Renting an RV in Alaska

[PLJ]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this.

10 year anniversary this year so am looking at doing something special. Although we own a very nice PUP, driving 3,500 miles to Anchorage and back just isn't an option so we are looking at renting a class C in Alaska.

Anyone have any experience with this, any gottchas to look out for. We are looking at 10 days in Mid August as the preferred travel time.

I'm guessing Denali is the place to head for. Anything we should definately check out....we like to hike, kayak and bike ride.

Thanks for the help

[Azusateach]

Happy Upcoming Anniversary!

Took a 5-week trip to Alaska, via Inland Passage & home through Yukon many years ago in a Class C.  We drove the whole thing & it was great!

About Denali ... unless you want to do some big-time backpacking, don't plan on driving into the park with any type of vehicle.  It isn't allowed - at all.  You take a school bus into the interior.  It's nice, but you have to catch a cloudless day to see the mountain, and depending the time of year you go you'll have to contend with mosquitos the size of dive bombers, along with black flies (can you tell my predisposition against them?).  When we went we camped outside the park, in a type of overflow area if I remember correctly.  That way we were there bright & early for the trip into Denali.

I enjoyed the coast lots more.  It was cooler, to the point of rain a couple of days.  We took an impromptu side-trip to Valdez which turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole trip.

It's a GREAT trip!  I hope you can do it.  Talk with people who've done it the "easy" way (cruise), and those who've done it the long way (like me).  Enjoy!

[SpeakEasy]

PLJ, Have you rented a Class C before? Do you have any concerns or issues about that part of it?  Or are your questions strictly related to Alaska?

-Speak

[PLJ]

PLJ, Have you rented a Class C before? Do you have any concerns or issues about that part of it?  Or are your questions strictly related to Alaska?

-Speak

I've never rented or driven a Class C. I've driven Uhaul moving vans so am not too concerned about the driving aspect. I am a little anxious over the dumping stations etc. Never done that..its not something we do with the PUP. We never use the tanks on the PUP. Anyway after watching RV I think I understand what not to do.

I'm looking to see if anyone else has done this kind of rent and tour deal before (doesn't have to even be in Alaska) and any surprise gotchas on the bill once you arrived or returned to the rental company. The company we are looking to rent from doesn't require that we dump the tanks or clean the vehicle before returning. I've heard that that isn't true of all rental companies.  

Also for those that have recently been to Alaska, is it just one long parade of motor home after motor home on the highways now. Has it become such a tourist trap that the wildlife has long since departed only to be replaced by strip mall after strip mall.  

thanks

[SpeakEasy]

Our very first experience with RV-ing was when we rented a Class C in Colorado for about 10 days. Here are some of the surprises:

The rental company told us not to use the awning. They had it tied up with cable ties. That diminished our camping experience.

Some of the parks we stayed at (RMNP for example) assigned us to campsites that were nothing more than a wide spot in the pavement. We guessed that because we had a motorhome they figured we weren't "real" campers and wouldn't mind. Again, that diminished our camping experience.

If you are going to fly to get to the place you're picking up your motorhome you'll have to be really efficient in your packing. There were four of us - two adults and two kids, and everyone had to carry and check the maximum amount of luggage on the plane. Things like sleeping bags and lawn chairs were a bit of a hassle.

We did not rent any "contents" like bedding, pots and pans, and so on. What we had heard was that these things were way overpriced.

The gear and stuff in the back made a ton of noise as we rattled down the highway. It was pretty un-nerving at first.

The Class C was a gas hog.

Now, for the good stuff!

It was the most memorable trip ever. This was about eight or nine years ago, and everyone in the family still talks about it. (My "kids" are adults now, but they still talk about it.)

I loved having my "home" on my back. One of the nicest features was to be able to "camp" anywhere at any time. One day we had to unexpectedly wait a couple of hours before we could get a ride on the Pike's Peak cog railway. So, we went into the camper, made and ate a lunch, and played games at the dinette. Really cool.

The kids loved riding up above the cab.

Some advice that we found helpful: use the camping unit's air conditioner to bring the temperature down whenever possible (rather than the truck's A/C) because it is a lot more efficient.

More advice: Make sure you are clear about the company's policies and expectations for how you are supposed to handle any repairs needed on the road. We had only minor repairs (burned out tail-light), but we knew exactly how the company wanted us to handle it.

Good travels to you! I envy you!

-Speak

[Azusateach]

Also for those that have recently been to Alaska, is it just one long parade of motor home after motor home on the highways now. Has it become such a tourist trap that the wildlife has long since departed only to be replaced by strip mall after strip mall.  

thanks

It's been a bit more than 8-9 years ago, but I don't think that frost-heaves go away due to tourists.  If you're not sure what they are, they're bumps/dips in the road due to the extreme freezing/thawing that takes place.  I've heard them called "axel-breaker".  Another concern is broken/cracked windshields due to flying debris from vehicles ahead of you.  I'd ask about liability on things like these.  I remember seeing most Alaskan vehicles looking pretty haggard.  They really take a beating up there.

