HARD-SIDED POP-UP TRUCK CAMPER TOUR - Why aren't more people talking about these?! (2019 Alaskan 7')
We bought a new truck camper!! Now, the journey to find this baby was LONG and we even drove all the way to Southern California for a camper that we ended up backing out on because the owner was hiding leaks and dents in the photos. I will say, we put ourselves in a tougher situation by buying a 2005 Toyota Tundra, as it does really limit the truck campers we could look at. BUT, after the failed attempt to Southern California, this Alaskan popped up on Facebook Marketplace just 30 minutes from home at a price we could not believe.
Backstory: we have looked at Alaskans for years but never thought we'd be able to find one in our price range. They're expensive! So when this one showed up just a little above our current budget, we thought it was too good to be true. We drove up to North Lake Tahoe and found out that the people who were selling it bought it brand new in 2018 from the factory and had only used it a handful of times, so it looked PRISTINE on the inside. We immediately knew we had to take her home!
We are currently two weeks into a month-long trip in this camper and honestly we have fallen more and more in love with it every day. It does have it's downsides: having to pop it up, having it open to the elements, not having as much storage, etc, but the ability to actually park in any parking space, have an easier time driving, and being able to get to even more remote places has been such a huge upgrade.
I'm very curious to see if we keep her or if we find another camper we want to try out instead, but so far, we are very very pleasantly surprised!
This is a 2019 7' Alaskan Truck Camper and the dry weight is about 1,500 lbs.
Let us know if you enjoyed this video and if you have any questions about truck campers, why we switched, or Alaskans! Thank you so much for watching!
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My grandparents had one of these campers on a GMC 2500 diesel. They had the full size camper version. Back then (late 90's), they where not automated, so grandpa hooked up a hydraulic system using a bottle jack to open and close it quickly. They travelled in it for about a decade.. all the way up to Alaska.. all the way south to Panama.. across the country to Nova Scotia, and everywhere americana in between. It's an amazing rig! Enjoy it!
My daughter bought a pop up for her Toyota Tacoma when she turned 16 in 2015 and loved traveling about the country during summer break. She had an outdoor shower setup with on demand hot water and a compost toilet for when she was boon docking around.. When I was that age I had to suffer with just a truck topper and showering in the river’s 😅
I’ve owned one of those before. They’re incredible campers. Not so much for full time living if you’re moving around a lot. The lower profile is much better on fuel economy vs a regular truck camper. Not to mention crosswinds! I will say, with experience mind you, to upgrade your truck size. You’re probably pushing that truck 1,000+ lbs over its max payload and bad things will happen over time should you decide to continue doing so. Most important thing to replace regularly (I didn’t know this til a few weeks ago) is the wheel studs. ESPECIALLY if you’re using lug centric wheels, which it appears you are. Heed my warning and you’ll be grateful. Cheers from a fellow (although I don’t post much anymore) fulltime truck campin KZheadr who’s upgrading from a 3500 to a 5500 because I’ve had two wheel stud (or wheel possibly) failures in the last 2 years.
Great set up! Have always wondered about the Alaskan camper. Nice to see one finally. Cant wait to hear your review at the end of your month. Thanks for the video.
Nice choice on truck and camper. There are quite a few 1st gen tundra rigs with campers on them. As long as you set them up for the weight, you guys will be golden. No matter what rig you have, if you're smiling, it's the right one. And you guys can always switch it up if you want to. Enjoy the new rig and the adventures ahead!!
Agreed, we have it setup to handle the camper very well. Thank you for watching!
Such an awesome camper, so glad y'all could find one!
Pretty sweet! Safe and fun travels!
You better check your collapsed space over the sink before you change that faucet to a tall one.
I have a 1st gen Tundra as well and love it. They have small brakes though, which will be an early wear item. You’re way over payload, regardless of any mods you make.
Looks like an awesome setup 🤙🏻
Really appreciate the tour! Thanks and God's speed!
Great video! Alaskan campers are so sweet- Just wish they were taller inside!
I see a couple of comments about the truck not being able to support the weight of the camper safely. Get custom springs and you'll be fine. You'll get the stock ride height back...no sag and a massive upgrade in suspension performance. Talk to Les at Alcan Springs in Grand Junction and you'll be good to go. The springs will be fine if you have the camper off as well. I have a '24 8.5 Alaskan flatbed on an F-250 with Alcan springs...it's magnificent.
I have heard great things about Alcan. So far the setup I have decided on works great and I am really happy with how it rides/handles!
Great looking camper. Just check the distance from the ceiling of the camper in the closed position to the intended height of the new faucet that you are interested in. There are also foldaway options. Cheers from British Columbia, Canada.
I just got one of the 7 foot Alaskan campers also and absolutely love it I wish you the best.
Really stoked on this one! They are great. Thank you!
I don't know ifyours is used but I thought Alaskan campers closed up a long time ago. Do they still make campers?
I don't know ifyours is used but I thought Alaskan campers closed up a long time ago. Do they still make campers?
@@Tommy-rr7ez They are still open; however, in the last year ish they changed ownership. Mine is a 2021.
@ADVENTUREAROUNDTHEBEND OK thanks buddy! I watched a video and the man had a real old one and the way he talked they had closed and then hearing yall I was confused. I would like to get one. If you don't mind and if you don't want to I promise I won't get mad but just wondering what one might cost?
Great setup! Love the low profile. Wondering about the idea to install a high-rise kitchen faucet - when you lower the top, will it clear the new faucet? Thanks for the time and effort put into the video. Be safe!
We share your thought and concern about that. Any faucet with an extendable head would really make the difference. Thank you!
Nice setup! If the 7' Alaskan does not work,, give me a shout. I've been looking for an used 7' Alaskan.
There is a 10ft one PHX craigslist
What a rad camper, really would love to build a tundra camper myself. Never seen a pop up hard shell like this.
This is really the only kind of pop-up we would have ever considered, so far the hard side is worth it. Thanks for watching!
The fold out couch would be great on a windy night for a quick set up
That's a good call! Thanks!
I just subscribed as I am excited to hear your review on the Alaskan! Maybe you might sell it to me at the end of your grand adventure! Be safe 🙏
Do you know the dry weight of the camper? And did you do any mods to the truck? !/2 ton right?
The sticker weight of the camper is 1,596 lbs. When we purchased the truck it had just been fitted with Bilstein 5100's in all four corners and we added Firestone airbags in the rear. Considering additional mods but it actually rides quite well as is. Yep, 1/2 ton, great questions!
Awesome setup and nice video! Was gonna get a 7 footer for my F150 but i only have about 2000 pounds of payload and so the camper and my stuff and people were going to gar exceed that. I guess Toyotas have a higher GVWR?
Not likely. Welcome to the world of truck camping: where GCWR is more a suggestion than a guideline 😆. Not pointing fingers, I am not perfect either.
Why aren't more people talking about these? Maybe because of the price. That's my guess. They're really cool, but they're also bloody expensive.
How much does the camper weigh? Any weight issues with the tundra’s limited Paulo’s capacity?
Interesting rig! Couple of questions: Fridge….three way, two way or only electric? Height inside?
Good questions! The fridge is electric only and the height inside is about 6' 3"
@@the_adventureaddicts thank you!!
What is the weight of your camper and what is the cargo capacity of your Tundra? Very cool rig, by the way!!
I see what you're doing. Yes He's over gvw by hundreds of lbs.
Nice video! I'm curious, how tall are you guys?
Kelby is about 5' 10" and Zoe is 5' 8". The interior of the camper is about 6' 3"
Nice but i guess you would have to make sure you dont face the nose into the blowing rain or snow wile going up and down.
That wood platform behind you is extremely dangerous in any crash.
Appreciate your concern! But it is actually attached and not just floating around, that would definitely be dangerous
The best pop-up out there, but unfortunately, no.inside shower. I'm going with the new German import instead even though it's not a pop-up. Hotomobil.
Really nice but starting at 40K! and with no shower. Truck campers are way to expensive considering you have to have a reasonably big truck to carry one. I like how most people don't talk about about how much these things cost. Do you really need to spend that much to go camping?
Fortunately this one we found used and honestly got an incredible deal. We were able to sell our old camper and pick this one up within our budget, which was nowhere near $40k.
Didn’t catch the info on toilet capacity.
They’re cassette toilets. Usually good for about a weeks worth of regular usage for two people as long as you don’t get carried away. Or eat a lot of Taco Bell.
Price man. The price.
where the hell do ppl get the money do do these rigs
Get a job and save...work two jobs.
For a popup that is by far the best setup. no canvas! The best thing is you have it on a Tundra.
Way too much camper for the Tundra of any model. Nice camper made in Washington State. You’ll be upgrading your truck.
Too much yak yak. Get to the camper.
To much talking
What is the dry weight of the camper? Thanks
The sticker weight is 1596 lbs. with full water, full propane and fridge
They need to upgrade to more efficient awning type windows. Not only are they more functional they also insulate much better than single pane sliding windows
I would agree with you there! We thought about those for our last camper remodel but never ended up pulling the plug. Maybe if we decide this one needs them we will upgrade.
but google says that tundra has a payload capacity of 2000lbs. so isnt everything to heavy for that truck?
It’s much less than 2k, that camper is WAY to heavy.
@@michaelblock3998agreed
Payload capacity for 1st gen Tundra is 1600lbs, same weight of the camper.
@paulg492 I have had a couple of campers in my life and found their actual weight stickers to be horribly off. I had a pop up that said 1430 pounds wet weight. Brought it to a scale with a few things in it and it was 2500 pounds. Actually I have found that my campers loaded and no people typically go about 1000 pounds over the manufacturing sticker.
@@paulg492that’s likely before propane, water, camping accoutrements. Oftentimes many camper companies weigh their base model before adding said accoutrements and slap that lower, more alluring number on the back. Realistically, this setup with their stuff and themselves probably puts them well into 3/4-1 ton payload category if not more. I bet they’re 1500 lbs over payload.