Alaska 2025

We found that where you really have to assess timing and have patience are those highway routes that will have road work and a confined space corridor. Last year there were a number of accidents where slow rv and impatient drivers were involved. Like SecondWind noted the commuters or even a crazy fisher during openings can create driving pressure and safety issues for all. Highways like Turnagain Arm and Cooper Landing to Kenai are examples. Plan the best you can, don't take chances and be safe.
 
ChuckBC said:
We found that where you really have to assess timing and have patience are those highway routes that will have road work and a confined space corridor. Last year there were a number of accidents where slow rv and impatient drivers were involved. Like SecondWind noted the commuters or even a crazy fisher during openings can create driving pressure and safety issues for all. Highways like Turnagain Arm and Cooper Landing to Kenai are examples. Plan the best you can, don't take chances and be safe.
Click to expand...
Yes! When “the fish are running” it’s is an exciting time on the Kenai peninsula, and the road south of Anchorage can get extremely busy, again there’s only one road and everyone is on it. Dip netting season opens July 10 through July 31st and makes for lots of fishermen on the roads. Only Alaskans can participate in dip netting but it’s almost more fun to watch! What a riot!
 
SecondWind said:
Dip netting season opens July 10 through July 31st and makes for lots of fishermen on the roads. Only Alaskans can participate in dip netting but it’s almost more fun to watch! What a riot!
Click to expand...
I'll be in Palmer on July 9, then heading east on Hwy 1 to Hwy 4 to Valdeze on the 11th. Hope that means I'll miss most of the traffic mess caused by fishers. But if not, oh well...
 
Donna D. said:
I'll be in Palmer on July 9, then heading east on Hwy 1 to Hwy 4 to Valdeze on the 11th. Hope that means I'll miss most of the traffic mess caused by fishers. But if not, oh well...
Click to expand...
You’ll miss dip netting season, might be red salmon “combat fishing” happening on the Russian River in Cooper Landing. It’s just summer in Alaska. Drive careful, be patient, enjoy the journey. It’s a beautiful dive. It’ll be fine.
 
For those bringing pets on this trip, I captured this info from the Alaska Facebook group I'm following:

The rules for bringing a dog into Alaska are a bit different than the CDC requirements for bringing a dog from Canada into the USA. Yes Alaska is part of the USA and has the CDC requirements, but they also have extra requirements, and does require a health certificate from a vet. The certificate is a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Now it’s very possible that you will not be asked about the CVI at the border since it’s not a USA requirement. But if you take Fido to a vet in Alaska - well the vet will expect that the rules about pets being taken into Alaska have been followed.

Please read the following about taking your pet into Alaska. Bringing Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets to Alaska
 
Nan said:
This may have already been asked. If so, I apologize for the repetition.Those of you that have rv'd to Alaska in your Escape, do you recommend mud flaps for the back of your truck-especially if you have a 5.0?
Click to expand...
We drove to Alsaka with our 21C in 2022. It was by far the most epic wonderful, beautiful trip we've ever done. So happy for all of you who are going this year!

As for rock guards, we did not have rock guards on our tow vehicle when we started out. We did not think we needed them....until we drove through the Yukon and parts of Alaska. Wow, now those are some serious roads with lots of contruction all over. Even though the road was officially designated as "paved", at times you have to follow pilot car/trucks for miles and miles on gravel when they are doing construction/mainenance on these roads. Moreover, the pilot cars often lead with a lead foot! We consider our Escape to be our 'forever trailer' so seeing all those rocks flying off the trailer was hard to watch in the rear view mirror.

However, on the other hand, I admit, I was very impresed how well the fiberglass stood up to it all -only had a few tiny dimples in the gelcoat. But I did not want any more teeny tiny nicks so by the time we got to Palmer, we decided to drive straight to Cabelas in Anchorage and bought some rock tamers. The one we got was an easy install. Trailer still gets dirty as ever with or without tamers, but they deflect the rocks well so we were glad to have them on for the drive home. In fact, we like them so much, we've kept them on ever since. To be honest, I don't think they are totally needed but we like the added protection for the trailer and our knee caps! No more accidently wacking our legs on the hitch! :)

https://www.cabelas.com/p/rock-tame...IGBAAWKh9V-jGdT_9ZroQ-VpAjL5YMnRoC33IQAvD_BwE
 
Thanks for the write up, Birdy, or Curt ( I read it to myself in Birdys voice )

Mary was razzing me about getting rock tamers, but we already have mud flaps and I’m a little against adding more weight…. Unless it’s really mandatory.
 
