calicamper
Expedition Leader
I grew up with an alaskan camper. My dad had one and the new ones are pretty much identical to what my dad had 40yrs ago. I will say one thing it was super heavy, and we didnt have the cab over model. Lots of wood.
Alaskan camper "super heavy"? All things are relative.
I currently own a 10 ft Alaskan cab over that weighs very close to 2000 lbs.
I also currently own a lite weight Northern Lite hard sider that is 6 inches shorter (length) that weighs.....very close to the same. I believe both are weighed info on data "plate". (In reality a data sticker on both)
And the CG is much higher, as is the top of the camper which pushes a BIG bow wave.
Alaskan camper is heavy compared to the tall shells that were popular 40 years ago, but today we are talking campers with sinks, water, stoves, propane, etc.
The negatives on the Alaskan vs hard side is they are not as tight (air flow and dust wise), but very livable none the less.
Also, there is monkey motion involved with set up and take down each time you camp, and, actually, also just to enter it comfortably. I don't mind it, some folks do.
Adding extra height to an Alaskan will add extra cost, undoubtedly, but Bryan can talk numbers. Also it will be slightly heavier with a bit more structure, but it shouldn't be much.
I also would not recommend the wood framed Alaskan if you were going to be primarily traveling, camping, and storing the camper in a wet climate. Other people's experience on the forums have convinced me of that opinion.
I like my Alaskan, but my wife wanted better.....well,....accommodations (shower, HW tank, more room over bed, etc.). Go figure.
Edit: pickups way back when were not really designed and built (suspension, tires, brakes, etc) for much load, so the "heavy" perception would have very real when driving early Alaskans with contemporary pickups. Today's trucks are FAR more capable.
I believe this is where Alaskans got their "heavy" reputation. Back when trucks were wimpy... The campers are built basically/structurally the same now as 50 years ago.
Does FWC have a 10 foot CO camper now? I didn't realize that is currently an option....
Looks like their max length 8 foot (96" floor) camper weighs 1700 lbs. calculated on a per inch basis, if they made a 120 inch long floor camper that would run about 2,125 lbs, so slightly heavier per inch than the Alaskan...... IF the truck camper magazine buyers guide is accurate with their numbers, anyway.
Floor space costs both money AND weight.
No chip on my shoulder, or anything, but Alaskan Campers can't seem to shake their rap for being very heavy....
Not entirely deserved, imho.
Edit with better info: add address to site my FWC numbers came from.
http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/truck-camper-buyers-guide/four-wheel-pop-up-camper
Alaskan 2016 numbers by TCM. I was just going by my camper in the above response.
There are a lot of numbers to sort through, but looks like the Alaskan loaded up is heavier per inch than FWC loaded up....
http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/truck-camper-buyers-guide/alaskan-camper
Mia culpa...(blush)....
I just finished a shake down cruise in my 4WC 6' pop up and slept two nights on the roll over couch in rout coming and going to destination with the top in the down
position, the bed up top is a little more comfortable but the roll over is very doable, I love it !
are you by yourself ......would it be possible to sleep two ( at least 48" wide X 72" long )