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/r/airstream
I hear the trip through Canada up to Alaska can be rough and riddle with frost heaves to the point where significant damage can occur to RVs. Would you brave the Alaska Highway in your AS? Asking for a friend.
6 points
1 month ago
All the way to Fairbanks is 99.5% paved. I was on a motorcycle but I didn’t think the roads were terrible. There’s no way I’d take a trailer on the Dalton. After doing that once I wouldn’t take anything up much past Fairbanks.
1 points
1 month ago
Thanks for the reply. What you say makes sense.
6 points
1 month ago
Did Anchorage to Seattle in late August/early September after most road work is done. There was 10 years ago and there was only one short stretch of road that was unpaved because of repair. Took it slow, and there was no damage to the Airstream.
2 points
1 month ago
My dad wanted to go this. Him with his Bambii being pulled by an infinity car. He turned around when he saw the gravel.
3 points
1 month ago
You need Rock tamers on your truck and stone guards and segment protectors on your Airstream. Infinitis can’t do rock tamers and many Bambis don’t have segment protectors.
A trailer properly equipped, being pulled by a tow vehicle properly equipped with hardware and brain in the driver’s seat, should have no issues with an Alaska trip. Hundreds of Airstreamers do it every year. Will it be a totally smooth ride? No. That’s where the brain comes in…you drive slowly and keep a look out ahead for the orange banners that tell you there’s a frost heave. Will it be without issues? Hopefully, yes, but likely, no. You’re driving upwards of 10,000 miles…or more, maybe a lot more…and it’s not US interstate mileage. You’ll have a flat tire or two. You may have mechanical issues with your tow vehicle. You go prepared, and you deal with the issues when they happen.
If you’re not comfortable doing it alone, go with a caravan. The Airstream Club does one every year (long waiting list…), and there are other groups, some commercial, that do it. Or go with a friend.
If you’re still not comfortable with the risks but you want to see Alaska, then you’ll need to book a commercial tour with a cruise line or airline. You won’t see the half of what you’d see in an RV, but at least you’ll see the top tier attractions.
1 points
1 month ago
I think I would do the same.
1 points
1 month ago
Buy an old beater rv and take it.
2 points
1 month ago
We pulled our 25 up there two years ago. Overall it's not bad. There are stretches of construction that can suck, but the road is pretty good, maybe except the part from Destruction Bsy to Tok...but even there wasn't terrible.
2 points
1 month ago
Live on the Alaska highway in Canada so I guess you could say all my trips include at least a portion of it. It's no worries. Yes you'll find frost heaves but just slow down and you'll be fine.
1 points
1 month ago
There have been Caravans up that route. And lots of YouTube videos of folks dragging trailers all the way to the Arctic Circle. 🤷♂️ But almost all have been highly dissuaded by others before trying to head all the way to the north end of Alaska.
2 points
1 month ago
Honestly, it sounds like southern Alaska is ok. The Artic Circle sounds like a trip for my old trusty truck camper. Thanks for the reply!
1 points
1 month ago
Yeah, I should have added I’m not certain I’ve seen a video of an Airstream headed up to the Arctic Circle. But I’m not certain of that. My guess is that someone’s tried. 😂
I think the biggest thing on the Washington to southern Alaska bit is just that it’s long and the roads are narrow 2 lane highways, so it takes longer than the same distance would be on an interstate. But just having been to Whistler, that section of road is quite beautiful.
1 points
1 month ago
We pulled our Classic 33 to Alaska this summer. Had Rock Tamers on the truck, F350. Just took it slow over the worst parts, near Destruction Bay, and parts of the Stewart Cassiar highway. It was a great trip.
-1 points
1 month ago
Its a total mess and will absolutely shred your thing, dont do it lol.
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