Ketchikan truck rentals, recommendations?

[dmdude]

Can anyone recommend a place in Ketchikan where I can rent a 4x4 truck?
TIA - N

 

[dmdude]

Does anywhere rent 4x4 trucks in Ketchikan? I can only find small SUVs.

 

[Pony Soldier]

When I was in Ketchikan in 1976 the only road was 7 miles long and went to a camp ground where we had our camp. Have they built more roads?

 

[dieselchessy]

Why do you want to rent a 4x4 in Ketchikan?
Not much to drive, a few logging roads.

If your planning to ferry to POW then just rent the rig on POW.

 

[dmdude]

Why do you want to rent a 4x4 in Ketchikan?
Not much to drive, a few logging roads.

If your planning to ferry to POW then just rent the rig on POW.

Yes, to ferry to POW. I figured getting a truck in Ketchikan will be easier getting the groups luggage to POW vs hauling all of our stuff through town and onto the ferry, especially coming back hopefully with plenty meat.

 

[dieselchessy]

Your correct, it would be easier concerning the slog from the island ferry over to the airport ferry.

My recommendation.
If you have a significant layover in Ketchikan on the way up, rent a Subaru from Alaska car rental(?). They have rigs at the airport and their town side office is just down the road from the island ferry. You can run around town and get groceries, license, ect.. Then drop the team at the ferry while one guy goes and drops the rental and then walks to the ferry.
If the layover is short, then just take a cab. Cabs can be a pain due to cruise ships being in town.

On the way home;
Have the cab companies numbers, Sourdough and Alaska cab. When the ferry gets across Clarence straight and past the guard islands call the cab and have them meet you at the ferry. Don’t wait to call till the ferry docks, or wait to ask a cabby to radio in. You’ll be waiting a while.
Take the cab all the way to the airport. You have to pay their time, ferry fees, ect.. Maybe $100. It’s worth it not to drag fish boxes down and up the ramps. For some reason they never seem to have carts on the town side. That might change with the new facility they were building.
If you don’t have to many fish boxes, then have the cab drop you at the airport ferry.

Take hard side luggage that has the 4 wheels on the bottom that can support a fish box, unless you are taking a float plane.
Use backpacks for your carry on.
Basically prepare so each person can walk their luggage and a fish box down the sidewalk.

For an island rental get ahold of DJ’s Adventure rentals. They will have a rig at Hollis waiting for you to arrive.

 

[Bighorse]

Sound intel above! There's really no easy way to do it. Or you pay for services from a transporter or guide.

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

Don't forget the water taxi for getting to and from the airport. You can take it straight from the bar.

 

[william schmaltz]

Is it much more to fly to POW instead of ferry? Last time I was there was a few years ago and a cab from the airport across the bay to the air charter was about $70. Then I flew to POW and had a pickup waiting for me at the dock with DJ's mentioned above. Hollis is probably your best option as you won't have to worry about getting pinched out by weather over land but I've also flown in and out of Craig. I've flown with Taquan a few times out of there but that was before they had that bad year. Not sure what their status is these days. They're directly across from the airport in Ketchikan and there are plenty of food options and a grocery store within walking distance. That option could save you a bit of time as well - there are (used to be) early morning flights into Ketchikan and air charters are running all day to POW so you can have as long or as short of a break in between as you wanted (weather permitting). On the way back they will drop you off on the airport side if you want. Then you would just have to haul your crap up the ramp and check it in or ship it. Or it may be easier to just fly back into the seaplane base and pay another taxi to haul you across on the ferry and right to the door at the airport.

I hear you that just having a pickup and ferrying could potentially be much less a PIA, but flying could save you a day or two. I don't imagine vehicle rental in Ketchikan is a very lucrative business so you may be SOL finding what you want. Alternatively, I believe AK Seaplanes still flies a Navajo into Klawock. Could just go that route from Juneau and not deal with the shit show Ketchikan airport at all. They're located right in the Juneau airport.

 

[icb12]

How many people? How much gear? How long for layover in KTN?

Simplest solution is to do wheel plane direct from/to the airport and land in klawock and have DJ leave the rig there for you. Probably the least expensive option. Island Air express has caravan, goes to Klawock daily. Pay the freight fee for extra baggage.

Could also just charter plane to pick you up on airport side and take you straight to POW. Otter if necessary, if small enough group, Beaver. Taquan is fine, they have otters. Blackrock, Carlin, Family, Southeast, Misty.. all have Beavers, and most of them will just pick you up on the airport side if you ask. Hell Taquan just has to taxi across, they are right there.

If neither of those are an option, get on the phone with DJ at Hollis adventure rentals. It won't be cheap, but he might be willing to ferry one of his rigs over to KTN for you to load up and ferry back. Your wallet will feel it I'm sure, but he's been very helpful and acommodating.

 

[dieselchessy]

Island air for K-town to Klawock airport is just over $150 a person.

Island Air Express - Alaska flights

Safely providing reliable scheduled service and charters since 1998. View our scheduled Alaska flights to Ketchikan and Klawock/Craig daily.

islandairx.com

The Inter Island ferry is about $50 a person.

