We will be traveling in Canada/Alaska this summer (2015) in our 34' Itasca Sunova with our towed CRV. Most of the itineraries using this route appear to use it as the way into Alaska, and the return trip on the Alaska Highway (ALCAN). Are there pros and cons for either direction as we are looking at taking it for the outbound portion of the trip? Is this doable with a 34' rig with tow?

For us it depends on if we're planning to go to Dawson Town or not. Suspect we have been there six or more times by RV. If we have a time frame as to when we need to be in Alaska by, we often will bypass Dawson on the way up. Whitehorse and Dawson are two northern towns we dearly love to visit. I can made it to Fairbanks from Whitehorse via the Alaska Hwy in three days drive. If we go through Dawson to get to Fairbanks, I might as well figure on a week or more. Only possible difference might be crossing the Yukon River at Dawson on the ferry. Most of the caravans seem to go from Dawson across, sometimes causing a multi hour wait in line to board. Coming into Dawson from Alaska there is seldom any waiting that I have ever seen. The Customs station on the border is not 24 hrs so check their open times as that might effect your travel schedule.Shouldn't be any unusual problems with a rig your size, just drive at a speed appropriate to road conditions . In rainy weather watch for soft shoulders as you would with any gravel road, some travelers like to stay in Dawson or Tok or thereabouts for a day or two to let the road dry out a bit. I have done it both ways. A beautiful trip, great scenery, etcWe don't go to Dawson every trip north, alternating Dawson, Skagway and Atlin, and sometimes a visit to Haines, keeps each of them special and like seeing then again for the first time. Dawson is a living history book of the gold rush era of the Klondike. The great Canadian poet, Robert Service, did much of his writing here while working at the bank. I have his complete works downloaded on my tablet, so enjoy going up by his cabin , reading some of his works, letting him take me back to the days of the gold stampede.

With the completed construction on the Taylor Highway I would have no problem taking the Top of the World/Taylor Highway route. The slow and go around Destruction Bay was not as fun.

I'd check the weather forecast for the Dawson area before leaving Whitehorse. If it was looking good, then I'd head to Dawson first and cross the Top of the World/Taylor Highway into Alaska. If it was rain & wet, then I'd take the Alaska Highway northward instead.You don't say when you plan to head south. Late August/early September can be beautiful on the Top of the World Highway. The fall colours are making their appearance then.This was September 5, 2012

You will have no problem with your 34' and tow. We made our trip through Alaska in 2011 with a 37' and tow. We made the trip backwards...starting out on the Alaska Marine Highway from Prince Rupert, BC, Canada, to Haines, AK. After traveling around Alaska we left by way of Chicken, Alaska, then the Top of the World Highway and crossing the YUKON River to Dawson City, YT, Canada. You can check out my blog on the trip at http://bev-ontheroadagain.blogspot.com/2011/08/chicken-ak-to-dawson-city-yt-july-25.html. Go ahead and look around the page and check out our adventure. Hope you have a blast. I know you will. Looking forward to going again.

Any tips on planning a trip thats not in an rv ? Hotels and availability.

KLONDIKE LOOP / TOP OF THE WORLD HIGHWAY | Good Sam Community

joe_b_
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2015
For us it depends on if we're planning to go to Dawson Town or not. Suspect we have been there six or more times by RV. If we have a time frame as to when we need to be in Alaska by, we often will bypass Dawson on the way up. Whitehorse and Dawson are two northern towns we dearly love to visit. I can made it to Fairbanks from Whitehorse via the Alaska Hwy in three days drive. If we go through Dawson to get to Fairbanks, I might as well figure on a week or more.

Only possible difference might be crossing the Yukon River at Dawson on the ferry. Most of the caravans seem to go from Dawson across, sometimes causing a multi hour wait in line to board. Coming into Dawson from Alaska there is seldom any waiting that I have ever seen. The Customs station on the border is not 24 hrs so check their open times as that might effect your travel schedule.
Shouldn't be any unusual problems with a rig your size, just drive at a speed appropriate to road conditions . In rainy weather watch for soft shoulders as you would with any gravel road, some travelers like to stay in Dawson or Tok or thereabouts for a day or two to let the road dry out a bit. I have done it both ways.
A beautiful trip, great scenery, etc

