Right truck and camper setup for a northern Alaskan winter

[theauroracle]

Hello everyone, this is my first post on this forum, so before I start talking about my requirements, I will talk a bit about myself. I have been actively chasing the Aurora Borealis since 2016 and although I have chased it outside the United States a few times, 99 percent of it has been from Alaska, more precisely, northern Alaska. A lot of my travel takes me north of Fairbanks into the Dalton Highway and I have photographed the Aurora from almost every nook and corner of the Dalton till Prudhoe Bay. I started by renting cars from Fairbanks and then because of covid last year, I got an opportunity to spend a winter near Fairbanks and remotely work from there and go at it the entire winter. I also wanted to have my own car, which is a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, and wanted to be in Alaska starting fall, so I even towed my Lance 1685 travel trailer and camped all over the Dalton throughout the month of September. Was it the most pleasant experience towing a Lance 1685 with a Land Cruiser? I will definitely say no but it did the job just fine. I was hauling 25 gallons of gas and 40 lb propane on the rack of my car as well, so climbing up steep hills, expecially the Atigun Pass was not fun, but again, it did the job. That was back in mid-September when a sudden cold front moved in while I was camping in the north slope and pretty much transformed the entire area from a fall landscape to a winter wonderland. It was the first time I realized a camper would have been so much better when descending the Atigun Pass on my way back, I was going all over, the trailer was pretty much pushing the cruiser down in whatever direction it wanted to, I had to be very careful with the brake controller and kept adjusting it throughout the descent to make sure the wheels of the trailer do not lock. Probably the most nerve-wracking experience of my life but I did learn a lot from that incident. I have pretty much parked the trailer in front of my Airbnb for the winter and have been exploring in the cruiser and its pretty much made for that, but I do end up needing to sleep in the car for multiple nights, not that its impossible but I am getting old and I personally feel I am ready to start bringing a camper along with me during the winter months as well. I have driven so much on the Dalton in the harshest weather that I even understand small local weather and wind patterns there, so if I ever have to do it, now is the time, and I see so many truckers pulling such heavy loads, so I will take it as a learning curve. Another big reason is I travel with 2 cats, they traveled with me in the trailer and I having a camper will solve the problem of needing to leave them behind as well. I stay in a pretty remote Airbnb east of Fairbanks and power cuts are not that uncommon there which pretty much shuts the heat off, so I have gone above and beyond to get notified of something like that happening but nothing beats having them with me all the time. So that's why I am here, I am planning this trip starting this fall from Seattle WA and I will need to get a truck as well as a camper that will be suited for this job. I might keep the cruiser, I might even sell it, I have not decided that, it's an amazing car. I also have plans to visit Dempster Highway in Canada and drive up to Tuk in winter as well, could not do it this year due to Covid restrictions in Northwest Territories. I might eventually end up buying or building my own place in Alaska, so having a capable truck will definitely come in handy. That's where my lifestyle has been heading over the last few years so I do see it as a good investment. I need some help in deciding both the truck and the camper. For the camper, I have my eyes on the Northern Lite campers, not a big fan of Lance, it did well but I had to put bandages all over the interior to make sure stuff stayed in place, otherwise, everything would have come off from everywhere, even at very slow speeds if the road gets bad. But I am definitely open to all suggestions. I consistently stay and shoot the lights at extremely cold temperatures. This year, I have even stayed out in my car with temps hovering around -60F. I don't care about restrooms, good to have it in fall but I don't expect it to work in winter. All I care about is some heat inside, a bed to sleep and a small kitchen to make some food, and most importantly, the ease of having to maintain and drive it in such conditions. The last point also holds for the truck as well. I might park the camper from time to time to explore the area just in my truck so that might be a consideration between DRW and SRW but I have almost zero knowledge about it. Sorry for being ignorant about these things, I am always good at planning and executing things but with these trucks and campers, I always get very overwhelmed and lose my way completely. I am happy to answer any questions, go and look at resources, any help will be appreciated. Given demand and supply, I think I have to act pretty fast if I have to make it happen this Fall. I am sharing a link to a bunch of pics that I could find where the road is visible, that will give you guys some idea as to the type of roads I am talking about. I am not interested in extreme offroading, my offroading needs are mostly governed by the destination I want to reach or what I want to do. I will prefer reliability over capability in a terrain and place like this, thats the very reason I sold my Land Rover for the Land Cruiser before I made the trip last fall and that was the best decision I took.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8gjwVSJD9yqMeGTE9

