RVing to Alaska & Yukon Ep. 1 - Planning and Preparation (Keys to a Successful Roadtrip)
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- Опубліковано 10 січ 2023
- This video shares our experiences planning and preparing for an RV road trip to the Yukon and Alaska. We travelled July-Sept 2022 in a 2021 Ram 1500 and 2022 Rockwood MiniLite 2109s.
When we set out for the Yukon and Alaska we were expecting a pretty amazing trip. Those expectations were far exceeded - it was a 17893 km 70-day remarkable adventure.
A trip that long requires quite a bit of research and planning which started about 9 months before hitting the road. And there are some fantastic resources we recommend.
The Milepost is the Alaskan traveller’s bible that provides a mile-by-mile breakdown of the routes you will use including hazards, history, things to see and places to camp or eat.
The Church’s book, a Guide to Camping in Alaska, gives excellent reviews of most CGs.
Another great source related to attractions, were the tourism guides produced and provided by local tourism departments. Many are downloadable or you can request hardcopies be mailed.
When it comes to developing an itinerary, we recommend keeping it flexible - build in some extra days for rest or repairs - things can go wrong.
You’ll also likely want time for maintenance…and to give a buffer if you have weather delays.
It’s important to remain adaptable because on a journey this epic events totally out of your control can mess with your plan. On our trip in 2022 a massive washout closed the Alaska Highway for a few days while the BC transportation ministry created an incredible detour through the wilderness. Wildfires closed the Klondike Hwy to Dawson City for a few days…and later in the season a horrible crash closed a bridge on the Alaska Highway at Sikanni Chief for days.
As we got closer to departure, we transferred the itinerary into an app called RVParky - It had all the campgrounds we wanted to book preloaded, along with reviews and pictures, and it gave distances for each days travel. Also helpful were the Campendium, iOverlander and GasBuddy apps.
Another online resource that we found invaluable was the Facebook Group, RVing to Alaska Original.
Reservations? Some people make none and go with the flow - others make reservations months ahead of time for every stop. We were kind of in the middle. We made reservations for Banff, Jasper and Denali, because they are so popular and do fill up. But we also made reservations for Valdez, Seward and Homer because we wanted a waterfront site with electricity. All other campgrounds we stayed in we just called a day before, or just showed up.
Staying connected - there will be times when you will go hours, or days, without cell service. For example, we had none while driving the Cassiar Hwy or Top of the World Hwy. Some travellers take a satellite communication device such as Garmin’s in-reach.
Our Sirius satellite radio didn’t work in the Yukon or Alaska - so you might want to bring some music, podcasts or audio books you can access without a connection. Note: Starlink has said satellite internet service may soon be available in the north. .
What to bring: Rain gear - you will likely need it - comfortable boots came it particularly handy. Mosquito repellant - we find spray repellants containing 30% deet and Thermacells quite effective. Bear spray - we saw lots of bears and carried it anytime we were hiking.
As far as things to bring for your rig - battery jumper cables, Rain-X, breaker bar (for removing lug nuts), gas treatment and more - see video.
We also reviewed our trailer's possible weak spots or vulnerabilities and tried to address them before departure - this included installing a 4 mil protective film on the trailer windshield, a truck-mounted tow flap to prevent rock damage and reinforcing the trailer water tank supports. Everyone's rig will be different, but we recommend giving special attention to tires and suspension components.
Happy Camping!
Note: this video is meant for entertainment purposes only. The producers received no compensation from any of the products or services mentioned.
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Thank you so much for doing this series. The information you provide is spot on. Dang and i are planning a trip up there this summer intending to spend 2 months. Unlike other youtube channels that focus more on the social aspects of travel (and nothing wrong with that) but are sparse on information we find you guys offer great educational instruction, we will be watching each of these videos a few times each! Love how you organize and present your knowledge. Great job on this!
Bob and Dang, thank you so much for this! You are quite right, in making our videos we tried to focus more on making the journey, the destinations, the adventures themselves the focus, rather than ourselves and in so doing, hopefully, increasing their educational value. Your insight and feedback let us know it might have worked. We wish you safe travels…and have a fantastic trip to Alaska!
