Getting the Van Ready

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  Lao Tzu

Getting Road Ready: Building the Foundation for Chasing Horizons

It took months of research, planning, and preparation to bring our dream of driving from Lewes, Delaware, to Alaska to life. From coast to coast, our route would span more than 10,000 miles—crossing plains, winding through mountains, and braving some of the most rugged roads in North America, especially through the Yukon Territory and Alaska. We knew our Winnebago Travato had to be up for the challenge.

Arguably the most important upgrade we made was to our tires. Even before purchasing the van, I had joined a Travato owners Facebook group and dove headfirst into the wealth of knowledge shared by experienced RVers. One thing was clear: the stock tires wouldn’t cut it for the terrain we had planned.

After a good amount of research and comparison, we landed on the Michelin Agilis CrossClimate tires—known for their durability and performance in all weather conditions. They were the best match for our needs and gave us peace of mind for what lay ahead.

Next, we tackled another common Travato issue: no spare tire. We knew we couldn’t head into the remote stretches of the North without a backup plan. After weighing several options, we decided to modify the Black River by Summit bike rack that came with the van to carry a full-size spare. It took a little ingenuity, but now our Travato is both adventure-ready and road-resilient.

That brings us to The Alaska Fund.

About two years ago, I picked up occasional shifts bartending at American Legion Post 17 in Lewes. Every tip I earned went into a dedicated jar marked “Alaska”—my quiet way of keeping the dream alive, one dollar at a time. When the fund finally reached $2,000, I ordered the new tires and spare tire carrier without hesitation. It was a milestone moment: not just a financial goal reached, but a symbolic one, too. The journey was becoming real.