[Grit_dog]

Camper?
I am not an expert here, but got some years under my belt with 2 different Arctic Fox campers, also used in AK for a year.
1. No slides. The extra room is great, but for your application, KISS principle applies.
2. Largest tank sizes you can get is real nice for off grid. Doesn't matter in the winter when you can't really take advantage of them, but one person with big tanks can go a long time.
3. Camper design, I'm with you on the Northern Lite/Bigfoot type clam shells. They just look warmer! IMO, this is where you spend alot of time finding one in the best condition possible (assuming you're going used) and other wise, don't give alot of weight or consideration to little "features." You will be modifying things, alot, to weather a blow while you're out on the Haul Road. All are full featured and your priorities are on making it the most weather proof, survivable unit possible, not whether it has a nice spice rack or a bigger fridge.
Speaking of amenities, most all newer campers have AC air-conditioning. As soon as you buy it, advertise the AC for sale in Seattle and remove it. You won't need it and you don't want it anywhere in AK anytime, for any reason. This I'm certain. You can add a vent, insulate the opening, whatever. Pocket the cash and use it for some other modifications, a bunch of beer, or your first couple fuel fillups when you head north.

Tie downs, don't even think twice, get Torklift for your application.
You can go cheap on the actual tie downs, Fastguns will just get goobered up. I'd use a cheap cushion mount and chain and hardware store turnbuckles.

Suspension, not much different regardless of truck. Good shocks, front susp is fine, rear, add a sway bar and your choice of extra spring capacity. May need more or less suspension depending on the truck and camper. Don't even worry about this until you have both units.

Tires, don't get truck with 17" rims, or plan on getting a set of takeoff wheels in 18" or 20" preferably. And get some tires in the 3700lb or greater load rating.

Consideration for where to mount a diesel heater (direct vent) in the camper would be something in my mind camper shopping, as would LP capacity. 2-30lb bottle capacity is almost a must IMO.

Generator. I would 1000% want a HONDA 2000/2200 period. No built in. Those are all LP fired AFAIK in TCs. Noisy, vibrations, less efficient, less useful (can't take it with you to "plug in" the truck if you're using it solo overnight in -30 weather), waste of space, the list goes on.

Storage for fuel, extra tires, generator etc, since you're building a real Overland rig and not some magazine mall crawler "overland" truck.
You get 1 spare in the factory location, easy.
3 spares is overkill and you're doing something wrong or have the worlds worst luck if you need 3. If no front tool box, mount it up front of the grille, with toolbox, I'd stick it on top of the camper. It better not be needed frequently and if you need it, you'll figure out how to get it down from there!
I would 100% add a front hitch to use for a rack/toolbox. I'd probably keep the genny inside the back door of the camper for your use. It will also be the "cleanest" place on the truck, as you know driving the gravel roads up there.
The front of the truck will be light, best place to add "weight."
There are some super nice heavy duty double receiver setups. Many involve custom fabrication. This aint you.
Get the best front hitch you can, heavy duty plug in rack and the biggest toolbox you can fit on it. Bonus points if you can raise it up higher. Block the grille, you will not overheat the truck due to it. It will block bugs in the summer and may help keep your radiator in tact if you clip a caribou or a moose.
You can secure it better to keep it from rocking back n forth, just minor details... Tools, spare fuel, recovery gear, I'd maybe even consider a toolbox/fuel tank combo here, but that is getting pretty deep! I'd have zero worry about carrying gasoline on a front rack anywhere in AK, except maybe driving through Los Anchorage at rush hour. Just not the same risk as populated areas when your biggest risk of hitting something is a moose or a tree!
Lighting?
Many options if you don't have the front box. Assuming front rack/box, you could mount driving lights on it, but...rock damage. Assuming your camper overhang/truck roof profiles allow, I'd put one big @ss LED light bar roof mount at the top of the windshield. If you need fogs, figure out how to get those on the front, maybe in place of OE driving lights if not blocked.

Other outside storage locations, you can use the rear hitch for a rack to carry stuff too. It's just in the way most of the time getting in and out of the camper though. I used a rear rack as a step up for a while. It's doable, but if using the camper alot, stairs that you can easily deploy are worth it.
You can also use the rear ladder for hanging storage. Not super heavy, but 10 gal of fuel, or your generator, or.

Can you tell, I've thought about this once? LOL
Just some suggestions...

