Thanks for this video. I am trying to get off my buttocks and get out of Florida in my camper van with my lab, Tyler and go see Alaska. This has been on my mind since I was 18 years old . Now I’m 70 and just working part time doing my HVAC business . I have a hefty savings and these videos tell me I need to go before I wake up one day and it will be too late.
You’re welcome David! And for what it’s worth, if you have the means and have the time, we cant recommend this trip enough. We expect you and Tyler will have an amazing adventure!
Fabulous, thank you Terry and Cindy...!! This is a bucket list item for my wife and I. My parents spent 120-days RV-ing Alaska and the Yukon prior to their passing. The pictures & stories they returned home with were far beyond spectacular. My wife and I wish to enjoy this experience ourselves, creating our own stories and picture book. Thank you both for all the tremendously wonderful and helpful information through this series. Side note: We too wish to RV Newfoundland and the Quebec province in the not too distant future so I will be sure to keep an eye open for your series on that trip. Time is a gift we can not take for granted..!! Stay safe in your travels and strive to enjoy every minute you have...!!
I've watched all 12 episodes and I have to say these are the best You Tube videos I've seen on driving / RVing to Alaska. Highly informative content, great video footage showcasing the natural beauty, and I really loved the personal touch you two shared.
Thanks so much Dennis…we tried to create unique content that would genuinely help fellow RVers planning an Alaska RV adventure and to get feedback like yours means more to us than you might realize. Safe travels! Sincerely, Cindy and Terry.
I found your episodes about your Alaskan trip much like a great book series. I was sad when I got to the end but so excited and empowered with your knowledge to finish planning our own trip. Your efforts to share you trip was so calmly and honestly done. I loved watching your interactions together and with Ranger....I felt such a connection. Thank you again. I look forward to finding more about your other trips.
Leaving for Alaska Wednesday, from Indiana. We enjoyed following your journey. We have planned our own adventure. Hopefully, God will be kind and humor us with not too much "recalculating!"
Thank you for your efforts in filming, editing and sharing your travels. We are planning our 2025 rv to Alaska and your series has been invaluable for us. We are new to camping (at 67) but so far we have truly loved it. My kids are trying to figure out who we are😂 . I tell them. Not to worry..we are happy outside enjoying nature and all it has to offer. Again, thank you!
We glad you found the series so helpful. We are almost exactly the same age and it's so great to hear you've discovered camping/RV and are loving it as much we do....and its always good to keep the 'kids' guessing ;) Have a great time planning your adventure. Have an amazing trip in 25!
Thanks for sharing your expenses. We will be leaving next month for our 3-4 month adventure. Have enjoyed ALL your videos. We hope to do quite a bit of boondocking. In 2016, we tent camped all over, but this year we are in a small motorhome, should be easier on us. Thanks again for all your valuable information.
What a spectacular series of videos on your awesome trip to Alaska! I have enjoyed every minute and actually watched a couple of videos twice. You have given me a glimpse of the beauty to be found on the journey as well as practical information on how to manage the travel. I particularly appreciate your candid remarks about spending so much time with your partner in a small space, this is a life truth! Thank you so very much for sharing your experience! I hope you share more of your travels.
Thanks so much SG for your wonderful feedback. Were glad you enjoyed them and found them helpful. We hope to have a few new videos out this summer. Happy Camping!
This is AMAZING! This series of video is what we used in the planning of our « retirement » dream…well, mine anyway! 😂😂. We are leaving on May 1st, and can’t wait to see & feel the great outdoors in our TT! Thank you!😊We are certainly happy we found your channel! Great job! Remi (Québec city)
Thank you so much for this lovely and loving portrayal of your trip and your relationship. We just completed our first 50 day trip from NJ to Utah this Spring. It was incredible. But of course like many RVers we are looking forward to that trip to Alaska. Among the things we are thinking about is how much it will cost. Thanks for giving up an idea of what we will need to put aside. And how much time and how many miles it can take. Journey On…
Thanks very much Shirley for your kind message, it is really appreciated. A 50 day trip to Utah also sounds like an incredible adventure - we hope to head that way in a couple of years (we’re planning on Newfoundland and Labrador next year, God willing). We’re genuinely glad you found our Alaska series helpful…Journey On Indeed!
What an informative, interesting series ... thanks so much! We leave 06 June to start our amazing 108-day adventure to/from Alaska. Your videos have made me even more excited about our trip.
Thank you Ranger, Cindy and Terry so much for sharing your journey. Fantastic video series! The format and presentation of your trip was really enjoyable and pleasure to watch.
We are embarking this coming Monday, May 1st on our trip from NJ to AK via Banff/Jasper and your video series has helped immensely in our planning and prep. Thank you!! (Can't believe you got evacuated from Jasper.. yikes!) We drove to Newfoundland last summer and fell completely in love with it. I am sure the two of you will, too. Glad you are continuing posting on this channel and showing us Ontario. I will definitely be catching up on your adventures when we return.
So informative. Thank you so much. We loved how you embraced nature and your attitude to camping life. Question 1) can you speak to traveling with Roger, what % of your trips or how many days of your 70 days did you leave him in the trailer? We have two dogs and are starting to leave them more and more on their own. Question 2) do you have videos, blog advice etc on rving with dogs? your videos have really inspired us. 2025 here we come. Julie
Thank you, we’re genuinely glad you enjoyed the videos! There was only 3 times we left Ranger for 5 hours or longer. Those were boat cruises in Valdez and Seward and for the tundra wilderness bus tour in Denali. Of course there were many days we left him for shorter times, for shopping, dining or short excursions. It was not hot when we were in Alaska and our AC never came on but we always left it set to come on …just in case it did warm up. We met a few people who had sensors so they could check the temperature in their rigs remotely and a couple who were considering using a dog walking service and one couple who took turns going on excursions so their dog didn’t get left alone. I will say Ranger was never a hindrance, he’s such a good traveler and camper that it was a joy to have him on the trip. Hope you guys have an amazing time!
Thank you for posting your video. It is very informative. We plan on going someday and it was very helpful to know the cost of everything. Now we are going to watch the rest of your videos to learn more! Thanks again and safe travels!
Thanks very much Trudy, we’re glad it was helpful. We can’t recommend the trip enough, it was a great adventure. When you’re ready to go we hope you have a wonderful trip!
I really enjoyed your series of videos on your Alaska trip. We are planning to go to Alaska summer 2024 for our 25th wedding anniversary. You have given us some great advice and planning options. Thanks for sharing! John
Thanks Lisa! And completely agree about Shelties😁 Ranger is our 5th and they have all been unbelievably smart, loyal, playful companions- weve been blessed to have them in our family.
Love your series! So helpful. We are making this trip this summer ... from Colorado. Taking AKMS ferry up and then driving back (still debating between Cassier or Alcan highways). Would you mind sharing where the second to last saying/poem originated? Love it! Thanks so much!
Hi Kim, thank you for your kind words. And if you’re referring to ‘straight paths make for dull stories’ believe it or not, we found it in a series of mindfulness cards produced by the province of Newfoundland. Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Thanks for putting out this series of videos. It was a pleasure to watch your adventure. We are planning a trip next year to Alaska. We have the Flagstaff sister to your camper so we followed your trip with great interest. Very glad to see it made the trip up and back without major issues. Besides the water tank support did you do anything else to prepare the camper for the long trip? How did the torsion suspension handle the rough roads? Thank you for any advice or suggestions you may have for us.
Thanks very much Don. As for our Rockwood it did well considering the miles driven and some of the conditions. If you caught episode 12 you will have seen the minor tpms issue and awning wiring that came unplugged. We also needed to put larger screws (#10 or #12, can’t remember) in the mounts for the fridge and microwave - the factory screws were too small and didn’t provide enough bite and loosened. We learned that on the road - had we known we would have changed it before leaving but it was pretty simple. For us the torsion suspension worked well and seemed to make the rough roads easier on the trailer. The other thing we did was have a 4 mil protective film applied to the trailer windshield. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
@@TrueNorthCamping Thanks so much for your quick reply. Glad to hear the good report on how well the camper did on the trip. I will look into the screw issue before we do much camping this year. The protective film is a great idea. Is the big mud flap on the truck very expensive? It looks like a good idea also. Thanks, Don
@@doncruse5229 we LOVED the Rockstar Tow Flap. Stays installed even when you take the hitch off…and for Ram owners, you don’t have to worry about the rear facing dual exhaust melting the flaps as has been reported by some owners of another popular brand. When we returned home from Alaska there wasn’t a single stone chip in the front of the trailer that we could find. The Rockstar cost us about $365 CDN about a year ago.
Excellent series. I just watched all of them. In a few years I plan to make the drive from the lower 48. I would be interested in a trailer overview video. And it looks like you have a DC frig. How did that work? how long can you go without an electrical hookup?
Thanks very much bigfish. We are actually working on a few new videos including one on the trailer and how it faired on the journey. You are correct that we have a 12v fridge - we also have 2 100ah lithium batteries and 2 190 watt solar panels on the roof. If we have lots of sun the solar will keep us going. Without much sun the batteries are getting low after 2-3 days. This is why we also carried a small inverter generator. We dry camped at Denali for 5 days in mixed weather and probably ran the generator 1-2 hours / day and that kept our batteries topped up. Hope this helps. Have fun planning your trip!
Your series of videos have are informative and entertaining. We are currently planning a trip to Alaska from Florida to Alaska in 2024. We are in the middle of planning our trip. We plan to leave Florida at the beginning of April, cross into Canada the first week of May, enter Alaska in May, leave Alaska in September, and enter the USA by September 30. You mentioned we wish you had spent more time on the Alaska Highway. Is three weeks to travel through Canada on the way to Alaska and two weeks on the return enogh time to travel a little slower and enjoy Alaska more?
Hi Our Nomadic Story, thanks for your very positive feedback. With regards to your question, it is difficult to answer without knowing more about how you camp and your interests. If you're planning on visiting Banff and Jasper and the Icefields Parkway - if youre hikers, you could easily spend 5 days in that area...or more! You might also need additional time in Canada if youre planning on visiting Dawson City. Your 3+2 weeks is certainly more time than many travellers take in Canada, I guess it just depends on how much of the Canadian Rockies and the Yukon you want to see. One thing I would mention is that some Canadian parks and campgrounds may not be open, or only offer limited services, before the Victoria Day long weekend which is a bit late this year (May 22). When we travelled last year we headed pretty quickly north and planned for a more leisurely return with about 10 days in the Jasper and Banff area on our return in September when crowds would be less and fall colors would be starting. But that was also because we started much later than many others only heading out the first week in July. Im not sure we have really helped answer your question, but we genuinely wish you safe travellers and hope you have an amazing trip!
@@TrueNorthCamping Thank you for the thoughtful response. We are setup for boondocking/dry camping. We have LiFePO4 batteries and 1200W solar on the roof. We have Starlink and Verizon hotspot for our internet service. Our class A is a diesel pusher with a 90 gallon fuel tank with about 10mpg. We try to refuel around 450 miles and up to 600 miles before we start to get concerned. We understand that options for camping are limited until Victoria Day. Since we travel as flexible as much as possible, we will make the most of the trip. This might mean we spend more time in Banff, hot spring on the way, and Dawson City. Where did you stay near Dawson City? Do you have a suggestion? We also plan to bring our e-bikes on the trip. We are working on getting a hitch added to our towed so we can be a little more flexible when the RV is parked to use the bikes.
It sounds like your rig is very well set up for traveling in early May when some services might be limited👍 - as for Dawson City, I believe the campground was called Gold Rush. It is basically a parking lot with small full service sites but what is appealing is the location. It’s basically in downtown Dawson City and within walking (or biking) distance of stores, restaurants, museums and many attractions. If you’re a history buff at all, you might really like Dawson. And if you’re feeling adventurous you can try a sourtoe cocktail - guaranteed to give some bragging rights😉 Have a great time!
Hi. Really enjoying your videos great job. Was wondering what was your average driving hours on your travel days on your 70 day trip. Thanks keep up the good work
Hi Scott, thanks very much. Re driving times that really is a tough question as it varied widely. Driving across Canada to the start of the Alaska Hwy we did push it a bit, on the road by 7 but stopped for the night by 4 so dinner and the evening could be relaxing. Once on the Alcan we slowed down…a lot. We’d still get on the road early but would take frequent stops … just to take things in. Speeds were much slower and we tried to be parked by 3. Of course that didn’t always happen , in part due to construction delays. But some days we only drove 4 hours getting to our destination early. We enjoyed those days and it gave more time for exploring. Im sorry the answer isn’t more clear but driving times each day really did vary. Ill just finish by saying this is an epic road trip.. so give your self time to enjoy the journey. Safe travels!
Your series was great and very educational. I have a few questions maybe you can answer. Did you book your campsites ahead of time or were there always sites available? How much harder do you feel this trip would be with a 35' 5th wheel? Did you change the stock tires on your trailer? I have watched quite a few video's of people traveling to Alaska and the Yukon and some of the roads are poor at best. Your expenses were lower than I thought they would be. You hit fuel at it's peak for sure. $125US for fish and chips and 2 beers would have been hard for me to swallow but you do only live once. I really want to do this trip, leaving from just north of Toronto, but convincing my wife to sell our 5th wheel and move to a much smaller trailer is proving to be a challenge.
Thanks Chris! With regards to reservations we made them for Denali, Jasper and Banff because those book up; we also made them for Valdez, Seward and Homer but that was because we specifically wanted waterfront sites with electric. All others were no reservation or maybe call a day or two ahead. As for tires, our trailer was pretty new and came with Goodyear Endurance tires…a very good ST tire. If it hadn’t been equipped with a good tire we definitely would’ve changed them before leaving. As an aside we carried an extra tire for both truck and trailer in addition to the Oem spares they came with. We’d also recommend ensuring your trailers springs and shackles are up to the task. Finally, regarding your rig, we saw many 5ers on the trip. Of course a smaller trailer will open up some additional camping sites such as Denali ( and just in our opinion makes towing in general a little less stressful) but a 35’ 5er is doable. FYI, We actually downsized from a 29 footer to the 22’ trailer because we intended to go to Alaska and plan to take other long trips in the future. Hope this helps and that you have an amazing adventure!
This was a great series. Thanks for sharing. What floor plan was your Minilite? How did the truck do pulling. We’re looking at the 2205. I would love to spend som time in the Yukon.
Thanks very much Bob. Our trailer is a 2109s. We love the 2205 you’re considering, its kind of like the 2109 on steroids…with theatre seats! Our truck handled the 2109 with no problems but we were close to max payload. If we were to go up to the Rockwood 2205 I would consider going to a 2500 series Ram to handle the increase in tongue weight. Hope this helps and that you make it to the Yukon!
Fantastic trip and videos. Love the feeling you guys portray to your audience. We’re also beginning the planning for our own adventure . One question though, how did you manage to plot over 40 waypoints on your google map.Their limit is 10. Thanks.
Hi Dennis, thank you for your kind feedback, it’s genuinely appreciated! Regarding the map, it’s actually from the RV Parky app, not google. We found the app very handy for planning and also for finding new spots along the way when our plans changed. Have fun planning and have an amazing adventure!
Hoping for next summer. It looks like you two may live along the route we are taking in September to Sherbrooke Quebec to visit daughter and grandaughter . Any tips? Traveling from Wyoming and going up to Canada via Saunt St Marie. First time heading east.
@@TrueNorthCamping Yes, we are bringing our 5th wheel RV. Staying in it for the whole visit too. 30ft and made with a nice high suspension for getting “ out there” 😊
@@wellsonwheels457 well then, if it’s not on your itinerary yet, before crossing at SSM, Mackinac is amazing. Once in Canada, the SSM KOA is really nice. You might also want to check out the Algoma fall colors train tour, it’s near SSM. But if you don’t mind driving north a couple of hours, Lake Superior Provincial Park is incredible, especially if you can get a site near the water. Great hiking and beautiful drive. Algonquin Provincial Park is in the middle of Ontario and can be (depending on route) on the way to Quebec - and is well worth a few days as well. We recently did a video on Algonquin. Getting Closer to Quebec, Ottawa (capital of Canada) is a very pretty City . Not sure if the parliament is open for tours but it’s a nice city. There is a municipal cg on the west side there that’s supposed to be quite nice but we’ve never seen it. Once you cross into Quebec I’m not much good to you, lol. Of course Quebec City is beautiful and as close to visiting Europe as you can get without flying across the Atlantic. Here’s hoping you have an amazing trip!
@@TrueNorthCamping Thank you ! So kind of you and so many great ideas!! We where looking at Algonquin. SSM KOA sounds perfect. I will look into Mackinac. We have 7 days to get there so not a lot of free time. Looking forward to the fall out there the most. I love trains!! I will watch your video on Algonquin!! I’m nervous but excited. Your videos are fun to watch!! Thanks again!!!!! Quebec sounds very nice too 😉😊
Thank you! Re leaving a dog in the trailer, about the longest Ranger was alone was 8.5 hrs in Valdez when we were on the Lulu Belle cruise. The campground had good shade and we left the AC on, tho I don’t believe it actually ever turned on because it wasnt that warm. Ranger is fine for that amount of time and doesn’t bark or get nervous. But that of course is for our dog in our weather conditions which are going to be different for everyone. Hope this helps!
Completely understand. Fuel was the one expense we truly had no control over and fortunately it is down considerably this year. As we pointed out we did eat out a lot more than expected which of course drove up costs. If we we’re doing it over we’d still do the tours and excursions though…they were generally pretty unique and we were glad we splurged a bit there. All in all it was an expensive trip but it was also 70 days long and an amazing adventure. However you decide to go we hope you have a wonderful time!
We started from a small town in Eastern Ontario, near Ottawa. We were gone 70 days. Was supposed to be 85-90 days but we had to return early due to an emergency at home.
Hello Cindy, Terry & Ranger, my wife Jayne and I watched your wrap-up episode last night as the finale to the previous videos over the recent weeks. We have enjoyed you presentations very much, finding them informative and the content being extremely useful as reinforcement to our current plans. We live in Australia and are embarking on a tour of BC and Alaska from 05 May. We have a F350 and 5th wheel stored in Vernon which we have used just once for 5 weeks since purchasing it in Jan 2020 --- thanks to COVID. Anyhow, the stars have now aligned for us and we are on our final countdown to leave Australia for 6 months. kind regards, Colin Eustace - colin.p.eustace@gmail.com
Thanks very much Colin, we’re so glad you enjoyed the series. And it sounds like you are getting set for an incredible journey yourself. We wish you and Jayne a fantastic and safe trip!
Thanks for this video. I am trying to get off my buttocks and get out of Florida in my camper van with my lab, Tyler and go see Alaska. This has been on my mind since I was 18 years old . Now I’m 70 and just working part time doing my HVAC business . I have a hefty savings and these videos tell me I need to go before I wake up one day and it will be too late.
You’re welcome David! And for what it’s worth, if you have the means and have the time, we cant recommend this trip enough. We expect you and Tyler will have an amazing adventure!
Fabulous, thank you Terry and Cindy...!! This is a bucket list item for my wife and I. My parents spent 120-days RV-ing Alaska and the Yukon prior to their passing. The pictures & stories they returned home with were far beyond spectacular. My wife and I wish to enjoy this experience ourselves, creating our own stories and picture book. Thank you both for all the tremendously wonderful and helpful information through this series. Side note: We too wish to RV Newfoundland and the Quebec province in the not too distant future so I will be sure to keep an eye open for your series on that trip.
Time is a gift we can not take for granted..!! Stay safe in your travels and strive to enjoy every minute you have...!!
Thanks so much for that feedback GT, it genuinely means a lot! Have a great time planning your trip!
Thank you for sharing your trip with us, good luck with your future trips
I've watched all 12 episodes and I have to say these are the best You Tube videos I've seen on driving / RVing to Alaska. Highly informative content, great video footage showcasing the natural beauty, and I really loved the personal touch you two shared.
Thanks so much Dennis…we tried to create unique content that would genuinely help fellow RVers planning an Alaska RV adventure and to get feedback like yours means more to us than you might realize. Safe travels! Sincerely, Cindy and Terry.
I'll say one thing, that's a right smart lookin' dog you have there and well behaved. Thanks for the vid!
Thanks Leftylou! And we couldn’t agree more. Hes an amazing dog and We feel pretty blessed to have Ranger in our lives.
Thank-you for sharing your trip with us. It was definitely a pleasure to watch. One day I hope to do the same.
You’re very welcome. We’re glad you enjoyed the series!
So helpful. Thank you and BR from Germany
Bitte. We're glad you enjoyed them!
Thank you for posting your outstanding videos!
Thanks very much Richard, we’re glad you enjoyed them!
