The Camper that's the RV for discriminating campers; the campers camper, the Alaskan Camper

Alaskan Campers, the world's leading manufacturer of solid wall pop-up campers offers more than 20 floor plans for Campers. Luxury features and amenities will be available in every price point tier -- from the entry level 8' non-cabover Alaskan, to the mid-line 10' Alaskan, to the high-end Alcan, making it easier for weekend Campers to enjoy the RV lifestyle with all of the comforts of home.

The affordable 8' non-cabover Alaskan features four floor plans, three of which are available in short or long bed designs. Some standard exterior/interior features include: skylight roof vents, fishing pole/rifle storage, forward truck bed bumpers, queen-size bed, pantry with adjustable shelf, and a wide view rear window with cover.

Popular options include removable entry step, microwave and a 12V compact disc player. The 10' Cabover features retail pricing from $16,038.00 to $19,856 and will entice tent Campers to experience the convenience of an affordable, entry-level RV.

"Whether families are camping in a Non cabover or Cabover, the flexibility in floor plan options will make it easier for them to step up to the Alcan for a luxury camping experience, " said Bryan Wheat, Vice President for Alaskan Campers, Inc. "Families who like to take their fun on the road, will see that the Alaskan RV line delivers exactly what they're looking for, an easy and affordable home-away-from-home for the perfect weekend getaway."

Varying in floor length from 8 feet to just over 11 feet, the Alaskan Campers offer a variety of innovative and unique floor plans to provide increased living space. The floor plans offer features which makes camping more enjoyable.

For the ultimate in Campers, Alaskan's high-end Alcan RV camper appeals to even the most discriminating buyer. The RV camper enthusiast that chooses an Alcan will enjoy the same luxury and comfort associated with many of today's most luxurious recreational vehicles along with the added versatility and durability an Alcan RV camper offers.

So for those who already own a pickup truck, adding a camper is a logical step. For those who don't own a truck suitable for a camper, approximate $20,000 to $35,000 for a new truck, in addition to the camper. The pickup-camper combo, therefore, is not an especially cheap RV, but it does offer some unique and interesting possibilities. For instance, pickups are available from the factory in four-wheel drive, making them especially suitable for recreation. Anyone who likes to drive backroads and is interested in remote or primitive campsites should consider a pickup and a camper. The fact that the camper and truck are separate units offers some decided advantages. The camper can be set up on its own jacks at home or at the campsite, freeing the truck for separate use. And the pickup, especially a mini model, makes an excellent second car. Probably the major drawback of the pickup-and-camper combination is the compressed living space, although the Alaskan Camper includes full containment. But the smaller overall size allows the combo to go places that are sometimes unsuitable for any other type of RV.

The Alaskan pop-up camper quickly pumps up for instant livability and comes down for ease and safety in travel and maneuverability.

The Alaskan Campers are narrower and lighter, designed to go almost anywhere. Ater checking out an Alaskan RV you'll quickly realize there is no there is no compromise in quality and comfort.

Truck camper versatility is truly unmatched. Whether you want to tow your favorite hobby behind you or check out a remote location, you can quickly unload your camper and still use your pickup much like a fifth wheel or trailer. However, it is much easier to tow your boat or hobby behind your pickup. You'll find your truck and Alaskan combinations; plus, the handling and getting around is easier and less stressful. Additional thoughts can be found at CAMPER, Why a pickup truck Camper?

Truck Campers must fit into the pickup truck configuration, created specifically to mount to the bed/ chassis they are made to be 'carried' on the full size pickup truck.

The average length runs from 8 to 14 feet exclusive of the truck which it is on. The length of the RV is quoted as the bed length or that portion which rests in or on the bed of the truck.

The average price of an Alaskan RV is $17,500, Campers can range from $16,000 to $22,900, the pickup truck can be an additional cost.

The sleeping accommodations can provide for 4 to 6 depending on the RV.

Self contained convenience is available. Truck Campers can be the first step into the "RV" lifestyle or the last step, The RV is a low cost option, they offer convenience for forbackcountry travel. Driveability is simplified as the RV combination allows you the flexibility to drive with less hassel. Though limited in space by nature, many units can offer toilets, showers, kitchen appliances, and all Alaskan Campers feature a top that raises and lowers for safety and comfort. This provides more interior space, but offers less wind resistance when driving. A large list of options plus the option of designing your own floor plan gives the person looking for the perfect RV camper and outstanding opportunity to achieve the goal of the perfect RV camper.

Truck Camping and Campers: Defined

Like the once humble travel trailer, the truck camper or pop up pickup camper has come a long way in design, comfort and amenities since today's Baby Boomers went camping in their childhood.

Growing up in the 1950s in Duluth, Minnesota, the first truck camper I ever knew was Olar Snevets Alaskan Camper, a quiet and reclusive bachelor who lived half way up the Gunflint trail on Poplar Lake. Perpetually parked in Olar's front yard was the old chev pickup truck, an Alaskan truck camper and Jake, the widest yellow dog that I ever saw. Like many of today's truck campers, Olar was a sportsman who used his pickup to get him closer to the fish and game. In the spring he would appear at someone's house to host an awesome beer-battered smelt fry, and come fall, he and Jake had a lot of very inactive ducks and deer hanging around--if you know what I mean!

