Moving to Alaska

I have worked in South-Central Alaska every month but December (due to Christmas) and May (due to breakup). I have seen -50 in Fairbanks with "ice smog" and watched truckloads of snow being dumped on D St. in Anchorage for the start of the Iditarod due to lack of March snow. So, it's dark, cold, colder, and extremely cold in Alaska, depending on location. But in the Aleutians, it's cold, windy, windier, and extremely windy, no matter where you are.

Good thing is that some parking lots at apartments and business locations have electric hookups to plug in your engine heater at night and during Arctic cold fronts. And it's good the OP is going to motel it most of the way up to Alaska because there are virtually no RV parks open after September. And motels that are open year-round are rare too, except in some of the larger cities and towns--Lethbridge, Calgary, Edmonton, Grand Prairie, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Ft. Nelson, Watson Lake, Whitehorse, maybe Haines Junction and Tok, and Palmer. But likely few or none open anywhere between.

Personally, if I were headed to Alaska this time of year, I would take the AMHS ferry from Bellingham to Haines and get a cabin. Then I would only have to drive about 3 days to get to Anchorage via the Haines Cut-off, Alaska Hwy., Tok Cut-off, Richardson Hwy., and Glenn Hwy. Still not a great trip in winter, but a lot better sleeping in a nice, warm cabin with a shower for five nights than in a trailer with minimal insulation.
 
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We drove the Alaska Hwy this past summer/fall with a Tundra pulling a 17’ single axle
Springdale TT. On dry pavement there were sections that about jarred our teeth loose and that time of the year there was lots of stop and go construction. The stretch between Whitehorse Yukon and Tok, AK was the absolute worst. When we got to Tok we discovered we had lost our spare trailer tire off the carrier on the back of the trailer. I spent the next day going over the truck and trailer. 3 out of the 4 corner stabilizers had almost come off the frame, the weight distribution mounts on the tongue were all loose and the plumbing under the sink had worked loose and was leaking. We were carrying 10 extra gallons of gas and used it on this leg. If I remember correctly the only gas that was available was at the small community of “Continental Divide” and they have very limited hours in the summer, unknown in the winter. We had been warned to tow with empty tanks to reduce weight and did so.

I’d take extra fuel, zero water in the tanks and plenty of bottled water to get you by on the trip.
 
Store it on the west coast

Everything I've heard about the roads in winter, I would not want to pull or drive any RV on the road. There are apparently some times of the year when the roads have been repaired from the winter damage that it is good to RV to AK.

IMHO, I would pull trailer to Washington using a southern route to avoid snow. Then drive the coast as far north as is reasonable without running into severe weather conditions (including the temperatures). Store the RV there and then finish the trip without the RV. In spring, get the RV and return north.

Thinking about the weather/road risks, I might even leave or sell the truck. Fly to AK and lease or buy a truck there. Be really safe.
 
Full timing a three season camper in Alaska sounds like a real experience, not one I think I'd be up for, but I compliment you on your willingness to get out there and do it.

Full timing it in Euclid on the south shore of the lake likely came with its own challenges, I suggest AK will be related, but an entirely different animal, particularly where you might be heading. Get too far up, and you'll run out of day (it's currently night up there above the arctic circle - but that's WELL north, just above Seward Pen). Seems like you might be down where the action is. Where are you headed?

Considering that you are convinced to do this - and recognizing that this is just spitballing on my part - I might consider:

1. Think about a different camper or plan from a $ standpoint.

From Euclid, you've got a 4-5,000 mile haul ahead of you (to Anchorage). Fuel and towing cost, plus time, will add up - how does it compare to leaving your rig, driving and finding housing. Roads have places where they are downright nasty (not even accounting for weather). If you sell your trailer now, can you pick a different one up closer to (or even AT) your destination? Or, as Tom suggested, ditching it all and flying? Seems like getting there will be an enormous task in and of itself. Barring that, and if you're still convinced...

2. Think about your position on site

If you have a permanent parking place scoped out, consider wind loading and see if your trailer can be out of direct wind (in the lee of a nearby building, below a hill, downwind of a stand of trees). If you have someone familiar with the land, ask them about snowfall, snowdrifts, if there's a side that is particularly exposed, etc. Consider how you will position the trailer with respect to this. Have you found a spot to put stakes down yet? Alt, you could also look to find an *indoor* place to store your trailer in (room in a prefab metal building or pole barn), and live inside the camper inside the storage. Still going to need to add to insulation.