I found your episodes about your Alaskan trip much like a great book series. I was sad when I got to the end but so excited and empowered with your knowledge to finish planning our own trip. Your efforts to share you trip was so calmly and honestly done. I loved watching your interactions together and with Ranger....I felt such a connection. Thank you again. I look forward to finding more about your other trips.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comments! It means more than you might think. Have a wonderful time in Alaska. Safe travels!
Great series, thank you
Thanks Don, you’re very welcome.
Leaving for Alaska Wednesday, from Indiana. We enjoyed following your journey. We have planned our own adventure. Hopefully, God will be kind and humor us with not too much "recalculating!"
Thanks Diann, and have a wonderful journey! Safe travels!
Thank you for your efforts in filming, editing and sharing your travels. We are planning our 2025 rv to Alaska and your series has been invaluable for us. We are new to camping (at 67) but so far we have truly loved it. My kids are trying to figure out who we are😂 . I tell them.
Not to worry..we are happy outside enjoying nature and all it has to offer. Again, thank you!
We glad you found the series so helpful. We are almost exactly the same age and it's so great to hear you've discovered camping/RV and are loving it as much we do....and its always good to keep the 'kids' guessing ;)
Have a great time planning your adventure. Have an amazing trip in 25!
I enjoyed your series. It stirred up so many memories and added to my bucket list for the next trip to AK.
Thats awesome. Thanks so much Greg. We love hearing feedback like that.
Thanks for sharing your expenses. We will be leaving next month for our 3-4 month adventure. Have enjoyed ALL your videos. We hope to do quite a bit of boondocking. In 2016, we tent camped all over, but this year we are in a small motorhome, should be easier on us. Thanks again for all your valuable information.
You are very welcome. Have a wonderful adventure!
I really enjoyed watching your trip to Alaska. Can't wait till I can go. Hoping for 3 months up there.
Thank you very much. Hope you have a fantastic trip!
What a spectacular series of videos on your awesome trip to Alaska! I have enjoyed every minute and actually watched a couple of videos twice. You have given me a glimpse of the beauty to be found on the journey as well as practical information on how to manage the travel. I particularly appreciate your candid remarks about spending so much time with your partner in a small space, this is a life truth! Thank you so very much for sharing your experience! I hope you share more of your travels.
Thanks so much SG for your wonderful feedback. Were glad you enjoyed them and found them helpful. We hope to have a few new videos out this summer. Happy Camping!
This is AMAZING! This series of video is what we used in the planning of our « retirement » dream…well, mine anyway! 😂😂. We are leaving on May 1st, and can’t wait to see & feel the great outdoors in our TT! Thank you!😊We are certainly happy we found your channel! Great job! Remi (Québec city)
Thanks very much Remi! Have a safe and wonderful trip! And happy retirement!
Excellent videos, thank you for sharing. We are using a great deal of your experience for planning our own adventure this summer.
Thanks very much Fran we’re glad they were helpful. Have a great adventure this summer!
Thank you so much for sharing your adventure with us. We are planning our trip to Alaska from Florida this year and you offered many helpful tips.
You're very welcome! We're glad the series was helpful!
This was amazing to watch your Alaska trip. So inspiring and I wrote down all your top destinations & tours! Thank you!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed them and found them helpful!
Thank you so much for this lovely and loving portrayal of your trip and your relationship. We just completed our first 50 day trip from NJ to Utah this Spring. It was incredible. But of course like many RVers we are looking forward to that trip to Alaska. Among the things we are thinking about is how much it will cost. Thanks for giving up an idea of what we will need to put aside. And how much time and how many miles it can take. Journey On…
Thanks very much Shirley for your kind message, it is really appreciated. A 50 day trip to Utah also sounds like an incredible adventure - we hope to head that way in a couple of years (we’re planning on Newfoundland and Labrador next year, God willing). We’re genuinely glad you found our Alaska series helpful…Journey On Indeed!
I loved every episode! And learned so much. Thank you
Thanks so much! We’re really glad you enjoyed the series!
I thought this very interesting as my wife and I are planning a trip to Alaska this summer. Thank you
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you! LOVED YOUR VIDEOS - I feel much better about our trip now ;^)
Thanks very much! Glad our videos were helpful. Have an amazing adventure!
What an informative, interesting series ... thanks so much! We leave 06 June to start our amazing 108-day adventure to/from Alaska. Your videos have made me even more excited about our trip.
Thanks so much Chris. Hope you have an amazing adventure! Safe travels!
Thanks. That was great. So interesting to hear your final costs and perspectives
Thanks very much Yvonne, we’re glad you enjoyed them!
Thank you Ranger, Cindy and Terry so much for sharing your journey. Fantastic video series! The format and presentation of your trip was really enjoyable and pleasure to watch.
Robert, thanks so much for your kind words - Ranger's tail hasnt stopped wagging since we read your comment to him ;)
Really enjoyed. Very helpful for our trip planning to Alaska. Thxs
Thank you Julie, we’re glad to hear they were helpful! Have a fantastic trip!
That’s Mt Robson Provincial Park in BC on the YellowHead Hwy (after taking the Cassiar on our return and heading to Jasper. It was a beautiful spot.
We are embarking this coming Monday, May 1st on our trip from NJ to AK via Banff/Jasper and your video series has helped immensely in our planning and prep. Thank you!! (Can't believe you got evacuated from Jasper.. yikes!)
