Truck for the 6.5 foot cab over

[ArtTrek]

We are looking at the 6.5 foot cab over. Our plan is to get a GMC Sierra 1500 regular cab.

Any comments/wisdom?

Thanks!

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Published weight figures for campers tend to be optimistic and lower than actual real world weights. And people don't usually allow for enough weight for passengers, food, clothing, bedding, the dog, etc

You didn't say if you were buying new or used. Wet weight for the current 6.5 cabover is 1550 lbs. What sort of figures do you have for your proposed 1500?

 

[ArtTrek]

Published weight figures for campers tend to be optimistic and lower than actual real world weights. And people don't usually allow for enough weight for passengers, food, clothing, bedding, the dog, etc

You didn't say if you were buying new or used. Wet weight for the current 6.5 cabover is 1550 lbs. What sort of figures do you have for your proposed 1500?

John, thanks for your comment. I'm looking at a new Alaskan and a new GMC. The 1500 has a maximum payload of 1880. Therefore, the 6.5 vs. the 7 footer. I'm looking into the use of helper springs which would increase the safety margin. We are light travelers, currently have a Casita trailer and previously being backpackers. Still, your points are very well taken.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Here’s a link to one of the members who has that camper on a similar truck. You might send a PM to get her feedback. I saw her camper at the factory. They did a nice job on it!

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/user/3329-linda-n/

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

John, thanks for your comment. I'm looking at a new Alaskan and a new GMC. The 1500 has a maximum payload of 1880. Therefore, the 6.5 vs. the 7 footer. I'm looking into the use of helper springs which would increase the safety margin. We are light travelers, currently have a Casita trailer and previously being backpackers. Still, your points are very well taken.

Sounds like you will - technically - be over the trucks's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Some people are bothered by this, some don't seem to worry about it. Adding helper springs and such-like will certainly level the truck, but LEGALLY, no aftermarket add-ons increase the truck's factory certified GVWR.

If you're not already familiar with these two sites, I recommend you spend some time on them. Very interesting and informative.

http://www.truckcamperadventure.com/

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/

 

[Espresso]

Get a 3/4 ton. Don't try to turn a 1/2 ton into a 3/4 ton with springs and sway bars and airbags. Don't make the same mistake I made.

 

[PackRat]

Go with a 3/4 ton....you will never regret it. By the way, if you do, you can move up to an 8' CO Alaskan. I know you said you traveled light but with a slightly bigger rig you can carry more water, have a bigger 'fridge and room for TWO to get dressed, make your meals and move around in there.

Just sayin'......

 

[ArtTrek]

Go with a 3/4 ton....you will never regret it. By the way, if you do, you can move up to an 8' CO Alaskan. I know you said you traveled light but with a slightly bigger rig you can carry more water, have a bigger 'fridge and room for TWO to get dressed, make your meals and move around in there.

Just sayin'......

PackRat, what do you think about the difference between an 8' and a 7'? After all of the input, we've decided to go with a 3/4 ton pickup... makes a lot more sense! Now, our question is 6 3/4' bed or an 8' bed. The cost difference between the 7' and 8' Alaskan is marginal, so it comes down to which truck bed to get. Any more thoughts?

 

[wagoneer]

Do they still make an 8 foot bed? lol It used to be 4 x 8 foot plywood needed to fit. With all this combining vehicle truck/passenger Hibred am seeing 4 ft beds in our future. My feeling about 8 foot bed and a one ton non dual is pretty strong here.

 

[ArtTrek]

Do they still make an 8 foot bed? lol It used to be 4 x 8 foot plywood needed to fit. With all this combining vehicle truck/passenger Hibred am seeing 4 ft beds in our future. My feeling about 8 foot bed and a one ton non dual is pretty strong here.

We're looking at a Ford Super Duty (3/4 ton)... It comes with either a 6 3/4' or an 8'... You're right about the small beds. 5' is fairly common, and 5 1/2 is the new "normal" for "regular" size beds.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

A couple of thoughts... a new 1 ton is roughly $1000 more than a 3/4 ton, and resale is typically much better down the line. Payload values are higher as well.

If you want to retain the tailgate for locking security and a back porch, talk to Alaskan.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Conversely, with an 8 foot bed, you can fit a 10 foot Alaskan, with the additional 2 feet on the tailgate, as seen in pictures on the Alaskan site.

 

[Smokecreek1]

Okay, this is more or less on this subject! In 2005, I bought a new Granby and mounted it on my '99 1/2 ton 4x4 F150 extended cab with a 6.5 bed-tail gate down. I really did not like the ride and reversed dump look, so I went through the usual progression of heavy duty hilwig springs, air bags etc., and nothing really worked or fixed the problem. I finally went down to the local Susanville ford dealer for help and I was in luck because one of the mechanics had recently transferred over to Susanville from one of the central valley dealers and suggested that I call a blacksmith over in Red Bluff (Moore's Blacksmith Shop) that specialized in beefing up 1/2 tons into 3/4 tons by adding a new 3/4 ton type suspension and other modifications. Anyway I had it done and it was the best $500.00 bucks I ever spent and all I do is have them tighten up the bolts during my annual maint. check. No problems ever since then. Lesson learned, " I should have bought a F250 with a 8' bed or bought the next pop-up type down in size! Don't know how much that helps!