When you're ready to talk tools and gear, just call back...lol

[Grit_dog]

" I am always good at planning and executing things but with these trucks and campers, I always get very overwhelmed and lose my way completely. I am happy to answer any questions, go and look at resources, any help will be appreciated. Given demand and supply, I think I have to act pretty fast if I have to make it happen this Fall."


It appears you have identified the first and probably largest challenge. I mean, if you can spend days in your car in the Arctic winter when you're not actually stranded, you can handle the cold weather prep pretty well and know what to expect.

The above quote is where your primary questions lie, understood.
As someone who is sort of a gearhead and having opportunity to own or drive many/most light duty trucks due to my career, I have the following truck recommendations, although your budget may or may not be accepting of them.
I'll keep it to trucks say around 10 years or less old.
- Due to extreme cold, snow I would prefer a truck that does not have touch screen controls or parking/proximity sensors. Not a deal breaker and not an absolute if you're buying a new truck you may not be able to avoid either, but JMO. Talking basically early to mid 2010s models here.
-3/4 ton vs 1 ton? Obviously a 1 ton is preferable for factory load carrying capacity. However especially with prices and availability as they are, you are not getting "less" of a truck with a 3/4 ton and they are much more widely available. (Caveat being 2014 -up Ram 2500s have coil spring rear suspensions, or air ride. DO NOT get one of these for a decent size or larger TC. Unless you somehow get a screaming deal then more modification considerations would be on the docket.)
You will end up with "some" suspension upgrades either way, so a little less OE rear spring rate/capacity is a non issue with any leaf spring HD truck.
- Drivetrain. As said, I would stay with gas. You don't need the abilities or complications of diesel in general and reduced fuel mileage of gas I don't believe will outweigh the other considerations of diesel.
Transmissions, Ram I would shy away from older than 2019 for transmission. Again not a deal breaker but a preference based on more things than you probably care about. Ford/GM, take your pick of 6 speeds all 3 offerings between the 2 are fine. "Best" IMO is Ford. with 6R140 in the early mid 2010s.
Engines No real preference between brands. I would take a 6.0 GM, 6.2 Ford or 6.4 Hemi virtually interchangeably for your use.

Ford has a selectable electronic rear locking axle option, which is a bonus and reliable. Best "posi" track of the big 3. Nothing wrong with the other 2 brands limited slip/locker. Order of preference would be 1 Ford E locker. 2 GM G80 mechanical locker. 3 Ram limited slip.

4wd/front end. You'll hear all kinds of preferences here. Bottom line is all are open diffs so no traction advantage and all are equally reliable. Don't give any preference to solid axle (Ram/Ford) over IFS, unless you're dead set on serious off road off camber "wheelin". In which case the solid axles articulate better.

Or if all this chit is the confusing part and you don't want to wade though it all.....
#1 2011-2016 F250/350, 6.2 gasser
#2 GM 6.0 gasser 2500 or 3500
#3 Ram 6.4 Hemi any year
(I'm a Dodge guy so to speak and NOT a Ford guy, so you can trust that this recommendation is un-biased)

The rest of it is budget and personal preferences for trim level and chassis configurations.

[Grit_dog]

Just viewed your photos. Simply stunning and makes me want to quit my day job tomorrow and head north again!

I never did get to run the Haul Road when we were up there. Had grand plans to drive my town truck up to the Slope for the start of the work season, in Sept of tht year and do a haul road hunt, but my employer had other ideas as it was.

[Grit_dog]

And true story about propane. It don’t work without being pre heated once you get below -30. It’s even a challenge at warmer temps if vaporization can’t keep up with demand.
IE you may be able to use a stove but not a furnace at those temps.

[Grit_dog]

Easy on the English teacher stuff, guys…

OP, what an adventure! Our son (in high school) is up in Fairbanks this week with his hockey buddies. Alaska is a special place!
Agree with the old wiz that it will be very challenging in the extreme cold.
Aside from general precautions, have a plan B or C for that type of weather (I’ve worked on the Slope in the winter, there’s a decided difference between being cold and freezing to death, lol), here are my recommendations.
Camper, hard shell, no slides, preferably a Bigfoot type fiberglass clam shell.
1 person, keep it on the smaller side for both weight and amount of space to heat.
Truck, gas powered 3/4 or 1 ton, long bed preferred but short bed is fine if the camper is sb capable. Budget dictates what I’d recommend particularly though for brand and model years.
SRW for sure. I would stick to that pretty hard given the conditions and your intended use. DRW is not out of the question though if that ends up being necessary.
Crew cab IMO for additional storage, or spike camp sleeping quarters.
And have 3 different ways to heat it. I would leave the factory gas forced air in it as an option but it is probably the least efficient.
I’d have a diesel heater or 2 similar to a Webasto but you can find cheap ones, as primary heat. Secondary being the OE furnace and something like a big Buddy heater maybe for a plan C.
And a Honda generator. With a plan to pack enough extra fuel of all flavors needed.

