North to Alaska 2014

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North to Alaska 2014

May 25, 2013, 06:32:41 pm

"North to Alaska 2014"

Anyone here registered with the ForeTravel Club for this trip...Carol and I are, but thinking we will go on our own.. I have a problem with "structure"; among other problems which would take up many pages....

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #1 – May 25, 2013, 07:39:15 pm

Marilyn and I are registered. We are #19 of 23 available places. We registered a couple of weeks ago.

When I mentioned an Alaska trip to Marilyn, her first answer was, "No." At the Mid-South Rally in Waco, she talked to some folk who had been on a previous Alaska Motorcade event. She like what she heard about the "structure" of the trip. She was willing to register. We are considering whether we can "handle" such a trip. We've not been on the road more than three weeks. The adventure would have us out for at least 60 days.

I figure we have about a year to prepare. We can back out if we want. I expect there will be a list of people willing to fill our slot if we don't go.

We've been to three Motorcade Rallies. At each, we've had more fun than we expected. We don't participate in all the scheduled events, but find enough pieces to make it worth participating. I expect a Motorcade tour would offer similar opportunities. I like the idea of someone planning the trip to unfamiliar territory. I also like the idea of having a mechanic with a trailer full of parts in the caravan.

We've been to Alaska a couple of times by air and sea. It is a land of superlatives. I am interested in approaching by land.

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #2 – May 25, 2013, 10:12:21 pm

We were on the last Alaska motorcade and enjoyed it very much. Well organized and the security of traveling with a group is important to a lot of people. The downside is the itinerary, while it's well planned they do have to try and please as many people as they can. There were lots of stops we would have liked to spend more time and some that were a waste of valuable time for us. The excursions included and optional were great. If you go on your own you may not know which excursions and operators are the best but with the proper per-trip planning it's doable alone. If you really want to experience Alaska take lots of day cruises to see glaciers and sea life. Take flights to the back country and you will really see Alaska. We took the optional day trip flight to a lodge and counted over 170 bears on the ground while flying in and out with lots of Brown bears with cubs around the lodge.
We were the only ones in the group that took a flight from Talketna that flew around Mount
McKinley and landed on a glacier. This was one of the best things we did on the trip, it was absolutly fantastic. We had to reschedule 3 times due to weather. We drove from Anchorage back to Talketna just for this flight. I got a discount coupon out of a flyer and it saved several hundred dollars.

We will be going back to Alaska but it will be on our own so we have control. We won't do the top of the world road again, not very pretty and it's either talcum powder dust that gets everywhere or mud. I would be comfortable traveling alone or with a few friends. I don't think getting into campgrounds would be a big problem except when some of the large caravans come through, they book entire campgrounds sometime.

The Milepost book is an absolute necessity. The roads aren't that bad but there sections with gravel. Slow down and take it easy. Lots of dinged and broken windshields.

Alone or with the Motorcade group it's the trip of a lifetime, spare no expense and do everything on your list of got to do's.

I have to admit we did enjoy the folks we traveled with on the motorcade.

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #3 – May 26, 2013, 12:03:58 am

I have recently talked to a couple who went to Alaska with a group. The group was fun and the trip was great but there are issues in the roadways that can lead to much damage and needed preparation for the road trip....more than you might expect. They were told several things to bring including 1 or 2 extra tires, 2 changes of all filters, protect their engine cage by having mess wire installed that will seal off the engine bays from road rocks and gravel and damage to radiators. One person said he damaged his engine to the tune of $17,000 but it was a great trip and worth every penny......I would have to question that if it were me and my money. Also several people said the encountered body damage to their coach. All this was on a FOT journey.

So just a word of caution......be sure you talk to several people who have been to get their opinion before you embark on such a trip with "blindfolds" on.

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #4 – May 26, 2013, 08:35:26 am

We went to Alaska in 2011 with another couple from our Mid Atlantic Foretravel chapter. It was indeed the trip of a lifetime. We were gone for a total of 81 days and we did not spend a lot of that time in the lower 48.

We found the roads to be overall fairly good, there were times that you needed to slow Way Down because of the frost heaves. And there was alot of dust. The most dirt on our coaches came from driving into the campground in Denali National Park, the coaches were a mess but the park was worth it. We had no windshield damage to the coach, but we had to replace the windshield in the Jeep and a headlight on the Jeep. Next time we will try to protect the car a little better, the gravel was rough on it.

My advice is to go and take your time. I think it is impossible to see everything but you sure have a lot of fun trying.

