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Alaskan converted into a travel trailer!

utility trailer cargo trailer 8ft NCO modified converted travel trailer mounted

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#11 myfootstepsfirm

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Posted 02 July 2018 - 12:10 AM

Found the post on wander the west:

 

"so, after being more than a bit worried reading all the thoughts on the weight of our camper, we took it to our local weigh scales.

first we went with just the truck and returned later with the camper. turns out an unloaded (dry weight) 1968, NCO alaskan camper only weighs 750 pounds. phew...we can keep on camping!!

thanks for the replies, hope this helps someone else later on down the road."

 

So I was wrong with my 900lbs-ish comment...the dry weight is a mere 750lbs.

 

I bought the Alaskan from an RV salvage dealer and found tons of marked up paper maps, campground guides, camping articles and such in the kitchen drawers...the dates all start in 1968 and based on the aesthetics of my Alaskan I'd say it's a late '60's. 

 

If this data is correct, the Tractor Supply 6'x8' trailer should haul it just fine...again...knock on wood...I've not had any issues in more than a year. 


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#12 DavidGraves

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Posted 02 July 2018 - 12:14 AM

Perhaps we digress from your initial post.....I owned several BMW's, including antiques, sidecars, etc etc and a Harley and British bikes...all in my young adult years......but still would take the Vespa P200 E down the length of the Blue Ridge parkway each year on a camping trip....about 450 miles round trip from DC.

 

When I took the factory training at the importer in NJ they had an Ape, (50 cc utility three wheeler) in the building they used for erands.....I tried my damnest to buy it from the Tech trainer person but no dice...not cetified for US rules.

 

Of well...another little bit of interest was that the Wash Metro Police used Vespa Rally 180s for S O P. Another mechanic at the shop I worked in was moonlighting from the Police department.....They would use Vespas for traffice control while the Harleys were used for parade escort etc.

 

 

The National Capitol Park Police used Honda Trail 110s for patrol....ordered a large lot (200) in Blue. I still have one of those.

 

Ah youth.  

 

Apologize to other readers for moto mania.

 

David Graves


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#13 myfootstepsfirm

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Posted 02 July 2018 - 06:22 AM

David, 

 

You're my new best friend. I live, eat, sleep, breath, walk and talk vintage scooters. I piss people off I talk about them so much :)


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#14 ETAV8R

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Posted 02 July 2018 - 08:24 AM

What a great looking rig, inside and out.


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#15 Optimistic Paranoid

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Posted 02 July 2018 - 10:48 AM


I can't remember if it was on wanderthewest or expedition portal...but I found a post from a couple that had a late '60's 8ft NCO just like mine. They were worried about overloading their truck and they too could not pin down the exact weight. They went to a weigh station with the empty truck and had it weighed...then drove home, picked up the Alaskan and returned to the weigh station. Long story short, (as I vaguely remember) the Alaskan was 900-ish pounds.
 
 
I used the current weights as posted on Alaskan's website - 1380 lbs dry, 1636 lbs wet.  I gotta say I'm surprised the earlier ones were so much less.  Anyway, Good Luck with it!

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Regards

John

Rule #1 For Wandering The West: DON'T FEED THE VULTURES!

I Don't Like To Make Plans.  They Cause The Word "Premeditated" To Get Used In Court.

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#16 huskyrunnr

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Posted 02 July 2018 - 03:50 PM

My '66 8' NCO with the fridge and wardrobe gutted is 1233 lbs. But I have gotten some weird numbers on these scales before. I don't know if they didn't tare properly or what.


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#17 PackRat

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Posted 02 July 2018 - 07:31 PM

Here is some Alaskan Documentation:

3 ALASKAN SPECS.jpg


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1988 Ford F-250 HD Lariat 4x4 8 Ft. bed

1976 Alaskan 8 Ft. CO camper


#18 PackRat

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Posted 02 July 2018 - 07:35 PM

Maybe ask the trailer mfger what the weight of the trailer EMPTY is and what it can safely carry. Then just go back to the scales, unhitch the trailer/Alaskan on the scales and get the GCVW (gross combined vehicle weight). Compare that to what the trailer mfgr says it can carry and you will know where you stand.

 

It would seem you are very close to the limit of that trailer, but better to know for sure than to guess about that stuff.


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1988 Ford F-250 HD Lariat 4x4 8 Ft. bed

1976 Alaskan 8 Ft. CO camper


#19 myfootstepsfirm

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Posted 03 July 2018 - 05:19 AM

I just took the trailer over to a certified weigh station and here's the data:

 

TOTAL Gross Weight of trailer with all gear loaded (everything except food): 2,100 lbs (GVWR 2,400 lbs) 

 

Tongue weight: 220 lbs (spec is 360 lbs max)

 

Drive axle weight: 1880 lbs (spec is 2200 lbs max)

 

Each Maxxis M8008 tire is capable of a maximum weight of 1480 lbs each (2,960 combined)

 

So here is my take...

 

The Tractor Supply 6 x 8 trailer weights 725 lbs

 

The remaining weight is 1375 lbs....so figure 100lbs for gear (there isn't much) so the Alaskan weighs ~1275 lbs

 

IMPORTANT: There's bad intel on the WTW post from the couple who took their '68 NCO to a weigh station and claimed a total weight of 750 lbs. There is no way possible that a '68 NCO weighs 750lbs. The scale was off by 500 lbs?!?!? The scale was defective or something... 

 

Here's the link to the thread that says a 1968 8ft NCO weigh station weight is 750lbs 

 

http://www.wanderthe...ft-1968-weight/

 

I based my entire project off of that 750 lb weigh station weight! YIKES! 

 

I think the "ok" news is that I am close to the limits of the trailer but not over.

 

Trailer data from Tractor supply:

 

Specification Description     Brand: Carry-On Trailer         Application: Utility Payload Capacity: 1,675 lb. Tire Weight Rating (ea.): 1,100 lb. Coupler Type: A-Frame     Number of Axles: 1 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 2,400 lb. Product Type: Wood Floor Trailer     Coupler Size: 2 in. Tire Diameter: 13 in.     Empty Weight: 725 lb. Manufacturer Part Number 6X8GW2KP

 

 

The GVWR is 2,400 lbs The tongue weight allowance is 200 to 360 lbs. We use this tongue weight as part of our max gross rating. The axle is rated 2200lbs.

 

Edited by myfootstepsfirm, 04 July 2018 - 01:41 PM.

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#20 PackRat

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Posted 03 July 2018 - 04:48 PM

No offense meant, but to others who read this thread trying to decide if trailering an Alaskan like this is "OK" or not....this rig has virtually NO extra weight capacity to it. I also may have missed it, but does it have trailer brakes?

 

While the idea is sound, I would suggest that an interested party buy a two-axle trailer with brakes on at least one axle. With the weight of a loaded Alaskan and extras on the trailer bed, one rated to carry maybe 3,000 lbs with two axles and brakes would be a better choice in my book.

 

I would hate to have over 2,200 lbs back there when driving down the highway and experiencing a blowout with only two tires on the trailer.

 

Just sayin'


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1988 Ford F-250 HD Lariat 4x4 8 Ft. bed

1976 Alaskan 8 Ft. CO camper






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