JWRVTexas
Austin, Texas
New Member
Joined: 04/07/2009
View Profile
|
I'd like to drive to Inuvik and to take the plane ride up to Tuk to see the Arctic Ocean.
I am still shopping for my RV (a used class A).
Can I drive a class A with a tow vehicle on the Dempster? (My tow car to-be is a small economy hatchback.)
Or do I need to leave my RV behind and use a four wheel drive vehicle for that leg of the trip? (I was thinking about replacing my tow vehicle with a Jeep wrangler.)
I will be a solo woman RVer and like the idea of having a second vehicle with me.
Any advice is always appreciated!
Thanks,
Jennifer
|
2oldman
Indio CA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2001
View Profile
 Offline
|
Dempster posts
|
sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/05/2004
View Profile
|
Pictures from our two trips on the Dempster are at http://suethomas.ca/DempsterHwy.html.
You'll get varying opinions, from it being the worst road to it being a great road. It is a road unlike others most have driven. Many miles between settlements and if it is wet when you go through, it can be miserable.
We thought it a grand adventure and plan to do it again some day. As always, we prepare well for trips on gravel roads.
sue t.
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska
|
cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
Moderator
Joined: 07/02/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
We agree with SueT totally. WE did the Dempster several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it - even with the rain on one leg. Yes - if our health would allow we would love to do it again. I know that if we ever got as far as Dawson City again we surely would do the Dempster, and the flight/tour to Tuk. Some of our most prized possessions are the two carving that we bought while sitting across his kitchen table with the artist in Tuk.
Do it - and should be no problem with the toad.
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2wd, short bed
wonderful lifetime traveling companion/spouse
|
You can't take the Fisherman out of this Camper
Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 04/09/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
|
We did the Dempster with the truck only. There is a gas station/restaurant/rv parking facility right at the junction of the Dempster and Alaska Highways where you can park the Class A with electric connection for a reduced rate. The amount you save on Gas will be substantial since you are going to end up back at the junction anyway. We made reservations at a bed and breakfast in Inuvik for a couple of nights and the savings in gas paid for that. We still had a flat tire on the truck because of the very sharp stones that parts of the Dempster is constructed of. We had two spares with the truck so we had the one flat repaired in Inuvik. The trucks running up and down the Dempster don't slow down for you so the chances of getting a stone into your windshield are fairly high. That's something to consider if you were to drive your Class A. If you do have a flat or any kind of problem... don't count on roadside assistance to help you out... they can be 3 to 4 hours (or more) away and you will end up with a pretty big bill! Before going up the Dempster we met 3 fifth wheel rigs that had just come back from Inuvik... they had 5 (that's right... FIVE) flat tires between them, and recommended leaving our fiver behind. I'm glad we did!! Just make your B&B reservations ahead of time, take two good spares with you.. and if you can replace your current toad with a Jeep Wrangler... that would be a good move!! We had no rain on the days we travelled.. lucky us!! I've seen pictures of the rigs that travelled that road in rain... and they ain't pretty!!
By the way... I did manage to figure out how to slow down the truck drivers barrelling towards us on that road. I drove in the middle of the road and didn't move over to the side until the last second. It works... but the truck drivers did not appear to appreciate it!!
1960's: Tents.. 1970's: Soft top & Hard top P/U.. 1980's: 17' RV.. 1990's: 24' RV.. 2000's: 2002 Cougar 276EFS & 2005 Laredo 29GS; 2002 GMC 2500HD Ext Cab 4x4; (Nfld/Labrador-Yukon/NWT/Alaska-Gaspe', Que./Florida!!)
|
|
|
Tripalot
Golden Horseshoe, Ont. Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 02/06/2001
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
|
We drove the Dempster two summers ago and for us the experience of the drive was as much a part of the trip as visiting Inuvik. It gives you special bragging rights to say you "drove the Dempster". Having said that, camping along the way is part of the experience. You can take your time and stop frequently.
We did the trip with a large truck camper. The ones who appeared to have the most problems were the fifth wheels - axle and tire problems. We spent several days with a caravan group and the Class A's and smaller units did just fine. We also experienced every possible driving condition. NOTE we were not part of the caravan but happened to be at the same c.g.'s several nights and became friends.
If I were you, I would leave the tow vehicle at the lodge/campground at the start of the Dempster. This is 4 less tires to worry about, and really you don't need a tow any where you go on this trip. Stay at the c.g. right in Inuvik so you can walk everywhere. You can walk to the departure point for the flight to Tuk, or if that is a little far for you (maybe 1.5 miles), take a taxi. Also, the sodium cloride that is put on the highway to keep the dust down, is murder on your tow. It will pit any aluminum or steel if not washed off ASAP. Incidently there is a good car wash on the exrememe outskirts of Inuvik and that should be the first place you go. You pay by the minute.
It is a great trip but as you can see, opinions on the best way to do it vary.
Good luck with your decision - but do go!
2007 Holiday Rambler Admiral 30 SFS with lots of good stuff!
|
sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/05/2004
View Profile
|
When we were in Inuvik, our RV neighbours had a large Class A that had the back window broken out by a rock tossed by another vehicle. They were waiting for a replacement window, figuring a week for the shipping and install. The $$ for that service were very silly. We suggested they just put a sheet of plywood in until they reached better facilities, but they really wanted their back window replaced BEFORE driving back down the Dempster.
I couldn't understand the logic.
|
marbil 146
British Columbia Canada
Full Member
Joined: 08/26/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
I drove it this past July,pulling my 21ft trailer,(see signature.)Only tire problem was one slow leak on a trailer tire.A small stone worked its way through the tread of a less than a year old tire.Got it fixed in Inuvik.No problems on the way back.Then spent 2 days in Dawson City cleaning out dust from everywhere inside the truck and trailer.This after washing the outside.That carwash at the junction must make a mint.
That trip was an experience that I will never forget.What beautiful country.I was also lucky to see a herd of caribou crossing the tundra.
A 10 year old Trail-lite with over 60000 miles of great service.
2009 Toyota Tundra
Fully satellite connected.
|
JWRVTexas
Austin, Texas
New Member
Joined: 04/07/2009
View Profile
|
Thank you all for the information and links. It was very helpful and I appreciate you taking the time to share with me.
Jennifer
|
Center Pin
Fort Langley, BC
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Great thread all! I have a few questions....
1) Anyone fish in the area?
2) Can you drive past Inuvik? Or is it one road in one out?
We are planning a trip up there from Vancouver BC. My family will take 4 to 6 weeks to get there, then fly home, then my brother and his family will fly in and do the trip in reverse. Half the fuel cost for me.
Trailer: 07 Tango 299BHS
TV: 2004.5 Dodge 610 CTD 3500 QC 48RE 2wd Laramie SRW, FP Gauge, FASS 95/95, Rhino Lining, Hensley Arrow, Reese Signature Series 5er Hitch, Air Bags & Compressor, Canopy, AL Boat Rack.
Been running B100 home brew June 2008!
|
|
|
