Alaska Highway

Packing List for your Alaska Camping Trip.

What to pack, what to buy on the road, what not to forget and what to leave behind. With thirty plus trips over the Alaska Highway spanning all four seasons, and in all sorts of weather, we have learned a lot about the items necessary to bring along and those items best left behind too.

Cats love catnip. Mosquitoes? Not so much. Catnip repels mosquitoes more effectively than DEET. Grow it in your garden or apply undiluted catnip oil to the skin for up to two hours of protection. Rub it on your clothes to help keep those pesky mosquitoes away.

Don’t Forget These Essentials!

First off we need to remind you that towing services, while available in all areas can be and usually are, very expensive. Roadside repair services again are available but these too can be an expense that is best averted when possible. For these reasons we have prepared this short list of essential items that with a little ingenuity could get you safely into the next settlement where more permanent repairs can be performed. By packing these items you can effectively repair most of those things that we have seen happen along the highway. A little preparation can save you a load of trouble.

Check that spare tire for condition and inflation and check that you have the necessary tools to change a tire; throw in a few spare lug nuts just for insurance. Check all fan belts, electrical fuses; extra engine oil, heater hoses, a tow strap or chain of at least 30 feet, a flashlight and several roadside flares. Duct tape is an indispensable tool of the north that will repair just about anything; buy at least two rolls and keep them handy. A tire pressure gauge along with a basic tool kit with pliers, wrenches and some sockets must be included.

The picture below shows what remains of a Class A motorhome that experienced a propane leak that ignited along the banks of Kluane Lake in the Yukon. All was lost but luckily everyone got out safely.

Tools for Emergency Roadside Repairs

Basic RV Tool Kit that every RVer should carry when driving the Alaska Highway includes the following items at minimum.

• Jumper cables
• Tire pressure gauge
• Assortment of screwdrivers
• Pliers and a wire connector crimper
• Wrenches - include both standard metric on newer units
• Socket wrenches (1⁄4 and 3⁄8-inch drive minimum)
• Electric drill (variable speed) and an assortment of drill bits
• Hammer, duct tape & zip-ties
• Multi-meter and some extra 12 gauge wire with connectors
• Lug wrench, appropriate size jack and wheel chocks
• Assorted screws, nuts and bolts

Packing for an Alaska Camping Trip!

Let's first look at a few of the out of the normal items that should be included and than we'll turn our attention to the standard list of scenic driving items every RVer should have along on a trip of this kind.

Driving to Alaska via any route you choose will take you through the wildest and remotest regions where help is no longer just minutes away. For this reason you need to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances that might come to pass.

• First Aid Kits - A basic knowledge of standard first aid, at minimum, is also highly advisable.
• Fire extinguisher - Make sure it's current.
• Good Flashlights - We totally have fallen in love with the new high powered adjustable beam LED flashlights like those from MagLight.

And now for the everyday Alaskan outing items that just shouldn't be forgotten.

• Layering Garments - With the unpredictable changes in weather and for days when the breezes are coming down off the glaciers, having a layering system is very nice. Items like Under Armour that delivers the most innovative layering systems to date.
• Warm Hat - Again we will be adding our experience and suggest the Carhartt Men's Workflex Ear Flap Cap.
• Waterproof Hiking Boots - We really like the ones offered from Keen as they have proven to be both light and comfortable in all the most demanding situations Alaska has thrown at them.
• Water Resistant Windbreaker - We like the breathable type like the Mountain Hardwear Runoff Jacket available from Amazon.
• Gloves, both light and medium weight for adverse weather and for wet or windy days.