What to Buy in US (Everett WA) Before Crossing into Canada

[trnewtown]

I am renting an RV in Everett WA and taking a one way month long trip to Anchorage starting mid April. I have a few questions:

- My starting point (Everett) has a Costco and a Walmart. Are there any things that I should not buy in the US before crossing the border into Canada? For example, eggs, chicken, produce, ...

- I know that mid April is a bit early for this trip. What should I expect in terms of weather, closed campgrounds, and available gas?

- Before I drop off the RV in Anchorage, I will need to get rid of unused food, camping supplies, a marine battery, and other misc stuff. Could you recommend a charity or non-profit in Anchorage that could use these things?

[trnewtown]

That’s good news!! I really didn’t have a good plan b if Denali was completely closed.

[enblethen]

More then just drive by!
You can take your vehicle into the park for a ways. You can go in about 15 miles. there is much to see even going just that far.

[trnewtown]

I am currently in Fairbanks and tried to make reservations for Denali National Park for tomorrow. I was told that the park (buses/campgrounds) were closed until May 11th. Is it still worth doing a Denali drive by?

[Grit_dog]

So you're already north! Fun times. Made that trip twice the same spring and it was awesome.
To dispel some rumors, don't know identify got the rubber glove at the border or not, but when it comes to food, fill the fridge and drive. Gazillions of people head north from here to camp. You fill the fridge and go. They're only concerned with booze and smokes quantities really.
For everyone else, stock up on everything you can in the US. Only things cheaper in Canada are hockey equipment and health insurance! Seriously.

[trnewtown]

Looking to power a bi-pap machine at night. So far I’ve managed to scrounge cheap/free electricity by plugging into outlets meant for engine heaters - with the necessary approvals of course. The generator in this rental is as lowd as a lawnmower and expensive to run.
I’m in Watson Lake Yukon right now heading north. I try to make sure I use the bi-pap machine at least every other night.

[enblethen]

If you have a single battery, a group 24 or 27 should be adequate. Most marine batteries are not true deep cycle which you should have.
What are your plans for an "inverter"? You need a converter to change 120 volts to 12 volts DC. An inverter changes 12 volts DC to 120 volts AC.

[DrewE]

What are you intent on powering, and for how long?

The house battery in the motorhome gets charged by the engine as you drive. It may have sufficient capacity for whatever you're looking to run without needing another battery, and without requiring you to use the generator.

[trnewtown]

It looks like I need to get a marine battery and inverter for this trip. Planning to stop at an RV campground every third night to recharge. Any thoughts on the size of marine battery and/or inverter I will need?

[trnewtown]

I picked up two 10 liter water jugs from Walmart, where I am spending the night. Canadian Tire is next door. I will dump one of the jugs into the RV and see if I can get a refill.
It’s pretty sunny and warm right now, but I have some RV antifreeze and will put some in the sinks and toilet before dark.

[garyhaupt]

I see nothing open in Dawson in the way of a truck stop. I see a Canadian Tire...go there. The washrooms will be in-store and open. Get some water jugs and some rubber hose...fill them in the washroom...tell staff you are in trouble, etc and will clean up a wet floor.

Toss some RV antifreeze down the sink and toilet...get some into the tanks...right?

Gary Haupt

[2gypsies1]

I'd suggest buying some jugs of water. You might also try the fuel stations for an outside faucet you can use.

[trnewtown]

I need some suggestions on where I can get water for the RV. The RV places I have stayed at had their water turned off for the winter. Are there any other places I could try as I head north through Dawson Creek in cold temperatures?

[trnewtown]

"Liard Hot Springs--the water feels nice, I suspect doubly so this time of year."

Haven't found many open parks on my trip so far. Liard Hot Springs is open year round and I will definitely stop there!

[DrewE]

Couple of things to seriously consider seeing:
Liard Hot Springs--the water feels nice, I suspect doubly so this time of year.
Yukon Beringia Interpretive Center in Whitehorse (There's a lot more in Whitehorse, but this is an exceptionally well-done and interesting museum.)
If you go to Fairbanks, the Museum of the North at UAF is very good as well.

[trnewtown]

Link below cut and paste

https://share.garmin.com/ThomasRegan

Thanks to everyone for their input. Above is a link to track my progress.

Would appreciate any hints on what to see on my journey to Anchorage.

Oh, the border crossing went very smoothly. I ended up buying groceries in a very large grocery store in chiliwack.