Title: Our first trip to Alaska via Canada. Recommend making the trip with another MH RV-er, not a Caravan. Many places to Boondock at no cost. A couple of reasons; firstly you can stop and start at your desire VS caravan where you start, stop, park and camp by directive. We were parked in spaces on occasion intended for 20 foot travel trailers with our 40 foot MH. Secondly, do not, I repeat, do not visit Chicken or Eagle Alaska settlements. If you do You will travel approx 142 miles on a gravel, washboard and severely "dusty" road. You will meet trucks, cars and an assortment of other types running 50 to 60 MPH and they do not even slow down for you even when you are giving the international IQ sign as they meet you. You may expect dust both inside and in the basement of your MH; Like major dust, some will not. You will be unable to see a vehicle traveling this roadway behind you due to severe dust blown up by the vehicle in front or behind you. Seal the doors and windows with AC tape if you really must experience these locations. Some of our 38 Caravanners received little or no damage to their MH or their Dingy. Here is why. They prepared their equipment before leaving home.
They also respected the frost heave signs on both paved and gravel roads. Repairs to those heaves by DOT personnel includes a layer of gravel for perhaps 30 to 50 feet to top off the repair. Meeting another vehicle where they know the "heave" condition at that time allows them to continue their mad dash to somewhere. Bad rock throwing occurs frequently. Watch for the little yellow signs with the little symbols that look like a picture of the Rocky Mountains taken from a distance.
There is hardly anything that can prevent flying rocks from "star-ring, chipping or cracking a MH or Dingy windshield. Just part of the wonderful experience of Canada and Alaska travel. You can possibly prevent "Rock Blasting" the hood, front fenders, head and parking lights, bumper, windshield, outside rearview mirrors, L and R front windows, etc., by placing one of those Fiberglass foils that mount on your dingy tow bar. Their cost is approx $400. I did not and our friend that traveled with us did. End result no damage to their dingy other than maybe a star in the windshield resulting from a flying rock.
In conclusion; our MH only suffered a few dings and "stars" in the windshield from flying rocks and that was to the drivers side. Our MH has a rubber rock/water/mud flap extending the width of the coach directly behind the rear wheels that may have been a contributing factor for damage to our dingy to the tune of $11,104.00.... (It looked like it had been sandblasted). That and coupled with meeting those oncoming vehicles did it in. Our friend removed their factory installed "mud flap" and installed the $400 fiberglass on the tow bar of their dingy and had very little, if any damage, to their dingy. Our Ford Edge looks like a new vehicle with all new replacement items and a full paint job (except the trunk lid).
A positive note about traveling in a caravan; you will meet and make new friends from across the country and around the world. You will always feel safe knowing someone will stop and help you if you have a mechanical or tire problem on the road. I did carry a spare tire mounted on a rim just in case. Did not have to use it. After approx 2,000 miles There are approx 15 porcupine quills remaining in the L/front tire of the MH caused from the animal crossing the road and being scared by the sound of the our oncoming MH. There were 56 quills counted initially. IPads are amazing picture taking technology.
Being able to see Mt McKinley on that clear day, as well as the many, many other beautiful scenes was worth it all. Taking just a couple of actions that we have described may save some heartache later. Our caravan traveled 2500 miles in Canada and 2300 on Alaska roads during the period July15 through September 15th 2012. Good luck and safe travels.
