Everything is so big! We drove about 2,600 miles in 4.5 days. We had planned to take longer, but with circumstances being what they were, we had to basically drive straight through. Beautiful trip though. Thanks for watching!
I moved back to Alaska about 3 weeks ago with a fully loaded Uhaul while towing my wife’s Jeep on a trailer behind me...just me and my yellow lab made this drive from Rapid City, South Dakota and loved every minute of it! I have never driven the Alcan in winter so this was cool to see, awesome video!
When its over 90 outside and I am surfing through UA-cam and find your Alaska drive pt's 1 & 2 and it definitely made that 90 degree heat go away. I lived in Alaska 20 years and drove the ALCAN numerous times for work (attending outdoor shows to get bookings for my fishing trips on the Yukon).... and your video of snow and ice covered roads brought back many memories. Thanks you for sharing
I made this drive solo from Indianapolis to Fairbanks day after Memorial Day 2019...took me 5 days...stops in Minneapolis, Regina, SK, Dawson Creek, Watson Lake, Tok, and on to Fairbanks. Recognized a lot of your stops...Toad River, Muncho Lake, Teslin, signpost walls at Watson Lake, and of course the cutoff at Haines Jct. The eternal sunshine driving north in summer kept me disoriented and I was amazed that I saw no construction crews...until I made the return trip a month later and I swear they had every highway in Alaska torn up and I was constantly following pilot cars. Anyway, thanks for posting...I had wondered what this drive would look like in Winter.
@@SteveLFZ no, we didn't have trouble, however, we did use the Milepost to get an idea of what would be open ahead. There's a link to that in the description of this video. Not all gas stations are open in the winter-many are seasonal. Our rule on the trip was that we carried an extra 10 gallons of diesel fuel with us and if a gas station was open, we topped off. We didn't take chances. We tried to not drop below 1/2 tank, but there were times we got below 1/4.
@@SteveLFZ I highly recommend the Milepost. There is a link to it in the description of this video. Basically, the rule of thumb we followed was to carry 10 gal of diesel with us and to top off anywhere we found fuel. We tried not to drop below 1/2 tank, but once we got below 1/4. We never did have to use our reserves we brought along. Winter requires more planning than summer, of course, because more of the roadside stops are closed. But the Alcan is a trucking route, so there are stops along the way to gas up. Just don't assume there are a lot of options. Take whatever is available! Hope this helps.
@@SteveLFZ the locals still travel these roads, some stations might be closed or close at 9pm. If your vehicle isn't towing a heavy trailer you'd be fine. If you're at a half a tank or less stop to top off.
What is your tow vehicle? I am thinking about doing this with a little guy max and my tow vehicle is a Dodge ram 2500. How were the roads and were you nervous at all about this journey to Alaska?
Hi Bob, we are towing with a 2016 Dodge Ram 2500. You should be fine depending on what you are pulling-just check your loads. The roads were fine, although it is now spring, so watch out for collapsed roads and new frost heaves between Haines Junction and over the border of Ak. You’ll traverse around 300 miles of frost heaves, and sometimes they aren’t marked. Just take your time. We would drive this road again anytime. It’s beautiful and completely doable if you don’t get in a rush. Plan ahead and enjoy!
How did you stay warm in your camper along the route? I can't imagine the camper's furnace would be a match for the temps you encountered. Also, the roads looked horrible. I had to drive in snow regularly many years ago but have lost my nerve now for sure. My hat is off to you guys.
