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1976 Cab Over Alaskan Camper .... As-Is, Mods,Damage and Fixes


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#1 docalex

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Posted 04 July 2019 - 02:42 PM

I was looking to buy a Camper. I wanted to buy an Alaskan Camper but I was unsure of what I was getting myself into.  What I struggled with and ruminated over was  purchase cost, condition , time and effort money issues. Do I buy the old beater and restore it (less time camping and I have enough unfinished projects in my life) ... Or... Buy a new or newer one ( 30 K  new is way out of my price range )

I found this forum and other information on the internet very very helpful. I really liked the youtube videos

of the guy completely gutting and de-roofing his CO Alaskan. I also like and appreciate the build, mads and fixes with lots of pictures ( re...1000 words).

 

 " Experience is knowledge every else is just information " - Einstein

 

So thanks for the info.... sharing your experiences

 

and I am going to post mine up here........

 

DocAlex

 

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Edited by docalex, 04 July 2019 - 03:32 PM.

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1994 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel

1976 10' CabOver Alaskan Camper


#2 docalex

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Posted 04 July 2019 - 02:57 PM

What is her pedigree?

 

 

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Edited by docalex, 04 July 2019 - 03:33 PM.

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1994 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel

1976 10' CabOver Alaskan Camper


#3 docalex

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Posted 04 July 2019 - 03:09 PM

The previous owner  bolted an angle iron frame on the bottom of the camper and fabricated these beefy stairs. He stored the stairs between the camper and the bed of the truck.The ladder wont fit in my truck....

 

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Edited by docalex, 06 July 2019 - 01:38 PM.

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1994 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel

1976 10' CabOver Alaskan Camper


#4 Taku

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Posted 04 July 2019 - 05:04 PM

Looking forward to more. We are going through the same thought process right now. Although getting a 3/4 ton truck is first on the list! I am leaning towards and older Alaskan so we can pretty much gut it without remorse and build it out how we want. But the time vs. fun ratio is going to get better once I retire. 


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2005 Tundra  2013 Ocelot    "Ridiculously comfortable"

 

2021 Tundra 2022 Cougar Shell Built Out  "Even more ridiculously comfortable"


#5 Harold

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Posted 04 July 2019 - 06:29 PM

I have owned six Alaskan's since 2008 and each one needed repair of some sort or another. My first was a 59' NCO and I refinished the cabinets and reupholstered the cushions only.  Latest is a 1968 NCO and needs extensive dry rot repair in the top section. You can find a good later model year in the area of 9K to 15K if you are vigilant. I moderate a group on Facebook and do a nationwide search a couple times a week. 

Extremely nice 58' NCO in Santa Cruz, CA. for $5500

https://sfbay.craigs...6925656574.html

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#6 docalex

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Posted 04 July 2019 - 09:44 PM

Purchased her for $ 2500 ...

Drove 1869 miles to get her .....

Burned less than 100 gallons of fuel.

With her on my back I was passing trucks with a 50 mile an hour cross wind going up a grade.. 

I am really impressed with my new old dodge...paid 4k

 

Here is the craigs list ad...

 

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Edited by docalex, 05 July 2019 - 12:26 AM.

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1994 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel

1976 10' CabOver Alaskan Camper


#7 docalex

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Posted 16 July 2019 - 07:28 PM

Her Pedigree???

 

serial # stamped on side

 

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The pump came from Sun Valley.... The rest of the camper?

 

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1994 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel

1976 10' CabOver Alaskan Camper


#8 docalex

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Posted 16 July 2019 - 07:39 PM

Cabinet Latch Fix

 

The pin that pushes in has been worn down and is too short to trigger the mechanism. I cannabilized an electrical butt splice and pounded the hollow metal piece on to the pin to extend it. I trimmed it to size with a grinder and drilled out a bigger hole on the latch mounting piece to accomodate the now thicker pin.

Solved that problem, and what a pain, the non functioning latch was on the most used pump access cabinet.

 

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prior owner latch hack ...other issue

 

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1994 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel

1976 10' CabOver Alaskan Camper


#9 docalex

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Posted 02 September 2019 - 08:24 PM

Froli bed system,

 

I purchase the froli star basic package from amazon . I was concerned that I would need a few extra modules.... they are perhaps spread a bit then... but they work perfect...

 

After my first order success I ordered another basic package for the bottom bed ... spread even thinner but works great...

 

Huge difference in comfort ....

 

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hung from thumb tacks in dinnette mode

 

 

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1994 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel

1976 10' CabOver Alaskan Camper


#10 docalex

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Posted 02 September 2019 - 08:29 PM

added another piece of table attachment rail ... so I could off center the table and give myself more room when I am not entertaining..

I also used a small piece to attach my battery monitor which I can easily remove and put behind the window so I can see it while driving

 

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1994 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel

1976 10' CabOver Alaskan Camper





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