Ben and Bonnie
1999 U320 40'

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #5 – May 26, 2013, 08:52:30 am

Carol and I are planning on going, in 2014. We should be staging in Blane, WA. late April/early May. We expect the trip to take approx 90 days. So far we have 3 coaches - one being a native Alaskan who has taken the trip numerous times and is a whiz with MH systems. He will act as guide and lead vehicle. Itinerary is not yet shared but am assured that the trip will hit many/most of the highlights and many places not well known. As time moves forward we will get into a more of a planning mode. We will be taking our two grandkids as well. So far our group consists of a Country Coach an Allegro Bay and our Ol' Girl. I believe we will end up with 5 to 7 coaches for this trip.

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #6 – May 26, 2013, 08:57:35 am

Is anyone going with a coach similar to ours, or has such a coach recently made the trip? I'm trying to talk Jo Ann into going in 2015 (assuming that our place is sold by then).

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #7 – May 26, 2013, 09:00:39 am

Quote from: Jeff Savournin – May 25, 2013, 06:32:41 pm

"North to Alaska 2014"

Anyone here registered with the ForeTravel Club for this trip...Carol and I are, but thinking we will go on our own.. I have a problem with "structure"; among other problems which would take up many pages....

Jeff & Carol,
What route are you thinking of taking?

http://www.northtoalaska.com/map.aspx

We flew into Anchorage in 2007 and rented a class C for two weeks. We are itching to return for a longer stay. Hopefully the house will go this summer and we may be up for AK in 2014.
Rick

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #8 – May 26, 2013, 09:08:28 am

Quote from: Jeff Savournin – May 25, 2013, 06:32:41 pm

"North to Alaska 2014"

Anyone here registered with the ForeTravel Club for this trip...Carol and I are, but thinking we will go on our own.. I have a problem with "structure"; among other problems which would take up many pages....

Here is the itinerary, routes, mileage, attractions, places we stayed etc when we did the Motorcade in 2005.
ALASKA MOTORCADE 2005

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #9 – May 26, 2013, 09:29:48 am

We have been to Alaska twice. Never in any kind of caravan. I know I could not do the "Schedule Thing". We were in a Fiver then not a FT. The first time we went we were told horror stories about the road conditions. And that is what they were stories. We found the roads to be good, yes we went through areas of construction and it was a mess. Some places you went through construction with an escort. These escorts take off like the gravel road is a four lane paved super highway, guess we must pi.. off a lot of folks, specially those behind us, cause we go through those areas super slow. No damage, messy equipment but no damage. The worst section of road is between Destruction Bay and the border to Alaska. SUPER slow because of the frost heaves. I get passed frequently on that section, but we are not looking for a welder when we get to TOK. Both trips no damage caused by roads. The Milepost is essential, it will tell you where all the good stuff is and where the bad roads are. The Milepost Is as good a guide as a caravan leader. Saw a U280 in Soldotna last time we were there, have friends in a U300 on their way now. Plan on taking ours first chance we get. Go slow, enjoy the journey you should be fine. Plan on spending some time in the Canadian Rockies, particularly Banff and Jasper absolutely spectacular country and a good "foretaste" to Alaska. Gotta stop could go on forever......Oh and GO FISHING.

Roland

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #10 – May 26, 2013, 11:13:41 am

Audrey and I are signed up to go on the 2014 Motorcade.

Last year we went on two fairly long Motorcades and had an incredible time. We saw and did things that we would never have found or done on our own. And then the camaraderie of the group and the friends we have made are irreplaceable.

In our 15000 to 20000 miles a year we travel on our own most of the time. Living in California and visiting Audrey's family in Virginia each year means lots of traveling. (Our round trip to Virginia last year was 14K miles, 6 months, 2 motorcades, 3 area rallies, and the Grandvention.) We totally enjoy traveling on our own. However, the most memorable parts of our travels have been the motorcades and rallies.

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #11 – May 26, 2013, 12:29:49 pm

I would really like to go sometime but got a little fearful after hearing some of the stories I heard recently. After reading comments from this forum I would reconsider. I just do not want to do unnecessary damage to my coach or get in a position that is harmful. I would figure about 120 days and 15K miles round trip from Dallas and all sites I would want to visit in between. If I do go I am in no hurry to come back, it would be a once in a lifetime trip for me. Comments......any additional equipement/supplies you need to carry other than your usual stuff?

