Newbie couple heading to Alaska soon

[IGBT]

Hi everyone,<br /><br />We are planning on moving to Alaska in 3 years and possibly doing the cheap rv route although it doesn't seem to be that cheap if you stay in RV parks ($25 to $50 a night!).&nbsp; We will be in our mid 40s and want to live cheap but safe.<br /><br />We have been debating getting a motorized RV or a TT (already have a 4x4 truck that could pull a TT) but just do not really know what it will be like in Alaska.&nbsp; If any of you are boondocking or whatever it is called in Alaska, it would be great to hear what works for you.

 

[cargovanconversion]

Welcome to the forum and happy travels, I can't help you with Alaska, but I'm sure someone on the forum will.<br /><br />Van.

 

[Guest]

Hi IGBT....Welcome from New Mexico...and I think there are some folks who will chime in here. I lived in AK for 22 years but I think my info is out of date now...I have been in the Lower 48 for the last 14 years.<br /><br />I hauled a trailer up in 1978 but the road up was a lot worse than it is now...now it is a nice highway. I pulled that up the Cassiar road..Rt. 37.<br /><br />If you are moving up there, it will be a lot different than if you are just traveling up to check it out.<br /><br />If you were just checking it out...a slide in truck camper would be your best bet. If you are planning on living anywhere north of Anchorage, I would not be thinking RV, myself...way too cold.<br /><br />Bob, the owner of this site lived in&nbsp; Anchorage for many years and the last few, he lived in a box truck conversion and then a homemade pick up camper...he is the guy to have chip in here.<br /><br />"yesican".... has a lot of good recent info...she lives there also.<br /><br />Best of luck<br />Bri

 

[Seraphim]

Welcome to the group!<br /><br />We're planning an extended trip to AK next year. &nbsp;We sold our Class B van and went with a truck camper. &nbsp;Almost bought a C but decided it would be a mistake. The TC has more room than the B, is versatile, and can go places a C or larger can't.&nbsp;<br /><br />Several people here who have loved in Alaska who can be a great help.

 

[Seraphim]

And LIVED in Alaska, as well lol

 

[IGBT]

Thanks for the welcome.<br /><br />Our truck (2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4) will not handle a camper slide-in unfortunately <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It can tow up to 10,000 pounds, but can only carry about 1400.<br /><br />I have thought about trading it in on a 3/4 ton truck that could handle a decent camper, but we would probably take a hit and the Tundra is very low miles and rides great.<br /><br />I am thinking we would either stay near Anchorage in the winter or even rent a cheap 1bd apt. during the winter.&nbsp; I don''t want to end up like Christopher.<br /><br />Truck camper would be so nice...the 4x4 (also has winch) means likely we could go places an RV couldn't even consider.

 

[gypsydreamer]

<br /><br />edited<br /><br />Alaska, The Last Frontier!&nbsp; Nice place to visit...ask Bob about living there.&nbsp;

 

[IGBT]

Thanks Ann,<br /><br />We were not planning on permanently staying in Alaska...just want to experience it for a year or two, including one winter in Anchorage.&nbsp; I am sure then that we will zip right back down to the lower 48.<br /><br />It really sounds like RV parks are more expensive than just renting a house (I saw several homes and apartments near Anchorage that rent for $800 to $1000 a month.)&nbsp; I do know that there is a Costco in Anchorage...maybe we will have to stock up on rice and beans <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />We should have investments to generate about $30,000 a year in interest and dividends which sounds like a lot compared to some budgets I read on here but might not go so far in Alaska for two people.&nbsp; I think we will need to work during the winter at least in order to have money for that $5/gallon gas if we want to explore with the truck.&nbsp; When we get back to the lower 48 is maybe when we should get a class C or TT.

 

[gypsydreamer]

edited<br /><br />akrvbob can fill you in on Alaska.

 

[IGBT]

Ann,<br /><br />I realize Alaska is HUGE and has a road system smaller than Rhode Island (ok, well, not quite that small), but we still want to experience it.<br /><br />We have lived in Washington state for 16 years and while it is very pretty with lots to do, it is getting boring.<br /><br />One thing we are taking that you may not have had access to or even the desire is a small sailboat and snowmobiles.&nbsp; This is the main reason to stay in Anchorage and use that has a home base.&nbsp; I also am really into gold prospecting as a hobby, and hope to join some clubs up there.&nbsp; We hike a lot too.<br /><br />But having said all that, you may be right that we hate Alaska and decide to take our sailboat down to the keys where it is summer all year <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;There are many places to boondock in Alaska but if you're staying over the winter around Anchorage an apartment might be the best bet. I'm not sure that RV parks are opened all winter plus you would have to have a very well insulated RV. Even so the heating bills could be extremely high.<br /><br />&nbsp;How will you be transporting the snowmoblies and the boat? In the bed of the pickup and towing a trailer? If you have to tow the boat and snowmobile a small RV might work better.<br /><br />&nbsp;Even if you don't like Alaska ( most visitors do) it's still one of those places that you must see!

