Lets see how a Hallmark or Outfitter camper holds up after 30 or more years of use. Many Alaskans are still doing the job they were built for many years ago.
Proof of your point is in trying to find a late model used one!!
But I sure wish they would update their design to the 21st century, at least for some models, to include an indoor shower and toilet.
(yes, I know they will custom if asked - at least that's what they told me).
jmtandem wrote: Alaskan makes wonderful pop up campers without any of the fabric stuff, is a four season unit and has the quality of cabinets not the typical RV quality. I am amazed at this camper being off your short list and the implicaton that the only really worthy pop ups are those you mentioned. Also, I think your reference to center of gravity is suspect. COG is a fore and aft determination based on the center of weight of the camper. I think you are refering to a height of the weight above ground and the affect it can have on the entire truck on a side hill, etc. I have no dog in this race and will look at the Outfitter campers next time I get to the Denver area as many seem to rave about them and the oweners are for the most part very partial to their units. I did own an Alaskan camper and it sets the standard for all campers for quality. It is more like the interior of a nice sailboat than a camper. It does not have the RV feel to it. It also raises/lowers hydrauically, a very nice feature!
While I haven't owned one, I totally agree with you about the build quality of the Alaskans. What other make still has 50yo units on the road and selling for more then they cost new? We gave them a VERY serious look when we first considered a pop-up. Unfortunately, build quality aside, they ended up having too many downsides for the money (they were the most expensive by the way).
While advertised as a 4-season camper they achieve this not through a heated basement or holding tanks (which allow full use of plumbing no matter what the temps) but instead though a lack of holding tanks. There is (at least last time I checked) NO gray water tank. It simply drains out a hose bib on the rear of the camper into whatever suitable container you provide. This can be an issue since many places (BLM, Nat Parks, etc) now require full self-containment for any RVs camping there.
Also in the cabover model the bed is totally exposed to the elements when raising/lowering the roof until the wall panels are manually raised. There is an overall lack of storage space and none is available either under or on the bed since even the pillows must be removed to lower the top as the wall panels rest directly on the bed. This system ensures that anything on the panels when they are lowered WILL find its way into your bed eventually (along with any windblown rain, sand, snow, etc). The subliminally suggested way to handle the storage issue is to go with a service body pickup (as shown repeatedly on their website).
The only inside shower they offered (as an option) was a van-style setup, which consisted of a catch-pan (non-draining) set in the aisle with a curtain that goes up to the ceiling and utilizes the sink sprayer. The owner of the company did mention being able to provide a full bathroom with an actual inside shower, albeit at a cost of several thousand dollars added to the already pricey MSRP (don't expect any discounting on this either).
2007 F350,HighLine,SC,LB,4x4.6.0/Auto
2007 Outfitter Apex9.5, 270W solar, SolarBoost 2000e, 2 H2000i's, 2000W inverter, 2 20lb LP on slide out tray, 4 Lifeline AGM batteries, Tundra fridge
1995 Bounder 28' ClassA sold
1991 Jamboree 21' ClassC sold
SEMPER FI
trails2004 wrote: And some pop-ups (Hallmark) have an electric motor to raise and lower the top- nicer feature..
Outfitter also offers this option, however, it is too slow for me. I haven't challenged anyone to a race as of yet, but I could probably raise and lower my top three times with my manual crank in the time it takes for the electric lift to raise the top (basically using a jack motor).
jmtandem wrote: Three Outfitter campers just finished the White Rim trail and did just fine on off camper slopes.
Just a minor clarification in that there were plenty of off-camber sections which we successfully negotiated on the White Rim Trail with our Outfitters. We tried our best to stay clear of the off-camper slopes for obvious reasons.
Basically I agree with you that Alaskan campers really need to come of age. If they made a basement they could have grey and black tanks, more storage, etc. As you mentioned, they really are suited for a utility body truck. I had to place everything that would not fit in a storage compartment in the area between the pickup bed sides and the camper front and back of the wheelwells, or on the floor in boxes or plastic bins for transport. My issue here in this thread is not that they are flawless or designed better than Outfitter, Hallmark or any other pop up camper, it was that the poster simply discarded any consideration of them. Regardless of any comparison, I doubt that I will ever purchase any other camper (hardside or pop up) that is not a basement model.
I enjoyed the account of your White Rim trip, must have been fun.
I can assure you that I'm not affiliated with Hallmark, I just happen to be their number one fan- as you know I take a regular beating from those other guys
PS Alaskans have been described as fine cabinetry and I would agree. As stated by others they could become more competitive in the options that are offer. This company has been working off the same business model for many years and they do not see the need to change.
* This post was
edited 04/02/08 03:30pm by trails2004 *
Hey trails, I for one would surely never beat anyone...maybe myself at solitaire.(I cheat) My feelings are there are no negatives, only positives of different degrees! And I'm positive ol Chuck Taylor who was disturbed at my ribbing you on my initial post/trip report, will be happy no matter what he buys. And yes, still disturbed...like the rest of us.
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