Vintage Pop-up Alaskan Camper From 1971 - Detailed Information & Truck Camper Walk-Through

[@rickderrickson5466]

I came to be the owner of my 1959 8 ft NCO by chance when i bought a guys 1970 GMC pickup at Pamona Swap Meet in SoCal about 30 years ago. Original blue plates a/c truck which happened to be an Avocado green Camper Special with 8ft long bed, and the guy needed a ride home into the hills after I bought it. Nice guy and he gave me pictures of the elderly original owner with an old Alaskan Camper on the back who he got it from. I thought it was soooo cool and said i wish it was still on it. He laughed instantly and said it's right out back under a tarp and if i wanted it i could take it for free right now. I was wowed. A fast 30 minutes later, i took off with the 1970 GMC and it's Alaskan Camper reuinted again. It was all original in nice shape. I cleaned it up and for the next five years my wife and two young kids traveled around the Western US camping in what was essentially a pickup truck. I made two padded boards that spanned the sink area and door where my two young kids slept. It worked for all four of us. Thoes cots are very cool and wish i had them in mine. As far as fender area storage goes; im lucky my long bed tailgate closed (and locked) with my 8 ft fully inside bed. That made thoes holds secure. Thoes fender lockers are a really useful vintage option but likely rare by now due to being easily seperated from the campers over the years. I wonder if Alaskan still makes them? Anyway, i sold the GMC Camper Special but still have my Alaskan Camper in SoCal storage. Just can't seem to part with it because they are so unique and practical. People are amazed when they see it pumping up or coming down. Thanks for the great video! I'm happy to know others appreciate them too! Long Live Alaskans!

[@LittleKimmy213]

DUDE!!! THIS IS FREAKING AMAZING AF!!! I grew up camping one weekend a month with my family of 6. Dad owned a travel trailer company so thru the years we started in a truck camper SO similar to this one...then had a Coleman Pop Up....graduated to travel trailers....then MY FAVE was a 5th wheeler....after a few yrs dad got the luxury motorhome with all the bells & whistles. YOU GOT A TRUE GEM SIR!!! PERFECTO!!! I'm SO happy for you!!! It looks like it is practically brand spanking new! Wow!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!! 🏕

[@my2cents945]

You are really spoiling yourself, and why not. Good luck with it.

[@edmaurer5059]

That is the perfect setup for a weekend hunting or fishing trip. Pull it up to a lake and drop a line in the water. Easy setup and everything you need is right there.

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Hi Ed and thanks for the comment! I agree, its AWESOME. It even has the factory boat rails and because it can be lowered, getting a boat/canoe or kayak off the top will be easy. 🍻👍

[@btwarner2124]

The wife had to say "enough projects". Me. I WANT THAT! Very cool. Epic camping video's to come.

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Yep, just shakes her head 😆🍻

[@nedkline886]

i love all the wood inside, at nite when you are reading with a soft lite ,the wood will glow and warm your soul. that is one hell of a well thought out camper. your truck will handle that with no problem

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Thanks Ned and I agree with you. This is a pretty cool rig for sure. Only thing it's missing is a wood stove 😃

[@nedkline886]

@@JimmyMeatwhistle there are small wood, or coal or propane stoves for boats that are very compact but expensive. get yourself a marine catalogue lotsa cool stuff in them

[@motorhomeman1949]

Man what a time capsule! I'm thinking of getting an old pop up camper for my truck. Not an Alaskan, but I found something similar.

[@rveurope]

Double woow👍 from here...a real vintage project..so cool🤟✌️

[@craigrobertson6082]

Truly in mint condition on the inside. The old hammock was really amusing to learn about. I hope you keep the cloth face fabric and the blinds! It is awesome to see stuff like this. I was three when that camper was produced. Hope the repair work isn't too fiddly and you can get her going for the summer.

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Thanks Craig. It's a pretty cool thing that's for sure! Thosr blinds kind of matches the bench material so thinking that might be original too.. fun!

[@68landcruiser]

Great video! I have 73 8ft cabover that I got as a low owner camper. I just love Alaskan's.

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah they are awesome, I can't wait to get this thing out 👍🍻

[@bwcok7947]

What a find! Can't wait to see you working on the leaks and making it comfortable for you! You are going to be busy with the truck and camper upgrades and fixes! That is where the satisfaction of all the work you are about to do will come from!

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Thanks BWC! Yup, lots to do. I need to reseal this camper first and test that fridge out 😉🍻

[@bwcok7947]

@@JimmyMeatwhistle good luck with the fridge! I hope it works! But with technology today if you have to replace it you have a lot of choices and cool fridges to choose from!.

[@GunnerD2001]

It was the “taste the floor” for me!

