional burst to 50!!! There were times on gravel when we crawled along at 10-15 mph.

The only thing I did to protect the truck and trailer from gravel/rock damage was to slow down to 0 (zero) to 10 mph when approaching another vehicle on gravel. I learned to believe those who say that windshield chips are caused by the speed of Your vehicle, after a rock chip on the Dempster Hwy (YT). We did pick up a half dozen very small paint chips on the driver side of the truck. No damage to the trailer. Note that we are equipped with large mud flaps on the truck and a camper cover on the Excel as well as the Demco Glide Ride, disk brakes, and Mor/ryde IS suspension.

We're going back next summer with the same two vehicles. Your Excel is up to the task as long as you really watch your speed and slow down on gravel. Enjoy the trip. (Feel free to PM me for more info.)

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce and Jenna We're working on new plans to go to Alaska this summer. Now we are in info-gathering mode. We feel uncertain about making the trip to AK in our L33RSE, fearing significant wear and tear on our FT home. It ain't an RT after all. The trailer has the Glide-Ride pin box and disc brakes, but no Mor-Ryde suspension. More than one person has suggested mounting a shield on the front of the trailer to protect from road debris. What say you who have made the trip? Can we reasonably tow our trailer up the Al-Can highway for three months, or should we look for another RV, perhaps a truck camper, just for the trip? As always, thanks much for your ideas.

Bruce If you have enough money to purchase a PU camper why not take the trek with the present rig and up grade to a new one when you get back!!!

[Bruce and Jenna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodhicker Bruce If you have enough money to purchase a PU camper why not take the trek with the present rig and up grade to a new one when you get back!!!

Ha ha ha. Used truck camper costs about $15k.

Swap fifth wheels costs ?? [more].

Me, I wonder about using the added cost of a second RV to repair damage to our current RV from the trip. But we can use the truck camper to take side trips during our five months in central CA. And go places in AK unavailable with our 33' RSE. [Sorry Brian. Shoulda bought the RT.]

Still haven't decided yet. We are looking at truck campers, but won't decide until Spring.

In summary, we are getting a broad range of advice, even from people around here who have traveled to or lived in AK. [Then there is SKIA, who I recall once said he thinks he is roughing it if the CG doesn't have a ballroom.] I've asked the same question on the Escapees site. Comes down to using it for our situation.

Thanks to all who chimed in.

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Bruce, I know you are older than me. Where you an original Woodstock attendee?

[Jim & Bona]

Here's an option offered by a friend of ours who made the AK trek with a SOB fifth wheel: He said the next time he makes the triip he'll haul the trailer to Edmonton, buy a used truck camper, put the trailer in storage (Edmonton), make the AK trek, return to Edmonton and pay $100 to push the truck camper into a landfill. It's probably a good option for him as he says he can't keep his speed below 65 mph.

[Bruce and Jenna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodhicker Bruce, I know you are older than me. Where you an original Woodstock attendee?

Where did that come from?
I was a sophomore in college, working in a ring factory in Newark NJ, not so far from Woodstock. I hadn't heard of the concert. Instead I worked OT that weekend. The guy next to me had tickets in his pocket, but didn't go. Boy was he sorry on Monday.
Off topic, but I'm the OP!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim & Bona Here's an option offered by a friend of ours who made the AK trek with a SOB fifth wheel: He said the next time he makes the triip he'll haul the trailer to Edmonton, buy a used truck camper, put the trailer in storage (Edmonton), make the AK trek, return to Edmonton and pay $100 to push the truck camper into a landfill. It's probably a good option for him as he says he can't keep his speed below 65 mph.

I've given this some thought. Problem is finding the camper of the right weight and size to fit on my truck, with no experience to guide me. Then take off on the AlCan with a questionable RV. Instead, I can safely leave my trailer on my Escapee Park lot, then drive the thousand miles to the border in my properly mounted camper.

Tell your friend that the number one location for breakins into trailers is storage. All the more obvious to find an American licensed fifth wheel in storage in Canada for the summer. Could be a costly and inconvenient alternative to slowing down on the route.

[BookIIRoadtrash]

The reason I asked was you have a nice condo on wheels and are thinking of down sizing for your new adventure. I could just see you in the late sixties touring around in a VW van. I was planning on working there for a few summers and I found a pickup camper mounted on a goose neck trailer. I was going to purchase a cheap truck and I planned on leaving them there for the winters. I would have flown back and forth. I have been to Alaska once but I flew there. My friend let me use his 03 Silverado while there. I feel if you do like Jim suggested, drive slow you will be fine. If you do get a pickup camper you are really down sizing on your living quarters and would have to decide what stuff you wanted with you. You will really enjoy Alaska it’s a very beautiful state. I hope you keep us informed on your trip!!