We're back in the US and resting for a week at Glacier National Park. At this point have registered about 7500 miles from Northern Wisconsin to our furthest point which was Homer, AK. We were on the front cusp of the tourist invasion. When we passed Muncho Lake in May it was still iced over as was Klulane Lake. There are still piles of snow in Valdez that the locals say will stay for a long time. We had much more road construction on our way back than going up. I NOW KNOW for myself the condition of the roads. I don't want to hear that the Alcan is all paved. Its paved ok, but the heaves and road construction and rebuilding of the road especially from Beaver Creek to the Alaska border is terrible. Don't get me wrong this was truly an adventure of a lifetime for my wife and I. The things we saw the people we met will be memories for a long time. Would we make this trip again, in all honesty, probably not. The conditions were extremely hard on the truck and trailer.What we did was to drive about 200 to 250 miles then depending on where we stopped stay for 2 or 3 nights. Otherwise you would go road nuts with all the driving. For example between Whitehorse and Watson Lake the frost heaves were so bad that the average speed pulling the trailer was about 35 miles per hour. That makes for a very long drive.Found some great campgrounds, Tok Village in Tok, AK, Glacier View outside of Glennallen, Toad River, Nugget City in Watson Lake, Heritage RV Park in Homer.It as an amazing adventure!

Do you think a truck camper would be a better fit for this trip do to the road conditions? I am curious as I have a TC and a fifth wheel about the size of yours.

We spent 6 weeks in Alaska in our truck camper (Lance 11'4") and had a great trip in may/july 2011. Went all the way N to Arctic circle and also across Top of the World Hwy. but would not do it in our TT...too many heaves in the pavement.

We've towed our 25' fifth wheel over every highway in the Yukon and most highways in Alaska (Dalton remains on the bucket list). We take the truck camper when we want to explore goat trails.Some days we don't get anywhere fast with either the fifth wheel or camper ... the highways can be rough. No use risking damage. The 100 mile section between Destruction Bay and Beaver Creek usually takes us 3-4 hours.The 35 miles between our home and Whitehorse will take us an hour with either of the RVs, but only 35 minutes with the car. Often along this stretch I see RVs bouncing merrily along, seemingly oblivious to the road conditions.In my little Honda Fit, I'm usually whipping along at 70 mph and have to chuckle when an RV passes me ... yup, there are RVs travelling faster than that and they don't know the road! One trip with my car I had four fifth wheels pass me when I was moving 65 mph alongside Muncho Lake. We had passed these fifth wheels just north of Prince George on the way to Dawson Creek. They did not adjust their driving speed at all for the conditions and so made up the time on me.It's important to not be in a hurry. Enjoy the down time. Don't expect to make miles. We haven't ever gone road nuts ... by travelling slower we see so much more! That keeps us busy! Makes it easier to brake for wildlife too ... being a photographer that is an essential element of our travels!

Keep in mind, also, that every year is different on the road repairs. With our 40' motorhome we really didn't think the roads were bad at all - but we did drive slow. We had all summer.

dave17352 wrote:Do you think a truck camper would be a better fit for this trip do to the road conditions? I am curious as I have a TC and a fifth wheel about the size of yours.Absolutely and a car is even better for the road conditions. Well OK maybe a tank would be the best! :B It's all about trade offs. Our trade off was the current rig and it's limitations. Yours???

Our Alaska Trip | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

Dr_Quick
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2013
WE went in 2008 and stayed at some of the same campgrounds. Great trip and trip of a life time, but for me, once is enough. Covered over 10,500 miles from our home in Tennessee
Chiefelectusn
Explorer
Jul 21, 2013
We are going in 2014 or2015, 40' MH with toad. I have read and continue to believe slow is better. If you are short on time eliminate some things and come back again another time.
We plan on 4-5 months, what's the rush. I have waited my whole life to get there so I am taking my time. Sue T and others have said the turtle wins!
guidry
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2013
"We're back in the US". ...
Did you have to convert US currency to Alaskan money? (Sorry, couldn't help myself. Just thought it funny because you almost think Alaska is a different country)
lonnie4801
Explorer
Jul 21, 2013
We are currently in Alaska. Have been here 7 weeks. Found the roads through Canada and in Alaska to be in fair to good condition. We are driving a 40' motorhome with a tow. This is our 3rd trip. In my opinion the roads are better than a lot of the interstates in the lower 48.

Again, in my opinion, if you are driving to Alaska it is to see the scenery and animals. Just take it easy and there are no problems with the roads.

The "Top of the World" highway was a bit dusty when we came over it in early June.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2013
dave17352 wrote:
Do you think a truck camper would be a better fit for this trip do to the road conditions? I am curious as I have a TC and a fifth wheel about the size of yours.
Absolutely and a car is even better for the road conditions. Well OK maybe a tank would be the best! :B It's all about trade offs. Our trade off was the current rig and it's limitations. Yours???
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2013
Keep in mind, also, that every year is different on the road repairs. With our 40' motorhome we really didn't think the roads were bad at all - but we did drive slow. We had all summer.
sue_t
Explorer
Jul 21, 2013
We've towed our 25' fifth wheel over every highway in the Yukon and most highways in Alaska (Dalton remains on the bucket list). We take the truck camper when we want to explore goat trails.

Some days we don't get anywhere fast with either the fifth wheel or camper ... the highways can be rough. No use risking damage. The 100 mile section between Destruction Bay and Beaver Creek usually takes us 3-4 hours.

The 35 miles between our home and Whitehorse will take us an hour with either of the RVs, but only 35 minutes with the car. Often along this stretch I see RVs bouncing merrily along, seemingly oblivious to the road conditions.

In my little Honda Fit, I'm usually whipping along at 70 mph and have to chuckle when an RV passes me ... yup, there are RVs travelling faster than that and they don't know the road!

One trip with my car I had four fifth wheels pass me when I was moving 65 mph alongside Muncho Lake. We had passed these fifth wheels just north of Prince George on the way to Dawson Creek. They did not adjust their driving speed at all for the conditions and so made up the time on me.

It's important to not be in a hurry. Enjoy the down time. Don't expect to make miles. We haven't ever gone road nuts ... by travelling slower we see so much more! That keeps us busy! Makes it easier to brake for wildlife too ... being a photographer that is an essential element of our travels!
cocos_cabana
Explorer
Jul 21, 2013
We spent 6 weeks in Alaska in our truck camper (Lance 11'4") and had a great trip in may/july 2011. Went all the way N to Arctic circle and also across Top of the World Hwy. but would not do it in our TT...too many heaves in the pavement.
dave17352
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2013
Do you think a truck camper would be a better fit for this trip do to the road conditions? I am curious as I have a TC and a fifth wheel about the size of yours.

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Our Alaska Trip

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