Dr.Science
Advanced Member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2021
- Messages
- 50
Newbie on this forum. I've been thinking about getting an Alaskan for some years now and finally sat down and ran the numbers on pop-up campers, and Alaskan won. I suppose that won't be a surprise to any of you, but really the aesthetics won the argument. If I'm gonna be spending 16-hr winter nights sitting in a camper, I want it to be warm and to look good.
So the question is, which one? A bit of research tells me the motive force will be a 2500 or 3500 class pickup, 4WD, probably diesel, probably about 10 years old to hit a $15K price point. That will carry a 6.5 or 8-foot bed, which means a 6.5' CO, 8' CO or 8' NCO Alaskan. I want to keep the overall rig length fairly short because I go to a lot of places that push the limits of the rig. I also mostly go to fairly cold places. I hope it will be a used Alaskan because although I could swing the price of a new one, the 16-month lead time for a build is daunting. But, they seem to be scarce on the used market. I'm not afraid to fix one up though; handy with tools and have many of them. One thing I'm wondering, would it be better to get a 6.5 ft camper with an extended cab or an 8 ft with a standard cab? And is the 8' NCO really that much different from an 8' CO in terms of extended living space (I'm recently mostly retired so I'm looking at using this rig for extended journeys, typically 4-16 weeks, sometimes with spouse who's a rugged outdoorsy sort).
Also looking for tips on set-up for extended cold weather use in boondock environment. Best heater, best choice of fridge, stuff like that. Traditionally I do this stuff backpacker style but getting a bit old for it, have to learn the RV'ers ways.
Thanks for your sage advice.
So the question is, which one? A bit of research tells me the motive force will be a 2500 or 3500 class pickup, 4WD, probably diesel, probably about 10 years old to hit a $15K price point. That will carry a 6.5 or 8-foot bed, which means a 6.5' CO, 8' CO or 8' NCO Alaskan. I want to keep the overall rig length fairly short because I go to a lot of places that push the limits of the rig. I also mostly go to fairly cold places. I hope it will be a used Alaskan because although I could swing the price of a new one, the 16-month lead time for a build is daunting. But, they seem to be scarce on the used market. I'm not afraid to fix one up though; handy with tools and have many of them. One thing I'm wondering, would it be better to get a 6.5 ft camper with an extended cab or an 8 ft with a standard cab? And is the 8' NCO really that much different from an 8' CO in terms of extended living space (I'm recently mostly retired so I'm looking at using this rig for extended journeys, typically 4-16 weeks, sometimes with spouse who's a rugged outdoorsy sort).
Also looking for tips on set-up for extended cold weather use in boondock environment. Best heater, best choice of fridge, stuff like that. Traditionally I do this stuff backpacker style but getting a bit old for it, have to learn the RV'ers ways.
Thanks for your sage advice.