Bea and her spouse had probably the "absolute best" site at Red Goat Lodge when we met them in 2022. We didn't install any form of rock guard on our E19. No dings on the trailer, but the storage box was a shield that took most of the hits. Road departments in Yukon and northern British Columbia use glacial moraine remnants for road repair/construction, and that material includes a high percentage of very fine particles that generate volumes of dust (when dry) and mud (when wet). Large trucks are very efficient when it comes to getting the dust/mud airborne.
 
For those thinking about mud flaps, but the cost of Rock Tamers give you pucker power. Consider used... maybe Marketplace, Craigslist. Or maybe you'd be fortunate to have a friend that would loan them to you for the trip. Too here's some new, that around about 1/2 the price of Rock Tamers and may suit your needs: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tow-tuff-mud-flaps-ttf-2418amf
 
land'Scape I would put the Rock Tamers on before trip to install bolts in flaps and adjust for travel. I thought at first they were to much big truck look but did the trip and happy with results. Again, my recommendation is to have them extend a couple of inches out from line of truck side and slightly roll flap at top to direct rock deflection downward. Adjust flap height of ground when under load. Also if you have a storage box be cognizant when backing up and "very" tight turn, the end of flap support may contact box. Ask me how I know!
 
Great, thanks for the heads up, good advice. I will get them installed before I go (I too don’t like the look of them & suspect that there’s a mileage penalty). Ours is a 5th wheel, so no storage box. Perhaps once installed, you can take the ‘arms’ and the mudflap out & just slide them back in when needed??
 
I personally am not a fan of those huge mudflap devices, either with the looks or the idea of having to deal with them. I have heard from some folks who used them that they really don't work real good either.

I put the 3M Paint Protection Film on the front of my 5.0TA, from the propane hatch to just around the corner on the sides. It went just under the front and up about 30". I regularly travel gravel roads and the protection is holding up very well. A few marks on it from rocks but that is expected. This material is clear and nearly indistinguishable on the trailer. I would highly recommend it. The front of my pickup is protected with it too, a very common thing around here where that wee gravel is used on roads around here during the winter months.

 
Jim Bennett said:
I personally am not a fan of those huge mudflap devices, either with the looks or the idea of having to deal with them. I have heard from some folks who used them that they really don't work real good either.
Click to expand...
Ditto on that.

I'm probably in a lucky situation in that I have a front storage box and the vinyl guards. Only reason that I have that combination is that they'd already installed the vinyl before they gave me my free tongue box.

Bottom line is that I've travelled a few gravel roads, here and there, including Alaska, and don't have any rock chips on the front of the trailer. You do see lots of folks who do use the 3M film. I would if I didn't have the vinyl guards.

Ron
 
Unlike you lucky guys, unfortunately, we have been getting some decent-sized chips on the lower part of our trailer. I did see your note a little while ago Jim, but had already purchased the Rock Tamers. I’ll give them a try, but won’t use them ‘down here’, so the film would be a more permanent solution.
 
Jim Bennett said:
I personally am not a fan of those huge mudflap devices, either with the looks or the idea of having to deal with them. I have heard from some folks who used them that they really don't work real good either.

I put the 3M Paint Protection Film on the front of my 5.0TA, from the propane hatch to just around the corner on the sides. It went just under the front and up about 30". I regularly travel gravel roads and the protection is holding up very well. A few marks on it from rocks but that is expected. This material is clear and nearly indistinguishable on the trailer. I would highly recommend it. The front of my pickup is protected with it too, a very common thing around here where that wee gravel is used on roads around here during the winter months.

Click to expand...
That's what I have been considering, too.
Two questions:
-where did you buy it?
-did you instal it yourself?
 
iamunique127 said:
That's what I have been considering, too.
Two questions:
-where did you buy it?
-did you instal it yourself?
Click to expand...
You can buy it and install yourself. I opted to go to a shop that did the install as it was not all that much more in cost and I was insured a quick and good install.

At least around here, there are kits for almost every vehicle with pieces cut to fit that does the entire front end of the vehicle. Keeps those tint gravel bits used on the roads at times for ice and snow under wraps. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

NI
ISO Escape 21 or 23 for Rent Summer or Fall 2025
Nida007
NI
CADreamin
Bay Area Rally (B.A.R.) 2025
John in Santa Cruz
John in Santa Cruz
Jane and John
Springfling NE May 2025 Rally in NH
Jane and John
Jane and John
CH
Yukon/Alaska 2024
ChuckBC
CH
Donna D.
2025, Oct. 2-5 Fall NOG - Northern Oregon Gathering
2
Donna D.
Donna D.

New posts

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom