1968 Alaskan Camper: Restoration/Refurbish

[KEENO]

Over the past few weeks.... I have finally managed to get my 1968 Alaskan Camper (8' model - Non-Cabover) over to my buddies shop & up on the Chassis lift, for what started as a Floor Replacement Project. Simply, re-applying a 4' x 8' sheet of 3/4" Marine Plywood in place of the 40+ year old plywood that looked like wet, soggy, corrugated cardboard.

As with most projects & improvements, this one has now taken on a direction of it's own and evolved into an full blown "Make-Over". (Definitely, Not... "Flip my Alaskan" tho!) The wallet is being emptied, the UPS driver shows up almost daily & many hours being spent in the shop with power tools. Before I go much further, I would like to thank my long time buddy, Eric, for his skills, knowledge, & work space to proceed with getting this particular Alaskan set for 40+ more years of service!

A quick history and then.... On with the Build!

I purchased this camper over the Christmas Holiday 2008 out in Ventura California for $400. It's actually in great shape after spending the majority of it's time in Baja Mexico attached to a 1970 Chevy C20 Pickup as a mobile surfing home. I also believe it has spent some time up in Banff, Canada by the stickers on the back. I guess it's got Overland-ing in its blood!

Pulling the Alaskan out to the back of my First Gen Dodge/Cummins:
Alaskan 1 60.JPG
Alaskan 2 30.JPG
Alaskan 3 23.JPG

The 40+ year old Plywood Floor/Bottom:

Alaskan 4 23.JPG
Alaskan 5 23.JPG

More to come.... It's about to get ugly!

KEENO

[Metcalf]

mmmmmmm.....dodge.

Looks like its still in pretty good shape though!

Are you going to nida-core the bottom, that would be trick!

[KEENO]

Hey Metcalf...

Nida-Core really never crossed my mind for Flooring? Maybe some investigation is required. So far, I have a $69 piece of 3/4" Marine Grade Plywood slated for the floor with Alumimum or SS angle to reinforce.

KEENO

[KEENO]

Here's a few more pics of the floor being affect by gravity & the aftermath:
Alaskan floor 23.JPG
Alaskan floor 2 23.JPG
Alaskan floor 3 23.JPG

KEENO

[Funrover]

I feel this is going to be a great thread to follow!

[KEENO]

After getting the spent floor/plywood cleaned up, we quickly set the camper base back on the floor before anything else fell out or sagged & proceeded to split the camper halves. Placed the Lower Door back into position, wrapped the lower section in 3" cam straps to preserve what remained of it's structual integrity, lifted the lower section onto (4) dollies and rolled to the otherside of the shop.

Alaskan Split 1.JPG
Alaskan Split 2.JPG

Let the work on the Upper Section begin....

KEENO

[Tennmogger]

Now there are at least two Alaskan Campers in TN! I'm near Knoxville and have a '70 model 10 ft no cabover. You have a good project ahead of you but it's definitely worth the effort!

We found our Alaskan last fall up in MN. My wife made it clear that further camping was going to require better facilities than before, and I like the camper too.

BTW, when I mounted mine on my flatbed I lifted it enough to put 4 lengths of treated 1x6" boards front to back with air space between them. The idea is to avoid the capillary action and trapped water of having the floor of the camper directly in contact with the truck bed.

Looking forward to watching your progress. What luck to have that lift available!

Bob

Over the past few weeks.... I have finally managed to get my 1968 Alaskan Camper (8' model - Non-Cabover) over to my buddies shop & up on the Chassis lift, for what started as a Floor Replacement Project. ...chop....
More to come.... It's about to get ugly!

KEENO

[driller]

hey thats not fair using the lift that just not fair.

[KEENO]

hey thats not fair using the lift that just not fair.

What can I say.... Great Friends with the Goods! Git-R-Done!

KEENO

[KEENO]

Hey Tennmogger!

I love your Rig! it was one of the first vehicles I ran across while looking for an Alaskan last Christmas. Your rig & Carlyle's builds come up when Google'ing for Alaskan Campers.... That's what drew me over to ExPo!

I appreciate the tip on the 1x6 strips to create an air gap under the flooring. This was also recommended by Bryan at Alaskan Campers. I now wish I wouldn't have spent the $135 for the high density rubber floor mat back in December. Shop Mat?

No Worries! Looking forward to a "Shake & howdy" at a Regional Expo event sometime soon!

KEENO