We drove to Newfoundland last summer and fell completely in love with it. I am sure the two of you will, too.
Glad you are continuing posting on this channel and showing us Ontario. I will definitely be catching up on your adventures when we return.
Thanks so much. Have a wonderful adventure!
We would also love to hear about your trip from NJ to AK as that is what we hope the future holds for us.
Stellar job. Thanks to the three of you.
Thanks very much Robert! We’re glad you enjoyed them.
So informative. Thank you so much. We loved how you embraced nature and your attitude to camping life.
Question 1) can you speak to traveling with Roger, what % of your trips or how many days of your 70 days did you leave him in the trailer? We have two dogs and are starting to leave them more and more on their own.
Question 2) do you have videos, blog advice etc on rving with dogs?
your videos have really inspired us. 2025 here we come.
Julie
Thank you, we’re genuinely glad you enjoyed the videos! There was only 3 times we left Ranger for 5 hours or longer. Those were boat cruises in Valdez and Seward and for the tundra wilderness bus tour in Denali. Of course there were many days we left him for shorter times, for shopping, dining or short excursions. It was not hot when we were in Alaska and our AC never came on but we always left it set to come on …just in case it did warm up. We met a few people who had sensors so they could check the temperature in their rigs remotely and a couple who were considering using a dog walking service and one couple who took turns going on excursions so their dog didn’t get left alone. I will say Ranger was never a hindrance, he’s such a good traveler and camper that it was a joy to have him on the trip. Hope you guys have an amazing time!
Thank you for posting your video. It is very informative. We plan on going someday and it was very helpful to know the cost of everything. Now we are going to watch the rest of your videos to learn more! Thanks again and safe travels!
Thanks very much Trudy, we’re glad it was helpful. We can’t recommend the trip enough, it was a great adventure. When you’re ready to go we hope you have a wonderful trip!
@@TrueNorthCamping Thank you!
Your series are very nicely done. Thank you very much.
Thanks very much Darwin!
I really enjoyed your series of videos on your Alaska trip. We are planning to go to Alaska summer 2024 for our 25th wedding anniversary. You have given us some great advice and planning options. Thanks for sharing! John
Thanks very much John, we’re genuinely glad you enjoyed them. Hope you have fun planning and have a great trip….and 25th!
Thank you for these beautiful videos
Thanks very much Gordon!
AWESOME!...Great Video
Thanks Mitchell, glad you enjoyed it!
Loved the video and your Sheltie! I have 2 Shelties and they are the best.
Thanks Lisa! And completely agree about Shelties😁 Ranger is our 5th and they have all been unbelievably smart, loyal, playful companions- weve been blessed to have them in our family.
Love your series! So helpful. We are making this trip this summer ... from Colorado. Taking AKMS ferry up and then driving back (still debating between Cassier or Alcan highways). Would you mind sharing where the second to last saying/poem originated? Love it! Thanks so much!
Hi Kim, thank you for your kind words. And if you’re referring to ‘straight paths make for dull stories’ believe it or not, we found it in a series of mindfulness cards produced by the province of Newfoundland. Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Thanks for putting out this series of videos. It was a pleasure to watch your adventure. We are planning a trip next year to Alaska. We have the Flagstaff sister to your camper so we followed your trip with great interest. Very glad to see it made the trip up and back without major issues. Besides the water tank support did you do anything else to prepare the camper for the long trip? How did the torsion suspension handle the rough roads? Thank you for any advice or suggestions you may have for us.
Thanks very much Don. As for our Rockwood it did well considering the miles driven and some of the conditions. If you caught episode 12 you will have seen the minor tpms issue and awning wiring that came unplugged. We also needed to put larger screws (#10 or #12, can’t remember) in the mounts for the fridge and microwave - the factory screws were too small and didn’t provide enough bite and loosened. We learned that on the road - had we known we would have changed it before leaving but it was pretty simple. For us the torsion suspension worked well and seemed to make the rough roads easier on the trailer. The other thing we did was have a 4 mil protective film applied to the trailer windshield. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
@@TrueNorthCamping Thanks so much for your quick reply. Glad to hear the good report on how well the camper did on the trip. I will look into the screw issue before we do much camping this year. The protective film is a great idea. Is the big mud flap on the truck very expensive? It looks like a good idea also.
Thanks, Don
@@doncruse5229 we LOVED the Rockstar Tow Flap. Stays installed even when you take the hitch off…and for Ram owners, you don’t have to worry about the rear facing dual exhaust melting the flaps as has been reported by some owners of another popular brand. When we returned home from Alaska there wasn’t a single stone chip in the front of the trailer that we could find. The Rockstar cost us about $365 CDN about a year ago.
Excellent series. I just watched all of them. In a few years I plan to make the drive from the lower 48. I would be interested in a trailer overview video. And it looks like you have a DC frig. How did that work? how long can you go without an electrical hookup?
Thanks very much bigfish. We are actually working on a few new videos including one on the trailer and how it faired on the journey. You are correct that we have a 12v fridge - we also have 2 100ah lithium batteries and 2 190 watt solar panels on the roof. If we have lots of sun the solar will keep us going. Without much sun the batteries are getting low after 2-3 days. This is why we also carried a small inverter generator. We dry camped at Denali for 5 days in mixed weather and probably ran the generator 1-2 hours / day and that kept our batteries topped up. Hope this helps. Have fun planning your trip!
