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My husband and I set out on one of our greatest adventures during a military PCS move which involved traveling across the country in our RV trailer. With just my husband and I, and our fur child in tow, we began our course from the beautiful state of Alaska, and ended it in the east coast of the U.S. We’d set out along the Alcan highway during the frigid winter months and took nearly two months to complete our journey- adding as many stops as we possibly could before my husband was due to report to his next duty station.
While I would strongly advise using extra precaution when deciding to embark on a journey through the Alcan Highway, particularly during this time of year, it absolutely can be done safely- but with many things to consider.
As many military families have very little control over the timelines regarding their PCS move, I decided to provide a helpful guide to making a similar journey across the Alcan Highway in an RV trailer during the winter months.
Cold Weather Camping Tips
- Place an insulated material to all windows and vents inside your RV trailer. This will help to keep the warm air inside your RV and keep cold air out.
- An RV skirt is useful during extreme cold weather. It will keep the plumbing, or any components beneath your RV from freezing.
- Be prepared to dry camp, or boondock, at locations with heavy snowfall or below freezing temperatures. When we traveled along the Alcan Highway during the months of late November-December water hook-ups were not available at campsites. We didn’t have water hook-ups until we were closer to British Columbia in Canada.
- Pack 2 5-gallon jugs with water for drinking water and other water usage such as cooking, and bathing.
- Keep a container for boots/shoes near the entrance of your RV. Snow and rain from shoes can cause water to accumulate near the door, leaving flooring vulnerable to water damage.
- Pour RV waterline antifreeze into your holding tanks. We personally used brand that was able to withstand -100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remember that the vinyl floors get cold. Consider using throw rugs and ensure that your pets are able to sleep comfortably away from the cold.
- See other blog post for maintenance inspections here. It’s important to inspect all areas that are vulnerable to water leakage.
- Use of a space heater. We kept a small fireplace space heater inside our RV that was small enough to store in a corner when not in use. It kept us and our dog plenty warm during the night.
- Have a generator handy, with extra gas canisters of fuel- be sure to have a way to lock and secure this to your RV. We encountered long stretches of road without RV campsites. With a generator we were able to dry camp most anywhere.
- Plan your route wisely. Note that the Alcan Highway can have long stretches of road without gas stations- if you see a gas station fill up, even if you have 3/4 tank left in your vehicle. This is a tip we were told, and we followed.
- Pack plenty of blankets.
- Listen to radio forecasts, and road conditions. We encountered several miles icy roads after an ice storm in the Yukon Territory and it was terrifying.
- Tell a family member or friend the route you are taking, and the timeline of when you will reach each destination. Have a way to check in with them. This is vital in case you find yourself stranded.
- Crockpots and Instant Pots are great ways to prepare meals when you aren’t able to use the propane stove.
- Have an emergency kit in your vehicle.
Taking extra time to prepare for your journey along the Alcan Highway will prove to be essential to your family’s safety. I advise you not to skip any of the steps noted above.
Your family can focus on your great adventure across the Alcan Highway once you have properly planned with safety in mind. The Alaska-Canada scenery is captivating, and the vast desolate landscape is serene.