[@tylercritelli587]

Awesome I have a 1962 8ft nco on my 1990 ford I'm in nj

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Thanks for the comment. Wow, that sounds great 👍Great rigs

[@timothyletwin5911]

Found one west of Edmonton. They say it's a 1973 10ft. This one has a hand crank with cables for lifting and lowering instead of a hydraulic pump. The crank goes into a hole below the door on the outside. Have not seen this in an Alaskan. It works super quick.

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Very cool. Have never seen one with a hand crank. Have fun with it 👍

[@timothyletwin5911]

@@JimmyMeatwhistle Ya I can't really find any documentation for it. I guess it's rare. Gonna throw it on a utility trailer.

[@lesternielson9280]

Very Cool Jimmy!

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Thanks Lester 👍

[@lesternielson9280]

can't wait to see what all you have planned for it. When you showed the "hammocks" first thing I thought was, I wonder if you could line those with a tarp and use them to hold your harvest while traveling back home?

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

@@lesternielson9280 Hmmm, good idea!! 👍🍻 I'm thinking Elk :)

[@lesternielson9280]

Delicious. I definitely prefer Elk over other Deer.

[@kenbell8752]

Great score! You are going to be well set up for some camping, fishing and hunting.😁

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Thanks Ken! It's going to be a fun summer

[@perrygauthier1174]

Now you have a great off road fishing/ camping rig. Truck campers make it easy to get to spots that normal pull trailers would have difficulty. Add some solar and you could stay out for weeks. Don't forget a Carbon monoxide monitor If you use that old heater. Summer adventures are just around the corner for you!

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Thanks Perry! Yeah it's going to be awesome for sure. I had a 19 ft Shasta in 2015 and it was a bit of a pain dragging it around and there was Zero off-roading with that thing hanging off the bumper. For sure on the sensor and I might get a little wood stove in it 😃

[@perrygauthier1174]

@@JimmyMeatwhistle A wood stove! Everyone knows you can't burn soft wood to stay warm 😜. Look up sail boat wood stoves. They are small and work well.

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Haha! Thanks for the heads up, checking on them now 👍

[@NoneYa-b9q]

I’m working on a 1958 just like it now 😁it’s in about a 6/10 condition #343 made just cosmetic work needing done. All original 😁 it still has the original tags from 1958 to 1975 on it

[@ybirch9735]

Congrats, that's a great find! I've admired those Alaskan Campers for years. You seldom see them in the Eastern half of Canada. Definately a great rig for fishing and hunting in bear country! And a big yes to videos of both your future fly fishing and hunting adventures.

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Thanks Mr. Birch, appreciated. Should be fun, really the only unknown is that old Ford, I could be stranded for a month out there in Grizz land 😂🍻

[@stevearita3267]

Ahh...now it all makes sense! Really cool camper...and in really good condition! Looking forward to watching future videos as you work to get it on the "tank". Seeing the insides really takes one back to the 70's...had to LOL about the curtains! Best part of all is the beer can march....just too funny! Great video and still teasing your viewers with 4Runner cameos!

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Haha, thanks Steve! Should be fun once everything's up and running for sure 🍻👍

[@orangetractorguy8201]

Great find and addition to your recreational arsenal! Look forward to seeing your adventures and hope you do decide to include some of the hunting trips. Enjoy!

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Thanks!

[@wilwilliamson8831]

Looks mint 👍

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

It's pretty clean that's for sure. Thanks for the comment 👍🍻

[@thepdc6220]

Congrats buddy. Awesome come up! Got the yoho Friday and went out over the weekend with it. Slept great in the runner!

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

That yoho is great! It's so much nicer than a tent. A fella on Instagram posted using the Yoho with one of those vestibule tents that hooks up over the hatch and that setup is awesome 👌

[@bwcok7947]

Are those boards you asked about meant to cover the sink hole and give you more flat counter top room? The shape and size was hard to estimate in the video.

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Good guess, I will check tomorrow and see if they fit and get back to you. Thanks! 🍻🍻

[@LittleKimmy213]

The white boards u found in cabinet under seating area...2 white cutting board like pieces look like what dad would put over sink area to create more kitchen work space. Could it work for that???

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

That's what I thought, too, but they didn't fit. I'm still not sure what they're used for. It's a bit of a puzzle

[@grottu]

I can smell it from here, very distinctive smell of old campers…mold and cigarettes

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

Brings back childhood memories? 🤣🍻👍

[@grottu]

@@JimmyMeatwhistle exactly, smell of holidays hahaha Born in mid 80, still remember cigarettes in airplanes 🤣

[@comicsgatekeeper9746]

You hurt your poor hand

[@JimmyMeatwhistle]

I cooked it on the headers of the Ford LOL