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #12 – May 26, 2013, 01:17:26 pm

Quote from: Steve Mudd – May 26, 2013, 12:29:49 pm

I would really like to go sometime but got a little fearful after hearing some of the stories I heard recently. After reading comments from this forum I would reconsider. I just do not want to do unnecessary damage to my coach or get in a position that is harmful. I would figure about 120 days and 15K miles round trip from Dallas and all sites I would want to visit in between. If I do go I am in no hurry to come back, it would be a once in a lifetime trip for me. Comments......any additional equipement/supplies you need to carry other than your usual stuff?

When Barry Leavitt and I met at the Grandvention and decided to do the Alaska Motorcade I remember we talked about preparation for months because of all the discussions we had heard about it and deciding how best to stop any damage. Well he won for best use of duct tape and had a ceremony in his honor.

Some of these moments we had on the motorcade will never be forgotten and the friendships last forever.
After the trip was done I was thinking of all those horror stories we heard and for me I did not see any of it.
I remember thinking I would do this alone anytime. I saw no difference driving in Alaska than driving in the lower 48.
When you are driving in areas where the road is being worked on YOU DRIVE SLOWER.
There are facilities in every town, Napa stores, windshield ding patch if necessary etc. It is a trip that everyone needs to experience in their lifetime.

Merle and JoDean did a fantastic job with all the scheduling behind the scenes to make it look effortless.

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #13 – May 26, 2013, 02:15:42 pm

Quote from: Steve Mudd – May 26, 2013, 12:29:49 pm

I would really like to go sometime but got a little fearful after hearing some of the stories I heard recently. After reading comments from this forum I would reconsider. I just do not want to do unnecessary damage to my coach or get in a position that is harmful.

Back in "the old days" the road was mostly gravel, from what I have been told. I believe tat the horror stories originated then and continue today although they do not apply anymore.

Roland

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #14 – May 26, 2013, 02:31:41 pm

Quote from: Roland Begin – May 26, 2013, 02:15:42 pm

Back in "the old days" the road was mostly gravel, from what I have been told.

Roland

Yup, in 1975 we drove it for the first of three times-- have a photo of the sign "Next Pavement 1588 miles".

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #15 – May 26, 2013, 02:36:06 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – May 26, 2013, 02:31:41 pm

Yup, in 1975 we drove it for the first of three times-- have a photo of the sign "Next Pavement 1588 miles".

Weren't there a lot of twists and turns back then. I believe it has been "straightened out" quite a bit since then. Didn't want the USSR to have a straight shot to the lower 48.

Roland

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #16 – May 26, 2013, 03:20:53 pm

http://www.up0.net/functions/message_view.html?mid=1585633&mlid=5829&siteid=666811&uid=2c452dca57

Alaska News Letter...lots of information....

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #17 – May 26, 2013, 03:42:51 pm

Having made the trip 13 times, 6 times solo, i will problaby go again this spring.mine was parked. 2 months in soldotna,

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #18 – May 26, 2013, 04:36:19 pm

When I went (1991 and solo), I found the gravel roads were a lot better than the paved roads. The paved roads get damaged by frost heaves, but the gravel roads were maintained by the local road scraper.

Anyone of you can do the Alaska trip by yourself. Take you time and enjoy the view. Don't forget the milepost book. Without it you won't know what the next mile has to offer.

I also notice that Canada has the best campgrounds on the Alaskan highway.

Plan on a month or two to make it worthwhile. I started in May and came back in September. I won't make it this year, but next year for sure I'm going back.

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #19 – May 26, 2013, 05:11:38 pm

Quote from: Michael j – May 26, 2013, 04:36:19 pm

When I went (1991 and solo), I found the gravel roads were a lot better than the paved roads. The paved roads get damaged by frost heaves, but the gravel roads were maintained by the local road scraper.

Anyone of you can do the Alaska trip by yourself. Take you time and enjoy the view. Don't forget the milepost book. Without it you won't know what the next mile has to offer.

I also notice that Canada has the best campgrounds on the Alaskan highway.

Plan on a month or two to make it worthwhile. I started in May and came back in September. I won't make it this year, but next year for sure I'm going back.

Soldotna is the place to be in mid-July for the second run of reds on the Kenai!