2. AK Winterize your Roo.

Think about how to attach/build additional insulation to the exterior. Maybe a kind of bracket system, maybe building an external 'house' shell right up against the sides of the trailer, allowing for access by cutting panels and chimney/heat outflow from the hot water heater and the furnace. I think you mentioned 2" dimensionally stable foam, maybe double it up, overlapping seams, glue it together and/or strap it with 1x3/firring strips, even plywood. Carry this insulation down to the ground and make a 'basement' below your trailer. this can be cold storage, but you'll also need to keep your plumbing. underbelly and tankage controlled. You'll also want more than just the factory heat pads - those are simply concentrated at the output areas. -30 will freeze your tankage without batting an eye. Materials and systems start to work very differently in the extreme cold, plastics and adhesives in particular. Can also add insulation to the interior, in particular the bed ends (which you won't be using). Don't forget the windows - these are huge losses - you can add heavy drapes, insulated plastic window covering, etc. Remember that your cabinets don't get conditioned air if they are closed.

You will likely need to heat tape + insulate the entire length of your waste pipes, make sure to get your gate valves. One freezes at -30 and it's not going to open up easily. Consider your water source, as well. City water to the trailer is going to need to be heated till it gets

Note that supply costs up in AK are expensive (including lumber and insulation), and costs for some materials can be 30-50% higher than in the lower 48. You may elect to purchase some of it down here, and trailer it up with you (considering weight implications). Or shop your materials remotely NOW (see what they cost and if they are even available where you're headed vs what you have access too now, or at least, closer to AK - like, purchase in ) and if you want to use your trailer to cart some. (you may be able to take the tent off at least one, if nor both, ends of your trailer, and stack foam on end inside the trailer on both ends in place of the tents AND mattresses (considering that you will be turtling). If you'll be up there in the warm months, you MAY want one tent end and a mattress to use it. Think about heat loss out the top, too.

2b. AK Winterize your truck

This means a block heater at the very least, winter oil, etc. Prep with carrying some extra fuel and deicer. Go through EVERYTHING (from antifreeze to wiper blades), you want your truck ready for the trip and ready to live in AK. Make sure to do the same to the running gear of your trailer, too - brakes, bearings, lights, etc.

3. Keep your trailer light

I would NOT add unnecessary weight to your trailer. Weight gives the false appearance of 'smoothing' a rough road, but comes at a cost by putting a lot more stress on the suspension. Trailer also becomes more susceptible to sway and breakaway control (eg, the heavier your trailer is in comparison to your tow vehicle, the less dominance the TV has have over it. Rigs fishtail forward when a tow vehicle stops faster than a trailer can - the trailer can't slow as quickly, and the only path for it to spend that extra energy is to exchange places with the TV. Worse when the trailer weight increases above the TV). Bring a modest amount of water and only the gear and supplies you'll need to get there. Recall you'll need RV tools and enough to be self sufficient out there on the roads.

Just what I could think off the top of my head. There's a buncha links out there that might point at other ideas, eg:

https://gopowersolar.com/winter-rv-camping-tips-tricks

https://www.fulltimefamilies.com/how-to-insulate-a-camper-for-winter/

https://rvlifestyle.com/how-to-insulate-a-camper-for-winter-use/

Wild adventure ahead of you, buddy. Best of luck.

Hope this helps, I could be - and often am - wrong.
 
Rojeck,
You are under estimating the weather on the way up there. Days are short with low sun angle. Towing in snow is difficult. Everything is going to freeze solid. No water in the rig at all. Keep water in the cab of your TV.

A generator might be your best bet for power. Do you have some serious down sleeping bags? Heating the Roo is going to be impossible in the severely cold weather. What is your plan to turtle it? Best of luck. I think you will get tired of sleeping your 3 season trailer in the Arctic. It is like taking a knife to a gun fight.
 
