Here are a few things you may want to consider for the big trip…
Emergencies – We use the SPOT emergency locator (and have for several years now). You can see it here… SPOT Emergency Locator (the orange device). Simply, it works anywhere. If becoming stranded is a concern, you may want to get one.
Breakdowns – We have CoachNet emergency road service and they cover us in Canada IF you can call them from the middle of nowhere. One thing that happens in the far north is that if you break down and are on the side of the road, EVERY vehicle that comes by will stop and ask if you need help.
Weather – Our total trip weather has been perfect on both trips. LOTS of sunshine, low 80s – high 70 daytime and 50-60 night. You have to be careful of the sunshine up there because it can feel really good and you can get a real sunburn due to no pollution and lots of clean air. We have been told by RVers that they had rain all summer – but that’s never happened to us. We’ve had some rain but it seemed very normal.
TV – for the most part way up north, your TV satellite will be useless as it will point toward the ground – seriously. If you are not big TV watchers, you might think about recording some stuff “just in case” you get stuck inside for whatever reason and have to kill some time. We borrowed movies (DVDs) from our daughter and these helped pass some of the time.
Phone/Internet – You will be in places where phones and computers will have no network access. For a few days up and back, you may not be connected with the world.
Books – we are both avid readers and always have a pile of books (paperbacks) with us and/or we download a bunch of eBooks.
Clothes – there’s NO dress-up anywhere up there that we have found. Jeans were the norm everywhere we went. Shorts will work in the daytime on nice days.
Bugs – We have not had any bug problems up there. I don’t know why. I have talked with others who apparently were overrun with mosquitos all the time. I’m a real believer in that you buy bug spray in the same location where you will use it. What they use for bugs in Alabama may not be that effective on Alaskan bugs.
Spare Parts – what you carry now will likely be enough. I took extra fluids and filters for the coach (oil, etc.) but did not use them. They can get anything shipped into Alaska but it will take a few days or you pay the quick-ship price.
Wipers for the coach – Mine are 35 inches and nearly impossible to find. I carry an old set with me just in case.
Water Filters (Coach) – I take 3-4 sets with me. Some campgrounds will have some crappy well water that will choke a filter.
Groceries – except for fresh green veggies, we carried enough to prepare 5-6 full dinners that we normally eat. I don’t do breakfast except for coffee and Sandy’s breakfast is usually leftovers from the night before – we don’t cook in the morning. Lunch is a sandwich about noon. We always have potatoes and onions on hand. There will be some places on our way up where you can buy groceries but these will be expensive and small for the most part – like a convenience store in the middle of nowhere – except for Whitehorse. It’s a small city with nearly everything available. In Alaska, it’s like down here – you can get everything in the cities and everything will be open while we are there.
Propane – top it off before you start the trip
Car Protection – The BEST car protection is from Coastline Covers in California… Tow Car Shield I have seen many “homemade” attempts and various guards (like Roadmaster) but none work as well as the Coastline. As of right now, I’m planning to take off my rock guard as it will kick up some gravel.
Diesel – available but spread out. My rule is to always try to fill before a 1/2 tank and disregard the price.