Advice needed for Alaskan

[IDKbutAlaskan]

Hi. Noob here w 1960 NCO 8' I'm looking for help to decide if camper is salvagable, i.e. rotten floor. Any gurus here in NorCal that may be able to inspect please? Im willing to drive for meeting. Jay

 

[PackRat]

Jay, I think if the camper is mounted and you still have soft/spongy wood over a small area that it could be fixed. However if you have inspected it while up on jacks and the floor/side panels are loose/rotted out then the whole floor should be replaced. Then finding the extent of rot up the side walls gets you WAY DEEP into repairs.

Now you need to survey the top vents ant the top/end panels for water intrusion and further rotted wood and leaks. Staining on the inside at the vents and in the corners and under the windows

There comes a time when unless you are a carpenter and are prepared for all possible damage repairs that you may consider moving on to a less challenging project.

It sounds like the whole floor is rotted so it would be a pass for me even if it was free, probably a parts camper.

 

[wagoneer]

What do you call nor-cal, whats your location?

 

[IDKbutAlaskan]

Yes. It looks really bad. I'll read the sticky on how to attach photos. I'm in North California, Albany.

 

[JoeKan]

I've never done one before but would hate to see a vintage classic be parted out. I'm not sure if you could replace the rot by gutting the interior or raising it up on a lift and tearing the bottom off from the outside and not having to gut it??? I have a small section that has wood rot but I believe I can do it from the outside and scab in a new piece.

 

[PackRat]

Hit the "More Reply Options" button and then the Browse button
Then find the pic on your computer and hit Open
Then move the curser to where you want the pic
Then hit the Attach This File button.
Then hit the Add To Post button
You can attach others up to that 500k limit, add texty or hit Add Reply when done.


You get 500k of files

Like this one:

 

[IDKbutAlaskan]

Thanks for the instructions PackRat. I'm now leaning toward parting it.
But, not in a hurry to do so.

 

[Ripperj]

Run......fast
Seriously that's a project and a half

 

[IDKbutAlaskan]

I'll plan a camper salvage meetup in the next few months.
(Unless I get a better offer)
Probably over the Christmas - New Years break.
Who knows how to separate the 2 halves?
I guess once the interior is gutted, it's more or less obvious.

Jay in Albany, CA

 

[PackRat]

Wow....that's got to be one of the WORST Alaskans I've ever seen make it to the WTW boards. I think you might as well console yourself to either selling it as-is to someone who will part it out or keeping it and trying to part it out yourself.

To remove top from bottom, set your jacks to lift only the TOP section when in the down position and then remove the nuts holding the cylinder rams so it can be lifted OFF the bottom. Then you can raise the top off the bottom. Unless you have any electrical wiring that feeds something in the lower section, that should be all you need to do. Be REALLY careful as you don't have much of an upper sidewall width to lift and it may fall off.

If you can then at least get the top onto some sawhorses so anyone salvaging parts from the inside/outside as a safe access that would be helpful. For the bottom, if you can find a stack of pallets equal to the height of the truck bed and tie the bottom off to a tree or a pole, you might be able to pull it back out by driving away and setting pallets as you go.

Put me on the list for a visit from Novato when you get to parting it out...I need some latches for my Alaskan if they aren't in worse shape than mine! You will make at least ONE Alaskan owner VERY happy if they can buy one of the "ALASKAN' logos screwed to the Top That's for sure!

 

[IDKbutAlaskan]

Thanks again! Are you able to see the condition of the latches without going to all the trouble of disassembling? If so, we can arrange a visit or I'll take aa photo. It is currently located in San Pablo.

 

[PackRat]

They look to be the same as the ones on my '76 Alaskan. I could come over and take a look and buy them I guess. Have you had any luck in raising the top yet? It may take 50 pumps or more to get it up but you will need to check the reservoir before trying to insure there is hydraulic fluid still in it.

When would it be OK to pop over to see it? I'd not want to wait until the rains come myself...

 

[PackRat]

PS...I might want some other stuff and I can probably give you some insight on what to strip off before it goes to the dump. Basically the tanks, pumps, sink, fridge, stove hydraulic rams (lifts, the brass tubes in four corners), the windows, the window eyebrows, doors/door locks, hardware/pulls.....all that is of value to others who are missing those items for their rebuilds.

 

[IDKbutAlaskan]

Wow....that's got to be one of the WORST Alaskans I've ever seen make it to the WTW boards. I think you might as well console yourself to either selling it as-is to someone who will part it out or keeping it and trying to part it out yourself.

To remove top from bottom, set your jacks to lift only the TOP section when in the down position and then remove the nuts holding the cylinder rams so it can be lifted OFF the bottom. Then you can raise the top off the bottom. Unless you have any electrical wiring that feeds something in the lower section, that should be all you need to do. Be REALLY careful as you don't have much of an upper sidewall width to lift and it may fall off.

If you can then at least get the top onto some sawhorses so anyone salvaging parts from the inside/outside as a safe access that would be helpful. For the bottom, if you can find a stack of pallets equal to the height of the truck bed and tie the bottom off to a tree or a pole, you might be able to pull it back out by driving away and setting pallets as you go.

Put me on the list for a visit from Novato when you get to parting it out...I need some latches for my Alaskan if they aren't in worse shape than mine! You will make at least ONE Alaskan owner VERY happy if they can buy one of the "ALASKAN' logos screwed to the Top That's for sure!

Hi Packrat, I don't have jacks. Is there a suggested substitute (kludge) for separating top/bottom? Any guess how heavy the top section is? I can use the roof rack to raise it. (?)

 

[Nailhead]

If you’re going to part that camper out, I’d love to have the upper front window.

 

[wagoneer]

Pack rat and I are close to where you are, I have been in Arizona all of January Just got back I have 4 jacks if you need to borrow to remove the top let me know 415 608 5642 Adrian

 

[PackRat]

Maybe Wagoneer/Adrian and I could both come over and help you lift the top using his jacks? Once secured, you can begin to strip things and get a list together for guys who need things like that window Nailhead needs.

 

[IDKbutAlaskan]

Wagoneer and Packrat stopping by with jacks.
I'm planning to use this trailer as a platform to decide next step.
48" between wheel wells after removing the sides.
Rated for 1200 lbs but I'm not planning to take it on the road...just easier to move about.

 

[wagoneer]

OOps!

 

[IDKbutAlaskan]

The team shown here before the "Exxon Valdez" landed on the rocks.
I have to thank Wagoneer and Packrat who saved the day.
The rotted floor snagged on the truck bed causing shifting and upheaval.
Still, I call it a success since no windows broke, etc.