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #20 – May 26, 2013, 05:51:59 pm

Made the trip in 2007 solo . Was the best trip I ever made . Being solo was being able to stop when the urge hit , find a place that needed to be checked out ---want an extra day or so to poke around . All this talk about bad roads, didn't see any . Saw some being worked on . The deal of the whole thing was [ SPEED ] ! Drive faster than what makes good scense , you'll pay one way or another . I saw RV's of a bygone time sitting off in the brush in various stages of decay . The age of them made it clear to me that what ever happened was a long time ago . Loads of places to dry camp along the way . Large , half circle and graveled . The thing for me , I just can't see getting underway because someone says "time to go " or stopping , or eating at the place you paid for weather you like it or not . I guess it comes down to twenty five years of military taking orders was enough . The drive on that military highway was my most enjoyable part of the whole trip for me . Brad Metzger

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #21 – May 26, 2013, 06:18:58 pm

We went on the Foretravel Motorcade in 2007. See our website:

Jim and Gayle's Home Page

and select 2007, Jun, July, and August for pictures and a short writeup. When the motorcade was heading out of Alaska at Valdez, we left the motorcade and stayed in Alaska on our own for another 6 weeks.

It was a "trip of a lifetime" and I would recommend it to anyone (we would do it again, but having bought the 2003, we are sort of broke right now

). Going on the motorcade and then being on our own was a great way to do it. We had the security (and ease) of the motorcade at first to get comfortable and then the freedom to be on our own at the end.

We didn't take any precautions in protecting either the motorhome or the 4Runner and we didn't suffer any damage to either (we did bring a lot of Alaska mud home with us that Jim spent a lot of time in a car wash on his belly washing off). Jim drove, respecting the conditions and wasn't in a hurry. Even if we had suffered damage, it would have been worth it.

Go!

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #22 – May 26, 2013, 07:38:40 pm

For anyone making the trip, whether alone or in a convoy, there are a couple things that will reduce one's concerns: First, cover your toad's windshield with a thick vinyl wrap and attach with bungee cords that extend inside from one side to the other. Also, cover the front of your toad's outside rear view mirrors, unless you don't mind them getting "pocked" from stones. This is even with a stone guard, which we had mounted to the front of the car's baseplate. Second, Attach (tie wraps work well) 1/4" hardware cloth (screen) below your coach's radiator. I also protected the oil pan same way. I got the suggestion from Barry & Cindy, who made the trip in '07; we traveled solo in '08 for 2 full months throughout AK. As somone else mentioned, the only "white knuckle" portion of the entire trip was the last 300 miles from Destruction Bay (aptly named) to the AK border. Once you reach TOK (if traveling the Alaskan/Canadian Hwy), you're home free. It's the frost heaves and constant construction, especially around Lake Kluane that will challenge you. Just accept the fact that you can't travel fast (sometimes even 50 is way too fast) in that stretch and you'll do fine. The wildlife from Dawson Creek on is spectacular. One never knows what kind of critter will be in the road or alongside around the next curve. We even saw a wolverine loping across the road in the NW Territories before arriving in Whitehorse. Have that camera ready.

Be sure you fill up with diesel before crossing into Canada, as you will pay a good $1/gal more. As it is, we had 2 fillups in each direction in Canada. This was the summer ('08) when fuel prices were at their all time high. In Canada, twice we paid $6.10/gal (for 85-90 gallons). Talk about a kick in the wallet. For our 10,500 mile round trip from Nac throughout AK, fuel alone amounted to $7,000. That's the main reason we have to think twice before returning.

PM me if you have any specific questions.

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #23 – May 26, 2013, 10:25:09 pm

I've been to Alaska a few times usually with a 4x4 pickup camper but will take the coach one of these days. About the best advice I can give is to leave as early as possible ie when the roads are clear through Canada. Once you're there you will realize you need every day you can squeeze in to absorb the awesomeness. It's a long but enjoyable drive up so maximize your time.

My son fishes there professionally both as a guide and as captain of a commercial boat. When I'm there helping him crank in salmon I feel like I've fallen into a National Geographic magazine. It's fabulous and worth every ounce of fuel it takes to get there. Bring your auxiliary freezer and a vacuum bagger if you're going to fish you'll need it.

Re: North to Alaska 2014

Reply #24 – June 30, 2013, 06:40:29 pm

Last year my wife and I drove up to Alaska with my two cousins from Europe. Ten years earlier we did the convoy thing. Back then the roads were not in as good of shape as they are now. Our first trip we did the top of the world, but not this last time. We traveled at our own pace in our 38' 2008 Nimbus CE. The only extra prep outside of an extra set of fan belts was a shield for the tow vehicle. Road conditions for the most part were good to very good with few repair areas. The only major exception was north of Destruction Bay into Alaska, very slow and dusty. One trick we learned was to button up all the windows and reverse the ceiling fans on high to keep a positive pressure in the coach to inhibit dust entering-works quite well. On our return we drove the Cassiar Hwy (sp?). It is a beautiful and paved drive. We took it slow and easy, saw more animals and saved the rig from unnecessary repairs. Good luck on your trip!

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