Gary,

Canada has very strong restrictions on firearms.  NO HANDGUNS AT ALL!!!  In fact, if they are looking through your RV at the border and even see something that relates to a handgun, your RV will be thoroughly searched, perhaps even to the extent of taking things outside.

You will need to do extra documentation to even take long guns across their border.  And, if they were to find a handgun, you might find out what a Canadian jail looks like.

Terry

Gary:

We’ve traveled a lot of north and western Canada.  Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories all the way to Yellowknife and Inuvik which is just 70 miles short of the Arctic Ocean (which you can drive to, but only in winter – think “Ice Road Truckers.”)  It’s a great place, Canada, and so I’ll speak from some firsthand experiences.

If I were going from Ohio, which actually we did, I would go across the US to Montana and then up I-15 to cross at Sweetgrass, Montana.  Then up route 4 in Alberta.  There are other ways, but having driven this one more than once, we liked it and it was easy and I would go this way to drive to Skagway.

For perspective we towed a 39’ 5er with a 2006 Chevy 3500 diesel so that is the basis for our views. In all our travels in Canada, or anywhere else, this truck has never had an issue of any kind with the roads or mountains.

The more southern roads in Alberta and British Columbia (BC) are like driving in the US.  Many of them are 4 lane and very good roads.  The trip up to Dawson Creek, where the Alcan officially starts is wonderful and the roads are excellent. 

The Alcan itself, up to Whitehouse, YT, which we love to visit, is very good road for the most part. From Whitehorse on up its not as good  but you’ve driven that and know about the last of the road to Alaska from Destruction Bay.  All two lane and it has some frost heaves, but simply not a problem.  Just slow down a bit and plan time wise and you will not break or hurt anything. 

There will be construction in the summer on the roads.  Really not a problem, just don’t be surprised when you travel in a bit of mud from time to time due to the construction on the Alcan.  This isn’t I-95 down to Ft. Lauderdale (which I guess is also under construction a lot of the time.)

We have been to Skagway from Whitehouse.  We actually took the train down and a bus back up to Whitehorse.  The route is pretty steep to and back up from Skagway.  The road is good, but steep.  We would have taken the RV, and it would have done fine, but we wanted to take the train out of Carcross (I think that is the correct departure point) as it is considered to be one of the top 5 scenic train rides in the world.  And it was great.  But your needing to stay so naturally the train might be a “day off” option.

When you come home, a suggestion: The Cassiar Hiway, RT 37 from Northern Beaver Post, YT off the Alcan down to Prince George, BC is a two lane road but also not a problem.  From there you can take the “Ice Fields Hiway” down and it is one of the most fabulous drives you can take.  Two lane road, mountains, but really – really worth it.  No hairpin turns or anything like that, just some up and down and some pretty good grades – well pretty steep actually both up and down, but we had zero issues with the our rig. No overheats or power issues at all.

Take your time and, IMO don’t take guns of any kind into Canada. Plan and again IMO if you’re doing the Alcan or similar roads make sure you know where the fuel stops are located if you don’t have an aux tank for the pickup.  We had 84 gallons and that was about right to never get below half-a-tank which is the recommended rule on the Alcan and other more northern roads.

(FWIW, I would drive and put some of the that $3,000 ferry money in the fuel tank.  I think it will give you more return at least in my opinion.)

Ask more if you want more details and I hope this helps a bit. 

Bill

We live in Vancouver, British Columbia and for the first time in June, travelled to our to the interior.  We went up as far as Williams Lake, just wanted to let you know that there are some really beautiful free rec sites - right beside a lake!.  Check out the website Recreations Sites and Trails BC.  If they show for trailers/ tents you will be fine but check out the distance to get into them!  20KM doesn't seem that far but remember these are dirt roads.  Try and do the scenic routes.  They are well worth the extra time. 

Hope you have a wonderful time up here. 

F250 handles the rig without any problem.   Don't even know it is back there most of the time.   Grades in the mountains have never been a problem to pull.  If I was doing it again, I would buy the F350 only because it is about $350 more than the F250.  I think the difference is the additional leaf spring in the back that allows it to carry more weight, other than that it is the same truck (unless you go with the dulley rear end).

We are planning our first trip to Alaska this summer.   Since we have not purchased our 5er yet, I was wondering if we should buy a new one for this trip or a used one.  After reading some of the comments here I'm wondering if a used one might be a wiser way to go considering the road conditions.  I would appreciate your thoughts.

FWIW, I agree with Bill J.  There is no problem taking a big fiver to Alaska.  The whole place is full of big, heavy fivers and motorhomes.  The only thing about driving the Alcan is slowing down in some places for the frost heaves which are very clearly market with flags.  If you don’t try to drive 100 kilometers per hour (60 MPH), which is what a lot of the road speed limits are, you will do very fine.  Don’t try to drive 300 miles in one day.  That is the technique that works.

The dirt is the dirt and it washes off.  We’ve had just as much dirt coming through Yellowstone and down toward Arches this year as we had in Canada.  We've been through much worse than the Alcan.

The issue, in our opinion, with flying is that you miss so much of the incredible opportunities in Canada and much of Alaska.  But that is a personal thing.  Not right or wrong as such.

The truck camper is a good option IF you don’t mind living in a very small space for like 2 months AFTER you get half-way up Canada to Dawson Creek which is where the Alcan starts. It's a long way from the US.  I’m not saying you can’t do it in a truck camper, many do and love it.  But just remember your basically living in the bedroom and bath of your fiver, or smaller, for like 60-90 days “depending.”  Linda and I love to be together, but that’s a might close all the time.  {Grin, as Howard would say.}

For those that want to make the trip you will be fine if the trailer and your truck (or motorhome) is properly equipped and you feel reasonably comfortable with your driving skills.  There is a slight discussion about “toads” but I’ll leave that to others who have taken them.  Some take them; some don’t and leave them in places like Prince George, BC for a pickup when they return.  But for the most part people who go alone (not in a group) take them.

To be honest, the mountain roads from the east to Yellowstone and then down south toward Arches had more “challenging” grades (like 8% plus for 9 miles according to the signs) than Alaska.  Not one problem for us though with our rig.  (Never had to stop and cool the brakes because I used them so little.  Again, the rig needs to be capable.)

I’m not trying to argue as such either point of view but just want to give the perspective that “it depends” on you and your rig and desires.  So make your own, well informed, decisions and enjoy either way!

Bill