Hey all. I know that many of the folks here are FWC/ATC owners and those are very good campers. I am however curious about Alaskans. I like the feeling I get when I look at the layout and think they may be more secure to travel in. I know they are heavier and will get a 3/4 ton truck anyway so I don't have to worry much about payload. Anyone own a newer one and any stories or the good or not so good side of ownership? Thanks so much.
Looking at new Alaskans
- Thread starter Happyjax
- Start date
I own one 2 years old and I love it. Roughly 1800 pounds dry. If you look at truck camper magazine online there are several interviews on the Alaskan. Mine is the empty nester. They have the base model and you can customize from there. Bryan at Alaskan is great to work with.
Jackie, I met a person this winter with an Alaskan cab over. They were very positive about it. It was about 10 years old, looked new, and appeared to be well made. The owner was a retired Naval aviator who said the routinely took it on several month long trips to Mexico and other remote places.
I've been in a late model one and can say it is virtually the same as my 94'. Materials, quality, and the nice comfy feeling same as mine. (except the new ones have a toilet where mine has a closet) What's really nice is to put the seats in bed mode for quick naps or to ride in the back while the wife drives. I really like that when the top is down you can still use everything and it's ultra quiet when double walled like that. They really don't change through the years other than slight upgrades like larger lift cylinders, electric hyd. motors, better hardware, etc. They're definetly not concerned with using staples instead of screws or hiring a cheaper worker to raise profits. Everyone says its heavy but it's the same weight as my buddys Northstar or any of those comfort oriented pop tops but still use canvas...Good campers 
My 10' CO weighs (data plate ) under 2000 lbs.... a little heavy, but not horribly so. After all, it is 10 feet long with cabinets/cupboards/drawers/potty/sink/etc.... plus cab over bed!
One feature I like is the furnace thermostat is reachable on our narrow dinette model from the CO bed, so we depend on only blankets at night, but it comes up to temp fast while still in those blankets when going to get up to dress. Insulation is good on the top part, and since heat rises, it works well.
I bought mine used, and was lucky enough to stumble on one with the narrow dinette. Not fo everyone, I know, but with just the two of us it works, and the lost dinette area becomes storage, which suits us a lot better than tight room for four at a table.
Also recommend to get the slightly wider CO bed. A skinny couple might do fine with the std bed, but we are not skinny anymore, so recommend the bit wider CO bed.
I will post more about my Alaskan later....
One feature I like is the furnace thermostat is reachable on our narrow dinette model from the CO bed, so we depend on only blankets at night, but it comes up to temp fast while still in those blankets when going to get up to dress. Insulation is good on the top part, and since heat rises, it works well.
I bought mine used, and was lucky enough to stumble on one with the narrow dinette. Not fo everyone, I know, but with just the two of us it works, and the lost dinette area becomes storage, which suits us a lot better than tight room for four at a table.
Also recommend to get the slightly wider CO bed. A skinny couple might do fine with the std bed, but we are not skinny anymore, so recommend the bit wider CO bed.
I will post more about my Alaskan later....
10 feet might be to much for me but 7 or 8 would do nicely I was also considering the smaller dinette to allow for more storage. Anyone ever see one with an inside shower? I think I would really like to have that. Doesn't have to be fancy but being of the female persuasion showering inside would be more desirable. I am considering the Ford F250 which has a payload around 3100 lbs. Any suggestions on that? I love this site. The folks here are not only helpful but very knowledgeable
I was also considering the smaller dinette to allow for more storage. Anyone ever see one with an inside shower? I think I would really like to have that. Doesn't have to be fancy but being of the female persuasion showering inside would be more desirable. I am considering the Ford F250 which has a payload around 3100 lbs. Any suggestions on that? I love this site. The folks here are not only helpful but very knowledgeable Call Bryan at the factory with your questions. Good guy, very helpful.
Campers are all made custom by order, any size you want.
No showers available yet that I am aware of.....
http://www.alaskancamper.com
For the minor difference in price, a one ton PU would be a good option.
The weight of "Stuff" adds up real fast!
Campers are all made custom by order, any size you want.
No showers available yet that I am aware of.....
http://www.alaskancamper.com
For the minor difference in price, a one ton PU would be a good option.
The weight of "Stuff" adds up real fast!
I have an outside shower with hot water heater. I also have a quick disconnect on the sink faucet where I can setup a curtain and a pan on the floor for indoor shower I haven't had the need for the indoor shower yet. It takes me a couple of minutes to setup a curtain that slides on the rails for privacy. I notice your in Virginia. I will be in ocian city Maryland middle of August if you want to check it out. Bryan was a great guy to work with. My camper is an 8' can over.
Stan@FourWheel
Senior Member
Alaskan Campers was in the next booth over from us at the Portland Show we attended earlier this year.
They all seems like really nice people and the campers looked great too !
Looking at their new campers, and also at how long their older campers seem to last, I don't see how you could go wrong (nice people, nice campers).
I always recommend going to see them in person if at all possible, no matter what brand of camper you end up buying.
There can be so much learned with a short factory visit.
Happy Camping
They all seems like really nice people and the campers looked great too !
Looking at their new campers, and also at how long their older campers seem to last, I don't see how you could go wrong (nice people, nice campers).
I always recommend going to see them in person if at all possible, no matter what brand of camper you end up buying.
There can be so much learned with a short factory visit.
Happy Camping
Attachments
X2 on the comment for Stan. I have watched his videos and I can see that he loves what he does. Understanding that folks need different things and being fair minded and honest makes Stan the kind of guy I would do business with and I do think that FWC is a great product. I also really like some aspects of the Alaskan and have heard good things about Bryan and enjoy the videos he has done. To add to that there is ATC and Hallmark which seem to also be quality products. About the only decision I have made is that I should probably get a 3/4 ton truck so I don't have to worry much about GVWR....lol Took a couple years to get there. (I pondered vans for a while) Well still have 1 1/2 years before I retire so I have some time and will keep listening to all the great info and folks I have met on this wonderful site! Thanks all
Rusty
Senior Member
you won't be disappointed with a new one......I've been eyeing a new one for years...but my old one just won't wear out...
I'll third that Stan....really a gracious comment from someone who makes a very nice product himself
I'll third that Stan....really a gracious comment from someone who makes a very nice product himself
Stan@FourWheel
Senior Member
That's a great write up, and a generous class act on the part of Stan!
Oh oh! Shiny object alert!!
The Bride and I needed to get away from the house today, so off to visit Alaskan Campers in Chehalis, Washington.
In a word, WOW!
They are well made, attractive, have great layouts, bright and airy, and very comfortable. I am impressed. I don't know that I would take them places where I would a FWC or ATC, but they're not wimpy either. For 95% of our camping, this would do wonderfully. Another nice feature with the 8' model is it fits in the bed of Ford trucks, and the tail gate can be raised.
Rick at the factory did a great job of explaining the features and function of the Alaskans.
The Bride and I needed to get away from the house today, so off to visit Alaskan Campers in Chehalis, Washington.
In a word, WOW!
They are well made, attractive, have great layouts, bright and airy, and very comfortable. I am impressed. I don't know that I would take them places where I would a FWC or ATC, but they're not wimpy either. For 95% of our camping, this would do wonderfully. Another nice feature with the 8' model is it fits in the bed of Ford trucks, and the tail gate can be raised.
Rick at the factory did a great job of explaining the features and function of the Alaskans.
...............and Mr. Sage, you have that extra 4x4 diesel in the yard to put one on!
Nah, I'm quite happy with the Grandby. The Alaskan is nice, but I'm not spending any more $$$.ski3pin said:
Mic
Advanced Member
Nice words Stan!!! My hat is off to you!!!
I have a FWC and love it! Have it on a Tacoma and works great for me!
With that said I took a Alaskan tour today!!! WOW very impressed! If I go back to a one ton truck and such that will be my camper!!!!!
I have a FWC and love it! Have it on a Tacoma and works great for me!
With that said I took a Alaskan tour today!!! WOW very impressed! If I go back to a one ton truck and such that will be my camper!!!!!
Since I'm also Looking at new Alaskans, I thought I'd piggy-back and keep things neat, and was hoping someone here could provide some feedback.
1) Does anyone have experience with the "utility box" option, bed deletes vs cab and chassis, etc.? It looks like it might be a good option for a regular cab truck.
2) How are Alaskans for use off the truck? Do they require additional support under the floor, etc.
Many thanks,
Bob
1) Does anyone have experience with the "utility box" option, bed deletes vs cab and chassis, etc.? It looks like it might be a good option for a regular cab truck.
2) How are Alaskans for use off the truck? Do they require additional support under the floor, etc.
Many thanks,
Bob
They are not made to take off and use quickly. It takes me about 45 minutes to put on and take off. You have to use tripod jacks because the upper part drops down no room to bolt the electric jacks. The beauty is you can go any where the truck can go by itself no real reason to unload while camping.
I normally leave mine on unless I have to use the truck for something. Mine is 2 years old and I enjoy it tremendously. Garage has a 9' door so I pull in to garage to load and unload. No low bridges to worry about. Always ready to go at a moments notice.
The bed and couches are very confortable
I normally leave mine on unless I have to use the truck for something. Mine is 2 years old and I enjoy it tremendously. Garage has a 9' door so I pull in to garage to load and unload. No low bridges to worry about. Always ready to go at a moments notice.
The bed and couches are very confortable
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