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Topic: to toad or not to toad to Alaska... (Read 5 times) previous topic - next topic
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to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Yahoo Message Number: 128288
After several years of postponing this trip, we are finally setting sail (metaphorically) for Alaska sometime this coming spring. We bought our 24' FD in 2008 primarily with this trip in mind.
 We have a CJ Jeep that carries our bikes and kayaks on in state camping trips, and I've been pondering the cost vs hassle vs fun ratio for taking the Jeep with us to Alaska. Of course it wants to go, but...
 Would any of you who have experience in Alaska care to discuss the pros and cons of towing the toad up there for an extended trip of two to three months?
 I've been looking at some very cool and expensive folding kayaks and trying to talk myself and my spouse into buying one or two of those and then carrying the bikes on the LD.

Thank you for any ideas,

Larry and Kathy

The Mocha Moose 2008 24' FD

Monument, CO
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128289
Having been to Alaska twice, with a 24' RV, I think I'd leave the toad at home.  While there may be a place or two that you couldn't go with your LD, for the vast majority of spots, you'll have no problems.  Not only will it save you some fuel not towing, but it will also save wear and tear on your toad...not to mention having one less vehicle to wash when you go through those construction areas when it's raining! ;-)   While the kayaks and bicycles might be nice to have along on the trip, I'm not sure it would be worth towing a vehicle along just so you could take them.  There's so much to do in Alaska...and on the trip there and back...that you may find you'll never have the time to go kayaking (although the bicycles might come in handy from time to time).

Linda Hylton http://earl-linda.blogspot.com
Linda Hylton
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128290
We are going to Alaska for the summer in 2013 and for a while we thought that we would not bring our Jeep, saving fuel, wear and hassle of towing.
But we have changed our minds. We want to take the ferry and unload and spend time at each stop. We got some advice about the trip by someone who lives up there on an island. She said that if we are going really like to have the jeep to tootle around in. So for us, the toad goes.

We look forward to hearing all about your trip to Alaska.

Denise

Paso Robles, CA
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128294
So far it's fifty-fifty!

Thanks to both of you.
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128297
Maybe it depends on what you want to do there and what you expect to get out of the trip?

We plan on stopping a lot and if we can, just staying put. Then we hope to drive around to fishing spots, museums, visit local hot spots, talk to the locals, and look up places to view wild life. And my husband will be taking a few fishing trips by boat and flying in to spots. If he's gone fishing and I don't go, I would prefer to have the jeep to tootle around in.

Denise
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128298
When we went to Alaska
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128299
It sounds as though I'm going to toss a coin. Everyone has mentioned good reasons to take and not to take the Jeep although if I get to do a float fishing or fly-in fishing trip I think Kathy will be right there in the other seat. We had thought of taking a ferry ride down the inland passage and aren't sure that we want to take the LD for that trip. If we head on home from there, I guess it would make sense.
 Isn't it fun having these kinds of decisions to make instead of whether to paint the bathroom Tuscany Beige or Linen White?

Thanks,

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128310
I visited Alaska twice this summer.  Both times by small plane into Palmer.  We used our friends 24 foot RV without a toad.  We went everywhere without a problem, so my suggestion would be no toad.

Sandy
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128322
Hi Larry and Kathy.
 We've been to Alaska twice 2009 and 2010.  We didn't take our toad either time and really never missed it.  For a few weeks we had access to a friends truck but we were there for almost three months (incl. travel from Alabama) and got around just fine.  Including a fishing trip to catch halibut and a flight over to Katmai for bear viewing.  Check out our travel blog at edandjeanne.blogspot.com. That's Ed and Jeanne at blogspot dot com.  I'm never sure if the Internet addresses are trunicated or not!!
 No matter if you decide to tow or not, you will definitely have a great trip!! Jeanne 2006 MB AE
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128327
Once again, thanks for all of the great replies. We are also following the other Alaska thread that is currently running. It's hard to believe that we will be on our way in a few months. We will share our experiences as they happen with the group. Nothing fancy like a blog, but if we find anything helpful we'll let you all know.

