The all-new Alaskan 630 had a singular design focus; to fit inside the tailgate of standard short bed trucks. It hit that mark, and did so without losing the features and options of its larger stable mates. Shut the tailgate!
When we started Truck Camper Magazine in 2007, tailgates were dumb. They literally had zero function beyond containing whatever was in a truck bed. At that time, the nearly universal practice was to remove tailgates and put them in storage.
Today tailgates are a whole new ballgame. They’re often powered and feature USB outlets, rear view cameras, complex multi-position folding step systems, and Bluetooth stereo systems. Tailgates may not be smart, but they’re certainly not dumb anymore.
For this reason, truck camper manufacturers are increasingly catering to customers who want to keep their tailgates on while truck camping. After all, the ability to retain all of these features—plus the opportunity to lock the tailgate for camper security—has significant value.
The number one selling Alaskan Camper model has long been their 8 foot model. And one of the repeating sales points of the Alaskan 8 is the ability to shut the tailgate on a long bed 8-foot tailgate. Unfortunately, Alaskan’s short bed models did not offer this sought after feature. With every phone call to Alaskan HQ, the need for a short bed truck camper that allowed the tailgate to close became more clear.
With that goal in mind, the Alaskan team set out to design a new model that accommodated every feature and option their larger campers offered but in a short bed size. The result is the all-new Alaskan 630. It’s a full-blooded Alaskan Camper nose to tail with a floor plan that fits neatly inside the ‘shortest’ standard short beds. At long last, you can have your short bed Alaskan and shut the tailgate too.
To find out more about the new Alaskan 630, we talked to Nick Coursolle, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Alaskan Campers.
The Alaskan 630 is a hard-side, pop-up truck camper that is made for short bed trucks.
The interior floor length of the Alaskan 630 is 71”, the interior height is 6’8″, the overall width is 86″ and the overall length is 6’3”.
The Alaskan 630 has a 15 gallon fresh water tank, no grey, and an optional cassette toilet. One 162Ah Expion360 lithium battery is standard and another is optional. One 190-watt solar panel comes standard and three 190-watt panels could fit for a total of 570-watts. The 630 comes with a horizontal twenty-pound propane tank.
The base MSRP for the Alaskan 630 is $44,950. Alaskan is reporting the dry weight of the Alaskan 630 in between 1600-1700 pounds. Click here for more information on the Alaskan 630.
What’s the backstory behind the new Alaskan 630?
When Rob Scheele took over Alaskan Campers a little more than eighteen months ago, he preached that everything we do needs to be customer-focused. Rob has reiterated it ever since.
The new 630 has its origins there. Our Alaskan 800 or 8 foot model has been our flagship and most popular camper. One of the key reasons is that the Alaskan 800 fits completely in the back of an eight foot long bed truck and allows you to close the tailgate.
While the 650 fits in some short bed pickups, until now, we didn’t have a short bed Alaskan that allowed you to close the tailgate on all short bed trucks. Many people we talk to have short bed trucks. The shorter wheelbase is easier to park, easier to navigate, and easier off-road. With the 630, we designed a camper that fits inside all standard 6.5’ truck and allows you to close the tailgate.
Everyone knows the newer trucks have wonderful features built into their tailgates including stereo systems, backup cameras, and step systems. Those items have value and add to the ownership experience. We wanted to create an Alaskan that allows the tailgate to close on all short bed trucks. That is where the 630 was born.
“We wanted to create an Alaskan that allows the tailgate to close on all short bed trucks. That is where the 630 was born.”
Is the 630 a full-blooded Alaskan with all of the standard Alaskan features and available options?
Yes. The 630 has everything our larger Alaskan models have. You can go through our options list and choose everything you want.
The one caveat is that the 630 is designed for an individual or a couple to take out and use. There’s no second sleeping area in the dinette. That’s the trade-off to get everything into a smaller envelope. As we say, the people using the camper have to love each other.
How did you approach designing the 630?
We gathered the customer feedback we received for a short bed Alaskan Camper and took it to our CAD designer. We then looked at every full-size standard short bed truck from Ram, Ford, Chevy, and GMC and compared measurements. We found the shortest standard short bed—a Ram—and made sure the 630 would fit inside the tailgate of that truck.
Our CAD designer spent several months creating a camper that met all of our requirements. When that process was complete, we built a prototype thinking there would be additional tweaks needed to dial it in. Well, it was incredible right off the bat. That doesn’t always happen when products get translated from computer drawings, but the 630 truly hit the mark. We were blown away.