 

[Seraphim]

Ive not researched it, but there seem to be more TC options coming out for the lighter trucks. &nbsp;Might not hurt to check, especially since you like your current ride.<br /><br />Web site/forum you might like:<br /><br />http://www.tundrasolutions.com/foru.../38267-toyota-tundra-and-slide-truck-campers/

 

[IGBT]

tonyandkaren,<br /><br />I agree with you about staying in a RV or TT with -20 degree outside temps...any boondock savings are offset by frozen/cracked holding tanks and extreme heating costs.&nbsp; Plus we probably would want a heated floor, which I am not sure is common.<br /><br />Transporting the sailboat and snowmachines (got to get used to calling them that instead of snowmobiles) is a difficulty.&nbsp; We have toyed with taking two vehicles and then selling one up there along with the snowmachines after we decide to head back to lower 48.&nbsp; The snowmachines will not fit in the back of the truck even if we get a sled bed because of the wimpy half ton rating.&nbsp; If we sold the truck and got a box van, we could fit the snowmachines and a lot of crap (sailing gear, hiking/camping gear) but then we lose the nice 4x4 go anywhere truck...<br /><br />I am considering trading the Toyota Tundra for a flatbed 4x4 truck of similar age (maybe diesel, but maybe not, since it does poor in cold).&nbsp; If we had a crew cab 12 foot flatbed 1 ton 4x4 pickup we could be in hauling heaven and make the trip in one vehicle.&nbsp; The ride is going to be crap compared to the Tundra though, which rides like a cadillac.

 

[IGBT]

Hi, thanks Ann. Your trip sounds like it was a blast, other than the rocks on the Haul road. We had thought about trying to take our sailboat down that just to say we sailed it on the Arctic ocean, but a) I don't want to trailer it down that road and b) we wouldn't be allowed to put it in the ocean there<br /><br />I think the snowmachines must go with us. We had an issue with rental machines that *almost* left us stranded 30 miles from nowhere deep in the cascades (rotten pullcord on the rental snowmachine, other one had bad gas). We go way more prepared now (2 machines plus camping gear, surv., first aid kit, climbing rope) but still...I know and trust our machines...<br /><br />Here are a couple shots from our sailboat. First is the boat on its trailer ready to launch. It is small, but we have spent a week on it in the San Juans...it has a little cabin. Too small to really use as a ghetto RV though. Second shot off the bow is sailing in Elliot Bay looking at downtown Seattle. I will miss that when we leave this area.

 

[IGBT]

Ive not researched it, but there seem to be more TC options coming out for the lighter trucks. &nbsp;Might not hurt to check, especially since you like your current ride.<br /><br />Web site/forum you might like:<br /><br />http://www.tundrasolutions.com/foru.../38267-toyota-tundra-and-slide-truck-campers/

<br /><br />Hi Seraphim,<br /><br />I have sort of looked into that, but the problem is once you load the truck with gear, fill up water tanks, etc.&nbsp; you are down to not much capacity in the bed (maybe 800 to 1000 pounds).&nbsp; Also, the tongue weight has to come off of this too...so for instance 200 pound tongue weight on trailer loaded with snowmachines puts you at 600 to 800 pounds left...this is all you would get for a camper slide-in.&nbsp; Maybe there is something that would work, but for the space gained vs cost, I am not sure it is worth it for this truck.&nbsp; A TT might be better, or just set up a tent.<br /><br />I will be interested what you guys do (I see you are headed to AK next year).&nbsp; I hope you have a&nbsp;blast and report back what worked and what didn't.

 

[Seraphim]

Sounds like you thought it all out, So I'll keep quiet lol.&nbsp;

 

[Guest]

Ok, I'm new at this....gotta 15 ft self contained Sunline....140 watt solar charger....thirty amp controller....4 six volt batteries....power to old farm house is&nbsp;still active....family farmstead/homestead land&nbsp;to park it on....and it goes down hill, no, make that "nosedives"....<br />No sewer<br />Well, but no pump( no idea how deep)....so there...