Alaskan camper - things to look out for?

[rstl99]

I've never seen those before - I don't think they are a seam - the aluminum skin seam is higher up as I recall. I'd guess they are for an awning. Since the aluminum can't leak it's only the screw holes to worry about. After I pull one out if there's no sign of rust & they weren't stripped in the wood stringer that runs under the skin I just put a dab of sikaflex & put it back. If the screw was stripped (well the wood actually) I mark that hole & keep moving doing the sikaflex the holes routine. Later I mix some thickened epoxy, put it into a syringe and pump that into all the bad holes. Next day just sika & replace the screws. Goes pretty fast.
These things live outdoors just fine - as long as all the holes in your skin are sealed. The original sealant was a mastic like you describe - pretty good stuff but asking it to last 4 + decades...? It will still be flexible & look ok and leak like hell - at least that's my experience. Polyurethanes like Sikaflex are vastly superior.

It's down the road but on (very) rough roads you can get enough frame flex to damage the camper if it's mounted too rigidly to the truck - I made that mistake...

You have just a beautiful example of the Alaskan Camper...Peter

Hi again Peter. yeah those two longitudinal lines on each side on top of the roof don't show up in the pics, but the seller thought they were seams. Maybe not. The c-channel shaped aluminum moulding on one side is indeed for the awning, said the PO. Apparently a real ***** to string the awning through (using a cord) and he didn't get the poles with it.

Thanks for the advice on the screws and sikaflex/epoxy fix. As well as replacing the mastic-like seal under the edgings (and probably around window frames). All great PM stuff, that indeed will pay off great dividends down the road! Given that, I may try to get it into the garage, so I can fix that kind of stuff this Fall, dry and inside.

I'll have to get the PO to explain to me again how he attached it to the truck. He was describing all kinds of things like that while I was listening with one ear, trying to go through the camper and make myself an opinion on it. Almost wish I could have had 30 minutes alone to go through it without having to make conversation about this and that. Oh well, all worked out in the end. So yeah, I'll inquire about frame flexing and proper attachment at some point in the future...

As you say, it does seem to be a nice specimen. Up to me now to maintain it that way!

--Robert

 

[rstl99]

Nice camper. I have been lusting over an Alaskan camper since I discovered this site. I want an 8' cabover. Please continue posting photos as you find your truck.

Thanks, will do!!

 

[rstl99]

camper in my garage!

Hi again all,
Well, the camper got delivered today and all is well, it's resting safe and snug in my garage!
I uploaded several pictures I took today, for your viewing pleasure. On the same link in my original posting.
The seller arrived this morning with the camper on a uhaul. He raided the top, then attached the two stock jacks to each side, and proceeded to lift it off the uhaul. He said he's always had good success with those jacks, which he prefers using over the 4 other corner jacks (simpler). He showed me to be careful and ensure the lock engages before letting to of the handle, and to raise (or lower) about 4 turns then do same on the other side. Once he cleared the trailer, he pulled it out by hand, which set the camper rocking slightly on the jacks (he didn't seem to bat an eye, but my heart was beating a bit faster!). Eventually the rocking ceased, he rolled his homebuilt metal dolly stand underneath, and lowered it on. Then it was a simple matter of lowering the top, and pushing it into my garage, then nestling it against the outside wall.

The way it's sitting, I can at least raise the top enough to sit inside, which will make whatever inside work I may need to do a little more pleasant. The garage door opener and the door prevent me from lifting the top any higher. That's fine, at least it's nice and dry for the winter...

In addition to the two sets of jacks, he also gave me a custom step he had made for it, which attached to the trailer hitch on his previous truck, and extended a step beyond the dropped tailgate. I'll see if I can fit it to whatever truck I end up buying. He also gave me an extension square tube and ball for his hitch, that he had also made, so one can pull something while the camper is on. Useful to have stuff like that.

I noticed that there is some cracking in the (original?) weatherstripping at the ends of the top, behind the bolted metal border edge, so this Fall will be a great time for taking that apart and re-sealing with modern sealant. Ditto for the side mouldings, around the windows, maybe the windowframes themselves, the the fan opening on top, etc. Will make it more water-proof when I go to use it next year, and help preserve its good condition.

Anyway, thanks again for your thoughts and positive impressions on my camper.

One thing I'll have to investigate: when I plugged an extension cord into the AC input, it would trip the breaker. Not sure if it's because all the lights inside were probably turned on? Didn't seem to be a problem in the seller's garage.... Anyway, I'm sure it's nothing serious, just need to spend some time diagnosing.

Until soon,
--Robert

p.s. The ID tag on it has serial number "S 862 M". Maybe the company could date it with that information? Also the tag indicates "PennAcamp Inc" "Manheim Penna", which was probably the manufacturing plant where it was made.

 

[Maximus Ram]

Robert, good to see you have it in your possession. Let the fun begin...:wings:
I will guarantee that now that you have it, you will start to find a lot of things that you didn't see originally. I did the same thing with our tent trailer when we bought it. Started finding things i didn't see originally when I looked at it. Don't let these things discourage you. It looks like a very nice camper and I am sure you will turn it into something you will be happy with and enjoy.




Matt

 

[wannaby]

This one is for sale in victoria on usedvictoria.com $1200.Alaskan style but not an original alaskan ...were there copys made or homade.

 

[rstl99]

Interesting that Alaskans spawned off some knock-off campers!
I suppose it's not THAT complicated a structure, for someone very handy in woodworking and construction to replicate. Whether the result would have the same fit, finish, quality, feel is another matter I suppose.

I like things like an Alaskan camper: time-proven, tweaked and improved over the years (decades!) but at its heart still the same ingenious and reasonably simple design. In that way, the Alaskan is a good fit with the kind of things I usually seek out and own/maintain, whether they be electronic equipment, musical instruments, or cars.

 

[Rusty Hooks]

So....it's been a few years

How do you like it and what have you discovered using that beauty