Alaska Trip

[Excursion04]

We did the trip on own in 2017. Had a brake down 50 miles south of Calgary on a Sunday afternoon. Had it towed to Frieghtliner service center. Took them 4 days and $6500 Canadian dollars to get back on the road. Fortunately our service contract covered including hotel and meals except for $500 deductible. We had chance to spend a few days checking out Calgary

[bill.sahlman]

Do everyone a favor and don’t stop I. The middle of the road to look at animals that has been the scariest part of my trips. As they often do it on a blind corner. Even worse when you get one stopped in both directions

[rarebear.nm]

Originally Posted by Excursion04

We did the trip on own in 2017. Had a brake down 50 miles south of Calgary on a Sunday afternoon. Had it towed to Frieghtliner service center. Took them 4 days and $6500 Canadian dollars to get back on the road. Fortunately our service contract covered including hotel and meals except for $500 deductible. We had chance to spend a few days checking out Calgary

Be glad the breakdown was not in say Dawson City. The tow would have been much farther and $$$$$.

[rarebear.nm]

Originally Posted by bill.sahlman

Do everyone a favor and don’t stop I. The middle of the road to look at animals that has been the scariest part of my trips. As they often do it on a blind corner. Even worse when you get one stopped in both directions

One day on the Cassiar Highway we had a grizzly bear and two cubs run across the road directly in front of us. Only time I've had to do an emergency stop while towing the 5th wheeler, burning rubber type of stop. Otherwise I would have hit at least two of them. There no traffic in the area at the time.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

One day on the Cassiar Highway we had a grizzly bear and two cubs run across the road directly in front of us. Only time I've had to do an emergency stop while towing the 5th wheeler, burning rubber type of stop. Otherwise I would have hit at least two of them. There no traffic in the area at the time.

Our last Alaska trip we were on a stretch of highway with no other vehicle in sight. Came up on two men on bicycles stopped on the shoulder. They were watching a bear coming out of the woods.
I stopped behind the cyclists, as the bear came ever closer I told the men to use our 5er to block them from the bear and if it continued coming closer to jump in our back seat. When those guys got in our truck they were both sweating. The bear walked around my rig and left, after about 10 minutes the men thanked us and continued cycling away.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Our last Alaska trip we were on a stretch of highway with no other vehicle in sight. Came up on two men on bicycles stopped on the shoulder. They were watching a bear coming out of the woods.
I stopped behind the cyclists, as the bear came ever closer I told the men to use our 5er to block them from the bear and if it continued coming closer to jump in our back seat. When those guys got in our truck they were both sweating. The bear walked around my rig and left, after about 10 minutes the men thanked us and continued cycling away.

There was a video posted on another site showing a bicyclist pedaling as fast as he could and a grizzly chasing him. It showed the grizzly finally stopping the chase. Lucky guy. The same thing happened in Anchorage but the guy wasn't so lucky. Bikes and bears don't mix.

[rarebear.nm]

We keep two cans of bear spray just inside the RV door. When anywhere in bear country we'd grab them as we left the RV. Had another set in the door pockets of the truck. Never have needed them, yet. Best is to stay out of bear trouble but always be ready for the unexpected bear.

One night opening the door to go outside there was a black bear sitting less than three feet away. Made a hasty retreat back inside. You never know...

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

We keep two cans of bear spray just inside the RV door. When anywhere in bear country we'd grab them as we left the RV. Had another set in the door pockets of the truck. Never have needed them, yet. Best is to stay out of bear trouble but always be ready for the unexpected bear.

One night opening the door to go outside there was a black bear sitting less than three feet away. Made a hasty retreat back inside. You never know...

I quickly learned to peek outside before opening the door after I opened the door to see a Moose staring at me from about 10' away.

[KFed 90-10]

I've enjoyed all the responses and comments, took plenty of notes. My question is: I have a 45' rig and tow a jeep Wrangler, would I be limited due to size at some of the typical RV parks? I don't have a problem and many times prefer boondocking. thx all.

[akeagle]

Originally Posted by bill.sahlman

Do everyone a favor and don’t stop I. The middle of the road to look at animals that has been the scariest part of my trips. As they often do it on a blind corner. Even worse when you get one stopped in both directions

Those pesky critters have a nasty habit of disregarding the animal crossing signs in safe places!!!

[photraveller]

Originally Posted by KFed 90-10

I've enjoyed all the responses and comments, took plenty of notes. My question is: I have a 45' rig and tow a jeep Wrangler, would I be limited due to size at some of the typical RV parks? I don't have a problem and many times prefer boondocking. thx all.

We're 43' with a Trailblazer as toad, so close to as long as you are. I'd say we can found a pull through long enough without unhooking for the night probably 90% of the time. The Alcan and Alaska in general seemed setup for large rigs.

If unhooking, the only issue about size we've had was a few places like Homer and Denali National Park proper. Denali has large enough sites, but not as many as smaller sites. Good thing about Denali, plenty of campgrounds outside the entrance that easily fit big rigs without reservations.

We went without any reservations during our trip and Homer was the only place that we couldn't stay as long as we wanted. We were only turned away a few times, and all but once our second choice campground in the area worked out.

That one time was along the Alcan. We had planned to stay at a small native settlement for a day, but they were in the middle of a summer festival and both campgrounds were full. No issue getting another campground a couple hours further up the Alcan.

If you're the type that reserves ahead of time, you'll probably never have an issue.

Steve