Moving back home to Ak help

[45.308]

Moved outside 8 years ago and coming home in June. We sold out and flew down and started over 2010, not this time bringing it all with us. Wife finally had enough of the south 49. We have driven the ALCAN several times, last time was 94. Driving a big U-haul and pulling vehicle on a trailer.

Asking for any tips.

Boarding crossing into Canada with a Uhaul is my concern right now?

Wife ordered a Milepost, she likes to plan and I guess it does have good info.

And diesel fuel, I hear the road has become very modern but less than 400 miles on a tank in the Uhaul gives me concern pulling in some small village past Whitehorse at 2am wanting gas. I usually get on the road and dont stop. We drove from Palmer to Smyth BC before stopping to rest in 94.

Thanks

[gbflyer]

Moving back home to Ak help

I’ve been from the Alaska border to the WA border along the ALCAN a few times in the last 3 years. There is no problem finding diesel.

I’ve heard the horror stories of the CBP unloading UHauls, scattering the contents all over the lot. I guess a person just has to be proactive, polite and respectful as it is their country and hope for the best.

Welcome home!

[kingfisherktn]

I went through the Haines border 3 years ago with my son after arriving on the ferry. We brought a 26’ Uhaul loaded to the max. My son brought his very large gun safe loaded with about 20 rifles and shotguns. We positioned the safe right at the roll up door. He had all the required paperwork and the CBP only pulled out the guns in the safe to verify the paperwork matched the guns. Probably only took about 30 minutes.

[aces-n-eights]

There is an online forum that deals with RV'ing and camping. This link will take you to the section on RV'ing in Canada and Alaska...

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...s/forum/65.cfm

There are usually up to date road conditions, border crossing info and other tidbits that may be of value as you travel back up to Alaska.

Have a safe trip and welcome home!

[Chez]

I’ve been from the Alaska border to the WA border along the ALCAN a few times in the last 3 years. There is no problem finding diesel.

I’ve heard the horror stories of the CBP unloading UHauls, scattering the contents all over the lot. I guess a person just has to be proactive, polite and respectful as it is their country and hope for the best.

Welcome home!

I've driven from WA to Ak twice and both time I was very polite and respectful yet both times I was questioned about my guns and had my trailer and truck completely emptied and I had to put everything back in. On my second trip I put the trailer w/guns etc... on the ferry in Bellingham and the CBP still questioned me about them and emptied my truck. On top of that they took my cell phone, demanded my password and went into another room with it. They said they were checking for child porn BUT they didn't ask to look in my laptop which was sitting on the front seat??? As I left their facility I changed my password on the phone and all accounts that I had accessed from my phone. I dont know if they were checking for stuff on my phone or downloading some sort of tracking/listening device but it was very strange.

If I ever need to make a big move like that again I will put everything, including myself, on a ferry and just eat the extra expense

[logman 49]

I think Uhaul trucks are gas not diesel and loaded the big one (26 foot)gets 5-7 mpg.

[Cheeser]

I helped a friend move up in '03 using the same rig - a 24' U-Haul pulling her vehicle on a trailer. As logman mentions above, our U-Haul was gas not diesel. We took advantage of all gas stops along the way to keep things topped off and to give our behinds a break from sitting. We never came close to running low. But with what I know now (we drove up in October and some places were already closed for the season), I'd carry a spare 5 gal jug of gas (or two) on the trailer if I did that again. Just in case.

We didn't have any trouble crossing into Canada or AK. After checking our paperwork they sent us right through.

As far as the drive itself, the best advice I could give is to slow down. We took our time and spent 6 days driving up. And that included a lot of stops to see the scenery and soak in the hot springs. It was an amazing trip and we're considering doing it again just for fun.

[4merguide]

We took advantage of all gas stops along the way to keep things topped off and to give our behinds a break from sitting. We never came close to running low. But with what I know now (we drove up in October and some places were already closed for the season), I'd carry a spare 5 gal jug of gas (or two) on the trailer if I did that again. Just in case.

I haven't done it in awhile, but I've made the trip quite a few times, and I always carried extra gas. I used to carry 4, 5 gallon cans. Reason being is that by doing that you can bypass the small places with gas because they usually charged quite a bit more. By carrying extra gas you usually can make to the larger towns where the gas prices were/are? considerably cheaper. I never thought it a big deal pulling off the side of the road and using the gas cans if it meant saving a few bucks from those high gas prices...

[Cheeser]

I haven't done it in awhile, but I've made the trip quite a few times, and I always carried extra gas. I used to carry 4, 5 gallon cans. Reason being is that by doing that you can bypass the small places with gas because they usually charged quite a bit more. By carrying extra gas you usually can make to the larger towns where the gas prices were/are? considerably cheaper. I never thought it a big deal pulling off the side of the road and using the gas cans if it meant saving a few bucks from those high gas prices...

We took the opposite approach and made it a point to stop at those mom-n-pop gas stations for a couple reasons.

First, to give them business so they're around if I/anyone ever needs gas in an emergency. I do the same here in AK when I pass a remote gas station. I tell myself there will come a day when I need it to be there. It's only a few dollars extra per fill-up so it's not like we're talking not having food on the table.

Second, the people running those remote gas stations where a joy to meet and chat with while blood returned to our behinds. The difference in friendliness between the "city" gas stations and the remote gas stations was night and day. Granted, it was Canada so everyone was nice, but the remote gas stations treated you like a lost friend or family member. We met a lot of wonderful people by stopping at those remote gas stations and stores. They also had awesome advice for things to do/see on our route.

[45.308]

U Haul is gas. Good to know that, never asked just thought they were diesel.

Told me average 10MPG on a 47 gal tank.

Taking no guns just empty gun safe.

Never had any issue at the boarder with AK plates on the rig, duffels & coolers in the back. Told them on our way through to the states or going home. Couple standard questions, be polite and on our way.

Looking forward to the drive just not the boarder crossing. The people in western Canada I always found very friendly.

We are working on the paperwork and cant wait to get home. Wife just had to live in the states then it hit her last month, she wants to go back and be with family and grandkids Vs trying to fly and visit.