It helps that our CAD designer is an avid outdoorsman and fisherman. He’s obviously had a major role in developing and building the 630.
What trucks are you targeting for the Alaskan 630?
All of our campers are built and designed for heavy-duty full-size pickup trucks. We are not moving in a lighter or half-ton direction with the 630. There are half-tons with the required payload capacity for the 630, but most often the 630 will be more comfortable on a three-quarter and one-ton trucks.
We really enjoy the conversations we have with our customers. If you have a truck, we can talk about camper options for your truck. We can also talk about the camper you’re interested in, and what truck you’ll need for it.
Tell us about the racks mounted to the roof and sides.
As I said, every update and improvement that we’ve made over eighteen months has been customer driven. We want to build campers that meet and exceed expectations.
The roof rack is no different. People want to store items on top of their Alaskan including kayaks, canoes, cargo boxes, and skis. We wanted to create a roof rack that customers can attach anything to with a simple U-bolt. Any manufacturer of a rack—including Thule or Yakima—can fit to our roof rack system.
Tell us about the indoor shower immediately inside the door. How does that work?
There’s a stainless pan that’s recessed in the entryway. A teak wood grate sits within the shower pan. There’s a pump under the toilet that draws the grey water outside. The shower curtain has plastic inserts that slot into the floor. There are hooks at the top that allow you to clip the curtain into the ceiling. The curtain zips up and there’s a quick-connect adaptor on the sink that connects to the shower wand.
We wanted this option to work well and offer more functionality within the camper. A camper shower is not going to be like taking a shower at the Grand Hyatt, but it’s nice to be able to take a hot shower inside on a cold day. It’s there when you need it. When you’re not using it, it’s out of the way. The indoor shower is another thing that stemmed from customer requests.
Is the shower pan standard or an option?
It’s an option.
Which Alaskan interior is shown in the 630 photos?
That’s the Sitka interior, which has become our most popular interior decor. We don’t have any new interiors this year. In 2024, we had two new interiors; the Sitka and the Klondike, and both have been very popular. We also still have the Classic interior which continues the tradition and is a very popular interior for customers who remember the original Alaskans. Those three interiors remain for 2025.
What size is the cassette toilet system in the 630?
We were using the new 4.5 gallon Thetford cassette. It has a push-button flush that doesn’t require a fill tank. It draws water from the fifteen gallon fresh tank. The new design also eliminates the need for punching another hole in the side of the camper.
Is the cassette toilet standard or optional in the 630?
It’s always been an option. About 70 percent of our owners opt for it. There are 30 percent who don’t want a built-in toilet. Without the toilet, the amount of storage you gain in that same area is cavernous.
Are there other toilet options?
We offer composting and cassette toilets. Composting toilets are installed in 10 percent of the campers we build with toilets. The people who love the composting toilets are believers and anything else is a deal breaker. We also accommodate other toilet systems, like Wrappon.
The sofa is a familiar sight in the 630. What size is the seating area?
It’s a 44-inch dinette. The table comes out of the ceiling and mounts into the floor. We still wanted this camper to look and feel like an Alaskan. Retaining the original dinette seats was a must.
Why does the kitchen countertop have two levels?
To fit all the amenities in the 630, we needed to increase the height of the driver’s side countertop. We then lowered it to a comfortable cabinet height for the sink.
Above: The bed is east-west and 54″ x 81”
What appliances did you choose for the furnace and water heater?
Sticking with the theme of wanting it to look and feel like an Alaskan, there have been no changes to our appliances. We use the same Suburban furnace and four gallon Suburban water heater. In the eighteen months I’ve been here, there have been no issues with either one. Even talking with customers who have owned Alaskans for ten and even fifteen years, we rarely hear of any issues with those components.
As we move forward, we continue to evaluate and test newer components. For now, we’ve found nothing that beats the Suburban units.
What make and model of refrigerator did you choose?
We’re using the Nova Kool 3.5 cubic foot 12-volt compressor refrigerator. The 630 also has the same two-burner Dometic cooktop and deep stainless steel sink.
What make and model air conditioner are you using now?
We actually changed air conditioners in 2024. It stems again—I know I’m a broken record here—from conversations we’ve had with customers. People with Alaskans aren’t usually going to traditional campsites. They’re going to the mountains or the beach and getting away. That’s when we started offering a 12-volt air conditioner so folks could be comfortable off-grid.
