Big rig friendly or Truck camper?

I would say it depends on how long you are going to be there and the level of comfort you want.

We live in our 40' motorhome and have made the trip 3 times, staying in Alaska 3 months each time. As long a you drive the road conditions there are no problems. In fact, we took it as far north as Coldfoot twice.

The roads are not that bad, just take it slow and easy. The larger rig will allow you to be more comfortable when you stop. There are plenty of places to pull off the road and dry camp and sufficient commercial campgrounds for your size.

We saw numerous nights when the temperature got down enough for a fire. We watched people in pickup campers and very small trailers setting out around the fire, bundled up in coats, while we were inside the motorhome with our furnace running.

We are travelers, not campers.

If you are of the age and health to be a camper, then downsize and rough it. If not, then take the fifth wheel and be a traveler and enjoy your great adventure in comfort.

You can see our trip logs for the 3 trips in my signature below.

We did just that in 2015. Left our 36ft TT at home and brought a 2002 Lance TC.
Had no regrets. Ofcouse it is tight on space but we handled it just fine. Enjoyed the easy parking and getting around. And the quick stopping and backing up for wildlife pictures.
I would do it again.

PS: Sold the Lance in 4 days for $500 more than I gave for it!!!
Also, the gas mileage was double what it is pulling the TT.
Saved a ton of money!!
Have a wonderfull Trip of a Life Time!!!!!!!!!

You certainly wouldn't be alone with your big rig. They're all up there. We drove our 40' motorhome towing the Jeep with absolutely no issues. The secret is to drive slow. It's not interstate driving. Despite the 'old' stories you might have heard, the areas of construction are just like the lower 48. Yes, they might be longer but the slow driving will just give you more chances to see wildlife along the way. The roads are paved unless there's construction.

You're used to a lot of space. A couple weeks ago there were reports of the Alcan closed for a snowstorm. RVs were stranded for 3 days on the highway. Could you take the closed space if stranded. Some years there are floods and/or fires. These could all make you park right where you are - on the highway. It has happened. Think of days of rain.

Also consider the size of holding tanks. You could go a lot longer with bigger tanks.

Steep grades aren't a big issue. There are a lot worse in the Rocky Mountains.

Just some things to think about.....

I went to AK last summer in my SUV - could sleep in it and also had a tent - instead of pulling my trailer. I can't tell you how many times I was glad I wasn't pulling anything. I made much better time on the bad roads and was able to go anywhere I wanted w/o worrying about turning my rig around or getting stuck. I've also had truck campers and wish I had another. They're made for Alaska travel, perfect. Saw lots of them up there. You can also rent them in AK, but they're expensive. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you get one and leave the trailer behind.

In Whitehorse, we met a couple from Texas who did just that. They had bought a used Lance camper for their Dodge/diesel and left their 5th wheel in Texas. They were also a hoot.

Have you had a truck camper before?

We loved the agility of our truck camper on our 8 weeks up north. Can't tell you how many times we turned around for a photo, animal view, boondocking spot, etc.

Also, the camper might bring the Alaska ferry into play. We had 2 weeks from Prince Rupert to Haines with 5 layovers for only $1206 (Alaska Ferry) and $400 (Inter Island Ferry) to PWI. We could not have afforded that with a big 5th wheel. They charge by the foot.

So, all the rigs have their advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on you.