We had 3 30# tanks of propane for the trip, and the biggest issue was not having our water tanks freeze. This camper is rated to -4F, and we drove through areas that were much colder. This trailer has a 30,000 BTU ducted forced air furnace, so it is very well thought out for colder temps. The ductwork follows the waterlines for the most part, helping to keep them warm when the furnace runs. Because we traveled in 2020, we couldn’t go into any buildings. This meant we needed a bathroom and a way to cook. We bypassed our hot water heater so it wouldn’t freeze and ended up driving much of the way with the furnace running and the dinette seat where the pump is housed open so the heat from the trailer could keep the pump and pipes from freezing. I don’t think this would work on a regular trailer-the Bigfoot is very well insulated and has heated tanks. However, if you were just keeping warm and weren’t carrying water, it would be more doable. Even if the ambient temperature in the trailer is in the 50’s, you can bundle up and keep warm. For most of the trip, we were in the truck because we had to drive straight through. Definitely do your research on your trailer and be prepared for anything you can think of. Much like mountain climbing. You plan ahead:). I would not take this trip as a leisurely camping trip this time of year. But we kept warm at night with a down comforter and lots of layers. As far as driving, we took our time. The video is sped up to 2x or it would take forever to watch-we weren’t going that fast. Once we hit snow, we averaged 30-35 mph. We also carried chains for the truck and trailer, although we never had to use them. Hope this helps!
@@BradleyTwiest we would have preferred not to, and I wouldn’t recommend it. But because we were instructed not to enter any buildings on the trip, we carried enough water for personal use. We were concerned about freezing up throughout the trip.
We answer that question in our Q&A video-at 2:57 minutes in. ua-cam.com/video/8haqcT9oqhE/v-deo.htmlsi=7_ujFubKebTDQxKk Our trailer tires were stock. Hope this helps! Happy travels!
Man that drive takes guts. Not just from the fact that it is so long but, what could you do if something happened like a flat tire or a major vehicle malfunction? You are so far away from most everything.
Yes, you really have to plan. Many places are so remote, there is no cell service. However, it is a trucking route, so there is some traffic that comes through on a regular basis. The Alaska Milepost book is an absolute must-have on this trip. It tells you how to prepare, where you are, and what to expect by mile marker. It is updated yearly. I've put a link in the description of this video.
We didn’t have a problem. We tried to always top off if there was fuel available. Definitely try to keep at least a half tank at all times. We also traveled with 10 gal extra fuel which we didn’t have to use. One stretch had us just below 1/4 tank before we found fuel available, but that was the lowest we got. Hope this helps! Safe travels!
Awesome video. We are making the trip in the next few weeks. Did you have to utilize 4 wheel drive often or were just all weather AT tires just fine for the trip? thank you for sharing
We used 4wd a little bit. Mostly, we were in rear drive. We did get four new tires for the truck that were rated well for ice and snow (not studded), and our trailer tires were new also. The Milepost was a great reference guide and we used it to find gas, know where we were, and plan our trip based on the changing weather. There will be stretches of no cell service at all. Prepare for that. Keep in mind the video is sped up to 2x actual, just for times sake and attention span. Canada maintains their roads well, at least when we came up, they did. You’ll need to have chains with you to travel the Alcan, and I would expect more snow this time of year. Hope this helps! Safe travels!
@@meaganblessing That’s so funny! I didn’t realize you sped the film 2X and was thinking, “That dude’s a confident driver to go that fast in those conditions!” and was just waiting for a spin out 😂
@@jennycraigadventures3314 right? My mom freaked out when she saw it. If I didn’t speed it up, it would be like watching paint dry. 😉 It’s a long trip.
You will need to call the border and get all your paperwork in line. As things are shifting all the time right now, I’d advise you to simply call Canadian and Alaskan border and get the latest details.That way you will show up with any necessary documentation.
From what I've read you can't go through Canada at all right now unless you are truly mission essential. Even if they do let you through the border in BC, you have to quarantine for two weeks and show proof of those plans before you enter the province. I need to go through Canada as well but can't risk getting rejected at the border plus the ferries are close to $3k for a one way trip. There's nothing but shitty options all around at the moment.
@@GenAfterNextTactics I have heard that too. It is really important to call the borders and get up to date information as the situation seems to be constantly changing.
It wasn’t a problem, but we did get new tires on the truck and we took it slow. We were not underpowered either-well under the tow limit on the truck. Hope this helps. We also had chains but didn’t need to use them.
