Atl-atl's Alaskan 650si documentation thread!!

[Atl-atl]

Well, here we go. Ive had quite a lot of different campers over the years. From sleeping in the back of many different XJ Cherokees, to sleeping under a Softtopper on a Tacoma, to a GFC, to a UJoint converted Thor RV, to numerous Four Wheel Campers including my 1978 Chevy Blazer with a period correct Four Wheel Campers Blazer that Ive got a thread about here.

This one is different. Its a brand new, built to my spec Alaskan 650si that I picked up on December 15th, 2025. Rugged Grey exterior over Klondike interior. Riding on my 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman Power Wagon on 40s. Some of the specs include 12v air conditioning, inside toilet, outside shower(by choice) 2x162ah lithium batteries, 1 Zamp 190 watt solar panel, Victron 150/35 mppt controller, Redarc BCDC 1225(that I wish was more powerful) and all sorts of other goodies. I plan on documenting all of my mods and adventures here like I do with my other rigs. There arent a ton of new Alaskans out there, in fact Ive never seen another grey Alaskan outside of an RV/overlanding show, so ask/comment away. Im happy to help anyone thats interested or just has feedback.

 

[Art Vandalay]

Looks great! An Alaskan has been on the potential list for my F350, though my wife objects to the "old-fashioned" aesthetic, and I'm not sure that's going to change.

Question: How much does the floor stick out past the end of your bed - or the furthest point back if anything on the lower half of the camper sticks out past the floor? And do you have any idea how far the front floor of the camper sits from the front wall of your bed? I know you have a 6' 4" bed. My Superduty is 6'10" and I've been wondering if the Alaskan 650 would let me keep (and close) the tailgate.

A bit jealous you can use the tie-downs that attach to the bed. That's a no-go for the aluminum Ford bed. Hoping Alaskan and other camper manufactures can figure out how to use the new'ish Tork-Lift Apex tie downs that mount in the bed floor.

Will follow this thread with interest.

 

[SimplyAnAdventure]

Wow…. I thought I had the best looking truck/ camper set up a person could build…. Until I saw yours. That looks absolutely amazing! Those Alaska campers seem to be on a serious resurgence. I love it, congratulations!!

 

[2Toyotas]

Lookin good!

 

[AbleGuy]

Thank you/No thank you….for ruining my day.

I was fairly happy when I woke up this morning.

Life was good, I felt completely at peace with my world.

As I pondered my life over a cup of java, I felt fully satisfied that I finally had everything I wanted/needed to continue enjoying my simple retirement.

And then I had the misfortune to stumble across this thread.

I was immediately mesmerized by the very enticing pictures of this beautifully matched, incredibly designed combo.

A matched set in Charcoal Gray! How brilliant a choice!

Unfortunately, the seen could not be unseen, and the sin of Lust once again has returned to my newly tortured mind and scalded eyeballs.

You should have been thoughtful enough to prominently post a trigger warning on your title, damn it!

The once muted static of envy has loudly turned back on in my head and I find I am no longer content with my life after all!

I realize I have been conning myself about happiness and the acquisition of shiny new ‘things’..

Emotionally, the amazing build in this thread has now become an uncomfortable sharp rock in my shoe.

I may as well complete my ************ day now and follow suit by making an appointment with my dentist, for some expensive and painful oral surgery.

Yeah, thanks for posting…


…

 

[Atl-atl]

Looks great! An Alaskan has been on the potential list for my F350, though my wife objects to the "old-fashioned" aesthetic, and I'm not sure that's going to change.

Question: How much does the floor stick out past the end of your bed - or the furthest point back if anything on the lower half of the camper sticks out past the floor? And do you have any idea how far the front floor of the camper sits from the front wall of your bed? I know you have a 6' 4" bed. My Superduty is 6'10" and I've been wondering if the Alaskan 650 would let me keep (and close) the tailgate.

A bit jealous you can use the tie-downs that attach to the bed. That's a no-go for the aluminum Ford bed. Hoping Alaskan and other camper manufactures can figure out how to use the new'ish Tork-Lift Apex tie downs that mount in the bed floor.

Will follow this thread with interest.

Alaskan or Truck Camper Garage would be able to answer with more confidence if you can fit a 650 with your tailgate. I think it will be close. As for measurements, when TCG installed it they trimmed down the "bumpers" on the front of the camper so that it only sits 3/4" from the front of the bed. When Alaskan installs them, they put the camper about 1 1/2" from the front of the bed. The true length of the camper floor is exactly 80" but there are a number of items that are on the back wall that stick out further, such as the lock core for the back door, propane cabinet latch, water fill port etc. The floor of the camper sticks out about 5 3/4" from the inside edge of the back of my bed but the stuff on the back wall sticks out another 1-2 inches.

 

[SDDiver5]

You in So Cal now? Pretty sure the first pic of the camper on the trailer is at my exit in San Diego.

Edit: Ah, I see you picked up at TCG.

