RED903L
So. California
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Joined: 09/03/2007
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Have a 2005 long bed, extended cab Silverado HD with DuraMax/Allison setup and will be hauling a 925 Lance.
The truck has 37K miles and has been serviced more regularly than factory recommendations. The only mods to the truck consist of air bags, Banks intake/air cleaner, and Bridgestone Duravis M700 tires (LT265/70R17)
The Lance is a 2005 model also, which is fully self-contained. We've only had the truck and camper a little over 1 year, but have taken it out at least 8-9 times with no problems (other than some operator errors!!!) The camper tie down system is Happi-Jack (sp?)
We're not inexperienced travellers, just never been to Alaska, and sure would like some input from folks who have been there before.
We're planning on leaving So. California in late August, and we're on no time schedule as we'll both be retired by then.
The only suggestions that have been made are:
1. install the shocks that mount between the sleeper over hang and the top front fender/firewall area of the truck, and
2.place an inflated inner tude between the roof of the truck cab and the camper overhang
I guess this to minimize camper bounce and protect the truck roof.
Thanks in advance for any input from those that have "been there and done that...." about other "things" I might consider doing in preparation for our first run to Alaska.
Our final destination is Kodiak Island to visit friends who moved there this past April... The wife says she wants to see Denali NP and if at all possible catch a cruise to see some glaciers, etc..
Thanks again
* This post was
edited 11/11/08 08:21pm by RED903L *
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joe b.
Florida
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Joined: 08/24/2002
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I have a set of the cab shocks on my Lance Dodge combo and don't know that they do much but after what I paid for them, I better claim that they are wonderful. LOL
We are also heading back to Alaska this summer for our 12th round trip to/from Alaska by RV. Don't believe I would use any inflatable between the camper and the cab. Suspect you might not have any paint remaining on either by the time you get back. The Alaska Highway is no longer a wilderness highway but is a good two lane paved road through a beautiful wilderness. The trip to Alaska is not at all difficult, just a series of 300 to 500 miles days, one after the other. More of them than many RVes have ever strung together on one trip. There will be construction zones, slow down and the farther north you get, the permafrost will cause frost heaves in the pavement, slow down. Just drive at speeds appropriate to the road condition and you will be fine. Remember, the road is not moving,just your vehicle so any damage done is from hitting the rough spots too fast. (driver error, IMHO, not the road's fault) It is a great trip and a fun adventure.
I put some hardware cloth in behind my grill to protect the radiator/oil cooler for any road debris and to catch the larger bugs. We use 1/4 inch mesh which I buy at Home Depot or Lowes type stores. I leave it on the truck all the time.
joe b.
South Florida, Stuart
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
Driving a Dodge/Cummins
www.jbpacooper.com web site
http://www.picturetrail.com/jbpacooper Alaska 2004 - Alaska 2006 - Colorado photos
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luvglass
Milwaukee
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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Can't advise you on the truck camper stuff, but will attest to the road comments by Joe B. we just got back form the summer in Alaska with a 36' fiver and had no problems with anything. It's a wonderful trip and we are planning on doing it again in a few years. It is a LONG drive up and back, but well worth it when you are up there.
I would comment that you are in for a short time up there if you don't leave till late August, because everything starts to close up right after Labor Day and the weather starts to turn. We were pretty much driven out by Sept 15. We would have loved to stay longer, but it was too much of a hassle.
Good luck,
Fred Wishnie
2006 Carriage Cameo 35KS3, 2006 Ford F350 diesel dually, fulltimer
See our blog at http://www.mytripjournal.com/wanderingwishnies
“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
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sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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First thought is you're leaving California in late-August. Denali NP closes mid-September, give or take a day or two and also weather dependent. If this sight is a definite must-see for your wife, be sure you head there first or you might find the gates closed. Same with the glacier tours ... any tour in fact, other than the dog-sledding ... most tourist things have packed up by the second or third week of September.
Even so, there's lots of great things to do in September, especially if you enjoy hiking and exploring. With a truck/camper you're set for drycamping and boondocking in many spots, and if you're comfy with that, you'll have no need for the commercial campgrounds that close mid-September.
We made two trips to Yukon with a truck & camper, including one to Inuvik on the Dempster Highway. Didn't do anything special to the truck other than ensure the tires were in very good condition for the gravel roads we would be driving (Dempster Highway and Campbell Highway, both in Yukon).
sue t.