We do it all winter season long during snowmobile season. Good tires, a suitable vehicle (a good tow vehicle is about more than power), well maintained vehicle/trailer set up correctly, ability to read the conditions & drive sensibly are even more important during the winter.
Thanks all. I am very familiar in driving in the snow, I just never had the need to tow with snow in the ground. I'm now changing my life plans and it can happen that I will need to do it, so I was wondering if that would have been a problem. Your answers help me a lot.
maybe you should concider airbags for the Dodge....if you already got em...disreguard this comment...but i had the firestone system installed....best thing i ever did!!!
This was winter 2020. At that time, the border was open to essential travel only. We called ahead and followed all protocols. You will need to call both borders to see what is allowed at the time of your travel and prepare any supporting documentation or other details you would need to attend to.
Looks like a heck of a trip! That's a lot of car time - it's crazy how big everything is!
Everything is so big! We drove about 2,600 miles in 4.5 days. We had planned to take longer, but with circumstances being what they were, we had to basically drive straight through. Beautiful trip though. Thanks for watching!
Finally!! A youtuber who doesn't have the camera pointed at themselves the entire trip while they narrate what they see. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it! The scenery is breathtaking, don’t you think?😃🙌🏻
Great video ,lived and work in the Yukon norther BC in early 70' as a telephone lineman . Thanks for bringing back good memories 😊
Thanks for watching! Yukon Territory was beautiful. That must have been something to live and work there back in the day!
I moved back to Alaska about 3 weeks ago with a fully loaded Uhaul while towing my wife’s Jeep on a trailer behind me...just me and my yellow lab made this drive from Rapid City, South Dakota and loved every minute of it! I have never driven the Alcan in winter so this was cool to see, awesome video!
Welcome back home! So glad you enjoyed the video. It was very different in winter. But it's a beautiful drive at any time of year.
When its over 90 outside and I am surfing through UA-cam and find your Alaska drive pt's 1 & 2 and it definitely made that 90 degree heat go away. I lived in Alaska 20 years and drove the ALCAN numerous times for work (attending outdoor shows to get bookings for my fishing trips on the Yukon).... and your video of snow and ice covered roads brought back many memories.
Thanks you for sharing
So glad our trip brought back good memories for you! It’s a stunning drive.
I made this drive solo from Indianapolis to Fairbanks day after Memorial Day 2019...took me 5 days...stops in Minneapolis, Regina, SK, Dawson Creek, Watson Lake, Tok, and on to Fairbanks. Recognized a lot of your stops...Toad River, Muncho Lake, Teslin, signpost walls at Watson Lake, and of course the cutoff at Haines Jct. The eternal sunshine driving north in summer kept me disoriented and I was amazed that I saw no construction crews...until I made the return trip a month later and I swear they had every highway in Alaska torn up and I was constantly following pilot cars. Anyway, thanks for posting...I had wondered what this drive would look like in Winter.
Thanks for watching; glad you recognized the usual stops. Toad river has since completely changed. A bit sad as it’s all new.
@@SteveLFZ no, we didn't have trouble, however, we did use the Milepost to get an idea of what would be open ahead. There's a link to that in the description of this video. Not all gas stations are open in the winter-many are seasonal. Our rule on the trip was that we carried an extra 10 gallons of diesel fuel with us and if a gas station was open, we topped off. We didn't take chances. We tried to not drop below 1/2 tank, but there were times we got below 1/4.
@@SteveLFZ I highly recommend the Milepost. There is a link to it in the description of this video. Basically, the rule of thumb we followed was to carry 10 gal of diesel with us and to top off anywhere we found fuel. We tried not to drop below 1/2 tank, but once we got below 1/4. We never did have to use our reserves we brought along. Winter requires more planning than summer, of course, because more of the roadside stops are closed. But the Alcan is a trucking route, so there are stops along the way to gas up. Just don't assume there are a lot of options. Take whatever is available! Hope this helps.
@@SteveLFZ the locals still travel these roads, some stations might be closed or close at 9pm. If your vehicle isn't towing a heavy trailer you'd be fine. If you're at a half a tank or less stop to top off.
Awsome vid made my day
I'm so glad you enjoyed the trip! Thanks for joining the adventure!
If there is a next time, you must drive the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper.
I would absolutely love that! We were not permitted to take that route when we came through, as it was November of 2020. Thank you for the recommend!
What is your tow vehicle? I am thinking about doing this with a little guy max and my tow vehicle is a Dodge ram 2500. How were the roads and were you nervous at all about this journey to Alaska?
Hi Bob, we are towing with a 2016 Dodge Ram 2500. You should be fine depending on what you are pulling-just check your loads. The roads were fine, although it is now spring, so watch out for collapsed roads and new frost heaves between Haines Junction and over the border of Ak. You’ll traverse around 300 miles of frost heaves, and sometimes they aren’t marked. Just take your time. We would drive this road again anytime. It’s beautiful and completely doable if you don’t get in a rush. Plan ahead and enjoy!
How did you stay warm in your camper along the route? I can't imagine the camper's furnace would be a match for the temps you encountered. Also, the roads looked horrible. I had to drive in snow regularly many years ago but have lost my nerve now for sure. My hat is off to you guys.
We had 3 30# tanks of propane for the trip, and the biggest issue was not having our water tanks freeze.
This camper is rated to -4F, and we drove through areas that were much colder. This trailer has a 30,000 BTU ducted forced air furnace, so it is very well thought out for colder temps. The ductwork follows the waterlines for the most part, helping to keep them warm when the furnace runs.
Because we traveled in 2020, we couldn’t go into any buildings. This meant we needed a bathroom and a way to cook. We bypassed our hot water heater so it wouldn’t freeze and ended up driving much of the way with the furnace running and the dinette seat where the pump is housed open so the heat from the trailer could keep the pump and pipes from freezing. I don’t think this would work on a regular trailer-the Bigfoot is very well insulated and has heated tanks.
However, if you were just keeping warm and weren’t carrying water, it would be more doable. Even if the ambient temperature in the trailer is in the 50’s, you can bundle up and keep warm. For most of the trip, we were in the truck because we had to drive straight through. Definitely do your research on your trailer and be prepared for anything you can think of. Much like mountain climbing. You plan ahead:).
I would not take this trip as a leisurely camping trip this time of year. But we kept warm at night with a down comforter and lots of layers.
As far as driving, we took our time. The video is sped up to 2x or it would take forever to watch-we weren’t going that fast. Once we hit snow, we averaged 30-35 mph. We also carried chains for the truck and trailer, although we never had to use them.
Hope this helps!
@@meaganblessing I did not think you would have water in your tanks. Way to go,
@@BradleyTwiest we would have preferred not to, and I wouldn’t recommend it. But because we were instructed not to enter any buildings on the trip, we carried enough water for personal use. We were concerned about freezing up throughout the trip.
What kind of tires do you have on your travel trailer?
We answer that question in our Q&A video-at 2:57 minutes in. ua-cam.com/video/8haqcT9oqhE/v-deo.htmlsi=7_ujFubKebTDQxKk
Our trailer tires were stock. Hope this helps! Happy travels!
@@meaganblessing thanks
Man that drive takes guts. Not just from the fact that it is so long but, what could you do if something happened like a flat tire or a major vehicle malfunction? You are so far away from most everything.
Yes, you really have to plan. Many places are so remote, there is no cell service. However, it is a trucking route, so there is some traffic that comes through on a regular basis. The Alaska Milepost book is an absolute must-have on this trip. It tells you how to prepare, where you are, and what to expect by mile marker. It is updated yearly. I've put a link in the description of this video.
Great fun video! We have to make the trip south in the winter with a camper, how is fuel stops?
