Alaskan Campers

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

1st Q….have not hearf of leaking problems from owners I’ve known (or from any articles I’ve read)

Try checking truckcamper magazine online, it’s a great resource

Truck Camper Magazine | 2025 Campers, News, and Reviews

Truck Camper Magazine features exclusive news, hard hitting reviews, awesome adventure travel, and the best Buyers Guide and newbie advice.

www.truckcampermagazine.com

2nd Q…traditionally the rear door has been two separate sections and it always did allow entry into the camper with the top down,

See:

You searched for Alaskan - Truck Camper Magazine

www.truckcampermagazine.com

I’ve seen numerous Alaskan restoration threads on various forums. Often the campers are from the 1960s, and show the ravages of improper care over time. The typical areas needing restored are the front and rear corners where water has made its way under the skin.

Alaskans are very nice and comfortable campers. They like every other camper need preventive maintenance (resealing, etc.) and covered storage when not in use.

 

[WU7X]

Question to all of you following this; where is the best spot on Expo Portal to start an Alaskan Camper thread? I know that there aren't a lot of us. But want to be able to share experiences, problems solved, etc., with this community.

 

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

Here’s what the Ovrlnd folks have done. I think a better way is to reach out to the Administrators and request a new sub forum. The worst thing they could do is say no.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Either that, or just start a thread under the pop up section.

Honestly, though I do not think anyone would mind if you just took over this thread.

edit* We could even just change the title to this thread

 

[WU7X]

Well I guess we know who their marketing demographic is. Campers for middle age+ men. See the world from the comfort of your drivers seat before you die. LOL

Well, I'm well past that demographic, but the rest is true. At 77 getting too old for sleeping on the ground or in RTTs. The setup Nanc and I are getting is a garage queen her entire life with only 80 k miles on the Duramax. I'm shuddering a bit thinking about fuel mileage. Diesel prices here in eastern WA are still over $3.60/gallon. I do plan to replace the cassette with a Wrappon toilet. The only change I plan on making actually. We have used a PETT dry style porta-potty for over 25 years, so the idea of having to mess with a stinky, wet system doesn't appeal to me.

Hey Yetti, I like the idea of just changing your original title to this thread. Just leave it Alaskan Campers and let's go with that.

I should have this thing registered the beginning of December. I keep forgetting to take more pictures!

Dale

 

[AbleGuy]

Well I guess we know who their marketing demographic is. Campers for middle age+ men. See the world from the comfort of your drivers seat before you die. LOL

That’s a pretty ‘simple’ minded comment, LOL

BTW, on the road again today exploring more of the dark soggy north half of the left coast. Saw two newer looking pickup mounted AK pop ups yesterday in Oregon, one cabover and one not.

They still seem popular up here.

It was cold, windy and raining cats and dogs and the thought of having a dry, comfy hard sided camper to enjoy sounded pretty dang good (regardless of one’s age) !

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Well, I'm well past that demographic, but the rest is true. At 77 getting too old for sleeping on the ground or in RTTs. The setup Nanc and I are getting is a garage queen her entire life with only 80 k miles on the Duramax. I'm shuddering a bit thinking about fuel mileage. Diesel prices here in eastern WA are still over $3.60/gallon. I do plan to replace the cassette with a Wrappon toilet. The only change I plan on making actually. We have used a PETT dry style porta-potty for over 25 years, so the idea of having to mess with a stinky, wet system doesn't appeal to me.

Hey Yetti, I like the idea of just changing your original title to this thread. Just leave it Alaskan Campers and let's go with that.

I should have this thing registered the beginning of December. I keep forgetting to take more pictures!

Dale

Done

 

[simple]

That’s a pretty simple minded comment, LOL

BTW, on the road again today exploring more of the dark soggy north half of the left coast. Saw two newer looking pickup mounted AK pop ups yesterday in Oregon, one cabover and one not.

They still seem popular up here.

It was cold, windy and raining cats and dogs and the thought of having a dry, comfy hard sided camper to enjoy sounded pretty dang good (regardless of one’s age) !

Based on a couple replies to my comment, it appears that I didn't properly convey the meaning.

I was ripping on the Alaskan camper marketing material for not showing older people also out doing active outdoor lifestyle things.

I think there is only one scene where a guy gets out of the truck or camper and it is to sit in a camp chair. The rest is shot from the perspective of looking out the window.

 

[FAW3]

Just as a pointer: WanderTheWest website has an Alaskan camper subforum.

 

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

<snip> I'm shuddering a bit thinking about fuel mileage. Diesel prices here in eastern WA are still over $3.60/gallon. <snip>

I should have this thing registered the beginning of December. I keep forgetting to take more pictures!

Dale

I think you’re going to get a pleasant surprise. My guess… On a long trip you’ll see between 17 & 20 MPG (depending on speed and terrain), which ain’t that bad for a full size rig with camper.

