I've read a ton of posts from my searches, but my eyes are crossing, so thought I'd post a question instead.3 of us couples working on a 2015 Alaska trip from Washington State. We'd like some input on what you feel the best rig would be for this trip. All three couples have 29-33' 5th wheels, as well as 10' campers. We're going back and forth between them trying to make a decision, so thought we'd check in with those of you that have made the trip!TC:More maneuverable.Less fuel used.Way less storage.Small holding tanksTight quarters for 2 months. (we've all been married for over 30years so we can probably deal with it...lol)Pain in the arse to drop for sightseeing etc.Less cost if we use the Alaska Marine Highway5r:Comforts of homeLarge holding tanksLots of storageReal shower as opposed to wet shower in the TCHow well will a mid level 5r holdup on that trip?Are most sites large enough for a long bed crewcab truck and 5r?Considerably more fuel used.If we go with campers, one couple plans to take a 14' aluminum boat/trailer with a weather proof tonneau cover that all three couples can use for storage.We've all been RV'ing with each other for 25+ years so we arent new to RV'ing by any means, and this is the first time we haven't been able to make a decision. We're all open to either setup, but need a few 'professional' opinions!Thanks all!

way2nutz wrote:I've read a ton of posts from my searches, but my eyes are crossing, so thought I'd post a question instead.3 of us couples working on a 2015 Alaska trip from Washington State. We'd like some input on what you feel the best rig would be for this trip. All three couples have 29-33' 5th wheels, as well as 10' campers. We're going back and forth between them trying to make a decision, so thought we'd check in with those of you that have made the trip!TC:More maneuverable.Less fuel used.Way less storage.Small holding tanksTight quarters for 2 months. (we've all been married for over 30years so we can probably deal with it...lol)Pain in the arse to drop for sightseeing etc.Less cost if we use the Alaska Marine Highway5r:Comforts of homeLarge holding tanksLots of storageReal shower as opposed to wet shower in the TCHow well will a mid level 5r holdup on that trip?Are most sites large enough for a long bed crewcab truck and 5r?Considerably more fuel used.If we go with campers, one couple plans to take a 14' aluminum boat/trailer with a weather proof tonneau cover that all three couples can use for storage.We've all been RV'ing with each other for 25+ years so we arent new to RV'ing by any means, and this is the first time we haven't been able to make a decision. We're all open to either setup, but need a few 'professional' opinions!Thanks all!It's an interesting question.For the major roads I see no difference. The only exception might be the Top of The World. There are clearly a few roads that the TC would be the only way to go. Other than that you might save some $ on fuel for the TC over the 5'r but is that worth the loss in comfort especially if you want to do some dry camping.If you were intending to use the AMH much there would be considerable cost saving there for the TC over the 5'r.As you can see it has a lot to do with the route and where you want to stay.Alaska is a big place with lots to see.Good luck we're headed up again this July 1 in a motorhome + toad.

Took a truck camper to Alaska years ago when the road was very rough. Enjoyed the ease of stoppingand parking anywhere. Alaska is about the scenery and out doors I believe a TC and a boat would bethe best combination even if it is tighter quarters. We will be going in our B class within the next couple of years. In the B forums there is a blog from a person who owns a A class and a B class and took the B toAlaska this last summer. He totally enjoyed the smaller unit for the trip. I have been to Alaska many timesand enjoyed all trips. Just get the Milepost and enjoy.

We own an A and a B+. Took the B+ to Alaska this summer. Absolutely great. We towed nothing. We did buy an aluminum box and had a drawbar mounted box frame custom made at a hitch place to allow it to go into the 2" receiver. It rode well and offered us space to put our tools and sewer stuff to keep it out of the cab. We probably saw more truck campers though in our journey up the Alcan and even along the inside passage. We saw one 3 member team of German tourists who were in TC's. They seemed to be having a great time.I'm not sure why you would need a trailer, though. The box came in handy for tools, but we didn't really need extra storage. If you buy stuff, you can have it shipped back. But that's all up to you. Our goal was to go as simply as we could and we accomplished that. The B+ was adequate for travel and sleeping and touring. The TC would be as well. Have a great trip. Pick up Mike and Terri Church's Alaskan Camping book too as well as the Milepost.Dale

If it was me, I'd forgo some of the trailer comforts and take the campers. If you really want to see the country, you will be able to access many more areas with them, and it would also save the trailers from getting beat up. Your generally less dependent on hookups with a camper, and this would allow for more bush camping and gravel road travelling, to see much more of the country.I spent many a trip in BC's wilderness with a camper, that I would never have been able to experience if I was hauling a trailer around. Pristine lakes and streams, gorgeous mountain views, etc., with the only access often being up or down winding gravel roads.