We didn’t have a problem. We tried to always top off if there was fuel available. Definitely try to keep at least a half tank at all times. We also traveled with 10 gal extra fuel which we didn’t have to use. One stretch had us just below 1/4 tank before we found fuel available, but that was the lowest we got. Hope this helps! Safe travels!
Awesome video. We are making the trip in the next few weeks. Did you have to utilize 4 wheel drive often or were just all weather AT tires just fine for the trip? thank you for sharing
We used 4wd a little bit. Mostly, we were in rear drive. We did get four new tires for the truck that were rated well for ice and snow (not studded), and our trailer tires were new also.
The Milepost was a great reference guide and we used it to find gas, know where we were, and plan our trip based on the changing weather. There will be stretches of no cell service at all. Prepare for that.
Keep in mind the video is sped up to 2x actual, just for times sake and attention span. Canada maintains their roads well, at least when we came up, they did. You’ll need to have chains with you to travel the Alcan, and I would expect more snow this time of year.
Hope this helps! Safe travels!
@@meaganblessing That’s so funny! I didn’t realize you sped the film 2X and was thinking, “That dude’s a confident driver to go that fast in those conditions!” and was just waiting for a spin out 😂
@@jennycraigadventures3314 right? My mom freaked out when she saw it. If I didn’t speed it up, it would be like watching paint dry. 😉 It’s a long trip.
How was it going through Canada? I'm moving to Alaska and am worried about getting through to Alaska. I need all the details
You will need to call the border and get all your paperwork in line. As things are shifting all the time right now, I’d advise you to simply call Canadian and Alaskan border and get the latest details.That way you will show up with any necessary documentation.
I'm right there with you. Moving north in two weeks to AK. Drive safe.
From what I've read you can't go through Canada at all right now unless you are truly mission essential. Even if they do let you through the border in BC, you have to quarantine for two weeks and show proof of those plans before you enter the province. I need to go through Canada as well but can't risk getting rejected at the border plus the ferries are close to $3k for a one way trip. There's nothing but shitty options all around at the moment.
@@GenAfterNextTactics I have heard that too. It is really important to call the borders and get up to date information as the situation seems to be constantly changing.
How is it towing with snow on the ground? I’ve been avoiding it, but it seems you go through no problems...
It wasn’t a problem, but we did get new tires on the truck and we took it slow. We were not underpowered either-well under the tow limit on the truck. Hope this helps. We also had chains but didn’t need to use them.
We do it all winter season long during snowmobile season. Good tires, a suitable vehicle (a good tow vehicle is about more than power), well maintained vehicle/trailer set up correctly, ability to read the conditions & drive sensibly are even more important during the winter.
Thanks all. I am very familiar in driving in the snow, I just never had the need to tow with snow in the ground. I'm now changing my life plans and it can happen that I will need to do it, so I was wondering if that would have been a problem. Your answers help me a lot.
@@yellowglider you’ll do fine.
Did you stay in your camper , you should make this trip in the summer
We did stay in our camper.
maybe you should concider airbags for the Dodge....if you already got em...disreguard this comment...but i had the firestone system installed....best thing i ever did!!!
Thanks!
What possessed you to go to Alaska in the winter with an RV???
Good question! I’m currently writing a book about that. Stay tuned!
@@meaganblessing I am looking forward to it. Wishing you all the best. 🙂
I didn't know you could get an A to B pass through Canada during Covid. Anyway, good video...
Essential travel was permitted at the time we went through. We self quarantined in our trailer.
When was this ? The border is closed since last March.
This was winter 2020. At that time, the border was open to essential travel only. We called ahead and followed all protocols. You will need to call both borders to see what is allowed at the time of your travel and prepare any supporting documentation or other details you would need to attend to.
What was your average speed? 40s? 60s?
Once we got out of Alberta, it was about 35 mph. The video is sped up to 2x actual speed. Hope this helps!