1996 Ford F-350 Overlander With Wooden Cabin Can Withstand the Ice-Cold Alaska Weather

This rig is a one-of-a-kind build by Timmy Johnson, the owner of the Truck House Life YouTube channel. Let's see what it's all about and how it can tackle the harsh Alaskan environment.

Timmy chose a 1996 Ford F-350, a popular choice among overlanders. It sports a 7.3-liter engine, providing enough power for off-roading and supporting the weight of the cabin. Even though it's almost 30 years old, this bad boy is still suitable for an overlander project, albeit it might need some modifications. In Timmy's case, he added a 6-inch (15-centimeter) lift, which allowed him to fit larger tires.

Another add-on is a custom-built front bull bar complete with a 12,000-lb. (5,443 kg) winch. At the rear, in spite of the large cabin, the brake lights are still visible, and there are two additional turn and running lights.

Some overlanders and truck campers feature a fiberglass shell for increased durability. Timmy went for a wooden cabin – when dealing with wood, it's critical to ensure the structural integrity of the tiny home, as off-roading puts significant stress on the vehicle.

So, Timmy's #1 priority with this camper was durability. "But then, why use wood?" you might wonder. Well, wood is easier to work with, and he can make modifications to it while on the road. Moreover, if he can't handle them, it's easier to find someone who knows their way around with wood.

Besides ensuring a solid construction by using 2x2 timber for the cabin walls, he made several reinforcements to its corners, which are predisposed to falling apart from bumps and vibrations.

Insulation is also crucial for a wood cabin, especially if you plan on adventuring into cold environments. To waterproof the camper, he did four coats through its exterior. Furthermore, the windows are double coated, and he applied silicon tape on them, then did an additional silicon layer on top of that.

For the walls, Timmy used Tyvaquilt insulation, a thin yet effective multifoil product. What's more, under the roof's metal layer, you'll discover a Grace Ice and Water shield, an effective waterproofing membrane composed of two materials: a rubberized asphalt adhesive and a layer of slip-resistant, high-density, cross-laminated polyethylene film.

Looking around this camper's exterior, you'll notice several features. First of all, I love that TImmy devised a small porch with a ladder at the vehicle's rear, where he can relax and enjoy a coffee without having to get into the snow.

There's even a tiny mailbox, which he explained he installed because people kept leaving notes and messages on his Winshield. You'll also find two seats, one of which houses a propane tank, a battery, and a furnace exhaust. The other one serves as storage for wood.

Regarding the cabin's roof, you'll notice it boasts a 5/12 pitch, similar to what you'd see on conventional cabin roofs. This way, water and snow are pushed off it. Moreover, you'll discover a 100 W solar panel and a chimney flue with a three-inch (7.6-centimeter) wind-directional chimney cap. Here's the ingenious part – because this part rotates, you can keep a fire going while driving, as it creates a vacuum.

Let's move on inside, where things get warm and cozy. You'll have to enter from the porch – the rear door measures 5'7" (170 centimeters) in height and features a deadbolt lock, as well as foam board insulation. To make sure the cold doesn't seep in, Timmy added waterproof stripping on both the door jam and the inside of the door.

The living space is mounted on an 8-foot (2.4-meter) truck bed and comes with many features that make you feel at home. I'll start off with perhaps the most important one, the wood stove located on your right as you step inside, with some extra wood storage behind it.

All of the campers with wood stoves I’ve written about so far have Cubic Mini wood stoves. But this rig takes things to the next level with a Kimberly wood stove. This product is meant for small cabins, RVs, tiny homes, skoolies, boats, and more. So, it’s designed to take up as little space as possible while still providing intense heat.

It uses a two-stage combustion chamber that requires less wood yet still extends the burn time. It tips the scales at just 56 lbs. (25 kg) and can heat up to 1,000-1,500 degrees Fahrenheit (538 - 815 degrees Celsius), with an estimated output of up to 40,000 BTUs.

Opposite the wood stove, there's a full-sized propane oven with a three-burner stove. While most campers come with a sink, Timmy felt like he didn't need one, so he installed a faucet-style system operated via a pump, with water fed by a container behind the oven.

There's little counter space inside this rig, comprised of a flip-up table and a portable cutting board. But let's be honest, how much do you actually need when traveling by yourself like Timmy does?

Underneath the oven, Timmy fitted a propane furnace that can be controlled via a wall-mounted thermostat. Pair this with the wood stove, and there's no way you'll be cold inside this tiny cabin on wheels.

The final area is the bedroom/lounge. I was surprised to find two large couches inside, which can comfortably fit up to six people. Just imagine having six people in this tiny space – you'll probably need to turn down the heating system in order not to get too hot.

One of the couches is a Jackknife model, so it serves as a bed as it can be extended. Two people can sleep on it, with room for an additional soul on the other couch. Moreover, a Dometic fridge/freezer box is located underneath the Jackknife sofa on a drawer slide.

You might think that one significant issue with this camper is storage. Not only do you have plenty of storage room in the back seat of the truck, but the cabin also features a surprising amount. You'll find a large storage compartment underneath the fixed sofa, inside the floor, which can be popped up, and in various nooks throughout the interior.

On the front part of the interior, Timmy fitted two port holes, which offer a direct view of the truck. On the same wall, he installed a TV and a DVD player. Another notable feature is a charging compartment complete with a 12 V plug and two USB ports. There’s another identical one on the wall behind the oven.

There are two large Dometic windows, one on each side of the cabin, letting plenty of light shine inside. What’s more, they can be fully opened and come with a bug screen and a black-out screen.

All in all, Timmy has succeeded in equipping his overlander with most of the creature comforts you’d need to enjoy living in a mobile home. Even though it’s tiny, it’s highly practical and really well-insulated. You’d surely have no issues taking it in extremely cold conditions.