Do Not Drive your TT to Alaska in January

I've lived in Alaska for 35 years and I made my home there. I have a class C motorhome and a slide-in camper for my truck. They both get parked in the winter months. The ALCAN can be a very unforgiving road in the winter months - frost heaves, black ice, compacted snow, desolation, and wildlife - these are the realities of the ALCAN in the winter months. Once past Dawson Creek going north, the road is desolate with most businesses closed; that includes gas stations. Temps in January north of Teslin will get down to minus 40 or below and stay there from early January thru February. If you breakdown it may be hours before someone passes by. I'm not positive but, the Canadian border guards may search your rig to ensure you have proper winter gear - you won't find this gear in the lower-48. You mentioned St Alias - that area typically will be minus 40 to 60 in January/February. Your truck will freeze - literally - stuff breaks in those temps. A lot of people will leave their cars/trucks running 24/7 so they don't freeze. Moose, caribou, and other critters wonder the highways so they don't have to walk in four feet of snow. if you insist on driving up and dragging your TT, buy a book called "MILEPOST". It is a wealth of information. I wish you luck. Carry a garmin enreach for communications.

Ed.
 
I'm reading this because it sounds like the groundwork for a Steven King novel. Your traveling companions will be death and loneliness. Godspeed, RV pioneer! So glad I'm retired now. I can't imagine being transferred there.
 
I'm reading this because it sounds like the groundwork for a Steven King novel. Your traveling companions will be death and loneliness. Godspeed, RV pioneer! So glad I'm retired now. I can't imagine being transferred there.
Well he mentioned taking a new job not being transferred. I could have picked a better place to work but I wish him well and it will be true adventure. Can't wait to hhear the rest of the story. Later RJD
 
Would you go on the trip with some agua in your fresh water tank and apply a tank heater and use heat tape for the 'dangly bits' or should I winterize and empty my water before departure? One factor is the mountain driving on the Alaskan Highway. A full tank of water increases the weight towed, but more poundage could be helpful if there are slick highways.

My goal is to find an indoor facility to store the Roo over the winter and bring it out in the spring, but I may have to keep the rig outside. Any advice for outdoor storage in Alaska?


Apologies, Dave. I COMPLETELY misread your post, and thought that were going to overwinter in AK in your Roo. Hence my lengthy (and ill informed) reply.

Full timing a three season camper in Alaska sounds like a real experience, not one I think I'd be up for, but I compliment you on your willingness to get out there and do it.

Please let me modify my response.

1. I'd still be REAL leery of a 4-5,000 mile trip towing a trailer, especially now. Can the trailer stay in Ohio for the winter (ideally inside), and you come back and get it LATER when road conditions are much better? Or is this a complete relocation and you need to take it with you. If so, the road conditions, complete lack of amenties the further up you get, and even Mountain Crossing towing the trailer is all going to align to make it challenging. Be careful. Get your truck 100% squared away.

2. If you HAVE to bring The Roo along now, I'd fully winterize it, travel with the trailer tanks EMPTY, bring 5-10 gal of water along for your own use and rely on your motel overnights for showering and the like. That still leaves comfort stops and #2. Over-the-road truckers manage, I'll bet that with care and equipment and caution, you will, too. Depending on how far you can get, that could still be a 10+ day trip (not counting delays). Heavy trailer doesn't help you (per reasons mentioned).

3. Outdoor storage? Cover and leave it sit, fully winterized, use the -100 stuff (it freezes like all antifreeze, but it doesn't expand, and displaces/keeps water out). Not sure what to tell you about the battery. If it's flooded lead acid, make sure it's fully charged. I'd probably bring it into some kind of controlled space and keep it maintained/topped up. It'd be best to store it inside, consider dumping it ANYWHERE you can get a spot indoors (no matter how far away it is - you might even modify your plans - eg, get a place to store it indoors SOMEWHERE along the way, ditch it, get to AK, work the winter, then go down and collect your trailer when the weather is more supportive). I get the idea that indoor storage is going to be hard to find up there, and/or come at a steep price. The internet is a good place to start shopping now.

Best of luck and stay safe, no matter what your decision. Let us know what you decide.
 
No. NO NO! Don’t do it. I am familiar with this area. You risk your well-being and that of others who may be required to attempt to rescue you after your trailer develops a mind of its own from a blowout and drags your truck off the road into a ditch at -40ºF/C. If you’ve never experienced that temperature with a wind (and a wind is likely along that road) you have no concept of what it’s like even to try and move at that temperature and you have no idea that it just turned into a case of life or death, with the latter much closer than the former. Jacking up a wheel to change a tire is an ordeal, not an annoyance.

Be smart, take a warm commercial flight, rent a warm vehicle while you get settled and investigate the warm ferry option from Seattle in the spring.
 
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