jackattack
Observer
nice work. this rig is awesome.
Alaskan on a 97 F250 4x4 Diesel
- Thread starter Motafinga
- Start date
Motafinga
Adventurer
Tomorrow begins the next phase of my rig (I need a catchier title) as I have finally found a Utility box that fits my specs! They are like hens teeth to find with the appropriate height dimensions and this one looks like a winner and it's only 2 hours away. It will still need a little surgery as I will need to section the inner rear part of the boxes to fit the camper which is wider behind the wheel wells but it shouldn't be to difficult. I also still need to figure out the best way to rig the tie down points so if anyone has ideas or has done this before please chime in!
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Quote:"Mostly because I will be using it as a primary housing situation for the next year or two. Hmmm....
And I'll be living in Montana!"
Opinion here. For primary housing use, I personally would strongly prefer a hard side Northern Lite to any pop-up I'm familiar with. Especially 4 season use in MT.
I currently own a 10' CO Alaskan and an older NL TC. I'm not dissing Alaskan campers. This is based on your usage.
And I'll be living in Montana!"
Opinion here. For primary housing use, I personally would strongly prefer a hard side Northern Lite to any pop-up I'm familiar with. Especially 4 season use in MT.
I currently own a 10' CO Alaskan and an older NL TC. I'm not dissing Alaskan campers. This is based on your usage.
Motafinga
Adventurer
Thanks for the kind words! We have a Kayak too but it goes in a bag when traveling, it's an inflatable advanced elements tandem and we love it but it probably wouldn't get along well with fishing hooks..
Motafinga
Adventurer
Probably sound advice if you're living full time in it through snow, or plan on using lots of propane
Motafinga
Adventurer
It's been awhile since I've got around to any updates but I've gotten a good amount done on the utility bed. Rear sections are welded, sealed up and primed now and it's just down to a bit of body work and paint. Got a couple of the busted door hinges repaired too.
I used 3/4 by 1/8 angle stock to finish off the seams where the box is sectioned out.
before sealer and primer..
I used 3/4 by 1/8 angle stock to finish off the seams where the box is sectioned out.
before sealer and primer..
Motafinga
Adventurer
Also pulled the camper off today and dropped it into the bed for a mock up before paint to make sure all my measurements were correct.
There was definitely a drum roll in the air as we got set up to lower the camper into the bed to see if it all played together nicely. I was unsure if the jack plates would clear the bed since it so much wider. I'm VERY happy to report it fits like a glove! I will add a 1/2 inch rubber stall mat to my riser to give the plates a wee bit more clearance as well as anti vibration dampening and it should be good to go. I also had to zip about 1/2 inch from the jack plates to give the ute bed doors room to open.
There was definitely a drum roll in the air as we got set up to lower the camper into the bed to see if it all played together nicely. I was unsure if the jack plates would clear the bed since it so much wider. I'm VERY happy to report it fits like a glove! I will add a 1/2 inch rubber stall mat to my riser to give the plates a wee bit more clearance as well as anti vibration dampening and it should be good to go. I also had to zip about 1/2 inch from the jack plates to give the ute bed doors room to open.
Motafinga
Adventurer
Hard to tell if anyones paying attention but I've started painting, I had a bunch of old decrepit paint and rust to remove, body work and holes to weld up etc but it's starting to look really good now. Im going to do the top of the bed rails and inside of bed with black Monstaliner. The door handles will be satin black. I found through doing a bunch of googly digging that one can achieve some damn good results using rustoleum in a can by thinning it correctly and using a foam roller brush with a patient technique. I was a bit skeptical but have to admit, I'm a believer now. I would never believe this was done with a roller if I didn't do it myself... this is about 6-7 coats
I will post better pics after some wet sanding and polishing
I will post better pics after some wet sanding and polishing