Inter-Island Ferry | Hollis and Ketchikan Ferry - Alaska

Ride on the Inter-Island Ferry Authority from Prince of Wales to Ketchikan, Alaska! Book your ticket and get ready for a truly serene experience on the water.

interislandferry.com

The airport ferry is $6 a person.

Airport Ferry | Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK - Official Website

View information about the ferry at the airport.

www.kgbak.us

If your trying to save money, you take the ferry. If you have money to spend or you just want the adventure of riding in a de Havilland beaver float plane, then book with Taquan or other and have them pick you up airport side for the trip up, and ferry back. Of just take the Island air back and forth to Klawock.

When I'm traveling alone I tend to fly, but when dragging the family we boat it.

If you take the ferry out from Hollis get on board and head back to the cafe and get a seat. Then get in line and order breakfast when they open the kitchen. After you eat, be polite and leave the cafe so others can sit down and get a meal. Prices are steep, but the foods quite good for short order diner food.

 

[Marbles]

Ketchikan is pretty small, it does not take long to walk. The two terminals are pretty close for the ferry (about half a mile). Having had friends who worked for Taquan, they would be low on my list for taking a flight with, but of a shoe string and a prayer operating mentality (despite having the money to operate otherwise).

Vehicles make the ferries more expensive.

Anyway, walking might not be the best solution, but I would not be scared of it.

When I was in Ketchikan in 1976 the only road was 7 miles long and went to a camp ground where we had our camp. Have they built more roads?

About 40 miles of paved highway now, then logging roads going out towards White River and George Inlet.

 

[gbflyer]

I’d imagine the Bobcat of Ketchikan store would hook you up with a truck with some notice. Owner is a friend of mine and is a hunter too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wapiti1]

Island air for K-town to Klawock airport is just over $150 a person.

Island Air Express - Alaska flights

Safely providing reliable scheduled service and charters since 1998. View our scheduled Alaska flights to Ketchikan and Klawock/Craig daily.

islandairx.com

The Inter Island ferry is about $50 a person.

Inter-Island Ferry | Hollis and Ketchikan Ferry - Alaska

Ride on the Inter-Island Ferry Authority from Prince of Wales to Ketchikan, Alaska! Book your ticket and get ready for a truly serene experience on the water.

interislandferry.com

The airport ferry is $6 a person.

Airport Ferry | Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK - Official Website

View information about the ferry at the airport.

www.kgbak.us

If your trying to save money, you take the ferry. If you have money to spend or you just want the adventure of riding in a de Havilland beaver float plane, then book with Taquan or other and have them pick you up airport side for the trip up, and ferry back. Of just take the Island air back and forth to Klawock.

When I'm traveling alone I tend to fly, but when dragging the family we boat it.

If you take the ferry out from Hollis get on board and head back to the cafe and get a seat. Then get in line and order breakfast when they open the kitchen. After you eat, be polite and leave the cafe so others can sit down and get a meal. Prices are steep, but the foods quite good for short order diner food.

Sound advice on the ferry restaurant. The cook is good, but is a one order at a time cook. Steady output, but slow. You can take your food elsewhere as well, and take the dishes and tray back.

My wife and I will be up there in July and priced Taquan at $1300 for a charter one way to Coffman Cove. We're going to do Island Air in and the ferry back. No fish on the way in, and lots of fish coming home, so the ferry is the better option.

Another option is fly to Wrangell and use one of the water taxis there. About half the cost of the plane, not a long ride, and you can get it all in their boats. I think it is an easier route with lots of gear. This only works for the east side of the island, though. If you need to get to Klawock or Hollis, it won't work. It's really for the fishing or hunting lodges where you don't need transport.

Jeremy

 

[dieselchessy]

Trying to picture “elsewhere with food”. Back deck and maybe the little side lounge. Pretty sure the front lounge with fabric chairs is no food or drink. Not much room on that boat, but it’s better than the Chilkat was. The Aurora was the best before the state contracted the route out.

Water taxi to Wrangle might have me concerned about weather. And it looks like it’s probably $300 per person, 4 person minimum.

 

[Bighorse]

$1,200 for four people to access the northern east side of POW is a great price in my opinion. A round trip chartered beaver will be over 2K under most situations. Weather in those northern straits is just as much of a concern when talking air charter use too. Weather is weather and we all adjust accordingly. So do the deer your hunting. Good luck to anyone planning a SE Ak hunt reading this. Lots of tactical decisions down to the very last moment before pulling a trigger. Choose wisely!

 

[Coveyleader]

Use you imagination, lots of options to get from airport to the docks all it costs is a tip.

 

[dmdude]

Thank you everyone!!! I usually get e-mail notices when someone responds to my post, but I haven't been it seems. I just came to check up on it just in case and holy moly, you guys are rad, thank you so much! A lot of good info!

 

[Wapiti1]

Trying to picture “elsewhere with food”. Back deck and maybe the little side lounge. Pretty sure the front lounge with fabric chairs is no food or drink. Not much room on that boat, but it’s better than the Chilkat was. The Aurora was the best before the state contracted the route out.

Water taxi to Wrangle might have me concerned about weather. And it looks like it’s probably $300 per person, 4 person minimum.

I take it to the front area with tables if we snag one. Getting a table in the cafe can be a bit of a wait.

Jeremy