Advice on taking an Amerilite 21MB to Alaska
Hello Friends!! We have a 2004 Amerilite by Gulfstream light weight tag-along. We wish to travel from SC to Alaska next summer with this camper. Last year we did the West coast without any problems (I replaced the suspension components with heavier shackles and busings with sert fitting, brake system, wheel bearings and purchased new Maxxis radial tires before that 9000 mile trip). We have had problems with this camper leaking causing rotted wood and have repaired it all....I think....but I am also concerned about the structural integrity....somewhat....
My main concern and question relates to the overall ability of this camper to withstand a trip up the Alcan Highway and the Alaskan roads....specifically related to the pavement dips that seem to cause so much trouble for RVers. This Amerilite has two 3000lb axles on 13" wheels and 7" brakes which is supposed to allow a GVWR of 4340lbs. I am confident that when we fully load this camper with water, both full LP tanks, food, clothing and all of the other camping items necessary it will be at or over that max GVWR.
Obviously, my choice would be to upgrade to a better built heavier camper, but our budget simply will not allow that. We bought this Amerilte in 2005 because our Ford Explorer could handle that weight. We now use a Ram 1500 with the 5.7 V8 as our tow vehicle so we could easily tow a better camper, but like I mentioned, it ain't happening in the near future....not if we make our bucket-list Alaskan trip next summer....and since we are retired and already have some health problems we feel like making this trip is now or never....so an advice is surely appreciated!!!
My main concern and question relates to the overall ability of this camper to withstand a trip up the Alcan Highway and the Alaskan roads....specifically related to the pavement dips that seem to cause so much trouble for RVers. This Amerilite has two 3000lb axles on 13" wheels and 7" brakes which is supposed to allow a GVWR of 4340lbs. I am confident that when we fully load this camper with water, both full LP tanks, food, clothing and all of the other camping items necessary it will be at or over that max GVWR.
Obviously, my choice would be to upgrade to a better built heavier camper, but our budget simply will not allow that. We bought this Amerilte in 2005 because our Ford Explorer could handle that weight. We now use a Ram 1500 with the 5.7 V8 as our tow vehicle so we could easily tow a better camper, but like I mentioned, it ain't happening in the near future....not if we make our bucket-list Alaskan trip next summer....and since we are retired and already have some health problems we feel like making this trip is now or never....so an advice is surely appreciated!!!
