RV'ing in Alaska - Ease, Cost, Companies ?
 

I have friends traveling to Alaska for 3 weeks in July. Am curious as to any recommendations for RV rental companies as well as any Itin. recs starting from Anchorage. First hand experience(s) are also welcomed, Thanks.

A better website for RV info is www.rv.net/forums People are very knowledge and friendly there about anything RV related, including location information.

We have RV'd in Alaska twice and loved it. Most people will recommend Great Alaskan Holiday for RV rental. We had a great experience with them.

Greatalaskanholidays.com

Goodsamclub.com

Good info not too cheap

Fun if budget is good

Otherwise carrentals.com cheap camper sites or budget hotels

Another resource is www.cross-country-trips.com This site reports the trips of an experienced rv, hi-energy, family. Click 2006 for their experience of renting a rv and their itinerary in Alaska. We found it useful in preparing for our trip.

I have done Alaska RV rentals twice, with two different companies, by far, Great Alaskan Holiday had superior RV's. The trip is this year??? I don't find RVing any bargain, so don't expect any savings over a rental car and lodging.

With three weeks, several days on the Kenai Peninsula then the Anchorage/Denali/Fairbanks/Valdez loop could be included. It would be important to decide for themselves what areas of are interest, and what activities are a priority. So, finding out about traveling Alaska is essential.

ttt

We just finished 3 weeks with Great Alaskan (from Iowa to Anchorage - trip report to be posted in a few days).

Their RV's are 2 years old or less. When we first rented in 2002, i found the RV to be less than a car and hotels for our family of 4.

Get a copy of the Milepost and plan the trip. 3 weeks is plenty of time to see most of the state.

I can recommend the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer as a unique attraction. We also liked the museum at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks and the Riverboat/gold mine tour in Fairbanks.

Thanks to everyone so far, please continue...

You might also get a few ideas at www.drivecrosscountry.net/Places and click the Alaska RV trip on the upper left corner of the map, which describes some of the places mentioned above plus a bit more.

What we enjoyed most about our RV mode of travel in Alaska was flexibility. Except for Denali and/or Talkeetna, you won't be making many reservations. This gives you a lot of leeway in moving around. If you want to spend longer or shorter time somewhere, it's no big deal. You are not locked in.

We also enjoyed having a home away from home and not having to pack and unpack over and over. Being able to go to the bathroom or fix lunch while on the move are great perks too!

Having just driven from Phoenix to Greeley, CO, I can attest that it was much easier to have bathroom breaks when we were in the RV in Canada/Alaska than it was in our cars.

Make sure to stock up before you leave Anchorage. Not that many supermarkets outside of large citites.

ttt