traveling in Alaska - Montana Owners Club

trailblazer27 · 03-10-2009, 07:54 AM

Wish to spend three months in Alaska this June,July,August
pulling a 33ft 06 Montana fiver w/07 GMC Duramax. Any thoughts on this being to big to haul all over the tundra? Would you suggest a small/25 ft older/used to beat up on the roads up there and dump it when we return home. Hate to knock the hell out of this nice one?

wswebster · 03-10-2009, 09:59 AM

We took our 3400rl last summer as did several other MOC'ers. Just drive slow, and don't overload it. We had a blast. Some of the roads aren't any worse than some of the lower 48. Like I said just use caution when driving on the really rough roads. Have a great trip!! Stacy

alandaudrey · 03-14-2009, 04:17 PM

We just took delivery on our 2009 2980RL 10th Anniversay Edition and we are in the process of getting it ready for a trip to Alaska. We plan to leave Houston about the last week of April and will visit many places and some cousins on the way up. Plan to be in Alaska the end of May until early September. Hope to see you along the way.

DHenry · 03-14-2009, 04:41 PM

We took our 37' Montana to Alaska last summer and we never had a place where it would not fit. Just be sure you have good tires, check your shackles to be sure they are in good shape, and slow down for the frost heaves. Also be sure that you have a copy of the Mile Post, it is the bible for travel to Alaska.

BirdingRVer · 03-15-2009, 05:19 AM

Ditto what Doug & Stacy said: GOOD TIRES, Mile Post and SLOW DOWN! Once you start up the Alaska Highway you aren't going to see 65 MPH again all summer. The roads will be at their worse earliest in the season because they haven't had time to repair the winter damage.

Slow down because of the roads, slow down because of the scenery and slow down to see the wildlife. We saw an amazing amount of wild animals crossing the road including grizzle bears, moose, wolves, Stone Sheep and elk. Would not want to have any of those cross the road before I could stop.

Take your time, there is much to see and do along they way to Alaska especially in the Yukon. Alaska will be there when you get there.

We left Alaska the weekend after Labor day and found many RV Parks had closed for the season. The Roads south had very little traffic and we were the only people in a couple of RV Parks.

bob n pam · 03-15-2009, 02:02 PM

We second and third what DHenry and BirdingRVer said. Just take your time and enjoy the freedom of traveling the Alcan and all of Alaska. You'll become a boondocking specialist before it's all over! I'd go back in a heartbeat.

adelmoll · 03-15-2009, 03:33 PM

We loved our Alaska trip in 2006 and would go back in a minute but I like the idea of buying an older beat up unit because no matter how hard you try, you will be beating up your Montana or anything else you drive in. Much as we loved having our house with us, these units are not meant to travel a long time on bad roads. Alaska was bad but the Blue Ridge Parkway and Newfoundland were just about as bad. I am so thankful that we were in an Montana. We're sure a lot of others would have never made it.

Helen

David and Jo-Anna · 03-15-2009, 07:15 PM

We spent three months last summer traveling up thru Canada and all around Alaska in our 2007 Big Sky. It's over 39' long, and we didn't have any problem fitting in anywhere, so you shouldn't have any problem either. As for taking a newer rig up there, look on the positive side--if you have any problems, just bring your rig to the Fall Rally and see if Keystone Customer Service will address any problems that might arise. LOL!!!

Seriously, we endorse all the advice others have given--drive slowly, watch out for frost heaves and wildlife, and "enjoy the journey"--the sights along the road are at least as wonderful as anything you'll do when you get to the cities and towns you'll be heading to along the way. In addition to Milepost, we got lots of good advice on campgrounds from the book "Alaskan Camping" by Mike and Terri Church. They have lots of good tips and comments about the various campgrounds to choose from along the way.

birdie · 03-16-2009, 04:13 PM

Trailblazer we are leaving in the end of may for Alaska. We are leaving the Montana at home and taking a 21 foot trailer. We deiced on a smaller unit for several reasons. The main reason we feel is that it will be easier to get into the smaller state and federal parks and easier to park at interesting places along the way where big rig wont fit.

akf15e · 03-17-2009, 02:56 AM

Traiblazer - yes and no. How's that for a non-answer?

We lived in Anchorage and camped/RV'd in Alaska for 8 years (94-02) in a tent, a pop-up, and a 27' TT for all 8 of those years (mostly in the TT) During that time, we covered essentially all of the road system in Alaska (Homer, Seward, Fairbanks, Valdez, and all points in between)

Can you tow a bigger rig? Absolutely yes. Thousands do it every summer. Will you travel on some of the worst roads ever? Yes. My experience has shown that my trailers in AK took a much worse beating than down here, mainly due to all of the unpaved road sections during "construction season". Many rock chips and multiple flats over the years. Frost heaves to me were a non-issue. Just slow down and enjoy the scenery. They can be bad, but to me I-95 through SC is far worse! Short answer - the roads should not stop you from taking your Montana, but I'd recommend protecting the front lower side by covering it (I used a removable naugahyde (sp?) cover that snapped on) or large mud/rock flaps or brushes on the back of the TV.

To me the real issue is what birdie said. There are plenty of places a big RV can fit into, but not nearly the number or selection that something in the mid-20 foot range can fit into. Our favorite places were US Forest Service campgrounds. No electric, no sewage, no running water, just incredible beauty and lots to do. The number of sites that would accommodate a large RV were few and far between. But I believe you can make reservations at these campgrounds, so if you do take the big rig and plan to stay at the gov't campgrounds (which I highly recommend for anyone), plan ahead and reserve a site that sounds like it will fit you in. Plan on boondocking for sure. Generators are allowed most places.

Bottom line - if it was me, I'd take my own rig, but be prepared for a few "bumps and bruises" on it and DEFINITELY plan ahead if you want to do more than stay in parking lot-type places. I think those who stay on the beaten path miss the trip of a lifetime. The Milepost (a current edition) is the best money you will spend. Even as "locals" we bought it every year.

Good luck and enjoy!

capn chris · 03-17-2009, 07:02 AM

Same as others said. Just know that fall starts in August in AK and the Yukon. We had a bit of ice and snow coming down through the Yukon and Alberta in August. Never wore shorts out of the lower 48!

Army Guy · 03-19-2009, 02:07 PM

We're heading up there in July to early Sept in our 3400. We are sure looking forward to the trip and don't forsee any issues that we wouldn't encounter here in the lower 48. We'll just take our time and be careful. Looking forward to all the memories.

"Seeing the Country we Defend"

Navigator · 03-20-2009, 11:50 AM

We spent the summer of 2007 driving from the San Diego area up to Alaska on the Alaska Highway and back down on the Cassiar Highway in British Columbia.

The worst road (all dirt) was the "Top of the World Highway" from Tok through Chicken and across the Yukon River to Dawson City. Heed all the warnings to travel slow. The road shook our TV loose from it's screws but fortunately it didn't fall out of the cabinet.

We'd do it all again in a minute!!

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