❤ great video
Thanks very much!
Your series of videos have are informative and entertaining. We are currently planning a trip to Alaska from Florida to Alaska in 2024. We are in the middle of planning our trip. We plan to leave Florida at the beginning of April, cross into Canada the first week of May, enter Alaska in May, leave Alaska in September, and enter the USA by September 30.
You mentioned we wish you had spent more time on the Alaska Highway. Is three weeks to travel through Canada on the way to Alaska and two weeks on the return enogh time to travel a little slower and enjoy Alaska more?
Hi Our Nomadic Story, thanks for your very positive feedback. With regards to your question, it is difficult to answer without knowing more about how you camp and your interests. If you're planning on visiting Banff and Jasper and the Icefields Parkway - if youre hikers, you could easily spend 5 days in that area...or more! You might also need additional time in Canada if youre planning on visiting Dawson City. Your 3+2 weeks is certainly more time than many travellers take in Canada, I guess it just depends on how much of the Canadian Rockies and the Yukon you want to see. One thing I would mention is that some Canadian parks and campgrounds may not be open, or only offer limited services, before the Victoria Day long weekend which is a bit late this year (May 22). When we travelled last year we headed pretty quickly north and planned for a more leisurely return with about 10 days in the Jasper and Banff area on our return in September when crowds would be less and fall colors would be starting. But that was also because we started much later than many others only heading out the first week in July. Im not sure we have really helped answer your question, but we genuinely wish you safe travellers and hope you have an amazing trip!
@@TrueNorthCamping Thank you for the thoughtful response. We are setup for boondocking/dry camping. We have LiFePO4 batteries and 1200W solar on the roof. We have Starlink and Verizon hotspot for our internet service. Our class A is a diesel pusher with a 90 gallon fuel tank with about 10mpg. We try to refuel around 450 miles and up to 600 miles before we start to get concerned.
We understand that options for camping are limited until Victoria Day. Since we travel as flexible as much as possible, we will make the most of the trip. This might mean we spend more time in Banff, hot spring on the way, and Dawson City. Where did you stay near Dawson City? Do you have a suggestion?
We also plan to bring our e-bikes on the trip. We are working on getting a hitch added to our towed so we can be a little more flexible when the RV is parked to use the bikes.
It sounds like your rig is very well set up for traveling in early May when some services might be limited👍 - as for Dawson City, I believe the campground was called Gold Rush. It is basically a parking lot with small full service sites but what is appealing is the location. It’s basically in downtown Dawson City and within walking (or biking) distance of stores, restaurants, museums and many attractions. If you’re a history buff at all, you might really like Dawson. And if you’re feeling adventurous you can try a sourtoe cocktail - guaranteed to give some bragging rights😉 Have a great time!
Hi. Really enjoying your videos great job. Was wondering what was your average driving hours on your travel days on your 70 day trip. Thanks keep up the good work
Hi Scott, thanks very much. Re driving times that really is a tough question as it varied widely. Driving across Canada to the start of the Alaska Hwy we did push it a bit, on the road by 7 but stopped for the night by 4 so dinner and the evening could be relaxing. Once on the Alcan we slowed down…a lot. We’d still get on the road early but would take frequent stops … just to take things in. Speeds were much slower and we tried to be parked by 3. Of course that didn’t always happen , in part due to construction delays. But some days we only drove 4 hours getting to our destination early. We enjoyed those days and it gave more time for exploring. Im sorry the answer isn’t more clear but driving times each day really did vary. Ill just finish by saying this is an epic road trip.. so give your self time to enjoy the journey. Safe travels!
Thanks for replying. That was helpful and so were your videos. Will help a lot when we take this adventure. Keep up the great work. And happy travels
Your series was great and very educational. I have a few questions maybe you can answer. Did you book your campsites ahead of time or were there always sites available? How much harder do you feel this trip would be with a 35' 5th wheel? Did you change the stock tires on your trailer? I have watched quite a few video's of people traveling to Alaska and the Yukon and some of the roads are poor at best.
Your expenses were lower than I thought they would be. You hit fuel at it's peak for sure. $125US for fish and chips and 2 beers would have been hard for me to swallow but you do only live once. I really want to do this trip, leaving from just north of Toronto, but convincing my wife to sell our 5th wheel and move to a much smaller trailer is proving to be a challenge.
Thanks Chris! With regards to reservations we made them for Denali, Jasper and Banff because those book up; we also made them for Valdez, Seward and Homer but that was because we specifically wanted waterfront sites with electric. All others were no reservation or maybe call a day or two ahead. As for tires, our trailer was pretty new and came with Goodyear Endurance tires…a very good ST tire. If it hadn’t been equipped with a good tire we definitely would’ve changed them before leaving. As an aside we carried an extra tire for both truck and trailer in addition to the Oem spares they came with. We’d also recommend ensuring your trailers springs and shackles are up to the task. Finally, regarding your rig, we saw many 5ers on the trip. Of course a smaller trailer will open up some additional camping sites such as Denali ( and just in our opinion makes towing in general a little less stressful) but a 35’ 5er is doable. FYI, We actually downsized from a 29 footer to the 22’ trailer because we intended to go to Alaska and plan to take other long trips in the future. Hope this helps and that you have an amazing adventure!