Thank you for your travel videos. My husband said this is a great time for us to travel to Alaska. Your Alaskan videos gave my trip planning some direction. I studied your videos and used RV Trip Wizard, internet research and Trip Advisor’s plan feature. I made my reservations early to the popular places and will make the other reservations as we go. After 4 months of planning I feel ready to go on a 3 month trip. Thank you for your advice and clear concise dialogue. This will be a trip of a lifetime for us. Also, we’re looking forward to leaving Texas for most of our hot Summer months. Since we’re from Texas we’re not snowbirds so I guess we’ll be firebirds.
So glad you found the series helpful. Have safe travels and a wonderful adventure!!
Thank you for all the valuable information. We are heading to Alaska in two months. You provided so many tips. Great video.
Thanks very much, we appreciate the feedback and are really glad it was helpful. And have an amazing trip!
Thank you so much for the wonderful video, very helpful
You’re very welcome Emily. Glad it was helpful!
Love this!
Thanks Janice! Glad it was helpful!
excellent tips. Looking forward to the rest of the series.... looks like you had a wonderful trip.
Thanks Shawn, and you’re right, it was an amazing adventure! Hope you enjoy the rest of the series.
We went in 2017 and crossed the Canadian border in May. I know some people plan everything but we didn’t. We didn’t have any trouble with the truck or camper. I’m hoping we can go back in 2024 for the last time. I was stationed in Fort Greely at Delta Junction for 18 months, in 1972 and 1973. DW did not like being stationed in Alaska, she got cabin fever.
Terrific video with lots of valuable tips! My wife and I, along with my brother and his wife, are planning an RV trip to Alaska. We probably won't be able to go until 2024 or possibly 2025, but we've started our planning our trip already and we're glad to find videos like yours!
Thanks very much. Have fun planning and have a wonderful trip!
Terry/Cindy -- Thanks for the suggestions as to planning and preparation. We also have a Rockwood 2109S and were very interested in how yours held up. Noted your stories about loose screws and dust through the wheel wells, so plan to take advantage of your experience and locktite as much as we can in advance of the trip, as well as trying to seal up the wheel well seams as you did. Your addition of the rock shield from Rockstar also caught my attention!
One thing I didn't see in your description was any detail on your truck. It obviously was a RAM, but what model, payload and towing capacity?? After viewing a number of videos on these subjects, specifically how some people inadvertently overload their vehicle, I'm getting a little paranoid as to whether we have the right vehicle to tow a 2109S in those conditions. Your thoughts?
Hi Barry, I completely understand your concerns about towing capabilities/capacities. Our truck was a 2021 ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi engine and the 3.92 rear axle. We dont have that truck anymore so I cant give you exact numbers but the towing capacity was over 11000 lbs (thanks to the 3.92) and payload was approximately 1400 lbs. Obviously the 2109s only weighs 4400 lbs dry or near 6000 fully loaded so we were absolutely fine on towing capacity (just over 50%) but we would have been close to our maximum payload with the extra gear we were carrying in the truck. We did add Timbrens that really helped eliminate the squat Rams are notorious for but they also make the loaded ride kind of harsh. We never felt the truck struggled at all, regardless of mountain grade. Having said all that, if we had any MiniLite other than the 2109s we'd want a 2500 series truck.
Depending on the specific truck's capabilities (especially payload) I think many 1500s can handle the 2109s....but having said that, you could never go wrong with a 2500 (gas or diesel) for towing. And while everyone likes the incredible torque the diesel gives, a 2500 gasser will likely have much more payload capacity due to the lighter engine...not to mention a more affordable price;)
Im sorry I cant offer better advice but I would suggest that if you think you might be over your payload or towing capacity, its worth getting your rig scaled/weighed. Or just go buy the 2500 and then you dont have to worry...lol.
I hope this has helped a bit. Have an amazing trip!
