A few questions for seasoned RV'ers, especially Alaska travelers

Rokslinger · 08-28-2016, 02:23 PM

I have a few questions for seasoned Class C RV owners, especially those who have made the trip to Alaska. First, a little background info: We retired in 2010 and took up RV' ing as our principal pastime. We began ambitiously with a 42' Keystone Raptor Toy-hauler thinking that we would have a lot of company. We matched that with a Ford F350 Dually Diesel and I became pretty proficient at driving it. The problem was, we didn't have the company,we were restricted in many places as to where we could get into. I didn't feel comfortable hauling this for great distances so our longest round trip has been probably 1600 miles. I had about 3 years experience with it. This year was our 50th anniversary, I offered DW a cruise to Alaska in celebration, but her, having a morbid fear of boats, stated that she would prefer to drive in an RV. We sold the Raptor and the truck and ordered a new FR Forester 3011DS which just arrived in July. So far we have taken one 8 day shakedown cruise to learn the ropes and make sure everything is working properly. We are planning our next trip next week and when we return, we will add hardware for a Toad (baseplate to our Jeep Patriot and Tow-bar, Patriot Brake System). I have never flat-towed a vehicle before. We are beginning to plan that trip to Alaska next year. My questions:

How critical is the experience factor on a trip like this? Are we being overly ambitious to plan a 10,000 mile or so round trip (we live in SC) with our experience level?

We don't know what we don't know and are planning the trips that we can, before an upcoming winter and an early spring to gain more experience, particularly over mountainous terrain. In your opinion, should we defer this trip an extra year in order to acquire more smarts?

How late would be too late to make this trip during the summer? We would like to sightsee for a week or so.
We welcome any and all replies from our RV family. Thanks!

We are in our early 70's and in relatively good health. My only concern is my road knowledge.

waiter21 · 08-28-2016, 02:58 PM

You'll need to do a little prep work, but you'll have a ball.

Order a Milespost book. And start planning over the winter.

The kickoff for tourist is about Memorial day weekend. If you plan on about two weeks before that, you'll catch most stuff open. If you go to early, nothing is open.

Read the article I wrote:

Not your Father’s Alaska Highway | Alaska

Then you can follow our day by day driving:

Alaska | Alaska Trip Log

ernest917 · 08-29-2016, 06:31 PM

You'll need passports to cross through Canada so don't overlook those.... Plus - you MUST declare all guns on board.... If you don't and are caught, things can get nasty....

Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

conceptumator · 08-30-2016, 11:51 PM

Declare all guns or just don't take them at all? I get conflicting stories, but the general consensus us you can't take handguns into Canada...period. If anyone has a different experience, I sure would appreciate hearing the details. We want to make the Florida to Alaska trip but I'm just uncomfortable without some form of personal protection on board.

Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
2015 Legacy SR340 360RB with 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Toad
Gigi, Poppy and Sadie the Jack Russell (all 14 lbs of her)

ernest917 · 08-31-2016, 11:00 PM

I carry a Guardian 12g pump shotgun loaded with buckshot.... Stopping power for most critters - two and four legged.... Plus - there's just something about the sound of a shell being jacked into the chamber that makes all butts pucker...

Also - it won't shoot through 3-4 other rv's like a glock will....

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

vasnipe · 08-31-2016, 11:27 PM

Take a good look at the Canada Border Services Agency website for the latest on what can and cannot be taken into Canada.
My nephew did not and because he had military equipment that they prohibited he got into a heap of trouble.
Wife and I took the Inside Passage cruise out of Vancouver, B.C. last month to Anchorage and had a blast. Gave us a taste of what we want to do in a couple of years when we retire and make a similar drive.
Enjoy the planning and the journey.

Chris in Virginia

dalford · 08-31-2016, 11:40 PM

I don't know how we got off on guns but..

if time is not an issue then the distance of the trip does not matter. Each day you travel a little farther. You said you did a 1600 mile round trip excursion. Well it was only 1600 miles because you turned around at 800 miles. This time turn around at 3000 miles. Go for it. Do your planning and just enjoy the trip. I envy you!

drelec · 09-01-2016, 01:17 AM

We drove to Alaska with our Crusader 270RET fifth wheel towed by a Ford F150 Supercab 4X4 with heavy payload option. This was our second trip, first was to South Carolina from Ohio. It was a 3 month (May-August)15,000 mile adventure. We stopped at several places on the way, including Custer State Park, SD, Yellowstone, Mount Saint Helens, Seattle, up 97 to Dawson Creek, the start of the ALCAN. Spent about a month in Alaska, highlights were Glacier boat tour out of Whittier, halibut fishing in Homer, Denali, Chicken AK on Top of the World highway on the return trip through Dawson City. Drove down to Skagway (tourist town). I recommend driving down 3 out of Haines Junction to Haines, beautiful views and Haines only allows one cruise ship a week, so not tourist trap. There was a food trailer across from the post office in Haines called Big Al's that had a halibut dinner for $11 that was great. Return trip took us down 37 with a stop at Stewart BC/Hyder AK, short drive to Salmon Glacier (photo attached) and the was a bear viewing boardwalk at Fish Creek. Salmon normally run in early August when we were there but they were late so we didn't see any bears in Hyder.