I could come up with 100 different ideas how I’d setup a rig like this. Exciting stuff. The caveat being, there will be challenges.

[theoldwizard1]

I don't think you will find camper that will keep you warm when the temps are below -20°F and the wind is blowing, even with a furnace. Propane turns to 100% liquid around -40°F so it will not burn.

[jimbow2]

Awesome pictures... I'm a amateur photographer as well..... Truck camper people thru our life.... RE: the TC.... we have had our Kodiak K-99 since 2003.. it is somewhat a clone of Bigfoot/Northern Lite...... made in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan..... by peak manufacturing (since closed). brochure states operational at -35 degrees; however we have not tested that claim, but have spent many nights as low as -11 hunting and etc...... The point is campers are out there and nice size would be no bigger then 9.5ft..... with cold weather package there is a weight increase, we now carry it on a dually. but put about 130,000 miles trouble free ( had it to Alaska twice) on a UPGRADED f-250 1999 super duty.... (speed breaks things)... I love to talk truck campers so feel free to private message me..... I might not be the most techie person but have some experience.... Good Luck... jim

[mkirsch]

So right off the bat, it seems you have a misconception that a truck camper means you need a DRW truck. Yet you also seem to be looking for a basic camper which would naturally be lighter in weight, and not requiring a DRW truck, even for "safety."

A DRW truck is not the best choice to be exploring the Alaskan wilderness. An SRW truck's rear wheels follow in the same track as the front wheels, making traveling through deep snow and mud much easier. Each tire on a DRW cuts its own rut, so six ruts vs. two. Takes a lot more power and effort to charge through tough going, if you can make it at all. My DRW is helpless in deep snow, and it's a 4x4 with aggressive tires. Once the rear wheels hit deep snow, it stops. I can back right out, but the front end won't pull the whole truck through.

Ultimately what's "best" is entirely up to you. Everyone has their own idea of "best."

[Yukoners]

I just increased the font size and was able to use the cursor to help me read your post. I will keep my comments brief but feel free to pm me if you like.

Your choice of Northern lite is perfect in my view. We have driven the Dempster in late fall, ran into a blizzard etc. with our Arctic fox see my sig. That is too much camper for that type of off roading. Even pulling off the road into a gentle swale you go dead slow and it still feels top heavy and adds strain to the camper mounts.

In cold temps you want to stay away from a slide even in a four season camper. By the way we absolutely love our Arctic Fox and wouldn't change it for the world.

I would suggest a one ton short box extra cab with a suitable Northern lite, the lighter the better. And a gas job for sure in those temperatures as you will keep it idling for much of the time.

You will need a good on board gas powered gennie (propane is too loud ask how we know) to keep batteries up as there is very little daylight north of Dawson for the dark months. Research additional heat source that does not require forced air such as direct vent propane heaters.

Figure out how to carry two or three spares and keep jacks etc. where you can get at them easily. Same goes for spare gas you can never depend on making it to the next lodge as the highway can close at any time and stay closed for a week from the wind. So always enough gas to turn around and get you back to Dawson etc. Maintenance shops will not sell you gas.

One last thought is a way to keep some heat on your propane tanks even a trouble light will work with incandescent 60 watt bulb or better yet low wattage battery warmer.

Oh and complete arctic package for the truck, 60 below coolant, battery blanket, dual batteries, oil pan heater, block heater, and interior car warmer for starters.

[Reality_Check]

Agree with Jim.. a bit rough on the eyes. Break it up and more folks will chime in.

[jimh406]

theauroracle wrote:
Hello everyone, this is my first post on this forum

Welcome to the site.

Sorry that I can't really read your post very much with no paragraphs. Btw, you can go back in with Edit and add the the line feeds. I expect you typed in a word processor and the site stripped the paragraph markers.

[Dave_in_TN]

Very cool pics! I can’t help with your question but wanted to make your url clickable.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8gjwVSJD9yqMeGTE9