New and some questions

[Willard]

So I have just bought a 1969 Alaskan 8' non cab over.
When I went to look at it, it had the ratchet or screw type jacks (2). They are sketchy at best and i have zero faith in them.

I was looking at the Rieco standard tripod jacks (4) and I have a question.
Do I need to mount these or can I for the purpose of getting this on my rig, just lift as is? What is the risk?

I will not have time when I pick it up to mount them right and use a backing plated. I can do that once I get it home, if I need to. I would prefer not to at this stage as I need to go through the whole thing.

Once I verify the wood is good I plan to install the jacks properly but for now I just need to get it home.


The goal of this is to restore it. Looking at it someone (not the PO) did a hack job on the wiring as a
whole, the Fridge is wired all wrong and the furnace has been pulled.
Anyone know where to find a furnace?

Inside looks good with no visible signs of leaks. Exterior....well some dents. Someone put an externally mounted fuel can holder and propane tank holder. Both will come off.
As well the jacks need rebuilding, I am 100% sure there is wood rot somewhere so the siding will come off and the rusted screws will be turfed and new stainless will go on.
Etc etc.
This is a winter project for both my kids and myself.
To get it home it will go onto my modified M101A2 trailer. This will work fine but not its final home. I plan to pickup a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck next year.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Hi Willard,

I can’t help with the questions, but I wanted to welcome you to WTW. I suspect the Alaskan community will weigh in and help get you some answers. BTW, we love pictures. Please post some of your new to you NCO.

Steve

 

[Willard]

I only have the ones from the Ad but they work.

 

[Willard]

Oh and the guess is it is a 1969. That is not 100% for sure. The Wyoming license stickers on the top left show 1969 and 1970.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Welcome great to have another member.
Frank

 

[Argonaut20]

How carefully you back up to put the camper on is the key to getting it on the truck safely. You can load that camper with two jacks (as the PO did) as long as the camper is balanced. When loading, the camper has to be high enough to clear the bed of your truck by at least a couple of inches. When you back up under the camper, make sure the camper doesn't drag on the bed of the truck or the wheel wells and take it easy so you don't bang into the front of the camper when it is completely in the bed. Lower the camper into the bed and take the jacks away. I would guess there are 4 bolt holes in the floor of the camper for mounting and it would be a good idea to secure the camper to the truck for the ride home. Take it easy and don't get in a hurry and you won't have to mount jacks to get it home. As an aside, I mounted and dismounted an Alaskan for years using two cable jacks with wide plates, 4 bolts through the floor to hold the camper to the truck.

 

[Willard]

That is exactly what we will do. While the old jacks are iffy at best we both talked about it I think we can do it.
We will have two farm jacks as well just in case.

 

[Keith in Co]

Tripod jacks like the Reico work fine for me, although I use one on each corner. I like to use a 2x4 or 2x6 to cushion between the jack plate and the camper, and to spread out the load.

I modified my m101a1 trailer to carry my Alaskan by moving the inner fender wells outward to make a 49” space (1/2” clearance on each side.) Carries the weight fine, and the surge brakes on your A2 should be safe enough. As Argonaut says, bolting through the floor is the preferred method to mount the camper to your truck or trailer bed.

There are better options than the original heaters. I replaced mine with an Olympian Wave 3 catalytic heater and am happy with it.

good luck with your new Alaskan!

 

[Willard]

Thanks Keith,
I was going to go 1" on both sides but good to know 1/2 also works.

I was looking at those Olympian Wave 3 heaters, so thank you for that. Does it fit in the original location or did you have to modify anything. Or is it loose.
Currently the surge brake on the trailer is off (blame the PO for that) I am doing a total rebuild of it but it will not be ready before i pick up the camper.
Either way it will still tow fine I think, just no plan to go fast on the way home. Mine has 16' wheels on it and I will have to air them almost all the way down to get this into my garage, even then I may have to build a dolly instead

 

[popRoid]

Willard:

Welcome to the forum. I have a 2018 10ft Alaskan cabover and installed the following Platinum Catalytic Heater (Plat Cat):

http://www.ventedcatheater.com/heaters Arnie Lind is the contact and will be happy to help you.

These heaters are vented to the outside and are RV rated for use. We use the factory installed forced air unit to get things warm and after a few minutes switch over to the Plat Cat vented heater which uses very little propane and 12V electric.

Cheers...Lloyd

 

[Willard]

Awesome thanks Lloyd!

 

[Willard]

Ok picking this up this weekend.
Widened the fenders on the M101 and fixed my surge brake (now I have brakes) So all of that is good.

I picked up the 4 Reico jacks after i found out the one old ratchet (not cable) forth the jacks is damaged and the PO is using a pipe wrench. For what ever reason I was more worried about height and never noticed by they only go down to 38" high. If the bottom of the camper is about 19" that means I need to account for another 19 or 20" for a dolly.

I am looking at putting this into my Garage and there is no way it will fit on the trailer. Putting it on the dolly will be easier to move i around and I will be able to do all of the restoration. I was just hoping to make it lower. Maybe I will see if I can use a combination of the two jacks.

Should be a fun Saturday! I will post pictures once I have it in home.

 

[Keith in Co]

“I was looking at those Olympian Wave 3 heaters, so thank you for that. Does it fit in the original location or did you have to modify anything. Or is it loose.”

I used 1/4” plywood to fill the hole left from removal of the stock heater, and hung the Wave3 on it. I leave the front window above the bed open a bit to insure a source of oxygen, but I do that even when the heater isn’t on.

 

[Willard]

Thanks Keith.

 

[Willard]

New question. the slide out sleep cot. Does anyone know the max weight?

I am wondering if my 10 year old can sleep on it. I may have to replace it if it is warn but still a question.