We now install a Nomadic 12-volt air conditioner. It’s a game changer for its efficiency and cooling capacity. It’s expensive at $4800, but it has the features and performance our customers want.
What type of windows are standard on the Alaskan 630?
Alaskan is known for huge windows on the sides and we used the same huge windows on the 630. With the camper being smaller, the windows look even bigger.
Talk to us about the battery and electrical system in the 630.
Right now we are installing a 162Ah Expion360 lithium battery standard. Twelve months ago we were offering a 100Ah battery. Expion came to us with a brand new battery in a smaller package than the 100Ah battery, but with 162Ah. It has more power per pound than any other battery on the market right now.
If you want to run an air conditioner, you can get two batteries totaling 324Ah. We also recommend supplementing with two 190-watt Zamp solar panels. They will provide 8 to 9 amps an hour as long as the sun is shining.
All Alaskans now come standard with a Redarc DC-to-DC to provide 8 to 9 amps to your batteries when your truck is running. With two batteries, two solar panels, and a DC-to-DC charger, you have the opportunity to almost put back as many amps as you’re using.
Of course, if it’s 100 degrees and you are running your air conditioner 24/7, you will run out of power. But, if you want to cool the camper down a bit before bed or run it for a bit on a hot day, you can absolutely do that.
How many watts of solar are standard on the Alaskan 630?
One 190-watt solar panel comes standard and we can fit up to two panels on the roof. Depending on how we configure the panels, three 190-watt panels should fit for a total of 570-watts.
We also offer a solar expansion port for portable solar panels. If you are parked under a tree and not getting solar, we have done ports with cords that run out 100 feet.
What size is the fresh tank on the 630?
It’s 15 gallons.
What size are the propane tanks and where are those tanks located?
There’s a standard 20-pound horizontal tank that is on the lower left side of the back of the camper.
What is the base weight for the 2025 Alaskan 630?
Depending on how you option the 630, the average dry weight is 1,600 to 1,700 pounds. The one pictured in this article is fully loaded and it’s just over 1,800 pounds.
What options are available for the 2025 Alaskan 630?
All options are exactly the same on the 630 as our other campers. That was a must-have and a main goal with the 630. The only difference is—as you get smaller—the number of options will be less. For example, the 630 fits two batteries whereas our larger campers can get as many as four and in some cases six batteries, depending on the model and other options selected.
Where is the center of gravity on the 2025 Alaskan 630?
It’s 12-inches from the front wall.
What is the MSRP for the 2025 Alaskan 630 with standard build features?
You can get into a nicely equipped 630 for $44,950. On average, it will be $50,000 to $60,000 with popular options.
How do you explain your warranty to prospective customers?
We offer a full one-year warranty from the load-out date, no questions asked. We stand behind our campers 100 percent. If there are any issues during the first year, we will handle them.
People can come back to us or—if that’s not an option—we will fly someone out to them. We have a good understanding of Alaskan Campers and will come prepared to resolve the issue. Also, we can partner with a local RV dealership to get you help.
Above: Maia’s walkthrough of the all-new Alaskan 630
When will the Alaskan 630 be available to order?
It’s ready to order now. If you order a 630 today, you will get your camper in six to nine months depending on how involved your build is.
We also have spec models that are ready to go today! If you go to our website you can see the inventory that’s available now. We have seven to eight campers that are available and ready for people to pick up. This idea stems from listening to customers who don’t want to wait.
If you want to fly in and drive home, we have relationships with local dealers and can put together a fantastic match.
“I’m most excited to provide what customers have requested; a full-blooded Alaskan Camper that fits completely in the back of a full-size short bed truck with the tailgate closed.”
Is there anything else you’d like to add about the Alaskan 630?
All of our campers—including the 630—now have the option for dual pane windows. With the spray foam insulation, dual pane windows, water tank warmers, furnace, and water heater, you can use your Alaskan year round.
We have so many folks in Alaska, North Dakota, Montana, and throughout Canada where it’s imperative to have a four season camper. The 630 is following in that vein. It’s a true four season camper that’s comfortable.
I’m most excited to provide what customers have requested; a full-blooded Alaskan Camper that fits completely in the back of a full-size short bed truck with the tailgate closed.
For more information on Alaskan Campers, visit their website at alaskancampers.com. Click here to request an Alaskan brochure.
