id go for the slide-in, yes it will be top-heavy and be a bit harder on fuel, but thats one less licence plate to buy, less tires/bearings to maintain, easier to deal with in tight spaces (if you need to turn around) and if you have limited storage for vehcles, the camper could just stay in the truck all the time. just remember how tall it is when you go through drive-throughs. dual rear wheels would probly help also.

 

Ditto.

My rig:



Some campers can be camped in off the truck:



A hard side camper would be better for Alaska unless you are going in June or July. I get 13-14 without the boat. 10-12 with the boat.

 

Ideally the best setup is a fifthwheel or gooseneck trailer. They tow the best and cost the least on fuel penalty. They have the best handling compared to a bumper hitched camper or a camper that slides into the bed. I hook mine up solo all the time and it only takes a couple of minutes as a fifth wheel don't have to be dead on like a ball hitch. A fifth wheel will self align if you are in the neighborhood.

 

If it were me contemplating such a trip I'd be looking at "pop-up" slide-in campers with the electric/hydraulic jacks so I could drop it easily and a large overcab bunk. You didn't mention truck bed size on the '03, they do make some nice ones for 6 1/2' boxes, but the 8' would be preferable.

We started out with a slide-in .... an 11'3" "cast iron" beast from the early 70's.

We graduated to a fiver because of space, "dropability" (as in leave it behind when you go somewhere) and the fact I'd get claustrophobic in the overcab sleeper bunk. Taking it to Alaska would be another matter entirely and I agree with earlier posters on all points against trailers. High center of gravity, additional wind drag, excessive weight on the truck, tires, etc. are all reasons I would make the above suggestion for the "pop-up" slide-in.

I love my fifth-wheel, I think it's the best of all camper choices for towability, handling in cross, head and erratic wind conditions, "liveability" and space for EVERYTHING you may want to take along ..... but it wouldn't be my first choice for a trip up and back on the Alaska highway.

 

but you have a VERY NICE rig there, and VERY VERY LOW Milage congrats.

 

Just an FYI ... In some states you can legally tow more than one critter behind your rig ... That means a pull trailer and a boat as long as the middle item is a self-contained r.v unit ... But backing up is ........ ummmm ....... IMPOSSIBLE ...

 

In NC its not legal unless you have a CDL. Then you are only allowed in interstate highways. That is how I ended up with a TC rather than towing ATVs/jetskis behind my travel trailer.