I know you guys have been doing this a long time, but I'm wondering if you've considered the pros/cons and cost savings of bringing your toad (aka "dinghy") vs. NOT bringing it?

Obvious cost savings would be better gas mileage for your Class C without the added weight of towing plus not having to pay for the extra shipping charges on the ferries, etc.

I've never been to SE Alaska, so I'm not sure how necessary having a car in that area would be, but I have been up and down the AlCan several times. I would say you really don't need to tow an extra vehicle along with you all those miles. Everything you need along the way will be easily accessible with your class C and I doubt you'll even need to unhitch the toad (unless you really like exploring the backroads, etc...but I think you'll see PLENTY of wilderness on the AlCan itself!)

Sure, it's nice to have a car to do side trips but is it really worth the extra cost? I also realize it's much easier to have a car in the larger cities (i.e., Vancouver, Anchorage, Fairbanks), but perhaps you might consider renting a car for a few days instead? Some good deals to be had on travelocity, priceline, etc. and you could still very well come out ahead vs. the extra gas of towing all that way.

We're taking our first "big" RV trip with our current class C this summer and have decided (at least for us) that NOT towing would be more cost effective (and less hassle.)

Just a thought



Either way, have a great trip!!

midnitebreeze - Excellent suggestion, but we are in somewhat of a bind because we need the dinghy to accomplish our research. There are some CGs that are not accessible with a MH but are OK for tent camping, slide-ins, etc. where we need the dinghy to access. As you probably know, we also research "things to do" in areas around the CG. Accessing some of these places is not possible with a 31' MH. One of the reasons for our research is to determine whether a CG will take an RV. Driving our MH into a CG where there is no turn-around or there is some other impediment might not be a good thing.

Renting a car is an interesting thought but we think is not feasible/possible in some areas of AK. We believe not having the dinghy would compromise our research and reduce the quantity of information we provide on the web and in our softcovers. If we were just going on vacation, your idea has much merit and others thinking of a similar trip might consider renting a car instead of towing a dinghy . . . Fred

Gotcha. I figured you guys had probably considered the idea and ruled it out for good reason...just thought I'd throw it out there though

You're in for a wonderful trip!