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04-06-2017, 04:03 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 602
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Alaska 2018
Looking to do an FMCA Fantasy Caravan 60+ day to Alaska next year. Anyone ever do this and if so do you have any suggestions?
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04-06-2017, 04:10 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Pueblo, CO
Posts: 624
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Unless you enjoy beng on someone elses schedule, would recommend not going with a caravan. Get a copy of Milepost book, read up on what to see and where to stop. We could not justify the extra cost for a caravan when you can go on your own and see the sights. From my understanding if you really breakdown, the caravan will continue unless they can get it fixed right away and you will just have to catch up with them later.
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2009 Berkshire 390 QS and toad
Retired and traveling
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04-06-2017, 04:23 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Anacortes, Wa.
Posts: 529
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I've done it several times but not via caravan. I'm sure they do a good job and can point out sights that are usually passed up but you are locked into their schedule. It's really nice to be on your own or maybe travel with another RV exploring what you want to and staying longer in areas that are interesting to you.
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John
08 Intrigue
2014 Ford Edge
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04-06-2017, 04:46 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 1,584
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After researching the caravan schedules and prices we decided to spend two summers, 4 months each trip, on our own for the money we would have spent on one 30 day caravan.
The caravans are good If you like to have everything laid out in advance. You will know the entire schedule of your trip, where you will be staying, and what sightseeing you will do prior to departing. Just wasn't enough flexibility for us. If there is something we really want to see and it is raining we just wait a day for the weather to clear. If we want to spend the night in an isolated area alone we find a pull out or gravel pit and have a quiet peaceful night alone. If we want to spend an extra day or two fishing or claming no problem.
Don't think I have ever seen a caravan at Teklanika in Denali!
Guess we are just to independent to fit into a regimented schedule. When I got out of the Army I promised myself I would never stand in a line again!
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2004 38DS04 Travel Supreme
Cummins 8.3 ISC 350HP CAPS
Spartan Mountain Master
2023 F-150 Towed
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04-06-2017, 06:04 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 75
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We did an Alaska 60 day tour with Adventure Caravans in 2011. Had a great time and would do it again.
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Don & Sue, Hickory Corners, MI FMCA F 4486 S
2020 Newmar Dutch Star 4020 40'9", 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
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04-06-2017, 08:00 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Buda (Austin), Texas
Posts: 363
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We have been to Alaska two times. The first was about six years ago and was about 35 days. Our 2016 caravan was much better. It was a Fantasy 62 day caravan that started in Anacortes, WA, and ended in Prince George, AB. They make all of the basic arrangements but there is no rush with ample time at each stop to do your own thing. We really enjoyed it. My DW did a rough calculation and we paid roughly what it would cost us individually if we did it on our own. Of course we mostly use full hook ups in established RV parks which is what we prefer. Also, if you do not have reservations at some of the more popular destinations you're out of luck.
For specifics I would suggest you look up the "Alaska 62 Day Your
Way" on the Fantasy RV tours website. BTW they do the FMCA tours.
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Dave and Deanne
2007 Travel Supreme Alante (Sold)
2018 Cornerstone 45X, 2019 F-150 loaded with a Cricket SX-3
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04-06-2017, 08:22 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Cen Il.
Posts: 710
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We looked at caravans and decided to follow the Mile Post routes and go it alone. Glad we did as we could sight see at our own pace. We ran into a lot of caravans on and off and the only problem was they tie up several rv parks when they are in the area that we were in. No problem just stay an extra day and let them get ahead out of the way. As far as security for breakdowns, not a problem. Everybody on the road will stop and help.
My advice is save the money, go on your own and take your time.
Edit to add: change you glass deductable on your coach and toed to 0 for thr trip.
good luck
pointrow
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2014 Fleetwood Providence 42p
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04-07-2017, 06:42 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 784
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We were on the same tour as Dave and Deanne and really enjoyed it. The key is that it was the tour they call Alaska "Your Way" (Fantasy), so they don't book a bunch of tours during the day, instead you do what you want to do. But they book where you stay and give your route briefings the night before each drive.
Van
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Van Sayler | 2022 Cornerstone 44B
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04-07-2017, 03:12 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Green Valley, AZ
Posts: 1,735
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We did Alaska on our own and the Canadian Atlantic Provinces with Fantasy. On our own was OK, but the I think the tour got us into lots of nooks and crannies that we would have missed on our own. The other point, is on a tour that long you might make some very good friends (we did). If you do the tour though, don't plan on loosing any weight
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Stew and Diane (and Marco)
2018 Entegra Cornerstone 45X
Formerly: 2015 Entegra Cornerstone 45B, 2013 Entegra Aspire DEQ IFS, 2004 DSDP; all sold
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04-07-2017, 06:15 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcosdad
We did Alaska on our own and the Canadian Atlantic Provinces with Fantasy. On our own was OK, but the I think the tour got us into lots of nooks and crannies that we would have missed on our own. The other point, is on a tour that long you might make some very good friends (we did). If you do the tour though, don't plan on loosing any weight
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I think we would X2 that. We made some good friends on our Atlantic Provinces trip and saw some things we might not have found on our own, Our thinking for going forward is that in a totally new area like the Provinces, we go first with a caravan and learn but deal with their pace. Then a second trip on our own.
Seems like it would work for us but maybe not everyone
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Cheryl and Emerson missing Rascal but loving our new buddy, Winston
Sadly Coachless
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04-07-2017, 06:42 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NE. Ohio USA
Posts: 5,973
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Quote:
Don't think I have ever seen a caravan at Teklanika in Denali!
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Worth doing Tek to get 29 miles inside the park. The other two Denali NP. campgrounds are somewhat tight. Where as Teklanika's 56 sites, most will fit a 40' rig. We did 110 day trip last summer and plan to go back in 19'. The only thing I would do differently would : make a reservation to Lake Louise AB. and maybe leave a week earlier.
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04-17-2017, 08:20 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 602
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcphil_98
We have been to Alaska two times. The first was about six years ago and was about 35 days. Our 2016 caravan was much better. It was a Fantasy 62 day caravan that started in Anacortes, WA, and ended in Prince George, AB. They make all of the basic arrangements but there is no rush with ample time at each stop to do your own thing. We really enjoyed it. My DW did a rough calculation and we paid roughly what it would cost us individually if we did it on our own. Of course we mostly use full hook ups in established RV parks which is what we prefer. Also, if you do not have reservations at some of the more popular destinations you're out of luck.
For specifics I would suggest you look up the "Alaska 62 Day Your
Way" on the Fantasy RV tours website. BTW they do the FMCA tours.
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Just signed up for this Alaska your way 62 day tour for 2018. Excited and no stress!!
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Jim & Debra Stephenson
2015 Entegra Anthem 44B
"Enjoying America One Day at a Time!"
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04-18-2017, 04:35 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Blanchard, Idaho
Posts: 813
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Hey Jim I hope your stay in El Paso ended well. We are in Middlebury at the moment. Hope to see you on the ALCAN next summer.
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Roger and Debbie
2015 Cornerstone 45B
2016 Ram 1500 4x4
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04-18-2017, 11:49 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 602
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Roger and Debbie, thanks for the quick note. We're excited about the trip, but a little scared. Hope we don't damage the coach.
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Jim & Debra Stephenson
2015 Entegra Anthem 44B
"Enjoying America One Day at a Time!"
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