We drove about 300-400 miles a day and campgrounds were easy to find as well as gas but gas was expensive, highest was $7.75/ gallon at Mucho Lake.

I second the Mile Post for information. Roads were pretty much paved except for frost heave areas maybe 30-50 miles total except for Top of the World highway which was almost all gravel.

Enjoy your trip and enjoy the scenery.

CampingGator · 09-01-2016, 05:36 AM

culpepperwaters.blogspot.com. That is a blog that is well written by two couples who went to Alaska this summer. You will learn a lot of information by reading it. When we go we want to go with one other couple for the safety aspect. You will need a generator if you go and take a space heater too in case you loose your heater. There are many other blogs on the internet that address trips to Alaska, so read those too. You will be glad you did!

DaGrinch · 09-01-2016, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernest917

.....there's just something about the sound of a shell being jacked into the chamber that makes all butts pucker...

How eloquent..... and how true. Stopped more than a couple bad guys while working with only a backward and forward motion of the slide. A sound like no other.

Nancyc7 · 09-04-2016, 03:53 PM

I have a Crimson Trace laser on my tiny little Keltec, hoping that would give pause. If I could add that sound! wow that would be awesome!! Now I want a shotgun. And I want to go to Alaska.

conceptumator · 09-04-2016, 04:19 PM

While I appreciate the responses and apologize if anyone thought my intent was in some way to hijack the OP's question, I simply had a question for those of you who are US citizens and have had the opportunity to actually travel to Alaska in your RV. I would be more than willing to purchase a more compact shotgun than the one I already have, but I get considerable conflicting information when I try to research the legality of taking any firearm across the Canadian border. Most of what I hear is that firearms will be confiscated when declared..period. Some of the Canadian literature seems to say a long gun is OK, but elsewhere they state it could only be taken if being transported to a sanctioned competition and would then require a permit. I also hear such permits are most likely going to be summarily refused. Again, I would love to take this trip but with the isolated areas, etc., I am simply a bit hesitant to do so without some form if personal protection. If anyone can enlighten me, through their personal recent experience, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

dalford · 09-04-2016, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conceptumator

While I appreciate the responses and apologize if anyone thought my intent was in some way to hijack the OP's question, I simply had a question for those of you who are US citizens and have had the opportunity to actually travel to Alaska in your RV. I would be more than willing to purchase a more compact shotgun than the one I already have, but I get considerable conflicting information when I try to research the legality of taking any firearm across the Canadian border. Most of what I hear is that firearms will be confiscated when declared..period. Some of the Canadian literature seems to say a long gun is OK, but elsewhere they state it could only be taken if being transported to a sanctioned competition and would then require a permit. I also hear such permits are most likely going to be summarily refused. Again, I would love to take this trip but with the isolated areas, etc., I am simply a bit hesitant to do so without some form if personal protection. If anyone can enlighten me, through their personal recent experience, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Maybe this will help.. Bringing a Firearm into Canada – ezbordercrossing.com

ernest917 · 09-04-2016, 07:16 PM

Here's a suggestion/question - could you ship your gun to a CG (or someone) in Alaska and pick it up when you arrive; then reverse the process coming home...

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

dalford · 09-04-2016, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernest917

Here's a suggestion/question - could you ship your gun to a CG (or someone) in Alaska and pick it up when you arrive; then reverse the process coming home...

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Has, but probably not to a campground.. Check these folks out. They spell out the requirements. I've never shipped a weapon so just supplying info..

1) Shipping Firearms To or From Alaska â€” rules & options - Wolfhawk Shipping

conceptumator · 09-05-2016, 12:35 AM

The trouble with shipping a firearm is you don't have it when you mainly need it. We flew into Anchorage several years ago, rented an RV and spent a couple of weeks driving around the state. Felt pretty safe without anything there, but the thought of 2,000 miles or so of driving isolated roads across Canada is a lot more worrisome. I've researched all the rules and laws I can find but they're so confusing and contradictory that I was hoping to find someone with actual experience. Thanks for the ideas, though. They are all appreciated. Have a nice holiday!

Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
2015 Legacy SR340 360RB with 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Toad
Gigi, Poppy and Sadie the Jack Russell (all 14 lbs of her)

fella10 · 09-05-2016, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rokslinger

We welcome any and all replies from our RV family. Thanks!

We are in our early 70's and in relatively good health. My only concern is my road knowledge.

I've read this whole thread and unless I've over looked it, I haven't seen one mention of the Caravan To Alaska, organized by Bob Williams (BamaBob), you may find a group trip like that to your liking,..... they'll have the safety of a large group, a well planned route and schedule of events and points of interest along the way, Bob is a great organizer,...... the link below is the thread he started last year in preparing for it,..... just wanted to at least make you aware that such a trip is being planned,..... you may find that idea interesting, if so you can contact Bob, get on his email list for info and follow the progress of the planning,....

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...8-a-84973.html

You may also like: