Separating top and bottom on Alaskan Cabover

[ripperj]

Any trick? Are the boat rack brackets strong enough to rig from? are there any stops at the top of the slides?
Thanks!

 

[driller]

I wouldn't trust the rack brackets. If the wood is compromised you could loose the whole thing. Yes there should be stops held in by screws on the top of the slide mounted to the bottom shell. When I pulled my top off I set the camper on I dolly and used cable camper jacks to lift the top off, then rolled the bottom section out from under it.

 

[fisher205]

A quick way to separate the top from the bottom is to drive down the highway at 75mph into a headwind and it will separate all by itself. Not a joke. I recommend adding a tiedown system for the front of top to the bottom. I recommend Wander the West http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/forum/18-alaskan-camper-discussions/ for more information about working on Alaskans. I've had mine for 10 years and really beat on it but it still keeps on keepin' on.

Enjoy

 

[MNtraveler]

along those same lines is there anything that holds the top in place when it is up? Also is there a picture of the best method to keep the top in place when traveling to prevent a 75 mph disaster?

Thanks!

 

[Freebird]

My 2001 10 ft CO has a long 1/4" bolt (4-5 inches?) that is used to pin the top down in front, so absolutely no risk of losing it, or even the top lifting slightly.

 

[MNtraveler]

Thanks Freebird.

ETA: If you remove the cylinders the associated hardware, does the top half just lift right off? I am looking at an 8' NCO and just wondering how it comes apart.

Thanks.

 

[rayct77]

If I recall correctly you need to separate the slide mechanism as well. This is the flat greased part part which help guide the cylinders. Two screws at the top of each one will release a small plate which allows the parts to separate.


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[ScottReb]

Call Bryan at Alaskan. He often answers the phone and will give you the answer in about 15 seconds. Whether you bought if from him or not. They are a great group!

 

[arktrekker]

I will second Scott's about Bryan. I have sent several emails since buying my old Alaskan, and during the week I don't think he has ever let 24 hours elapse without answering me. If I were to ever buy a new camper I would not hesitate to buy another Alaskan simply based on customer service to owners they will never make a dime from.

To remove the top from my 8ft co, I took it all the way to the top and then ran a 4x4 from side to side under the over cab portion with eyebolts on each end hooked to rafters via a come along. Blocked up the rear and unhooked the 4 cylinders and with a floor jack and an upright 2x4 with a V-notch cut into it jacked up the rear portion and ran another 4x4 from side to side there and then lifted the whole thing a few more inches and drove out from under it. Let it down to a good working height and screwed legs onto the 4x4s. All of my guide tracks slid right out at the top. Getting it back together by myself was another story. That camper is long gone and now I have another 8ft co that is soon to get the same treatment for a major rebuild. Going to turn it into a 12ft nco tray style to mount permanently to a flatbed.