Smoke

 

[klahanie]

We are looking at the 6.5 foot cab over. Our plan is to get a GMC Sierra 1500 regular cab.

PackRat, what do you think about the difference between an 8' and a 7'? After all of the input, we've decided to go with a 3/4 ton pickup... makes a lot more sense! Now, our question is 6 3/4' bed or an 8' bed. The cost difference between the 7' and 8' Alaskan is marginal, so it comes down to which truck bed to get. Any more thoughts?

We're looking at a Ford Super Duty (3/4 ton)... It comes with either a 6 3/4' or an 8'...

Are you still wanting a regular cab ? Myself, I wouldn't buy a reg cab with short box, too many limitations for resale.

Reg cab long box would work great for an 8' or 8.5' and still be a good all rounder size (ime). Have you been inside a newer Alaskan to gauge how it might suit ? With these longer camper lengths there is space to alter the size of dinette and cabinet storage.

If you are now considering extended or crew cab then your comfort with overall truck length comes into play.

 

[JoeKan]

I personally wish I had never bought a 1/2 ton with 6.5 bed because of the low payload. If I had to do it all over again it would be at least a 3/4 ton with 8 ft. bed then I would get a vintage 10 ft. Alaskan

 

[ArtTrek]

Are you still wanting a regular cab ? Myself, I wouldn't buy a reg cab with short box, too many limitations for resale.

Reg cab long box would work great for an 8' or 8.5' and still be a good all rounder size (ime). Have you been inside a newer Alaskan to gauge how it might suit ? With these longer camper lengths there is space to alter the size of dinette and cabinet storage.

If you are now considering extended or crew cab then your comfort with overall truck length comes into play.

Food for thought... Thanks!

 

[HarveyHolroyd]

I recently purchased an new Alaskan 8.5 cabover on a 2105 f-350 crewcab 6.5 foot bed with the tailgate down. I think this represents the best compromise between wheelbase, cab and camper space.I went with the diesel and have plenty of power and payload.

Cheers

 

[noteven]

I run a 2006 3500 Dodge 8 ft bed 4wd quad cab (small rear doors) owned since 2008 and a new to me 1974 vintage 10’ CO.

The long truck takes a bit of parking management in cities. Everywhere else is fine.

The rear cab area with doors is great for camper work.

Next step may be a flatbed with storage under the camper wings.

Have you looked at a flatbed Alaskan? Lots of advantages. Side entry, rear dinette to enjoy the scenery, frees rear of unit to trailer or carry stuff on the camper rig.

 

[PackRat]

Lots of things in play here....
1) do you want/need seating for four people in the cab?
2) do you want/need an 8' bed?
3) will you be using this as a daily driver in cities?

I will admit my F-250 Lariat 4x4 (fold down rear seat accessed by folding pass seat down) with an 8' bed is not easy to get around parking lots and takes a LOT of room to do a U-turn. However, once you get out of town that isn't an issue. Once you get into your camping areas, the 4x4 may/can be very helpful. The 8' bed now makes hauling an 8' Alaskan (or a 10') a piece of cake and you won't be over any weight limitations.

Having had an 8' NCO, the 48" wide dinette bunk just didn't cut it for me and the Mrs. After a detour into a Lance camper, I'm back now with an 8' CO Alaskan which gives us BOTH a nice, large sleeping space! I like the fact that the tailgate closes up and the truck bumper will take any rear-ending episodes, not the camper and I REALLY like the "rear porch" it affords you for muddy shoes, setting stuff on (my propane tank) and such. With just the two of us, the 8' is OK for roominess since they are all the same width between cabinetry anyway.

Anyway you cut it, a 1/2 ton truck is tempting the hand of fate....I did it with the first F-150 and Alaskan but it did not have a rear seat and was an 8' tub. That moves the center of gravity forward. A 1/2 ton with and extended cab and short tub leaves you with a center of gravity more to the rear and may seriously put you over on that axle.

Never send a boy to do a man's job.....

Go with at least a 3/4 ton for any Alaskan and go with an 8' bed and then the 8' or 10' CO or NCO are a piece of cake as long as you have enough engine/transmission gearing to haul it!

Go take a look at the pics posted by Alaskan owners to see what they are using for a camper/truck combination....small truck and big Alaskans are not well represented!

 

[ArtTrek]

So we finally made our decisions. We had settled on an F250 SuperCab 4x4, but there was an F350 CrewCab 4x4 with a 6'8" bed for a great price. We have that home now. We've ordered the 7' Alaskan Cabover to go with it. Really APPRECIATE all of the perspectives that were shared. I'm real comfortable driving the F350 and it has the extra beef to safely carry the 7' cabover. Looking forward to delivery of the Alaskan sometime next year!