There just aren't that many roads in and around Alaska.  They only have a couple of main highways throughout the state that get you to the big cities & attractions.  Best thing to do would be to contact AAA & get the most up-to-date information they have on the roads.

As far as dumping, it's not hard.  You just have to be mindful of how much water/sewer you're using & dump every chance you get.  Depending on how many of you there are, you could easily go several days without dumping or filling up on water if you're careful.

Feel free to PM me if you want more opinions.  It was truly a trip of a lifetime!

Laura

[PLJ]

Thanks Speakeasy and AZusateach. The house keeping package as they call it is included in the rental price. Pots and pans to lawn chairs. That should make for easier packing  

They use 2006 and newer vehicles so am hoping they aren't too beat up. I'll ask about the awning ahead of time though.

Good idea about AAA for latest road maps etc. And also about liability and procedures for minor/major repairs. I hadn't thought about that stuff.

[wavery]

It may have little relevance but we made a family trip to Alaska in Sept, 1981 (8 people).

We actually rented 2, class C motorhomes. One of the M/Hs had a non-functioning heater. That was not good because all 8 of us ended up in the other M/H at 1:AM.

The other camper's holding tank couldn't be dumped. The valve was stuck. We all had to use the toilet in one M/H.

We had a really good time anyway because we were a close-nit family, intent on exploring and having fun.

We rented the M/Hs in Anchorage then went to Mount McKinley N/P. The fun thing was that the park closed on Aug 31st (Now it closes the 3rd week of Sept). However, they didn't bother locking the place up. We had our choice of (Free) campsites. Also, before the camp is closed, the only way that you can go up the mountain was by bus. While we were there, we were able to go up in the M/Hs. It was a lot more fun but it was COLD (-10 on the mountain).

The only thing that I would suggest is that you make sure that EVERYTHING works. Don't let them operate the item. I would insist on operating everything myself, with their supervision. I'd fill the holding tank with water, then dump it before you leave on your trip.

The problem is, the agency really doesn't know what is working and what isn't. If something fails with the previous renter, they may or may not report it or even be aware of it. The onus is on you to be SURE that everything works. It's too late if you take off 100 miles down the road and find out that the heater, toilet, stove, generator or something else does not work.

Oh ya, don't try pulling off of some obscure road somewhere to spend the night. Although it seems like it is all wilderness, on the way, most of it is private land. We thought that we found a nice secluded place down by the river. We started to set-up camp and the property owner showed up with a shot-gun. He let us know that we were not welcome on his land. :yikes:

[Yvette]

Hey PLJ. I havent rented a motorhome in Alaska, however, I was up in alaska a year ago for a vacation to see a friend from undergrad. Our main "homebase" was anchorage. from there we took day trips or short overnighters. I would recommend Talkeetna. we camped by the river (in our car actually although there were folks with tents on the river itself) and had a blast. very nice "nut and oat" kinda town. blessed enough to see Denali the ENTIRE time we were there (very rare to even get to see it once, let alone 2 entire days.). Talkeenta is a VERY cool lil town its the last stop for climbers that are planning on climbing Denali. therei s aboardinghouse/eating establishment in town. I FULLY recommend havign breakfast there. And dont be ashamed to order Half orders, they give you a trough of food and its delish!!

Other places to see/things to do-
Hit the Pass. It was still snow covered and closed when I was there but it is a site to behold.

Anchorage- reminded me of any midwest city. but do take the tour on the trolly that leaves from the main drag in town, well worth it for the history. Hit the farmers market. INCREDIBLE food. you must must must have the salmon quesadilla. the market has a lot of local artists as well and many will ship pieces home for you. gorgeous artwork

Thereis a restaurant on the way to mt aleyeska. (ask the locals, they will know). get there early and expect to wait. the absolute best steak you will ever eat on earth.  I ate seafood the entire trip but my friend from anchorage said that I could break my rule and eat steak here. one of the top 10 steak places in the US. Otherwise, eat seafood. I mean really. it doesnt get better.

Seward- the sealife center. VERY neat place.  the town itself is very cool. there are places that charter out for fishing here, I recommend it.HIGHLY. bring dramimine even if you dont typically get seasick. Eat at Rays. more incredible FRESH seafood. Take one of the tours onthe water. We went on a cruise that served food. Pay extra to get your seats on the top of the boat instead of in the main deck area.  LOTS of critters to see. we were on a cruise that has a park ranger on staff for the tours and to discuss the animals you see. do it! Be warned, there will be folks that get seasick.

the wildlife center east of anchorage- go. where else will you get to see musk ox, moose, bear that have been rehabbed and our living out their days as educational workers. a really great place that does a lot of good for local wildlife.

Beluga Point- on route 1east/south of anchorage. gorgeous even if the belugas dont show up. I saw a Dalls sheep on the oppostie side of the road while there. a very peaceful spot. (be careful of the mud flats)


Take more film/memory cards then you think you will need. and bring the gamut of clothing shorts to boots to a fairly warm coat. you will need it.

It is a glorious place to visit. enjoy yourself. (Im sure I will think of more to add to this.)

Oh yeah, almost forgot..... can I come too? LOL