Roll Call Alaska 2016
I have been planning this trip for 4+ years. It is now time to update my estimates and make my reservations. Estimate Wash/BC border about 5 May 2016, north on route 97/1/2 to Tok, south to Valdez...
Forum Discussion
Started our drive up to Alaska April 28 arrived in AK May 2. Ran into some flurries, but no freezing roads. Crossed at the border near Shelby, MT. Roads were in good shape. Only ran into gravel towards the border of Alaska. I have an Ultra-Guard mud flap on the back of our motorhome that loves to throw rocks at the toad (would like to replace it with a brush style flap.. but I do not like the look of them).
Tons of rocks on the toad. Got a crack on the windshield now. Will get it replaced after we got back down this late summer.
Mechanical Problems:
Starter began going bad before we crossed the border but had a schedule to keep to. Just simply didn't turn off the coach until we were done driving for the day. Starter would have to be hit with a hammer to work when hot. Started fine after coach sat for more than 3 hours. Did pick up a new Starter is Edmonton so we had it on board if we needed it. Replaced it myself after getting to Fairbanks.
Water pump died. Also picked up in Edmonton and replaced it in the parking lot of the RV Dealer we bought it from. Easy job.
Road is pretty good overall (we took Alcan... not Cassiar. Cassiar is pretty but definitely a harder drive> Been there done that.) except from Destruction Bay to the boarder. That section is just rough. Go slow (40mph) and it will tick you off a lot less.
About to leave Fairbanks and visit family in Anchorage for a month or so via Driveway surfing. Will hit the Peninsula, then start heading back up and out towards August. Last year we left in the first week of October due to some circumstances. Way, way too late in the year IMO. We got lucky and barely missed the snow.
Tons of rocks on the toad. Got a crack on the windshield now. Will get it replaced after we got back down this late summer.
Mechanical Problems:
Starter began going bad before we crossed the border but had a schedule to keep to. Just simply didn't turn off the coach until we were done driving for the day. Starter would have to be hit with a hammer to work when hot. Started fine after coach sat for more than 3 hours. Did pick up a new Starter is Edmonton so we had it on board if we needed it. Replaced it myself after getting to Fairbanks.
Water pump died. Also picked up in Edmonton and replaced it in the parking lot of the RV Dealer we bought it from. Easy job.
Road is pretty good overall (we took Alcan... not Cassiar. Cassiar is pretty but definitely a harder drive> Been there done that.) except from Destruction Bay to the boarder. That section is just rough. Go slow (40mph) and it will tick you off a lot less.
About to leave Fairbanks and visit family in Anchorage for a month or so via Driveway surfing. Will hit the Peninsula, then start heading back up and out towards August. Last year we left in the first week of October due to some circumstances. Way, way too late in the year IMO. We got lucky and barely missed the snow.
