Alaska 2025

[NWIP]

Friday 13th Strikes

June 14th, today was scheduled departure from Whitehorse. Yesterday in preparation I was checking fluids and needed to add coolant to the surge tank. To my surprise 1.5 gallons didn’t even register further investigation indicates I have a leak somewhere. I’ve decided best option is Whitehorse but everything closed till Monday morning. Hopefully it’s just a hose issue and not something more serious

@ARD was preparing and discovered a left drive axle oil leak. She won’t be departing today either and has reached out to Spartan for help as she is still in warranty.

…..to be continued

 

[Neemer]

Damn

 

[ARD]

No matter how well you plan, something can always throw a wrench in it-literally. As @NWIP mentioned I discovered oil leaking from the driver's side drive axle on my coach.

After making a few calls, here's what I've learned about the current RV service landscape in Whitehorse, YT:

Philmar RV and Fireweed RV have been sold and are permanently closed at the moment.

Fraserway RV is still operating, but was closed when I reached out.

GoNorth Yukon told me they couldn't help me and told me I needed to go to a garage.

I was able to get in touch with New North Truck & Equipment. They're closed on weekends, but they do offer call-out service if needed. Whether they'll be able to come out over the weekend is still uncertain- it's likely I'll have to wait until Monday for inspection or repair.

Just glad @NWIP and I discovered our leaks while here. This could have gone horribly wrong if happened on Cassiar Hwy or on our way to Tok. So I'm counting my blessings.

Will post an update once I get things resolved.

 

[24thrd]

Glad you caught it before getting back on the road. Hopefully it will be a quick Monday fix and then back on the road again. Thoughts and prayers with y’all.

 

[Neal]

I'm no mechanic but would that be something where you can just remove the cover and check torque on the bolts? Any value in removing the cover and inspecting at least? @NWIP

Wonder what Spartan says...

 

[Neal]

ChatGPT

 

[BGMAC]

I had the same situation on our trip to Alaska. The axle seal leaking. It is actually an easy fix if you have the sealant and tools. You don’t even have to jack up the rv. Remove crome hub cover. Remove the axle bolts pull the axle out. Clean the old seal off. Use an RTV sealant on the mating surfaces. Spline the axle back in. Put lock tight on the axle bolts and tighten. Fill up differential of lost fluid.

 

[stang37]

Friend had the same issue on his Spartan. Remove the cover and found several bolts not tight. That cover will have oil inside as well. A little oil goes a long way when it being slung by wheel movement. Tightening the bolts will help but might not solve the problem. Most likely a new gasket will be needed.

 

[BGMAC]

Friend had the same issue on his Spartan. Remove the cover and found several bolts not tight. That cover will have oil inside as well. A little oil goes a long way when it being slung by wheel movement. Tightening the bolts will help but might not solve the problem. Most likely a new gasket will be needed.

According to several heavy truck mechanics putting a new gasket on will just leak later on. They only use RTV sealant on the mating surfaces. The new gaskets will compress over time allowing the axle to wear the gasket out.

 

[NWIP]

Update Trials & Tribulations @ARD @NWIP

We went to New North Truck & Equipment in Whitehorse promptly at 8am this morning. @NWIP was first to explain coolant leak and they said get the coach there and they would look at it. Eventually they said they found a leak at the hard line for air compressor cooling feed at the engine. They got a quarter turn tight and leak stopped. Cleaned the residual dampness ran for awhile and remained dry. Good to go.
@ARD was next after lunch and tech repaired her leaking seal and she is good to go so tomorrow we continue north to Alaska.

 

[J&JD]

Update Trials & Tribulations @ARD @NWIP

We went to New North Truck & Equipment in Whitehorse promptly at 8am this morning. @NWIP was first to explain coolant leak and they said get the coach there and they would look at it. Eventually they said they found a a leak at the hard line for air compressor cooling feed at the engine. They got a quarter turn tight and leak stopped. Cleaned the residual dampness ran for awhile and remained dry. Good to go.
@ARD was next after lunch and tech repaired her leaking seal and she is good to go so tomorrow we continue north to Alaska.

Great, great news. Carry on Misfits, carry on!!

 

[ARD]

Well, about a week ago, @NWIP kindly reminded me that it was my turn to post an update. Turns out, being stranded while I wait for Spartan to send a new Trimark module gives me just the window I need! So here we go…

I’ll continue sharing campground and fuel info as best I can (if I miss anything, I’m sure Bill will fill in the blanks). It also seems there’s interest in hearing more about the “adventures” along the way — so I’ll follow this up with a second post focused on the experiences side of things.

Last time, we were just leaving Whitehorse. From there to Tok, boondocking options are pretty limited unless you want a short day and stop near Kluane Lake. If you're taking the route through Dawson City and Top of the World Highway, @NWIP has already shared helpful info on that in previous posts. We didn’t go that way, so here’s what we did:

Make a reservation at Discovery Yukon Lodgings — it’s a beautiful spot to rest, and they offer both serviced and unserviced sites. They fill up quickly, so book as soon as you know your timing. Along the way, you’ll get a proper taste of the famous washboard roads.

By the time we rolled into Tok, our coaches were absolutely coated — dirt, bugs, the works. We stayed at Tok RV Village, which was great. We fueled up just down the road at Vitus, which has two truck-friendly pumps. Bonus: if you stay at Tok RV Village for two nights, they let you use their RV wash bay for free. Much appreciated!

From Tok, we had the most beautiful drive to Valdez, where we spent a week at Eagle’s Rest RV Park. Now I’m currently overnighting at Grand View Café & RV Park (well… more like stuck here, since my coach won’t start). But I’m hoping to roll out soon and meet up with everyone at the Seward KOA Journey.

More to come in my next post — stories, wildlife, and maybe even a fish tale or two.

Discovery Yukon Lodgings

Discovery Yukon Lodgings

Discovery Yukon did not have availability for a serviced site and I needed to run my generator, so they found me my own space for the night. Perfect.

We finally made it on June 18th!

Eagle's Rest RV Park in Valdez (Our Gang of 4 traveling under the moniker of Mile Marker Misfits).

Grand View Cafe and RV Park

 

[Neal]

Beautiful pics, thanks for the update. We're all living vicariously through you two.

 

[Neal]

Looks like someone (cough: @ARD) needs some solar and LiFePO4's. I have some enabling to do upon return.

 

[Headhunter]

Wow beautiful pics, an awesome adventure. Drive safe.

HH