But Olar was yesterday's truck camper, five decades back when "comfort" and "camping" rarely went hand in hand. Times have changed; and boy, oh boy, so have the shape and amenities of those pickup campers and pop ups! So who is the truck camper of today, and what's inside his rig?

To find out, I spoke with novice truck camper Steve Wheat from Gresham, OR. he just happens to be Don Wheat's son, who is new to this style of camping but as at home in the outdoors as old Olar was. "Although I've only had my truck camper for a couple of months," Steve said, "I've been camping, fishing and hunting for a long time. When I bought my four-wheel drive pickup about a year ago, it was with the idea of topping it off down the road with a camper."

Why a Truck Camper, Steve ?
Stuck in the 50s with Olar, I couldn't keep from asking Steve , "Why a truck camper? Why not something bigger with an air conditioner, warm water, and a biff to boot?"

"I'm an avid salmon, steelhead trout and sturgeon fisherman with a big boat," Steve explained. "Some of the areas that I fish throughout eastern Washington and up the coast of Oregon wouldn't allow me backing in with a 30-foot motor home, and 20-foot boat and trailer."

But accessibility isn't the only reason that so many hunters, fishers and other outdoor enthusiasts opt for a truck camper. According to Don Wheat., owner of Alaskan Campers, Inc., today's truck campers come with an array of features and appliances beyond the wildest dreams of yesterday's truck campers:
• Air conditioners
• Hot water heaters
• Bathrooms
• Solar panels
• Slideouts to comfortably sleep five or six people
• Microwaves
• Refrigerators
• Furnaces
• CD players
• TV antennas
• Generators to power even more--computers, curling irons, hair dryers, etc.

The list of amenities seems to grow every day. Check out some of this year's hottest features check out Alaskan Campers, Inc

Powering All the Comforts of Home
Though the purchase of his truck camper was planned, Steve did the "unplanned" when he special-ordered a Camp Power by Onan generator set installed in his camper. "I tend to isolate myself when I'm hunting," he said, "so this was a plus to charge batteries and run the microwave and coffee maker. It's a nice addition."

Steve far from alone in opting for this extra convenience, according to Don Wheat. "Americans today are not prepared to go out camping without their creature comforts," he explained. "A lot of those activity-based truck campers are not in organized campgrounds. When you go down to the beach to run your quads over the dunes; or to the snow park to run your snowmobiles, you're not around hookups and electricity. You're out where it's hot on the sand or cold in the mountains and you want your air conditioner or furnace. The generator is a must."

With Camp Power by Onan, the first installed generator manufactured exclusively for towable RVs, truck campers can enjoy all of the comforts even if they're miles from the nearest hookup. Quiet and compact, Camp Power generators provide up to 4000 watts of power--enough to run an air conditioner or microwave with plenty of power to spare. "Camp Power is a good value," Kevin said. "It fits into campers well. And Onan has a great reputation for quality. There are other brands of generators out there and we've certainly sold them. But over time, we've settled on Onan as the best brand in terms of being trouble-free for the consumer. And as a dealer, that's obviously important."

"Most campers come generator-ready," said Don. "We can install a Camp Power in about an hour because the box that it fits into is already built into the camper."

Steve's Favorite Fishing Spots
Where is Steve headed with that truck camper of his? Watch for him at some of his favorite fishing destinations:

• Cape Disappointment State Park (formerly Fort Canby State Park) in southwest Washington on the Long Beach Peninsula. "August 1 is the opener for fall chinook salmon and coho salmon at the Buoy 10 Fishery at the mouth of the Columbia River," says Steve . "In recent years, we've had record runs of both--lasting about a month and a half." Visit the Cape Disappointment Web site.


• The Fishery Campground in the Columbia River Gorge, just below Bonneville Dam, on the Oregon side. "This small campground is in the heart of one of the best sturgeon fisheries in our part of the country," says Steve . "Starting from mid May to the end of July, and peaking toward the end of June, a huge run of shad (several million) come up the Columbia. A shad is about a two-pound fish with a lot of fight. The sturgeon follow to feed on the shad that get chopped up in the dam's power turbines. And the majority of these fish are what we call 'oversize sturgeon' averaging 7' to 8' long and weighing about 250 lbs.--legal to catch and release."


• Columbia Gorge, Wind River and Drano Lake on the Columbia River above Bonneville Dam. "I usually stay at Skamania Coves Resort (a small campground just outside Stevenson, Wa.), from mid April to mid May, to fish for spring chinook salmon," says Steve . Because the state parks in this area are usually not yet open, Steve suggests returning later to visit this area's beautiful Beacon Rock State Park in Columbia Gorge. Visit the Columbia River Gorge Web site.


• AND HIS MOST FAVORITE...The Cowlitz River near Castle Rock, Wa. "The fall chinook salmon start in August followed by coho salmon in September until November," says Steve . "There are many campgrounds in the area." Visit the Cowlitz County Tourism Web site.