Get Lost Travel Vans

No longer in business.

Take a road trip across Alaska without the bulk or cost of a full-size RV. Rent either a converted campervan or an SUV in Anchorage between May and September; all vehicles sleep four, come with unlimited mileage, and offer most of the comforts of a big RV in a compact model—with a pop-up tent on top.

Instant Home

Choose from two options: A Dodge Caravan or—brand-new for 2022—a Ford Bronco Sport. They’re both perfect ways to see Alaska and allow you to camp even in a dry campground! The SUVs come with the added bonus of 4WD, so you can take them on some of the roads, like the Denali Highway, that are too rugged for the vans or other rentals.

Driving either of them doesn’t require any special accommodations. They handle like a regular car—a little heavier, but not wider or longer—are very maneuverable, and can fit in a regular parking spot. And all rentals come with unlimited mileage.

The Dodge Caravans get about 23 mpg on the highway—pretty good compared to an RV. Inside are five seatbelts: three in the back, two in the front. The middle seats of a traditional minivan have been removed, allowing for more RV-style living. The middle row has a bench, with storage underneath for luggage, and it converts into a table. It’s easy to set up the table for a sit-down dinner or while playing cards, and it flattens out into a double bed.

Another bed sits on top. The rooftop tent sleeps two but keeps a low profile and collapses compactly, thanks to hydraulic arms. You use a telescoping ladder to get up to the rooftop bed (which is long enough to sleep someone as tall as 6’5”), and there are entrances on both sides that can become windows with screens.

The Ford Bronco Sport SUVs also have a rooftop tent, plus a trunk space filled with all the kitchen and camping items you need, along with extra storage and bedding in the back seat.

Like the vans, these SUVs feature a Rooftnest hardshell rooftop tent (Condor model). The tent pops up and unfolds to fit 2 people comfortably, while the built-in mattress provides plenty of cushion. The telescoping ladder makes both unfolding the tent and getting in and out a breeze. Plus, there’s an awning you can unroll on rainy (or exceptionally sunny) days so you’ll have shelter for cooking or relaxing.

Kitchen on Wheels

The Ford Bronco Sport SUVs have a camp kitchen that’s collapsible and easily stored inside the trunk space. A collapsible table slides in above the gear; simply unfold it when you’re camping, and the 2-burner propane stove fits perfectly on top. An organizer smartly stores kitchen items, including the pot and pan, place settings, and clean-up items, and even has an empty compartment for you to add your own gear. There’s an electric refrigerator which also features a charging port (in addition to the ports throughout the SUV). A separate battery keeps the fridge at a constant temperature without using the car battery for power; it recharges while you’re on the road.

The Dodge Caravans have a kitchenette behind the rear lift gate, which keeps it shielded nicely from the elements; a curtain separates it from the van’s interior. One drawer pulls out and rotates into a two-burner propane stove; you can even remove the stove and put it on a picnic table.

The kitchenette also has a drawer-style fridge and freezer (similar to what you might find on a boat) that’s just big enough to hold basics like milk, eggs, and cheese. Like with the SUVs, it runs on a separate battery system from the car and recharges while the van is running. There’s also a sink with an electric pump, a storage area for the cookware and dishes, and a countertop for prep work.

All rental vehicles come with a filled nine-gallon water tank that’s easy to top off while you’re traveling around, as well as pots and pans, cutlery, place settings, a dish towel, soap, two bottles of propane, a fire extinguisher, and linens and pillows for both beds. There are also USB ports, LED lights, a grounded outlet, Bluetooth adaptors, and curtains to block out light and give you privacy. In addition, you can choose to add items like a coffee press, camp chairs, picnic tables, coolers, bike racks, and car seats.

Nimble Travelers

Both the van and SUV are great for small families, a single couple, or even two couples, since each can have their own sleeping quarters. They’re great options for anyone looking to be outside and see Alaska from the road. All rentals come with a 3-night minimum, and drivers must be at least 21. And you’re pretty free to explore within reason; you can take your vehicle to Canada or onto ferries. The SUVs give you the freedom to drive Alaska’s more rugged roads, but with the vans (as with other rentals in Alaska) you have to stick to maintained roads, ruling out the McCarthy Road, Dalton Highway, and Old Denali Highway, for example. Check the website for sample itineraries, and ask the company’s owners for trip ideas, too. They’ll set you up with an operational handbook for your vehicle and a map of Alaska—and you’ll be good to go!