Travel mode

I'm a rookie, but all of my research here and on other boards, made me conclude it all comes down to personal preferences.

I feel you will have a great trip with a Truck and Fiver, for the reasons mentioned.

We're between Calgary and Edmonton as I type, and see a mix from a 44' 2014 Entegra Aspire next to me, 4X4's with Truck Campers (Big Foots and Arctic Foxes and a sprinkling of North Stars(?) mostly in this campground now.) and many, many Trailers, Toy Box Combo's and Fivers - some real long ones too... Only a few Class C's here now, but I think that was just the way the camp filled up this time around.

We are in a 40" DP with our CRV AWD Toad. Sure, not going to off road, but with All Terrain Tires, we go OK with it.

Personal preferences. If you want to get off and into the bush, then the 4X4 with TC is a great option.

As mentioned, and what we expect, we'll just need to see where we fit in along the way, and I'm sure it will work out - as thousands upon thousands have Gone North over the years in long or big rigs:)!

Travel safe, have fun,
Smitty

We bought a truck camper to go to Alaska for 10 weeks in 2007 (we did not take our 5ver). Only place we made res. was Denali. There is always a place to stick a TC. Was going to sell it when we got back but everyone wanted it for nothing(after all it is a TC and they can't be worth much). 2008 found us on a 8 week trip to the west coast. 2010 a 8 week trip to the south west. 2013 a trip to the Maritines and many other trips some with the grandkids. Everyone has an opinion but I never saw anyone with a 35' 5ver turn around in the middle of the road to go back to take a look at a huge black bear. Plus my wife can help with the driving. Ron

The 5th will work. A lot (not all, just a lot) of State and Fed campgrounds only have one or two sites that will fit anything larger than a modest Class C. The commercial sites will handle anything, as will the gravel pits and such. BC and the Yukon campgrounds are a bit better at larger sizes.

Take the fifth wheel. You won't have any problems. We also have a 35 ft 5'er.

The link in my signature is for our camping blog where there is a tab at the top to a list of every campground where we stayed from Georgia to Alaska last summer. There is also a tab for a map of our journey.

It is the trip of a lifetime! Safe travels!

I don't RV in Alaska, but spend a fair amount of time (when I'm not in Ewe-stun) on the roads up north.

I would think a 5ver and pickup is the ideal combination. Find a campground, drop the 5ver, drive the truck on the backroads, say Hatcher Pass, then back to the 5ver for a comfortable evening, drinks, and a campfire. Most "campgrounds" will have at least reasonable access for a 35' 5ver and there will be quite a few boondocking spots that will take it as well. Helps if it has some good ground clearance, but not an absolute requirement.

It's nice having a vehicle (such as a pickup) that is separate from the main RV to use to ram around towns and/or get back into some nooks/crannies.

We like the flexibility of having the fifth wheel. Comfy for living, yet can be left behind at a campsite while we explore. Or I can stay at the camp and do my thing while hubby takes off doing his thing (fishing usually).

You will be just fine taking your 5th wheel. You'll be able to easily drive on all the major highways and there aren't many. Campgrounds will easily accommodate you and there are awesome boondocking spots that are easy to get to. You'll see all kinds of RVs and semi trucks drive on all those highways, too.

We took our 40' motorhome towing the Jeep. Public parks and boondocking are always our first choice. We had no problems and no vehicle damage. Just take it nice and slow. It's not interstate driving. Have a great trip!