We have basically the same size FW & TV that you do. We did the trip in 07 from NW Missouri. Up the Alcan, over the Top of the World, across the Denali Hy, up the Dalton to the a Arctic Circle & ferried from Haines to Skagway. Back down the Cassiar. No problems at all. Either will be okay but if you happen to, and you probably will, get a lot of rainy damp days, a TC will get SMALLER & smaller. :D IMO, unless you're going to spend a lot of time fishing smaller bodies of water, I wouldn't drag the boat along.Have fun:)

5'r or truck camper for an AlCan trip | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

Scottiemom
Nomad
Dec 31, 2013
We own an A and a B+. Took the B+ to Alaska this summer. Absolutely great. We towed nothing. We did buy an aluminum box and had a drawbar mounted box frame custom made at a hitch place to allow it to go into the 2" receiver. It rode well and offered us space to put our tools and sewer stuff to keep it out of the cab. We probably saw more truck campers though in our journey up the Alcan and even along the inside passage. We saw one 3 member team of German tourists who were in TC's. They seemed to be having a great time.

I'm not sure why you would need a trailer, though. The box came in handy for tools, but we didn't really need extra storage. If you buy stuff, you can have it shipped back. But that's all up to you.

Our goal was to go as simply as we could and we accomplished that. The B+ was adequate for travel and sleeping and touring. The TC would be as well.

Have a great trip. Pick up Mike and Terri Church's Alaskan Camping book too as well as the Milepost.

Dale
francheska
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
Took a truck camper to Alaska years ago when the road was very rough. Enjoyed the ease of stopping
and parking anywhere. Alaska is about the scenery and out doors I believe a TC and a boat would be
the best combination even if it is tighter quarters. We will be going in our B class within the next couple of
years. In the B forums there is a blog from a person who owns a A class and a B class and took the B to
Alaska this last summer. He totally enjoyed the smaller unit for the trip. I have been to Alaska many times
and enjoyed all trips. Just get the Milepost and enjoy.
Ernest
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
way2nutz wrote:
I've read a ton of posts from my searches, but my eyes are crossing, so thought I'd post a question instead.

3 of us couples working on a 2015 Alaska trip from Washington State.

We'd like some input on what you feel the best rig would be for this trip. All three couples have 29-33' 5th wheels, as well as 10' campers. We're going back and forth between them trying to make a decision, so thought we'd check in with those of you that have made the trip!

TC:
More maneuverable.
Less fuel used.
Way less storage.
Small holding tanks
Tight quarters for 2 months. (we've all been married for over 30years so we can probably deal with it...lol)
Pain in the arse to drop for sightseeing etc.
Less cost if we use the Alaska Marine Highway

5r:
Comforts of home
Large holding tanks
Lots of storage
Real shower as opposed to wet shower in the TC
How well will a mid level 5r holdup on that trip?
Are most sites large enough for a long bed crewcab truck and 5r?
Considerably more fuel used.

If we go with campers, one couple plans to take a 14' aluminum boat/trailer with a weather proof tonneau cover that all three couples can use for storage.

We've all been RV'ing with each other for 25+ years so we arent new to RV'ing by any means, and this is the first time we haven't been able to make a decision. We're all open to either setup, but need a few 'professional' opinions!

Thanks all!

It's an interesting question.
For the major roads I see no difference. The only exception might be the Top of The World. There are clearly a few roads that the TC would be the only way to go. Other than that you might save some $ on fuel for the TC over the 5'r but is that worth the loss in comfort especially if you want to do some dry camping.
If you were intending to use the AMH much there would be considerable cost saving there for the TC over the 5'r.
As you can see it has a lot to do with the route and where you want to stay.
Alaska is a big place with lots to see.

Good luck we're headed up again this July 1 in a motorhome + toad.

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5'r or truck camper for an AlCan trip

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