This was a great series. Thanks for sharing. What floor plan was your Minilite? How did the truck do pulling. We’re looking at the 2205. I would love to spend som time in the Yukon.
Thanks very much Bob. Our trailer is a 2109s. We love the 2205 you’re considering, its kind of like the 2109 on steroids…with theatre seats! Our truck handled the 2109 with no problems but we were close to max payload. If we were to go up to the Rockwood 2205 I would consider going to a 2500 series Ram to handle the increase in tongue weight. Hope this helps and that you make it to the Yukon!
Fantastic trip and videos. Love the feeling you guys portray to your audience. We’re also beginning the planning for our own adventure . One question though, how did you manage to plot over 40 waypoints on your google map.Their limit is 10. Thanks.
Hi Dennis, thank you for your kind feedback, it’s genuinely appreciated! Regarding the map, it’s actually from the RV Parky app, not google. We found the app very handy for planning and also for finding new spots along the way when our plans changed. Have fun planning and have an amazing adventure!
Hoping for next summer. It looks like you two may live along the route we are taking in September to Sherbrooke Quebec to visit daughter and grandaughter . Any tips? Traveling from Wyoming and going up to Canada via Saunt St Marie. First time heading east.
Will you be camping?
@@TrueNorthCamping Yes, we are bringing our 5th wheel RV. Staying in it for the whole visit too. 30ft and made with a nice high suspension for getting “ out there” 😊
@@wellsonwheels457 well then, if it’s not on your itinerary yet, before crossing at SSM, Mackinac is amazing. Once in Canada, the SSM KOA is really nice. You might also want to check out the Algoma fall colors train tour, it’s near SSM. But if you don’t mind driving north a couple of hours, Lake Superior Provincial Park is incredible, especially if you can get a site near the water. Great hiking and beautiful drive. Algonquin Provincial Park is in the middle of Ontario and can be (depending on route) on the way to Quebec - and is well worth a few days as well. We recently did a video on Algonquin. Getting Closer to Quebec, Ottawa (capital of Canada) is a very pretty City . Not sure if the parliament is open for tours but it’s a nice city. There is a municipal cg on the west side there that’s supposed to be quite nice but we’ve never seen it. Once you cross into Quebec I’m not much good to you, lol. Of course Quebec City is beautiful and as close to visiting Europe as you can get without flying across the Atlantic. Here’s hoping you have an amazing trip!
@@TrueNorthCamping Thank you ! So kind of you and so many great ideas!! We where looking at Algonquin. SSM KOA sounds perfect. I will look into Mackinac. We have 7 days to get there so not a lot of free time. Looking forward to the fall out there the most. I love trains!! I will watch your video on Algonquin!! I’m nervous but excited. Your videos are fun to watch!! Thanks again!!!!! Quebec sounds very nice too 😉😊
Great video, was traveling with a dog much of a problem, like when you went out to eat or an excursion?
Thank you! Re leaving a dog in the trailer, about the longest Ranger was alone was 8.5 hrs in Valdez when we were on the Lulu Belle cruise. The campground had good shade and we left the AC on, tho I don’t believe it actually ever turned on because it wasnt that warm. Ranger is fine for that amount of time and doesn’t bark or get nervous. But that of course is for our dog in our weather conditions which are going to be different for everyone. Hope this helps!
@@TrueNorthCamping Thank you.
Hmmmmmmm! Significantly more expensive than I imagined. Might leave the trailer at home and do an Alaska cruise instead in 2025! We will see.
Completely understand. Fuel was the one expense we truly had no control over and fortunately it is down considerably this year. As we pointed out we did eat out a lot more than expected which of course drove up costs. If we we’re doing it over we’d still do the tours and excursions though…they were generally pretty unique and we were glad we splurged a bit there. All in all it was an expensive trip but it was also 70 days long and an amazing adventure. However you decide to go we hope you have a wonderful time!
Cheaper than a cruise and you saw a lot more
where were you @15:11?
Mt Robson Provincial Park.
@@TrueNorthCamping thx. :) Do you remember which campground?
@@E_House that was shot in the group camping area in Robson Meadows CG.
Could you please tell me where ya started from f how long you were gone?
We started from a small town in Eastern Ontario, near Ottawa. We were gone 70 days. Was supposed to be 85-90 days but we had to return early due to an emergency at home.
✅
Hello Cindy, Terry & Ranger, my wife Jayne and I watched your wrap-up episode last night as the finale to the previous videos over the recent weeks. We have enjoyed you presentations very much, finding them informative and the content being extremely useful as reinforcement to our current plans. We live in Australia and are embarking on a tour of BC and Alaska from 05 May. We have a F350 and 5th wheel stored in Vernon which we have used just once for 5 weeks since purchasing it in Jan 2020 --- thanks to COVID. Anyhow, the stars have now aligned for us and we are on our final countdown to leave Australia for 6 months.
kind regards, Colin Eustace - colin.p.eustace@gmail.com
Thanks very much Colin, we’re so glad you enjoyed the series. And it sounds like you are getting set for an incredible journey yourself. We wish you and Jayne a fantastic and safe trip!
Get rid of the ridiculous background music. You’re a great channel and you really don’t need it.