@@TrueNorthCamping Hi Terry -- Many thanks for your quick, helpful and complete response. We have a 2018 F150 with 5.0L engine and 3.55 rear end. Payload is 1679 lbs with towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. To be honest, when we got it I was only looking at the high towing capacity, but have since come to realize (thanks to UA-cam) that the payload gets maxed out long before the towing capacity. And, when we recently bought the 2109S I was only looking at the near-6000 lb loaded weight. Like you, I thought we'd be only at 60% of the towing capacity, so would be fine. However, I have since learned that the loaded tongue weight of this model trailer can run over 850 lbs, which takes up over half of the payload (note that Rockford advertises this as 557 lbs in the literature, I believe measured without batteries, water and, perhaps, even empty LP). Bottom line is that with two adults, two dogs, a generator, tools, and a couple mounted spare tires, we are over the 1679 lb payload. As I told my wife, lots of times things are actually engineered in excess of the quoted payload spec, so I wouldn't expect the extra pound of loading it to 1680 lbs (or slightly more) would break anything, but running at the limit anywhere (towing capacity, payload, axle rating, etc.) can't be completely mechanically healthy over the long run. Agree that I certainly wouldn't want to tow anything larger with an F150, but we're stuck with it for now. Will take your advice to head for a CAT scale to confirm what's on the axles once I have the trailer in hand. Again, thanks for sharing your experience(s). All the best, Barry
@@barrynash1126 my pleasure Barry. If you do get a chance to scale your 2109s I’d love to hear the results. Enjoy the trailer!!
Hello to you! What a great « find » on the tube for us! We are planning the same trip, from Qc, this summer 23! Can’t wait to see and vue what you did, and how. Thank you for posting :-) Have a great 2023 summer in your RV travels!
Thank you Remi! So glad you found the videos helpful....we have 10 more planned. Have a fantastic trip!!
Planning for 2024! Lord willing 😊
Have fun planning!! And have a fantastic trip!!
Thanks!! Lots of great information. Can’t wait for your future episodes
Thanks very much Suzanne. Really glad you found it helpful!
Glad I found your channel. We are planning to go up the Alaska Highway, to Denali then home via Dawson City and (maybe) up the Dempster.
I grew up in the Yukon and have family there so I'm aware of many of the issues, but I've never driven the highway towing a RV.
Thanks so much Martin. In our opinion towing an RV up there requires drivers to slow down - dont expect to do the speed limit unless the road is in excellent shape, extra vigilance looking for potholes/frost heaves etc. and making sure your rig is protected and in good shape, especially tires and suspension. Have a great trip back home!!!
Thanks so much for the awesome videos. We are heading there this summer 2024. What brand is your dash cam? Seemed like it took great pictures while traveling.
Thanks very much Kathy, we’re glad you enjoyed them! Our dashcam is a Thinkware. In our opinion its a good camera with an app that makes it fairly easy to transfer videos to your phone. Have an amazing adventure!
Thanks so much for your videos! My wife and I are planning a trip North this summer following much the same route and we love seeing your videos and learning from your experiences. Please keep them coming!
Thanks Sparks! Appreciate the kind feedback…next episode on visiting Valdez should be out this weekend 🤞🏻
@@TrueNorthCamping We can't wait! Thanks! Lane
I'm glad I came across your trip videos for we are leaving May 2nd from Texas to Alaska and back. We have been planning this trip since 2018 and am pulling a 24' travel trailer so I'm very interested in what y'all have to say. Going to take great pleasure in watching the rest of the videos of your trip.
Thanks David, we hope you enjoy the rest of the videos and have a fantastic trip!
So thankful to have found your UA-cam channel. My husband and I went to Alaska from NH through the northern part of the US in 2017 but, hopefully, we are going again this year. However, we want to go via Montreal for something different. I have a question. I see there are rest stops on that route, but do they allow overnight parking (as in RV sleeping) or are there areas where that can happen (much like in Alaska)? Your videos are great. They give the feeling of sitting around a table, talking to an old friend. Some of the others are very "glitz and glamour" but yours spare me of all of that and keep my attention. Keep them coming but I guess you only have. Happy RVing this summer.
Thanks very much Norma, that is very kind. With regards to overnighting or boondocking in Quebec and Ontario, there are not many opportunities, unlike Yukon and Alaska. But there are many Provincial Parks in Ontario right along the Trans Canada Highway. If it fits into your itinerary we highly recommend Lake Superior Provincial Park as a potential stop. It is one of our favorites. As you probably know Ontario is a huge province and it can take 2 1/2 - 3 days just to cross it from east to west. You can check out the provincial parks (and make reservations) at the link below. Hope this information is of some help and that you have a fantastic trip back to Alaska!
www.ontarioparks.com/reservations
Thanks for the tips. Planning our summer trip to AK now.
