Ron,
Form follows function here. BE SURE the Alaskan weighs what you think it does. You don't want a big surprise when you drop it on your aluminum tray. The ones I know of are heavy suckers.
If you're going to replace the bed anyway, why not think about a C & C as an option?
My rule of thumb is to buy a lot more truck than you think you need for X camper. There are probably hundreds reading this that found this out the hard and expensive way. "Hey, my Ford .5 t. has a 9" rear end. Doesn't that make it good enough to haul that 10 foot camper?" You might peruse the 2013 Overland Expo posts of late. There are quite a few 'trail ready' rigs in there that might get you moving in the right direction.
For the last 12 years I have been trying out different techniques to make a Lance hardside last off-road, and not pull itself apart in the process. So far, so good. But, take that for what it's worth. For every one of me there are at least a thousand that will que up to be nay-sayers.
The good news is that you are coming from a 'Jeep' mentality, and already have off-road chops. However, that can be a liability which will become evident when things start to go south, grinding up that rocky arroyo. Also, your best chance of success is with a pop-top.
I came from a 4WD mentality, and built up many versions of camiones de doble tracion. My first rig, an SOA (an acronym I coined in an internet article in 1996) was on a 1949 Willys Ute Wagon, replete with Chevy V-8, Studebaker Overdrive, 5.38:1 gears, 7.50-16 tires on combat rims, Dana 18, T-15. Since the rig was originally built with a 4-banger, 60 HP, Go-Devil engine, the V-8 absolutely tore every other drivetrain part apart, one by one. All four axle shafts at least once, front and rear RG&P, steering parts, drive shafts, over and over, ball joints, trans, t-case (a couple times) overdrive (3 times) springs pads torn off, spring hangers ripped from the frame...all because the engine had too much power for the drive train. Well, maybe the fact that I was young and stupid did add some to the mix. My guess is we make our own mistakes and learn our lessons the hard way. Just keep your eye on the end result along the way and remember you are carrying all the weight of the camper not towing it.
regards, as always, jefe