Larry and Kathy Monument, CO
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128330
Quote
We have a CJ Jeep that carries our bikes and kayaks on in state camping trips, and I've been pondering the cost vs hassle vs fun ratio for taking the Jeep with us to Alaska. Of course it wants to go, but...
 Would any of you who have experience in Alaska care to discuss the pros and cons of towing the toad up there for an extended trip of two to three months?
We spent four months driving to Alaska and back last summer in our 31' TB. In retrospect, we are extremely happy that we towed the CR-V. The miles we didn't put on the motorhome, and instead used the toad, were considerable. That represents significant savings. The freedom to go anywhere we wanted was valuable. We separated the vehicles on ferries. And, yes, it was more expensive then to be towing. I think the people who tow, and those who don't, just have very different experiences - not better or worse. It worked for us.
 And please don't leave those kayaks home. The lakes along the Cassiar are breathtaking. $16/night.

Email me offline and I'll share a list of Alaska blogs with you.
Linda Allen, Carole and two cats
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128332
Alaska has a LOT of dirt road that are not suitable for our LDs.
If your are making a quick trip (8 weeks or less) and/or planning on just hitting the top tourist spots, leave the toad at home.
If you have months to spend and love to explore, take it, as long as the toad is suitable for rough dirt roads.
Before owning a LD, we spent a month in Southeast Alaska, traveling in our camper van. We bounced from island to island, exploring each as far as the van would safely go, looking for isolated areas to kayak in. I cannot imagine replicating this trip, in our LD, without taking the Jeep. The majority of the roads, in SE, are not paved and not suitable for a motor home. The mainland has even more poor dirt roads.

It's all a matter of your style of travel.
Make sure both the LD's and toad's towing rigs are in top condition.
While on the trip, regularly inspect the LD's receiver and bumper for loose bolts or cracks. Do the same to the toad. I have seen Jeeps with failed base-plates and LDs with badly damaged bumpers, all caused by towing heavy vehicles. If you have any concerns, you might want to have a trailer hitch specialist inspect both and beef anything that looks weak. Modern towbars, the type that stay on the MH, stick out much farther than the old style hitches and added leverage can over-stress the bumper. Traditional ball hitches rarely have this problem.
You also may want to upgrade the bumper mounts and make sure all the hardware, including the receiver, is grade-8, with proper washers and lock-nuts. I almost lost our Jeep, a few years ago, when the Factor hardware loosen and fell out.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157605167526411/> Alaska is good at finding a vehicle's weaknesses.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128340
This thread has garnered more posts than any in recent memory.
 My two cents worth on towing to ANY place, is that if you have to ask, then the answer for you should be "It's not worth it".

Off roading is what we live for. In most states, our toad is for running errands that could be done in the LD, but it easier in the toad. So the toad is just along for the ride for most of the miles we travel. But when we are in Utah, for instance, that is when the toad becomes a Jeep, our adventure, our entertainment.
 All this to say that towing is a lifestyle choice, much like concrete parking or boon docking.
 PS Our kayaks live on top of the toad. Makes it easy to put them in at back country lakes and rivers.

Don & Dorothy An MB named Koko & a Jeep named Pelli #2981, SE21, SC54, NW56 Our Travel Blog: http://travelingdorothy.blogspot.com/ Our Mods Blog http://kokoandpelli.blogspot.com/

Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: to toad or not to toad to Alaska...
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128344
Just when I thought this thread would quietly dwindle off...
 I can see that I have some serious thinking to do about taking the Jeep. When we are in state, it is our escape pod from the "mothership." It carries the kayaks and the bikes and has the capability to go just about anywhere. After taking a very long time to figure out how to tow it safely I am reluctant to leave it home.
 However, it is a 1985 vintage CJ-7, and although I have personally replaced just about everything 1985 about it, it is still a high maintenance vehicle...and a high fun vehicle.

Bottom line...I think Don said it best..."If you have to ask..."

We'll let you all know what happens.

Larry and Kathy

Monument. CO
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)