Newfoundland???

[Dennis and Melissa]

We are just starting to brainstorm our trip up north for about a year from now.  So, no hurry. 😂  But would anyone care to share experience/advice?

We are looking at taking the Trans-Canada Hwy ferry to Channel-Port aux Basques.  Dates are still very flexible (late August through mid October).  But we're thinking of spending about 2-3 weeks on the island....and taking every day-hike we can find (Gros Morne looks amazing!).

Of course, we also have to drive the round trip from Tampa. 🤪  So if you have ideas for that part of the trip, that would be great, too.  Anything north/east of Maine will be completely new for us. 😲
 

 

[topgun2]

Try a PM (private message) to Bugeyedriver here on the Forum.

I know that he has spent some time in that area.

Bill

[Patriot]

@Dennis and Melissa

Not to throw a shadow over your trip plans. As this was a possible contingency trip for us IF our recent 48 day 14 state trip out west fell through due to wild fires. We did a fairly deep dive and learned that the roads in Newfoundland are really in rough shape. Everything from pot holes due to frost heaves to “deep pit holes”. For whatever reason the funding is just not there for road maintenance. If you do go, I would highly recommend a spare leaf pack if you have the OEM dexter 4 leaf pack.

We also learned from a few recent Facebook posts that Nova Scotia roads are just are not that great as well. It’s a beautiful area for sure, it’s just too bad the road reports we read on FB from a few Oliver owners were really not good. One person said that as long as you don’t mind dodging pot holes in the roads, you will be fine. 😟 

All this said hopefully you can learn from somebody that has recently been up in this neck of the woods this past summer for more updated info. Just wanted to pass on what we have learned.

For now, this area a no go for our future trip planning. 

Glad we did the Western Loop, it was epic.

Patriot🇺🇸

 

Edited October 24 by Patriot

[jd1923]

So many bad roads in these United States as well as Canada. For some reason today an Infrastructure Bill is passed and then monies are spent on perceived social issues. First line item re infrastructure is building roads. Hopefully .gov will spend necessary monies to replace all the roads and bridges damaged or destroyed by Helene.

President Eisenhower RIP would be ashamed of his interstate system, except for in Texas and a few other states. I moved from Chicagoland (always potholes for decades) to Tidewater VA in the late 70s. Driving on I-64 back then was like floating on glass!

We drive highways, back roads and dirt roads throughout the SW, roads not so good. Keep tire pressures on the low per the chart, drive slowly. It be a shame fear would keep you from this dream trip, IMHO. You have to ask what’s more important, the trip or the trailer. Yep, have a pair of replacement leaf springs.

[Coastal Aggie]

I just drove the cassiar highway down from alaska and if it's anything like that its doable but you're gonna be going well below the speed limit so take that into account when planning stops. The road itself wasn't in terrible condition, they did ok with fixing most potholes but definitely still gotta keep eyes peeled for them. The bigger issue I've seen on remote sections of Canada highways is just getting bucked up and down from the frost heaving pushing up the road and making it wavy. Coupled with how windy and curvy they can be the first day and a half after getting on the cassiar was driving maybe 35-40 mph.

[Patriot]

5 hours ago, Coastal Aggie said:

I just drove the cassiar highway down from alaska and if it's anything like that its doable but you're gonna be going well below the speed limit so take that into account when planning stops. The road itself wasn't in terrible condition, they did ok with fixing most potholes but definitely still gotta keep eyes peeled for them. The bigger issue I've seen on remote sections of Canada highways is just getting bucked up and down from the frost heaving pushing up the road and making it wavy. Coupled with how windy and curvy they can be the first day and a half after getting on the cassiar was driving maybe 35-40 mph.

Thanks for this report. A trip to Alaska someday has been on our radar. To your point, frost heaving can really make it rough on equipment and an exhausting no fun adventure.

Edited October 24 by Patriot

[rich.dev]

@Dennis and Melissa PM Dave...Oliver forum name @Sully, if I remember correctly Dave and Kris spent 2 months in the Maritimes (Nova Scotia and Newfoundland) last year June/July. Here's a link of their trip to the Maritimes.

   

[Boudicca908]

After this year's journey through 19 states, I will admit that -- as I dodged left and right around asphalt potholes and cracking concrete highways with large chunks missing -- my thoughts have wandered into the same zone mentioned by @jd1923 above. Our interstate system (and other roads) are in shambles, literally crumbling. And the conditions vary by county and state lines, changing significantly as one crosses administrative boundaries. I have followed the sage advice of many owners on the forum: keep the tire pressure on the low side, and go slowly enough to be able to dodge debris and potholes. The "BUMP" issue is impossible to dodge, so going slow in those areas with heaving swells or significant shifts in height at bridge junctures is very important. It's a wonder that the DOT seems to maintain the frequent signs reading BUMP AHEAD but doesn't (or can't?) fix the problem. 

I have earmarked Newfoundland on my wish list as well, and hope to go one day. Like a trip to Alaska, it will require special preparation and forethought, but I hope not to shy away from adventures due to challenges. 

[GaryJona]

     My wife and I did New Foundling and the same port you are going to stayed at Conroy's just up the road. many roads have no swalls and deep drainage ditches to hold snow in the winter but the roads would not hold me back , did Alaska twice and there you really have the frost heaves but marked slow down and all is good. Plan your trip, great people and sights do all the fingers even take the ferry north of Gros Morne and go over to Labrador for a couple days well worth the time and cheap ferry ride short enjoy. 

[Allie]

Feel free to pm me. We drove to Newfoundland from Sarasota the past two summers.