Community Forums

CaptronNZ · 03-07-2018, 01:15 PM

This thread was posted elsewhere but I think this is a better location.

Fairly new at this RVing with only one long (6 wks) trip to the east coast of Canada and it was indeed a pleasure.

We are considering heading north late this summer, and taking in some of the remote pleasures of the Rarefied atmosphere that is NWT and Yukon, Would like to get some feedback on almost every aspect:
Fuel Costs
Insect protection
Roads to avoid
Roads to consider
Places to go
Places to avoid

Roads are important as it makes no sense to drag a motorhome over miles of loose surface causing gravel rash down below and who knows what else. Therefore the new hwy to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic ocean is out.

We do realise it's way out there and many roads are not well travelled, and support can be a long way off not to mention poor to no cell coverage as well as being internet poor unless you have satellite capability. But that's a part of the appeal.

Who has been there? What do you recommend or suggest?

Many thanks in advance.

Loggenrock · 03-07-2018, 09:43 PM

Been as far as Ft. Liard, NWT - many miles of gravel road - just slow down - no worse for wear - you bought your MoHo to use, not look at, right??? Fuel is obviously more pricey in remote areas, but again, is a couple hundred bucks going to be a deal breaker, if it gets you to places you want to go? We visited in 2008 - the year of the highest fuel prices around. Gas AVERAGED $4.55/gallon for our 15,000 mile adventure, but that's when we had the time to do it and didn't let that stop us. Most expensive we saw that summer was $7/gallon - opted not to fuel up there... So don't let a few cents/litre slow you down. Bugs - only had 1 or 2 really bad bug experiences, otherwise no worse than here in NH. We found those mosquito coils that you light the end of actually worked quite well. I did take my "Bug Baffler" net jacket, but only used it since I had it. Road conditions change yearly, they are always working to make them better, so can't really comment on what routes to avoid. We truly enjoyed our time in the Yukon and (limited) NWT - would certainly return.

rmacdon61 · 03-09-2018, 06:03 AM

Have been up there many times and lived at Prophet River on the Alaska Hwy (Alcan). Was up there last in 2016 doing a motorcycle trip to the Arctic Circle. Went up the Alaska Hwy and back down on the Cassiar Hwy. Other then construction both hwys are excellent roads. Fuel will be higher and use any opportunity to buy it. Services can be a long way apart and sometimes the fuel truck is delayed and they may be out. Bugs are annoying but tolerable with bug dope and the coils mentioned above. Sadly it isn't the adventure it used to be (first time for me was 1968) and really a simple trip now. If you decide to do the Arctic circle, carry glass insurance as rocks do fly (really hurts when riding a motorcycle). Took my 5th wheel over this trip in 2012 in early June, which misses the bugs but not the rain/snow/cold. If you only go as far as Dawson (not Dawson Creek) City, Gold rush town, great place to visit and you may wish to drive over the "Top of the World" hwy into the State of Alaska. Road is about 50% paved but when I rode my bike over it, was in really good shape (June 22) although did see rain/hail/snow going over the top. Summer solstice June 21 makes for really long days there. Its a great journey and I think you will really enjoy it.

ByeTheWay · 03-09-2018, 04:53 PM

Been twice. Last time they were redoing Top of World Highway, to Chicken. We boondocked the entire trip. We had personal netting for flying bugs. Don't worry about the price of fuel, it only hurts for a little while. We flew a mail plane from Fairbanks to Arctic Circle. Then even took our dog. Stayed at Beattles. Great Adventure. Go the Distance. That's what we love about owning an RV Enjoy!!!!!