Custom pop-up Alaskan Camper on Sprinter

[haven]

as seen on www.expeditioncampers.com:

I've been corresponding with the friendly folks at Alaskan Camper
about making a custom pop-up camper that could be mounted on
a Fuso FG. Alaskan Camper just finished a custom camper for a
Sprinter cab/chassis, and sent me these photos.

The camper is 13 feet long. The Alaskan Camper folks are willing to build
longer or shorter as you prefer, and you can design the interior layout.
Price for the camper is around $26,000 depending on options. See their
web pages at http://www.alaskancamper.com

Advantages of the pop-up roof are better fuel economy, greater
maneuverability (lower CG), fewer concerns about overhead
obstacles, and the possibility of fitting the camper into a standard
shipping container. A pop-up with hard sides like the Alaskan Camper
keeps the bears and rain on the outside better than soft sides do.

Compared to a fixed wall camper, the disadvantages of the pop-up
are extra weight, more mechanical complexity, and reduced interior
storage.

The mechanism that raises and lowers the top is hydraulic, driven by
a small electric pump. I'm uncertain how level the truck has to be before
you can raise the top.

I don't know if the camper can be easily removed from the truck chassis.

Chip Haven

 

[VikingVince]

thanks, chip...really enjoyed seeing that and reading your comments..now it would be nice to hear feedback from the folk that have that custom unit...any ideas?

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

KewL!

And I was just trying to figure out if anyone could make or has a pop up to fit one of these!

 

[Blair G]

KewL!

And I was just trying to figure out if anyone could make or has a pop up to fit one of these!

This ones for sale. Not a pop up but really cool. E25,000

http://i4.ebayimg.com/02/m/07/ee/25/35_24.JPG

Blair

 

[Blair G]

as seen on www.expeditioncampers.com:

I've been corresponding with the friendly folks at Alaskan Camper
about making a custom pop-up camper that could be mounted on
a Fuso FG. Alaskan Camper just finished a custom camper for a
Sprinter cab/chassis, and sent me these photos.

The camper is 13 feet long. The Alaskan Camper folks are willing to build
longer or shorter as you prefer, and you can design the interior layout.
Price for the camper is around $26,000 depending on options. See their
web pages at http://www.alaskancamper.com

Advantages of the pop-up roof are better fuel economy, greater
maneuverability (lower CG), fewer concerns about overhead
obstacles, and the possibility of fitting the camper into a standard
shipping container. A pop-up with hard sides like the Alaskan Camper
keeps the bears and rain on the outside better than soft sides do.

Compared to a fixed wall camper, the disadvantages of the pop-up
are extra weight, more mechanical complexity, and reduced interior
storage.

The mechanism that raises and lowers the top is hydraulic, driven by
a small electric pump. I'm uncertain how level the truck has to be before
you can raise the top.

I don't know if the camper can be easily removed from the truck chassis.

Chip Haven

I am a big fan of the Alaskan camper. But I am not sure of the benifits of the Alaskan on the Sprinter. The Sprinter in the long wheel base and the super high cab would seem to a much more comfortable setup with nearly the same headroom. Also, the regular Sprinter would allow passage through to the living area during traveling. This setup also does not allow for the front seats to recline or be adjusted..
I have been thinking alot about adding a Sprinter to the line up. I think it would make a great road going / light off road camper. A fellow Unimog owner has a 416 camper and also has a Sprinter he has setup himself for camping. The only thing that is holding me back is the lack of all wheel drive. Not that I expext to do heavy off roading but it would be nice in the snow. We shall see.
Blair

 

[haven]

popup

It's true that a full size Sprinter van makes a good road camper. Sportsmobile makes them and gives you a lot of flexibility in the interior design. Prices starts at about $60,000, including the van and interior modifications.

Rather than a van, I prefer a cab/chassis with separate cabin. I prefer to have a setup that allows the cabin to be removed so the truck can be used for other purposes.

A cabin that's separate from the truck cab offers a lot more security. It's far too easy to get a keyset that will open vehicle locks. Yeah, I know: Security is an illusion.

Removed from the truck, a pop-up cabin from Alaskan or 4 Wheel Camper can be stored in a standard garage. Full-height hardwall campers don't fit through the garage door.

I agree that the RWD Sprinter offers poor traction in sand and snow. That's one reason why I think I'd prefer to put the Alaskan Camper on a Fuso 4x4.

Chip Haven

 

[dhackney]

Thanks for posting these shots. This Sprinter/Alaska could have been the ultimate solution to our challenge when combined with an aftermarket 4x4 system. It is the perfect solution to fitting into a standard shipping container without the complexity of removing the camper box.

If you are interested in Sprinters as much as we were before we settled on the FG, check out the info I collected at:
Sprinter Resources. There's information there on steel bulkheads that can add some inter-cab-camper security. Also some info on 4x4 conversion suppliers. Too early to talk about yet but there may be a slim chance of a US 4x4 conversion of the new Sprinter next year.

The main limitations we found with the Sprinter chassis were:
- lack of factory 4x4 (less of an issue if you are staying in North America)
- weight (you are forced into the 3500 chassis pretty quickly when you start to add systems, which means DRW)

You can't beat it for global parts & service, it's sold in over 130 countries.

For removing the camper or interchanging a camper box with other components check out: Simpson Innovations Truck Transformer.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

KewL!

And I was just trying to figure out if anyone could make or has a pop up to fit one of these!

Here you go. Just find an Westie or Weekender donor