42+ ft DP to Alaska? Good/bad idea?

[NC25T]

Finally after a few years of saving and searching ready to buy an RV. I hope in the next few years (hopefully summer 2021) to make a trip to Alaska from Ohio.

Is 42FT or longer class A DP a bad idea for that trip?

Found a few that I hope to look at this week, never traveler to Alaska before, I didn’t know if camping areas roads etc are Ok for that size RV. Looking at 2005-2007 coaches

[Ivylog]

No reason not to...roads are much improved... easy to run 60-65 mph except after Whitehorse. Lots of dry camping options making large tanks a real advantage.

[zb39]

I ran a 40' DP up there in 03 towing a car. Zero issues and lots of boon docking.
We are planning on going again with a 45' DP towing a jeep.

[EJW]

We flew in and rented a 30' coach in Anchorage so a little different, but saw many large DP coaches throughout the state.

The Mile Post is a super helpful book while traveling there - maybe a must have. On Amazon I believe.

It's wide open with lots of boondocking opportunities.

It was one of our most memorable trips. You should have an awesome trip. Would love to make the drive from the lower 48 at some point.

Here are some highlights and may give you a sense of openness:

• Eating breakfast with Exit Glacier out the window.
• Looking down to our overnight place in Hatcher's Pass (fun climb w/ daughters).
• The Denali Highway (rattled the toilet seat off driving slowly, but had an amazing dinner at some random place. Fortunately, got seat back on. Not a mandatory, common highway.)
• 10:30PM (not a typo ) rainbow and Leprechaun Dance
• Valdez RV Park (only 1 of 2 we stayed at)
• Paraglider in Hatcher's Pass

[twogypsies]

You'll fit right in with a 42' MH. There are many big rigs driving there. The roads are similar to the lower 48 but the areas of construction may be longer. There are also some well-known areas of frost heaves once you enter Alaska just north of Tok. These are typically marked with a flag but not all. You can see a waviness in the road ahead once you do one or two. In construction areas and frost heave areas you really need to drive slow... like 25 mph. You'll soon get the hang of it. It's an awesome trip. Hope you can go!

There are many good posts in this Alaska section of this forum for future reference.

[pointrow]

No problem. 42 with toed. Even crossed the top of the world highway from Dawson City.

[akeagle]

We live in Anchorage, AK, and concur with TwoGypsies. Roads in Canada are excellent (gas taxes are high but most of it goes to keeping the roads in good condition) all the way to Dawson Creek where the Alaska Highway officially begins. Road then becomes a little narrower and curvy. Occasional bad spots caused by erosion or frost heaves, but they're always marked with orange flags. That means SLOW DOWN or you might damage your rig.

Past Whitehorse it becomes a little more primitive but it is still paved (macadam, not asphalt). Frost heaves are more frequent. Marked, but you must slow down so you're not surprised by one on or right after a curve.

Ashamedly, the worst road conditions are in Alaska, particularly just after crossing the border. Some deteriorated pretty badly and major frost heaves - many unmarked. Just a year after major road repairs/rebuilds the roads become "bouncy" again. Alaska still hasn't figured out how to build long-lasting roads in the tundra. Mountainous areas are ok because they have solid bases.

Alaska is a GREAT place to visit in your RV, but you must remember that most of the roads outside of the Anchorage area are two-lane. Most are good to very good, some are narrow and curvy. You must be on your best driving game at all times because in addition to road conditions, it seems many of the worst drivers in America migrate to Alaska. They have lead feet, little common sense, and by speeding and passing in no-passing zones sadly take a deadly toll on other drivers, including tourists, every year.

Practice your best defensive driving and you should be ok.

Be sure to get a copy of The Milepost magazine. It contains a wealth of information essential trip planning, for Canada and Alaska travel, and its also invaluable for use on the trip.

Have a great trip!

[ByeTheWay]

It's a great trip. Take your time and enjoy it.

[Arch Hoagland]

As EJW mentioned the Milepost is great.

https://www.themilepost.com/about-us/

[Ray,IN]

In our Alaska caravan were 2 45' MH's, at one CG near Whitehorse they had to park in a driveway with FHU because regular pull-throughs were too short unless they unhooked for the 2 nights. They fit everywhere else.

[ByeTheWay]

You will see larger rigs. Enjoy

[Triangle Drifter]

Allow plenty of time to be able to drive at a speed to suit the road.

We have done 4 trips since 2007. Each trip the roads have been better than the trip before. It is no longer the expedition that it was 50, even 25 years ago.