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska
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campalaska
Alaska
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Joined: 05/09/2008
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sue.t your are incorrect when you say Denali closes mid September, this park is open year round, though most TOURIST attractions close at that time. many people snow machine here all year and the park site says its open all year.
OK back to the op. being that your retired id leave so cal in June or early July. you will want to spend more time than you think. if you stay at full hookup places than disregard this but if you boondock have a water filter and extra water ex. in containers. The state parks here are very nice. most have a pump water well, some have pressurized water outlets (not at each site). almost all have pit toilets but you most likely wont use them. most DON'T have dump stations. in most towns you will find a dump station. if you fish id recommend going to the Russian River, its world famous combat fishing, though only at peek times.
IF you are here in the anchorage area in early July come to Girdwood and attend the Forrest fair (Google). If you like long,open, DIRT roads, mud, boondocking and adventurer go up the Dalton highway from Fairbanks to the arctic ocean. (Google Dalton highway). theres lots more places like the dredge in Chicken alaska, the top of the world highway to Dawson Yukon.
Pm me if you have any questions. Also most big box stores can be found in Anchorage and Fairbanks (population center) though WAY more in anchorage. oh one last though, a nice place to camp is the Williwaw campground in Portage Alaska, 50 miles south of anchorage (only on road =) south) very nice place with flat paved sites and a host and near a visitor center along with a paved walking way though the trees that can also be biked on. sorry for the long post i could say 100 times more there just so much to do Ive lived here 20 years and haven't done everything =p.
- 1999 GMC Sierra 2500 Extended Cab 6.5FT Bed
- Firestone Ride-Rite Airbags.
- 1999 Adventurer 810ws
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alaskan-rver
Anchorage, AK
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Joined: 09/25/2005
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Random thoughts:
- Like Joe said, don't over-analyze the technical aspects of driving up here. You don't need all kinds of armor--just common sense (for example, if you catch yourself thinking "these old tires just MIGHT survive the trip--replace them before you hit the wilderness).
- August is way too late to leave. You will probably need at least 2 weeks to make it up here. Virtually all commercial and government campsites close down the weekend after Labor Day. There are still plenty of opportunities to boondock, as long as your heater works well. Realistically, the prime RV season runs from mid June through early August.
- Kodiak is an awesome destination--just be prepared for rain.
- To really enjoy Alaska and the north, plan on boondocking (it will be a necessity if you wait too long to return south).
- Finally, if you leave in mid-August, rush up here, you will have to return when most if not all campgrounds along the Alaska Hwy are closed (and it can get COLD in the Yukon and northern British Columbia. If you can only leave that late, consider either shipping your RV back down to Seattle, or taking the ferry (although the itineraries typically change around September) back down.
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Hook
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
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Joined: 12/20/2003
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I would not install the cab over shocks or the inflat-a-tube on the roof of the truck. If your camper will hit the roof of the truck you have a problem with the proper clearance or you are getting to much movement between the cab and the box of the truck. Maybe you should switch the Hapi jacks out with Torq Lift. The tube will only rub the paint off the roof of the truck. The air bags should only be used for leveling not load carrying, to much air will take the load off the springs causing swaying. Install a set of Superspings, you won't regret it. And as Joe b says, 1/4" hardware wire behind the grill.
Hook
Chevy 2500 4x4 CC D-Max/Allison, Supersprings,Torqlift
Summerwind 806
"Kik-n-but" 23' modified Atec, twin Yamaha 60's, full electronics,
Hewes 20' Kenai Special 50hp Yamaha, 9.9 kicker
Polaris RZR
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Joined: 07/10/2002
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Get a copy of the Video or DVD by the Howens called `Alaska by RV' where they cover lots of the sights and routes that one could take.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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campalaska wrote:sue.t your are incorrect when you say Denali closes mid September, this park is open year round, though most TOURIST attractions close at that time. many people snow machine here all year and the park site says its open all year.
Okay, so I said the park closes, which is what most tourists would consider it when the gate is closed and locked and they can't get back to see the mountain up close and personal. As with any park, one can continue to hike or ski throughout the park, or sled in with dogs and machines. And one can drycamp for no cost at Riley Creek by the park entrance.
However, the OP didn't mention he was hoping to take advantage of the snow ... if he is, well, he's going up way too early! 
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campalaska
Alaska
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Joined: 05/09/2008
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very true.
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