Alaska and Back Unscathed...Almost

Riverbug

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Location
Minnesota
We recently finished 4.5 months and 13,070 miles on the road from MN, through Canada, up the Alaska Hwy, Valdez (twice), Kenai Peninsula, the loop Palmer-Denali-Fairbanks-Part of the Dalton Hwy-Tok, Top of the World Hwy, Part of the Dempster Hwy, Keno City, Down the Cassier, back across the Trans Canada Hwy, and back to MN. I am happy to report no blown tires, no broken leaf springs, or any other suspension related issues.

However, I did have to shore up the bathroom pocket doors which hang on rollers. The framing the rails are connected to was separating from the wall framing which holds the doors up. But the worst problem we faced was found on the return trip after leaving Hyder, AK. This is a bigger issue we still have to deal with. The A-Frame at the front of the trailer cracked where it meets the main frame of the trailer, and the rectangular tubing is slightly distorted indicating it has a slight bend. Also, the cross member at the front of the main trailer frame is distorted and cracked indicating the side I-beams have flexed inward. We were able to have a mobile welder weld the cracks so the A-frame has solid connection with the main frame now. Over the winter we'll decide if we're going to have a new heavier duty A-frame built, or shore it up with angle iron, and add additional cross bracing along the front.

Aside from the issues, it was a fantastic trip that went so fast! We took 11,000 pictures (aren't digital cameras great?). The road frost heaves, and construction are no joke. At this point, we do not think we would take the trailer up again, but it was well worthwhile to go at least once.
 
It's great you did not let any of the problems you had interfere with having a great time and enjoying the moment.
We have debated taking the trailer vs cruising over to Alaska... Some day we'll make it !
 
What an amazing trip. That would be great. I’d say for that much travel and abuse, the damage isn’t bad at all. You did in a few months what many do over years.
 
It's great you did not let any of the problems you had interfere with having a great time and enjoying the moment.
We have debated taking the trailer vs cruising over to Alaska... Some day we'll make it !
If you want to explore all the areas, I would say it's worthwhile to take the RV at least once. I don't know of any other way we would have spent months up there exploring all we did. And in my opinion, if you are going to make the trip you may as well do it all if you can. Next big trip will be going East to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland (aside from FL in winter).
 
We recently finished 4.5 months and 13,070 miles on the road from MN, through Canada, up the Alaska Hwy, Valdez (twice), Kenai Peninsula, the loop Palmer-Denali-Fairbanks-Part of the Dalton Hwy-Tok, Top of the World Hwy, Part of the Dempster Hwy, Keno City, Down the Cassier, back across the Trans Canada Hwy, and back to MN. I am happy to report no blown tires, no broken leaf springs, or any other suspension related issues.

However, I did have to shore up the bathroom pocket doors which hang on rollers. The framing the rails are connected to was separating from the wall framing which holds the doors up. But the worst problem we faced was found on the return trip after leaving Hyder, AK. This is a bigger issue we still have to deal with. The A-Frame at the front of the trailer cracked where it meets the main frame of the trailer, and the rectangular tubing is slightly distorted indicating it has a slight bend. Also, the cross member at the front of the main trailer frame is distorted and cracked indicating the side I-beams have flexed inward. We were able to have a mobile welder weld the cracks so the A-frame has solid connection with the main frame now. Over the winter we'll decide if we're going to have a new heavier duty A-frame built, or shore it up with angle iron, and add additional cross bracing along the front.

Aside from the issues, it was a fantastic trip that went so fast! We took 11,000 pictures (aren't digital cameras great?). The road frost heaves, and construction are no joke. At this point, we do not think we would take the trailer up again, but it was well worthwhile to go at least once.
I know in the automotive market that I’ve worked in for several decades after welding the frame you weld another metal plate over the repaired cracked area for good reinforcement .
 
