Community Forums

Jgold · 08-22-2012, 02:41 AM

I made the 10-day 4000+ mile trip from San Antonio to Fairbanks via the ALCAN in June towing a 25' TT with my F150 and had a great time. I never had a problem with the 30A service but water quality at some RV sites was questionable. The Good Sam sites tend to be a little nicer and cleaner than the others. The Milepost is a MUST and there is constant road construction and some nasty frost heaves along the way but for the most part it isn't too bad. I got through it with a silver dollar size crack in my windshield and lots of bugs on the front of my truck and trailer...and an interesting encounter with a curious bear at a riverside rest area that wandered up behind me as I was getting out of my truck to use the bathroom...I just got back in slowly and drove away...not too bad for such a long trip in such remote wilderness. Go for it and have fun!!!

TheArnolds · 08-22-2012, 04:05 AM

Thanks Pagosajoe for the recommendation on "Milepost"!

My DW and I are thinking about doing a trip to the "Upper One" in the next couple of years. I have read about people doing the Good Sam caravan trip but I was wondering about going it alone to have more control over cost, itinerary, and duration. Any comments on a single motor coach doing this trip?

IWillRVToo · 08-22-2012, 10:42 AM

I went with my parents in the late '70's. Portland, OR to Anchorage then Fairbanks and then home. Traveled solo so we did what we wanted when we wanted to.
1973 GMC Jimmy 4x4 and Kit Companion 18 foot TT.
1 flat on the truck, 1 busted spring and a couple busted welds on the floor supports on the TT.
A great adventure!

Downwindtrac · 08-22-2012, 08:59 PM

We just got back from a one week trip to the NWT with a TT. You'll be fine in Alaska.I turned north off the Alaska highway.

Some Myths for busting.

Tires: unless you have some of those super cheap China bombs,in which case going around the block is risky,don't worry it's paved.Where the myth comes from is during the gravel days,they would use crushed shale. It would make great roadway but the shards would pierce tires. I have found that the steel belted radials are almost immune in my back country travels.

Gas is not a problem if you don't run it to the E, 1/2 to 1/4 is better. Since the better fuel economy,some stops,can't call them towns, have lost the gas stations. So it's wise to drive and gas up during the daytime.

The one thing that I did learn: the "pavement" is done by tarring the roadway then packing gravel in. It both cheaper and it stands the frost better. But that loose gravel can ding your TT,so a grass skirt is a good Idea.

Cliffy · 08-24-2012, 09:08 PM

Thanks all! Meeting the other couple in a week, for a week, to talk this all over. I like the "grass skirt' idea I hadn't thought of that one. This would be kind of interesting in the old 77 Excell.

chaunclm · 08-25-2012, 06:26 AM

We have taken a travel trailer to Alaska twice . The first time we did a couple of thousand miles of gravel (Never again). The second time we stayed on the Alcan up and back.

On the first trip we went all the way to Inuvik in North West Territory, Canada. On that trip because of all the gravel we traveled we armored up the front of the trailer with linoleum and used a grass skirt at the back of the truck. On this trip aside from gravel blasting the frame of the trailer down to bare metal. We had no significant damage.

The second trip the only problem were the frost heaves. The last 200 miles of the Alcan was dreadful. We couldn't safely travel at more than about 25 miles per hour. By staying on the Alcan we only had about 25 miles of gravel total. We went slow and had no damage to the trailer.

My recommendation is go for it. Go slowly when conditions call for it and you won't have any problems.

Alaska is the most beautiful place I've ever been. There are places there that bring tears to one's eyes because of their beauty. Our favorite area is the drive from Glennallen to Valdez. Neither pictures nor words can do it justice.

RanCarr · 08-25-2012, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliffy

Posted this on "Boondocking" also but thought I might get another view here. We have friends that want to go with us to Alaska in a TT. I've read the threads using MHs but haven't found anything on TTs going there. Anyone with experience doing it in a TT? Thanks

I've taken long trips with a TT and with a cross beteen a van and Class-C. For a long trip, I prefer the Class-c or Class-C. They're more maneuverable and when on the road you can use the toilet or pour something to drink. No need to look for a place to pull over. Also, if there's a problem in the middle of the night (or any time really) there is no need to leave the RV to drive away. Just get in the drivers seat, turn the key and go....

chaunclm · 08-26-2012, 07:32 AM

Both of our trips were on our own. By using the Milepost one has information on every mile including tourest attractions, fuel locations, and even pull outs for taking a break. We spent two months in Alaska both times and there are still things we would have liked to see that we couldn't.