New 178 HRE Owner - Event Date: 21 Mar 2014

We crossed the border coming and going at Sweetwater in Montana, so can't tell you anything about the prairie; the farthest east we were was Edmonton.  Upper midwest is beautiful (and of course Northern Michigan is gorgeous!).  Our trip to out we left on I-94 around the southern edge of Chicago and that was such a rat race; we came back through the UP of Michigan and down the center of the state and that was better.  On the way out we stopped at Mt. Rushmore as we had never been there.  Don't forget to get a Next Exit, Trailer Life Campground Directory and Milepost (a must for Alaska) so you don't miss anything!  We are prior military so stayed at as many military base Fam Camps as we could and there is a directory for them, also.  Should be the trip of a lifetime for you and something to write about in your daughter's Baby Book.  Keep posting!

We took a truck camper to Alaska in 2012 and our 2014 178 Pod will make the trip in a couple of weeks. It took us 16 days to get to Fairbanks, and that was with a 2 day layover in Ft. Nelson, BC because of Alaskan Highway washouts. You have an ambitious plan for 2 months, as it took 16 days to get home to Michigan from Valdez, down the Cassair Highway and over to Banff and Jasper (which shouldn't be missed!!). 2 months was really pushing it and we didn't stay long in any one place. Distances between places are long and the driving is slow most times with frost sinks/construction. Make sure to stop and see the sights. Don't count on driving the Haul Road; even the locals will advise against it!!Make sure to keep in touch. We'll watch for you and you watch for us!!! Pods are hard to miss!!

P&M,

furpod, the Southern Sierras are absolutely spectacular; I will probably miss them more than anything else about living in Southern California; so much variety and something for every season!

Congratulations on your purchase. I have a 172 and we had a great first season last year. I do have to comment on your travel plans..."We bought a trailer because we are moving this summer and have almost 2 months off...so our goal is from San Diego to north of the Arctic Circle (Prudhoe Bay hopefully) then across Canada".

I cannot say for sure if you plan on using your own car or tow the RPod up to Prudhoe Bay, but I would not recommend driving up to Prudhoe Bay with anything you own. Especially not your nice car and trailer. You are looking at mud, fine silt-type sand that will find each and every nook on your car/trailer. You have no services along the road, so you will have to haul gasoline with you. No water to fill the tanks, and no dump stations. No cellphone coverage. You would have to bring two spare tires for your car and two spares for the RPod.

Car rental companies won't let you drive that road either. A motorcycle rental place in Anchorage will rent a motorcycle to you if you pay extra to drive that road due to the wear and tear on the motorcycle. Or, you could join a group ride that they organize. Sorry to tell you this, but it is the reality. I have lived in Alaska for 20 years and have no desire to go that road due to the troubles once may find oneself in....

However, drive north to Fairbanks and then north east to Chena Hot Springs. Great place! I recommend taking the Parks Highway up from Anchorage, and then return back on Richardson Hwy (or reverse it). Glenn Hwy is beautiful as well (between Anchorage and Glennallen), but you will work your vehicle hard going up long hills.

Anchorage to Seward and or Homer is great. Seward is a favorite of mine and you can camp right by the ocean....

I do hope you make it to Alaska.

freezingalaskan