Paved Routes

Bob..all the routs are paved. There will always be some construction spots that have a dirt/gravel component. It's when people go off the beaten track that the dirt roads have their way.

right..correction...not the TOW highway. As a poster noted. My bad.


Gary Haupt

Read helpful hints, I have described both routes as they were in Sept., the construction changes each year so one route may be better depending on the year.

Both roads up are paved unless you go over the Top of the World highway. Which is a must for us because Dawson is our favorite Yukon town. We are heading N from Anch. next week to Dawson, Tomestone, Whitehorse then back to Anch. 10 day trip to start the summer.

In the Nest Egg, anyone coming across our little Tear drop stop by say hi.

After spending seemingly hours talking to flag people while waiting for a pilot car, and after traveling countless miles behind those pilot cars, I feel qualified to make more than causal comments about construction along the Alaskan Highway and the major arteries in Alaska.

Suspension concession:
Parts of the Alaskan Highway and some of the highways in Alaska had to be built on permafrost – not desirable, but necessary. Despite the engineers' best efforts, the pavement above the permafrost stores heat, which melts the permafrost and in turn causes the road bed to drop. Then, the winter freeze will cause an uplifting of parts of the roads. Hitting frost heaves while traveling along at 60 mph, 96.8 kph, if traveling in Canada, is not good for the suspension of any RV.

Here we find the first economic impact. In every burg, village, or town of more than 50 or so people, one will find a "suspension" shop that earns the livelihood of not a few people by selling parts for and repairing suspension problems, including broken springs and shock mounts. As we traveled northward from Destruction Bay (perhaps the name was intended as a warning) we noticed that red flags were placed along the road to warn of frost heaves. One then might expect that frost heaves would not be a problem; all one has to do is slow down when a red flag is approached.

Well, it's not that easy. According to a great book, Loose Moose, there is a limited number of flags. It is rumored that this limit is a legislative limit, but I don't really know. According to the book, the flags are moved to the new frost heaves each spring. One is suppose to remember where the old ones are.

Windshield concession:
Once everyone has had a chance to learn where the frost heaves are located, road crews are sent in to pulverize the pavement.



This produces a surface that one can drive on without fear of doing further suspension damage.



It also produces pebbles that are just the right size for tire treads to pick up and throw. It is easy to stay far enough behind vehicles traveling in the same direction as you. But the vehicles traveling in the opposite direction also throw rocks that you can then drive into and crack your windshield.

Although not as plentiful as suspension shops, there are many glass shops to handle needed replacements.

Go and have fun. We're ready to go again

Tom

I wouldn't miss the Denali Highway or the TOW because of what the Winnebago Operators manual says. I know some have driven the TOW in just their towed vehicle, spent the night in Dawson City and returned to Alaska on the TOW. But the Denali Highway was one of the highlights of our trip.

Great information & affirmation. When that time comes, I know I don't want to miss the TOW experience, either with the toad only or with the both the RV & Toad.

I have much to learn & until that time comes, will live vicariously.

2024? I'm in :B

Just go slow in poor road conditions and carry a spare.

I can't give you much technical advice, but can second smkettner's advice to "go slow in poor road conditions". We went almost everywhere we wanted to go in Alaska and had no problems with the roads but we were in no hurry and we didn't mind lagging behind or pulling off the road for other vehicles. I do hope that you don't have to wait until 2024 and that we don't either (as I will be 85 then). I was looking at our photos from the Class of 2013 this afternoon and got an urge to leave tomorrow. Unfortunately can't do it, but maybe next year? lizzie

Rocks & Bug protection

Rust Oleum Rock Guard - is a temporary spray on film that will provided some protection from rocks.
Best used as bug protection inexpensive and can be removed at the end of the trip.

A better product for rock protection Invisi Mask - it can be be purchased precut to fit the front of your RV and installed professionly or do it yourself. My wife and i installed it ourselves. It also can be purchased by the foot in widths of 18 or 24 inches. We purchased it for the front of the Nest Egg we installed it too. It is a little more difficult with large sheets.

We just came up the Alaskan Highway. It's true not all the bad spots are marked but if your driving and not gawking at the scenery you will see the tire marks ahead where folks either slammed on their brakes or the rubber skid left when they landed.

By your take off in 2024 all of those construction areas will be finished! :)