FAQ - Alaska

(See also:)    Alaska Tours     Canada Tours     Mexico Tours

Provisioning
The Alaska Highway Conference recommends you get an Alaska Highway guide book, and Tracks will provide you a copy of the Milepost book at rendezvous, included in your tour fee. It contains a wealth of information as well as a mile-by-mile log of the highways throughout Alaska and Canada.

Be sure your vehicle is in good running order before you start. Of course, have basic tools and an extra fan belt.

Gas stations and service garages are up to 100 miles apart, so keep your tank full. All grades of gas, including unleaded, are readily available throughout Canada and Alaska. Canada is on the metric system, and gas is by the litrer.

Vehicles In tow
Generally, the choice of whether to bring a towed car on an Alaska tour rests with the individual. We have had Trackers bring towed cars with no resulting damage, although it is not guaranteed. On the 34- and 41-day return-by-ferry tours, the towed vehicle will raise the ferry cost and as a result raise your tour fee. Trackers should discuss this issue during the pre-tour call from their wagon masters.

Best Time To Caravan To Alaska
Tracks' caravans to Alaska depart only in the months of June and July, and there is little difference in weather or general conditions no matter which departure you choose. This leaves you free to consider your own preferences for a departure date. The midnight sun is at its peak on June 21st, so days are longer around that time. 

Altitudes
The highest point on the entire Alaska caravan is 4,150 feet at Trutch Summit between Dawson Creek and Fairbanks.

Rig Preparation
Dawson Creek is the traditional outfitting point and where we prepare for the Alcan. Your assistant wagon master will be available for advice and assistance but cannot prepare your rig for you. The assistant wagon masters' main job is emergency assistance, therefore, they do not normally have time for routine maintenance. They will assist you in evaluating the vulnerability of your rig to unique Alcan hazards, and help you decide on appropriate protection. For those not wanting to do the work themselves, there are shops in Dawson Creek that will do it at a reasonable price.

Rig Facilities
On Alaska caravans, we may spend a couple of nights with no facilities, but no substantial hardship should occur as water and dump are available at most stops. Do not count on electrical hookups every night on Alaska caravans.

Alaska Highway Conditions
There are rumors of extensive rig damage suffered by those who drive the Alcan. This may be as a result of trying to travel 600 miles a day. Tracks tours average 200 miles on days they travel, a very relaxed vacation pace. Normal rig damage on Tracks tours is two to three pock-marked windshields per caravan for the trip. We have yet to find a standard equipped RV that would not make it over the Alcan, but if you are looking for a modem expressway, this is not it.