Advice on traveling Alaska Highway

[zaitzcj]

This summer we plan to do the Alaska trip with our 36-foot motorhome. Main question is should we take our toad or not? We've already done Alaska by car, so we won't be doing much sight-seeing there. Along the rest of the route, I presume we'll see everything we want on the main road — not a lot of need to take side trips. What do you all say?:

[Half Dimes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaitzcj This summer we plan to do the Alaska trip with our 36-foot motorhome. Main question is should we take our toad or not? We've already done Alaska by car, so we won't be doing much sight-seeing there. Along the rest of the route, I presume we'll see everything we want on the main road — not a lot of need to take side trips. What do you all say?:

Guess it all depends on what you want to get out of the trip. You said you won't do much sightseeing. What is it you have in mind?

[Hitchhiker]

We went to Alaska in 2001 in a 5th wheel.

I think you'll miss having your toad if you leave it home. I highly recommend some protection from gravel dings for the grille, hood, windshield, etc. Enjoy the trip, it's an experience you'll always cherish.

[powerboatr]

i will be following this
we are planning a trip in 2011 to the great northern area
with lots of sightseeing

leave texas, up through co
through wyoming, to the dakotas to wash to can and up

[Tom-NC]

We are also going to Alaska this summer and I'm taking my toad. We will be leaving around end of May or beginning of June and staying out for about 3 months. Starting out in Calgary and then up Alaska highway.

I'm looking forward to the sights and to do some fishing which I hear is great.

I'm towing a Honda Civic on a tow dolly and hope to have some protection for the front of it and the front of RV but will take it slow as we will be in no hurry.

Enjoy your trip and maybe we will see you up there.

[clubmed98]

I would recommend taking a toad..they are just handy to have and though roads are good, some parts are isolated and the second set of wheels is a nice back up in case of trouble..re wear and tear on toad..we had the Blue Ox shield and it worked well with no windows broken or chipped and no paint dings..how ever the plastic fascia around the headlights down to the bumper it did get some sand blasting..I call it a badge of honor..no big deal..how ever after driving on a wet road and getting mud coated, either really wash your wheels well or don't..one time i did a half way job and they became totally out of balance and you could just barely hold the wheel..had to go back and re wash the rims inside and out..

[Chickadee]

zaitzcj:

Sounds as though you've already made up your mind to NOT tow a "toad" vehicle. Your reasoning was that you've already "done" Alaska with a car, and there is NO reason to take side trips.

So....we're just kinda curious. What exactly do you plan to do, drive your 36' MH to a single campground and sit, or various camping spots where you'll simply hang around your MH, or what. It's not a bad idea since there are generally, as you know, a number of "fee" campgrounds as well as dry camping pull off spots (boondock spots) to stop at and I suppose that method might be enjoyable. Gotta tell ya though, there are a number of places where it is alot more comfortable to simply park the rig (MH) for awhile and puttz around with a toad. For example, (and this is just us)......if we were camped in Ninilchik (W. coast Kenai) for some fishing, but wanted to run into Homer for an evening, I SURE wouldn't want to pack up the MH and take it into town.

Guess it's just how ya want to do it. I'd CERTAINLY suggest to folks going on their first Alaska adventure, to DEFINITELY take a toad along if traveling in a MH. Enjoy your trip!! (course....in Alaska, ya can't help but ENJOY IT!!)

Steve & Lynette

[DBOL]

Powerboatr why aren't you going 2010?

[LindaH]

I can't imagine going to Alaska and not doing any sight seeing! Isn't that why we go to Alaska?

[hardy1000]

My vote is to take the toad.

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaitzcj This summer we plan to do the Alaska trip with our 36-foot motorhome. Main question is should we take our toad or not? We've already done Alaska by car, so we won't be doing much sight-seeing there. Along the rest of the route, I presume we'll see everything we want on the main road — not a lot of need to take side trips. What do you all say?:

What is the purpose of the trip. If you are going to take census of the mosquitoes, forget it. They are infinite. Going toad-less is rather like going deep sea fishing without tackle.

Snarkie comments aside, I can't imagine a trip to Alaska without sightseeing. We were there 3 years ago (5 month trip) and I would go back in a minute for a 7 month run if my health allowed. Loved every minute of the trip.

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaitzcj This summer we plan to do the Alaska trip with our 36-foot motorhome. Main question is should we take our toad or not? We've already done Alaska by car, so we won't be doing much sight-seeing there. Along the rest of the route, I presume we'll see everything we want on the main road — not a lot of need to take side trips. What do you all say?:

I vote take the toad. It made all the difference for us.

Also buy a book called the " milepost". You'll be glad you did.

It details every mile of your trip in Alaska.

Cliff

[steelheadbluesman]

Take it! I'm one of those that gets "antsy" to run to the store for a snack or try out a local restaurant, or I suddenly have the urge to go back to that creek we saw to wet a fly, or I just ran out of coffee, or whatever, and I do not want to unhook everything or load it all up every other day. It just takes away too much freedom and too many options. But that's just how I am. You may be more organized. Either way, best of luck. It will be a fantastic trip, and I'm sure you'll have a great time of it!

[Gary RVRoamer]

It's true you can see a lot of Alaska right from the highway and most of the towns are small enough to walk around and the campgrounds tend to be right there as well. That said, there are lots of places I would want to see again that do require local transport. I also wouldn't want to spend time in Anchorage or Fairbanks without a car to get around.

The point about having a back-up vehicle available for the long lonely stretches of road is asl well-taken.