We don't go to Dawson every trip north, alternating Dawson, Skagway and Atlin, and sometimes a visit to Haines, keeps each of them special and like seeing then again for the first time. Dawson is a living history book of the gold rush era of the Klondike. The great Canadian poet, Robert Service, did much of his writing here while working at the bank. I have his complete works downloaded on my tablet, so enjoy going up by his cabin , reading some of his works, letting him take me back to the days of the gold stampede.
EsoxLucius
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
With the completed construction on the Taylor Highway I would have no problem taking the Top of the World/Taylor Highway route. The slow and go around Destruction Bay was not as fun.
sue_t
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
I'd check the weather forecast for the Dawson area before leaving Whitehorse. If it was looking good, then I'd head to Dawson first and cross the Top of the World/Taylor Highway into Alaska. If it was rain & wet, then I'd take the Alaska Highway northward instead.

You don't say when you plan to head south. Late August/early September can be beautiful on the Top of the World Highway. The fall colours are making their appearance then.

This was September 5, 2012
browalt
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
You will have no problem with your 34' and tow. We made our trip through Alaska in 2011 with a 37' and tow. We made the trip backwards...starting out on the Alaska Marine Highway from Prince Rupert, BC, Canada, to Haines, AK. After traveling around Alaska we left by way of Chicken, Alaska, then the Top of the World Highway and crossing the YUKON River to Dawson City, YT, Canada. You can check out my blog on the trip at http://bev-ontheroadagain.blogspot.com/2011/08/chicken-ak-to-dawson-city-yt-july-25.html. Go ahead and look around the page and check out our adventure. Hope you have a blast. I know you will. Looking forward to going again.
nevadanick
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
Any tips on planning a trip thats not in an rv ? Hotels and availability.
explorenorth
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
nevadanick wrote:
Any tips on planning a trip thats not in an rv ? Hotels and availability.

Lots of options in Dawson City, one in Chicken ( http://chickengold.com ) and the best motel in Tok is Young's ( http://www.youngsmotel.com/ ). Whitehorse to Dawson is a one-day trip, Tok back to Whitehorse is best as 2, with overnights at Destruction Bay ( http://www.talbotarm.com/ ) or Haines Junction (several options).

Reservations are always recommended, especially at Chicken.
almcc
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
We did the top of the world highway from Dawson with a 30 ft. 5th wheel and truck and didn't have any problems. Be slow and careful at the entrance/exit off the ferry and you will be fine.

We had a bit of a laugh at the border crossing into Alaska, the agent asked if we had any beer on board, we said yes, he said the he would need to confiscate it! I suspect that the posting is probably given to the most junior officers and when the border closes for the night the Canadian and US officers get together and party. They must have been running low on beer!
lakeside013104
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
almcc wrote:
We had a bit of a laugh at the border crossing into Alaska, the agent asked if we had any beer on board, we said yes, he said the he would need to confiscate it! I suspect that the posting is probably given to the most junior officers and when the border closes for the night the Canadian and US officers get together and party. They must have been running low on beer!

Surly they were jesting? Let's compare: 1 or 2 cases of beer or a full time government job with benefits and a pension. Your choice.

Lakeside
almcc
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
lakeside013104 wrote:
almcc wrote:
We had a bit of a laugh at the border crossing into Alaska, the agent asked if we had any beer on board, we said yes, he said the he would need to confiscate it! I suspect that the posting is probably given to the most junior officers and when the border closes for the night the Canadian and US officers get together and party. They must have been running low on beer!

Surly they were jesting? Let's compare: 1 or 2 cases of beer or a full time government job with benefits and a pension. Your choice.

Lakeside

Yes, I guess you didn't note that we got a laugh! Actually I found it pleasant dealing with this young person to some of the other "not so pleasant" border types we've met on our travels.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Mar 24, 2015
almcc wrote:
lakeside013104 wrote:
almcc wrote:
We had a bit of a laugh at the border crossing into Alaska, the agent asked if we had any beer on board, we said yes, he said the he would need to confiscate it! I suspect that the posting is probably given to the most junior officers and when the border closes for the night the Canadian and US officers get together and party. They must have been running low on beer!

Surly they were jesting? Let's compare: 1 or 2 cases of beer or a full time government job with benefits and a pension. Your choice.

Lakeside

Yes, I guess you didn't note that we got a laugh! Actually I found it pleasant dealing with this young person to some of the other "not so pleasant" border types we've met on our travels.
I would have gave him a few brews for (after) working hours.:W