Glad it was helpful! Have a wonderful trip!
Thanks for sharing all your knowledge! Im curious about traveling the Dalton Hwy. Im told it's a rough trip and hard on the vehicles. What are your thoughts? Did you have any vehicle problems?
Thanks very much Sherrie. As for the Dalton, I’m afraid we won’t be much help as we didn’t make it to Proudhoe Bay. But there are 2 or 3 good Facebook groups for people RVing to Alaska where I bet you’d find quite a few who drove the Dalton.
Planning a trip next year. Cann you share anything about taking a dog across the Candian Boarder or anything else you may need ?
Awesome information. Thank you. I'm wanting to travel there possibly this year, Spring or Fall? I have a 2016 2109s Mini Lite with 54,000 miles on it now. It's a rough little unit and the love of our life. I've uploaded over 200 videos on YT of our travels as well............... My only concerns on the entire trip are gas availability and pull out, boondocking sites. I get 10mpg on my truck (about 350km per tank) pulling our Mini, so I'm going to view each video to see how far gas stations were between fill ups, how much gas I need to bring with me, and where you boondocked. All of the YT videos I've watched do not address those two topics. Of course, I'll buy a recent copy of Mile Posts before going. We love boondocking as much as possible, off road or pullouts. We'll do hookup campgrounds every few days, but find they are only for "refreshing" ourselves and spoiling..... I'll be going through all over your videos chronologically now. Looking forward to it. Michael
Thanks very much Michael. We didnt boondock as much as I thought we would but there were plenty of spots for it, especially in Yukon and Alaska. The iOverlander app is an excellent resource for finding boondocking spots and your 2109 is a great size camper for this trip! As for timing, we went in july, august, September. The advantages were less crowds, fewer mozzies, fall colours. Going earlier though would likely give warmer and perhaps drier weather. Its really what works best for you.
@@TrueNorthCamping Oh cool! thanks for the info. What is "mozzies"? We love SLOW camping, that is 200 miles or less a day. Go easy and enjoy life. I'll definitely use iOverlander and Mile Posts for references. I'll be watching each episode, video, you posted now.
@@garlandstyle5797 mozzies = mosquitoes 😉
I think the most miles between fuel stations on the AlCan is 150miles, 240kms.
@@magooracing Thank you. :)
Is there a place where you share your itinerary? Including when you left and when you returned....how long you stayed at each place.... Looks like you were in Denali in the fall.
Hi Nettie, we were in Denali the last week in August. We left (near Ottawa) July 8 and returned mid September (was supposed to be later but an emergency changed that) . If you’re able to provide an email we can share our itinerary.
We are hoping to take this trip from Ontario within the next 3 years. We currently have a 35' 5th wheel and I feel this might be to big for the trip. I see you have a much smaller trailer. What are you thoughts about trailer size? Also how long would you stay at each place and what would have been your longest stay? Thanks.
Hi Chris, we saw lots of rigs your size on the trip but of course a smaller trailer would be easier to find a site for in some locations. As for length of stay, we were 5 nights in Dawson City, Valdez, Seward, Homer, and Denali. Shorter stays elsewhere. The 2 spots we wished wed had a bit more time were Denali and Dawson City, but of course thats very subjective and based on our interests. Hope this helps. Enjoy planning your trip!
My husband 1 yr old boxer and I hope to RV to Alaska August- September and are concerned about leaving our dog alone as she isn’t all by herself a lot at home. Did you just leave your dog alone or were there dog places you could leave your furbaby at ?
Hi Deanna, we did leave Ranger in the trailer when on excursions, shopping etc. We always left the AC set to come on if it got warm ( it never did ;) and he was used to being left from when we both worked - and he doesn’t bark or act out. I know some people use a camera with a wifi connection so they can monitor inside the trailer when away and there were a couple of communities (Seward and Valdez if I recall correctly) that had professional dog walkers that could be hired. And we met one couple who took turns going on long excursions so their older dog wasnt left alone for too long.