Let us know.

 

[WU7X]

I think you’re going to get a pleasant surprise. My guess… On a long trip you’ll see between 17 & 20 MPG (depending on speed and terrain), which ain’t that bad for a full size rig with camper.

Let us know.

I checked it out on the internet. one site quoted a bunch of owners with the same year, model, etc., as me and after over 500,000 miles they were getting between 14-16 mpg. I would be very happy with those kind of results. My loaded 4Runner with 4.56 gears gets 15 mpg in town and up to 18 on the highway.

If I can see anything like 17 mpg with this monster diesel engine I'll be thrilled!

 

[WU7X]

I went out yesterday to check out the camper a bit more. LOTS of interior storage! The front end is protected by a massive aluminum bullbar. The rear entrance has very usable folding steps and a folding hand rail. At my age I have to admit that I like having that handrail!



The tires are General Grabber LT 265/70R18 ATs with a winter rating. They measure up at ~32" and only have a few thousand miles on them. There is not a lot of clearance under the vehicle, but the DEF cannister has a steel covering added on for protection.



Besides the original two AGM camper batteries the PO installed two LI 100 amp batteries with a Victron controller system.

I see no reason in the foreseeable future to change out the tires. I would like something taller, but with my eye issues why not wait to "see" what happens.

SWMBO and I are starting to plan a several week long first trip from Spokane to the Tuscon area for early January. We have friends who just moved down there. The plan is for a 5 day drive down, a BnB for a week, another 5-6 days camping and checking the area out. Then back home. Any suggestions for both where to find a good BnB in Tuscon and where to camp out around there would be appreciated.

I should add that the POs put 80K miles on it. Big trips through the SE to southern tip of Florida and also a trip up and through much of Alaska. Besides the SW, I'd like to take Wifey up to the NE for the fall foliage next year. That would be a nice adventure.

 

[Fergie]

Wait…was this a legit video or was it intended to be a tongue in cheek spoof?

There is nothing remote about Sedona.

I really cannot tell if this is suppose to be genuine marketing material.

Then again, the Alaskand I see are all old battle axe campers that have been through it….rode hard, put away wet, and the quality perseveres.

 

[WU7X]

Wait…was this a legit video or was it intended to be a tongue in cheek spoof?

There is nothing remote about Sedona.

I really cannot tell if this is suppose to be genuine marketing material.

Then again, the Alaskand I see are all old battle axe campers that have been through it….rode hard, put away wet, and the quality perseveres.

I think it actually was supposed to be an ad to woo prospective owners into looking more closely at ACs. I couldn't personally imagine two guys, each with their own setups and no one else, zipping around the countryside like that. I'm guessing a brand new AC along with a new one ton truck would cost over $125 K easy. Not exactly something I see a lot of young folks able to afford in today's environment.

Heading out to recheck the water tank, etc., again tomorrow. It is nipping down into the very low 20's F already. My daughter-in-law hasn't seen it yet, so that is enough excuse to check it out once more.

 

[FAW3]

I went out yesterday to check out the camper a bit more. LOTS of interior storage! The front end is protected by a massive aluminum bullbar. The rear entrance has very usable folding steps and a folding hand rail. At my age I have to admit that I like having that handrail!

View attachment 902071View attachment 902072

The tires are General Grabber LT 265/70R18 ATs with a winter rating. They measure up at ~32" and only have a few thousand miles on them. There is not a lot of clearance under the vehicle, but the DEF cannister has a steel covering added on for protection.

View attachment 902073View attachment 902074

Besides the original two AGM camper batteries the PO installed two LI 100 amp batteries with a Victron controller system.

I see no reason in the foreseeable future to change out the tires. I would like something taller, but with my eye issues why not wait to "see" what happens.

SWMBO and I are starting to plan a several week long first trip from Spokane to the Tuscon area for early January. We have friends who just moved down there. The plan is for a 5 day drive down, a BnB for a week, another 5-6 days camping and checking the area out. Then back home. Any suggestions for both where to find a good BnB in Tuscon and where to camp out around there would be appreciated.

I should add that the POs put 80K miles on it. Big trips through the SE to southern tip of Florida and also a trip up and through much of Alaska. Besides the SW, I'd like to take Wifey up to the NE for the fall foliage next year. That would be a nice adventure.

I’m not familiar with your route or destination area to help with specific recommendations.

Check iOverlander & Wander the West as well as You Tube for destination information and ideas. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) & US Forest Service websites are a good resource. The Tonto NF should have many good areas to explore and camp.

A good mapping program is a great planning tool...you can bookmark locations of interest.

I think you’re heading into a great area at the right time with a great rig. Mixing the trip up with some B&B/motel breaks along with some real remote boondocking will show you the best features of this type of travel. You can park nearly anywhere, go almost everywhere, and camp in comfort.

Safe and happy travels!