Caravan Rant

I have not been to Alaska since 2009. In that trip there were a few caravans. Looked like they were having fun. They spaced their travel well and were ready to help non-caravan folks with a problem. I understand the problems of groups but generally they were not a problem.

We are 80 days into our 6 month trip to Alaska. We never make reservations in advance because we never know where we will be on any given date. We left AZ on April 28 and due to unforeseen circumstances our first major stop was Valdez. We never encountered any caravans until yesterday when we started seeing them on the Alaska Hwy when we left Skagway. We have not been inconvenienced by caravans until this AM when 4 coaches traveling together as a caravan had the nerve to get to the CG before us. We had to wait 15 whole minutes for them to complete their sign ins at the park.:W We are currently at Bear River Rv Park in Stewart BC and will be heading south tomorrow. Like others on this thread we use CGs once a week for laundry, otherwise we use state or provincial parks or pullouts/rest areas. We have adequate solar and batteries to get us through the night unless its been overcast(like it has been this whole trip).

The only inconvenience I expect will be the rerouting due to the fires. We have met some very apprehensive slow drivers in rentals that should never have rented an RV, but what the heck, we all started some way or another. I just wish that the rental agencies would educated them about turn-outs or pull-outs.

We browsed the $$ for caravans and were shocked! We are pretty much not into groups so it isn't for us.. Biggest plus I can see is a onsite mechanic. But after seeing what they charge, I can almost understand why some people would think that they deserved a more privileged experience....

Avoiding caravans is not difficult. Stay away from FHU CGs. Seems most caravan people cannot go without all of the conveniences of home. Avoid travel at the peak caravan activity time. Go ahead of the wave or follow behind.

In 3 Alaska trips we have only shared a CG with a caravan a very few times. Watched one pull into Palmer for a 4th of July. Amusing to watch as they all pulled in, set up their flags, banners, all the usual 'stuff' that gets put out, wandered into the conference hall for the days debriefing, then disappeared to dinner somewhere. By 9:00 the next morning they were all gone. Rushed off to the next stop who knows where.

Scottiemom wrote:

TxGearhead wrote:

Scottiemom wrote:
When we went to Alaska, we were repeatedly told we were about 2 weeks ahead of the caravans. Didn't realize this when we started out but it was a good thing!

Dale

Tell us more.
About what time of year was that?

We were at Mile "0" on June 3. We had left northern Indiana around May 18. We followed the "Grand Tour" as outlined in Mike and TErri Church's Alaska Camping book. To be honest, we never saw any caravans.

Dale

Thanks. I'm thinking leave Houston early May. Covering ground fast. Maybe a couple days in Yellowstone. Otherwise boogity boogity boogity to Glacier NP. From there play it by ear.

but I don't speak any Spanish

Not necessary. We have spent some years driving around in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries (in Europe and the Americas) and don't speak either language.

No different than cruise ship people. The cruise directors keep them moooooving along. Cattle boats.

We encounter it every year. Some RVers are unsure of their ability to pilot their rigs. Especially the rental crowd. We drive the Icefields Parkway four or five times a year. Lots of rentals there. I think a lot of them are intimidated by the size and seem to think that driving slowly is safer. Lots of time they are driving 40 to 45 MPH and never pull over to let anyone by. I blame the rental companies for improper instruction when the unit is picked up.

Every year at least once there are lots of vehicles stopped to see wildlife on the side of the road. Inevitably an rv won't pull over to the side of the road. Last summer not only did they stop in the middle of the road but they all got out with cameras to take pictures. I knew that if I honked my horn I would be flipped off so we waited almost 10 minutes, I counted 21 others behind him. So inconsiderate.

Most of us have a couple of horror stories about this type of driver. Too bad we can't do anything about it.

profdant139 wrote:
Well, this is a useful thread. I think that when I plan my Yukon and Alaska trip (next year??), I will plan to do it after caravan season. I assume that's after Labour Day, right?

(And yes, we carry chains for both the truck and the trailer, in case of a September snowstorm.)

I can understand the desire for a caravan, even though it is not for me. If I were to go back to Baja, that is what I would do, even though I speak Spanish well. It helps to have someone who knows the local customs.

I would like to do Baja some day as well but I don't speak any Spanish. If I do I will go with a caravan for the security (safety in numbers).

TxGearhead wrote:

Scottiemom wrote:
When we went to Alaska, we were repeatedly told we were about 2 weeks ahead of the caravans. Didn't realize this when we started out but it was a good thing!

Dale

Tell us more.
About what time of year was that?

We were at Mile "0" on June 3. We had left northern Indiana around May 18. We followed the "Grand Tour" as outlined in Mike and TErri Church's Alaska Camping book. To be honest, we never saw any caravans.

Dale