Traveling to Alaska with Teardrop

[Jim and Sharon-TNT]

Hello. We have decided to make a trip to Alaska next summer--hoping to leave Indiana mid-May, travel from Indiana through Canada to catch the Alcan at Dawson Creek, then follow the highway on the standard tour. We are allowing 3+ months so we can experience as much as possible. We do not have a 1915 speedster, just a GMC 4x4 pickup (we decided the Jeep Wrangler would not quite be sufficient) and our Little Guy teardrop. We have a 10' x 10' tent which attaches to one side and gives extra living room.

Anyway, we are open to suggestions from experienced TDers who may have made the trip. We have been doing quite a bit of planning, but know we will overlook several things. Would love to meet any TDers who live up that way if we can make connections.

 

[jdarkoregon]

Take a charter in Homer, GO FISHING!! Take a couple spare tires on rims

 

[Jim and Sharon-TNT]

Take a charter in Homer, GO FISHING!! Take a couple spare tires on rims

Thanks for the reply. We have the spares ready to go. During the past week's camping, we ran into several other folks who have camped Alaska and Homer was suggested by all. Don't know about the fishing, though. We really don't do fishing anywhere...perhaps we can watch someone else.

 

[GuitarPhotog]

I have relatives in Homer and have been contemplating a trip with the TD, but it's over 7,000 miles round trip, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that much sitting in the car.

<Chas>

 

[Jim and Sharon-TNT]

I have relatives in Homer and have been contemplating a trip with the TD, but it's over 7,000 miles round trip, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that much sitting in the car.

<Chas>

You're right about the distance, but over 90 days or so, it works out to be managable, we think. We plan to take it rather slowly--with time to check out several places in a little depth rather than rush through them. We traveled for three months in the TD last winter from Florida to California and then back to Mississippi and up the Natchez Trail back to home (several thousand miles). This will be a longer trip but should still be fun.

 

[Betsey-TNT]

Here's a link you might find helpful:

http://tinycamper.com/alaska1.htm

You will have an amazing trip! Best of luck to you!

Betsey

 

[Alfred-TNT]

Wow! That sounds like fun! What an adventure! Post pictures!

AL

 

[Jim and Sharon-TNT]

Here's a link you might find helpful:

http://tinycamper.com/alaska1.htm

You will have an amazing trip! Best of luck to you!

Betsey

Thanks! Just exactly the kind of thing we wanted to see. We are more inspired than ever.

 

[tearhead]

Those gas prices were a blast from the past! But anyway, what a nifty thing to do! I aspire to do likewise one day. Right now were in the "no time" phase, though.

 

[Jim and Sharon-TNT]

Those gas prices were a blast from the past! But anyway, what a nifty thing to do! I aspire to do likewise one day. Right now were in the "no time" phase, though.

Hang in there. We didn't even think about getting a TD until we retired. Now we are finding retirement to be all it's cracked up to be.

 

[Lgboro]

I just saw your post -- I'm planning a 60 plus day trip to Ak next June - August if I stay healthy and the creek doesn't rise. I'm leaving out of coastal North Carolina and plan to stay until I run out of money or get ready to move on. Just bought a Jetta TDI that I hate to put on that many gravel roads but its headed that way in June. I'll pm you guys as it gets closer.

 

[Zig-TNT]

Take lots of gas (extra cans) and lots of money... Also eating out is expensive so... You really dont want to use your cell phone in Canada,... very expensive, and coverage is very slim... Walmart in Whitehorse is not what you might expect, also, gas stations are not what you might expect. If you see somebody selling gas, pull over and get some. as in campground, hole in the wall, co-op... did our trip in 2009. Our Blog: http://campinggills.blogspot.com

 

[razorback-TNT]

Depending on where you camp I would suggest an electric fence.
Basically they are ski ropes with wire running through and they use 6 to 8 D-cell batteries. The bears will not bother you with an electric fence.
I have been to Kodiak 9 or 10 times and have gotten up with 15 bears along thre river. You can hear them walking around the tent but so far they have not bothered us with the electric fence.
The link below is an example of what we use.
http://www.waterstrider.com/bear-repell ... -fence.htm
Alaska is a magical place. You guys are in for a real trip of a life time.
I really love my time there and plan on going back as often as I can.
Larry

 

[mike66442]

You will love Alaska, i live in North Pole,ak.
I would not use any kind of elec fence, it could piss a bear off not a good thing..... Of the 4 or 5 bear attacts a year, most are TOURIST. I.E. they are doing very foolish things, if at the river and you see a bear, you go the othere way forget photos, just leave them alone, dont leave food for them, dont try to run them off, You leave not them.... fallow the simple rules and the critters will leave you alone, and they will not bother you.

Ow and get a milepost book, it will help you with your trip.. there is plenty of places to get gas, just remember, the more isolated you are the higher the price, you should carry some gas (5gal) but you dont need to carry a lot, only if you are going to tour the back country.

The big thing is spare tires, I carry 2 for my back country TD, I drove the alcan last fall, I had all 4 spare tires with me, used 2 on the trip. My friend dident have a single flat on the trip. So have good tires, and have at least 2 spares.

I plan to travel to Denali this summer.

They need to have a TearDrop rally in Alaska..

 

[mechmagcn-TNT]

I'm headed to AK starting in 3 weeks, going to the west coast, following the PCH to the border and take the ferry from Prince Rupert through the south east part. From there, who knows? I hope to be in AK 6-8 weeks, so I hope to travel most of the major routes available. Going to travel the Al-can south and cross back into the US into Montana. From there I'll just sort of mosey home

 

[razorback-TNT]

Wow Jeff
Really jealous of the time you will have to travel to Alaska.
Be safe and take lots of pics...
Larry

 

[mechmagcn-TNT]

Wow Jeff
Really jealous of the time you will have to travel to Alaska.
Be safe and take lots of pics...
Larry

Larry, since I'm not sure I'll ever be able to afford to go back, I might as well stay long enough to see some of it.

 

[MargaretK]

Jeff-
If by any chance your return trip takes you through Wyoming in August, please stop by at the "Walk the Winds" gathering and make us all jealous! Seriously, I am hoping to make the trip to AK next summer (2013) and would love to hear from you how many spares you really needed, etc.

Thanks!
Margaret

 

[scotta-TNT]

Went to AK in summer 2011. 12,000 miles with a RAV4 and a Little Guy 5 wide. Had no tire trouble at all. If you're in Fairbanks, it's "only" 500 miles up the Dalton Hwy. to the arctic ocean. Got snowed on 12th of June. Denali is worth the trip, but the best view of the mountain is south, from the Hwy. not in the park. Enjoyed Achorage. City park in Seward is right on the bay cheap camping showers in Harbor masters. Followed Yellowhead highway across Canada til we got to Thunder Bay, Ontario. North shore Lake Superior is beautiful.

 

[mechmagcn-TNT]

Jeff-
If by any chance your return trip takes you through Wyoming in August, please stop by at the "Walk the Winds" gathering and make us all jealous! Seriously, I am hoping to make the trip to AK next summer (2013) and would love to hear from you how many spares you really needed, etc.

Thanks!
Margaret

I drove 15626 miles total during the 4 month trip and never had a flat tire. I wish I could have stayed out long enough to make it to Walk the Winds, but had to come home.