 

[Art Vandalay]

Alaskan or Truck Camper Garage would be able to answer with more confidence if you can fit a 650 with your tailgate. I think it will be close. As for measurements, when TCG installed it they trimmed down the "bumpers" on the front of the camper so that it only sits 3/4" from the front of the bed. When Alaskan installs them, they put the camper about 1 1/2" from the front of the bed. The true length of the camper floor is exactly 80" but there are a number of items that are on the back wall that stick out further, such as the lock core for the back door, propane cabinet latch, water fill port etc. The floor of the camper sticks out about 5 3/4" from the inside edge of the back of my bed but the stuff on the back wall sticks out another 1-2 inches.
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Thank you so much for the super helpful reply!

 

[canoematt]

wow oh wow, this setup is looking good! (i've followed your treads on CK5).
This rig should be turn key, reliable, and comfortable. I look forward to a few trip reports.

 

[Atl-atl]

wow oh wow, this setup is looking good! (i've followed your treads on CK5).
This rig should be turn key, reliable, and comfortable. I look forward to a few trip reports.

Thanks! Thats cool you are on here and CK5. Hopefully I be able to finish Blazer FWC #2 soon.

 

[Shek]

This is an excellent looking combo of truck and camper. A few questions, if I may:

1. What is the actual weight of this 650?
2. Can you provide more detail on the exterior tie-down mounting points? This looks far more unobtrusive that other mounting solutions I’ve seen.
3. Have you come up with a gray water storage solution? I’ve wondered about a tank mounted where the spare tire used to go.

Thanks!

Mike

 

[Atl-atl]

This is an excellent looking combo of truck and camper. A few questions, if I may:

1. What is the actual weight of this 650?
2. Can you provide more detail on the exterior tie-down mounting points? This looks far more unobtrusive that other mounting solutions I’ve seen.
3. Have you come up with a gray water storage solution? I’ve wondered about a tank mounted where the spare tire used to go.

Thanks!

Mike

1. Actual weight on the tag is 2200 wet. See pic below. With misc. gear, food, etc. added its probably about 2500.
2. The tie downs are the "Happijac" system. They are nice because they are minimal compared to other tie downs but Ive been told that aggressive offroad driving will likely bend the rear bumper. I figured Id try them out and see what happens. Unfortunately Alaskan doesnt offer internal tie downs. My end game is to do a custom bed like a Bowen and then Ill just hard mount the camper but for now the Happijacs are working.
3. I have mounted a tank in the spare tire location but its not working super well at the moment. For some reason the sink doesnt like to drain into it very well. I think I need a better vent solution and its also possible that my hose is kinking. Its a work in progress. Ill post about it below.

 

[Atl-atl]

Some details on the prep work I did prior to getting the camper installed. The stock brake pads are horrendous on this truck, especially after going up to 40s. So I decided to try out new pads before blowing a whole wad on a big brake kit. My original intent was to run EBC Yellowstuff because they seem to get good reviews from truck guys. I couldnt find them in stock anywhere so I wound up with Hawk Super Duty pads. First impressions are very good, especially for only $200 for a whole set front and rear. Initial bite is WAY better than stock, under normal driving conditions they behave normally and are quiet with nice pedal feel, good enough that I think Ill be happy with just the pads and not have to spend $2000 on SSBC calipers. Though I really loved them on my RV, that thing stopped faster than most sports cars. I havent towed anything or had any super hard braking events so time will tell but so far so good.

Next up I got a water tank from Trail'd. It mounts in the stock spare location, its 15 gallons and has two separate 3/4" threaded bungs for drain/fill. I picked up a couple ball valves that thread into place for easy drain/fill. Im going to be using this as a grey water tank. If you can read between the lines you know where this is going...

I had to modify the truck slightly to make it fit by cutting off some metal that is used to keep the stock spare in place. Essentially half of a steel wheel, seems completely unnecessary.

Bye bye

New tank in place. I do need to fab up some bump stops for the tank to snug up against. Its secure but has a slight wobble that I want to get rid of before its full of 15 gallons and Im bombing down dirt roads.

Next in line was airbags. Im going to be adding about 2500lbs to the back of the truck and its payload capacity stock is only about 1200 pounds, because Power Wagon, so I picked up these rad airbags from Full Travel Bags. They mount using a quick release for the air line and the bags so you can easily swap them out for the stock bump stops or aftermarket ones that mount to an additional sliding plate they provide. The bottom of the bag is completely free so you dont lose any flex and the bags have their own internal bump stops as well.

Here are some stock photos how the bags and bumps swap in and out. Its pretty slick, you dont even need to jack up the truck or take the wheel/tire off to swap them out.

The compressor I used is the WirelessOne system from Airlift. I mounted it underneath the driver side rocker panel. Its up well above the lowest point of the truck so it wont get messed up offroad and there is still plenty of room for my Amp Powersteps to tuck up. Im contemplating making some kind of splash shield to try keeping away mud and road grime. They claim this is where its supposed to be mounted so we will see, hopefully it lasts.