We did basically the same trip in our 2017 Reflection 297RSTS. Left in May, back to AZ. in Dec. Put on around 16k miles from AZ. Thru Colorado, Dakotas, Montana, Canada(Banff, Lake Louise), Al-Can and Cassier Hwys, Skagway, Chicken, Tok, Denali. Hyder was neat. No issues. Had been prepping for trip for awhile. Upgraded suspension with Moryde CRE3000, disc brakes(game changer!), extra spare(Hide-a-spare), Goodyear Endurance tires, had steel plates welded to back side of leaf spring hangers to prevent torqueing.
Fantastic trip! Would do it again. You just have to take your time and not be in a rush. Some stretches of road were 5-10mph. Ironically, we are doing the east coast next year as you are(Az. via Route 66 to New England then up to Novia Scotia).
Safe travels to you!
 
Funny that we're on similar trip routes. And I promise, we were the slow ones letting everyone pass. When there was no traffic behind, I had no problem slowing to a near stop. But after that many miles I guess it all adds up.
 
Thanks, this will be our third time in NS but the first in our RV. We have spent a week on the Cabot before and 10 days making the lower peninsula loop. This time we'll be able to spend a few months exploring the provinces more in-depth. Also, did the Icefields Parkway on the way up and back. And we've done Needles Hwy. All good routes for sure!
 
We did our Alaska trip in 2014. Three months of fun and no major issues. Glad you had fun.
 
Update on cracked frame: We found a local welder that primarily builds and works on all types trailers. From the factory, welded to the back of the forward most thin metal cross brace, there were three separate rectangular tubing sections; one over each a-frame member that intersected with the I-beams, and one in the center. They removed the center piece and replaced it with one piece long enough to weld to the two outer pieces.

After they first straightened the cross member that had deformed in the center, we now have one solid rectangular tube that runs from one side to the other. Then they ground out the old welds where the A-frame meets the I-beams and rewelded those. They suggested not doing anything else to make things more rigid up front as these frames are meant to flex. If we overdo it, it could cause things to crack further back where any rigid section meets a "more flexible" section. We just left it with that. $180 and called it good.

We'll see how it does over time but I suspect what we've done will be just fine, especially if we don't do another Alaska type trip.
 
So glad you had a great trip. Absolutely great that you were able to have fun and troubleshoot/fix any issues with your rig. A breath of fresh air to hear that all was well.
 
They suggested not doing anything else to make things more rigid up front as these frames are meant to flex. If we overdo it, it could cause things to crack further back where any rigid section meets a "more flexible" section.
Smart guys imo.
When I see a lot of people posting up how they are upping the spring rating significantly I just think they are moving the failure to some as yet undetermined location. You take off those 2600 pound springs and install 4000 pound springs because the originals were 'undersized' and then the spring hangers now become the weak link. Now the next pothole, instead of being absorbed somewhat by the springs, instead hits the hangers with more force and breaks them. So you beef up the hangers....and then the frame is the next piece that needs reinforcement....and on and on. Reminds me of taking out the small block and stuffing in a big block....then a tranny...and then a new rear end....lol.
 
It's great you did not let any of the problems you had interfere with having a great time and enjoying the moment.
We have debated taking the trailer vs cruising over to Alaska... Some day we'll make it !
Do both. I have looked into taking a ferry to alaska
That way I can avoid Canadas no firearms laws.
It's only 12,000.00 total for both ways.
 
It's probably different for citizens.
Well for sure it is...but there is the patriot act in the states where any non-citizen should not be found in possession of a gun and/or ammo. But we can apply to the BATF and fill out an 6NIA and then (if approved) carry what is proscribed on the form into the states for the reason provided.
Sure there is nothing like that available from the Cdn gov't for a US citizen?
 
Well for sure it is...but there is the patriot act in the states where any non-citizen should not be found in possession of a gun and/or ammo. But we can apply to the BATF and fill out an 6NIA and then (if approved) carry what is proscribed on the form into the states for the reason provided.
Sure there is nothing like that available from the Cdn gov't for a US citizen?
There is a procedure to do it legally.
The problem is that the Canadian BP does not like it, and will harass you to no end. I first read about it on various forums. I Gave those reports little credence.
Until a longtime friend of mine who is a Private Investigator had a case that took him into Canada.
He followed all the rules and was able to enter Canada without incident. His paperwork was in order and they waved him in.
The problem arose when he tried to leave. When he told BP about his gun/permit, they got nasty.
He was directed to pull his camper out of line and they started searching it. They totally unloaded it and went thru everything. 20 hours later they told him to load his stuff up and leave.... And do not come back.
 

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