After years of testing every rig in the book, Cass finally gave an Alaskan the pop-up quiz
Cass Beach doesn’t just camp in a rig—she tests it. Over the past decade she’s built a following by living in everything from a 4Runner to an Airstream to self-renovated truck campers, then sharing the honest take: what works, what doesn’t, and what really matters when your home is on wheels. With that kind of track record—and her own longtime curiosity about Alaskan—she was the right person to take the 850 flatbed out on a true trial run.
That trial became a Pop-Up Tour: three weeks mapped across New Mexico and Colorado. By design, it was part product test, part community event. Cass lived and worked full-time from the camper while opening it up in town parks and trailheads so curious travelers could step inside for themselves. Each stop felt like an “Alaskan mini-meetup”—owners, former owners, and potential buyers swapping stories and notes. For Cass, it was a chance to see how a hard-sided pop-up stacked up against everything else she’s tried. For us, it was a chance to watch the Alaskan put through its paces by someone whose reputation rests on candor and experience.
Meet Cass
For years, Cass Beach lived full-time on the road—cycling through rigs from a 4Runner to an Airstream to self-renovated truck campers. Along the way, she built a loyal online following by sharing her honest takes on what works and what doesn’t. These days her adventures are shorter—weekend escapes, longer mountain stays, and the occasional big trip with Jasper, her German Shepherd/Husky mix. The shift hasn’t dulled her tester’s eye—if anything, it’s sharpened it. Cass now knows what holds up on the long hauls, and what makes shorter adventures just as rewarding.
A little backstory
Cass’s love for travel started young. At twelve, she joined her family on a five-week road trip from upstate New York to Washington and back through Canada. Glacier lakes, mountain passes, deserts, rainforests—the trip revealed just how big the world could be, and the spark stuck with her.
After college, Cass built a steady career in insurance, moving from New York to Charlotte and then Austin. The work was fine, but cubicle walls never fit. Remote work opened the door, and she began experimenting—first with short-term rentals, then pared down to the essentials: a mattress in the back of her 4Runner and eight months split between Airbnbs and truck camping.
What she missed most? A kitchen. That led to her first “real” rig: a 16-foot Airstream Basecamp. Four years, 30,000 miles in a single year, and a rhythm of cooking, working, and living that proved full-time nomadic life could actually be sustainable.
Her crew grew too. Napoleon, a 19-year-old cat with a big personality, rode along until his retirement. Jasper, her German Shepherd/Husky mix with the floppy ears and storm jitters, still rides shotgun—equal parts trail buddy, watchdog, and goofball. For Cass, rigs aren’t just for her—they’re about creating a home that works for everyone on board.
Range of Rigs: Lessons From the Road
Every camper has been a classroom, and Cass has tested plenty:
- Toyota 4Runner + Airbnbs – ultimate flexibility, but no kitchen.
- Airstream Basecamp (2017–2021) – reliable travel, cooking space, four solid years of lessons.
- Northern Lite 610 (self-renovated) – crash course in propane, wiring, carpentry; too cramped in the end.
- Lance 845 – bigger tanks, more bed, but too heavy for the forest roads she loves.
- Hallmark soft-side pop-up (current) – agile and road-friendly, though the canvas walls make Jasper uneasy in storms.
Each rig added another data point—comfort here, trade-off there. The perfect setup stayed just out of reach.
Testing the Alaskan 850: The Pop-Up Tour
By the time Cass connected with Alaskan at Overland Expo in Denver, she’d already logged years of trial and error in every kind of camper. That’s what made the 850 flatbed demo such a natural fit. The plan was simple: three weeks on the road, living full-time in the rig, while hosting a series of “pop-up” meetups so curious travelers could step inside for themselves.
Each stop felt less like a demo and more like a rolling reunion—owners comparing notes, former owners swapping stories, and potential buyers eager to see the latest build. Cass charted the route herself, picking locations that showed off the Alaskan’s strengths and also happened to be some of her favorite terrain.
New Mexico stops included:
- Rio Rancho
- Santa Fe
- Taos
Colorado stops included:
- Aspen
- Breckenridge
- Colorado Springs
- Denver
- Durango
- Ouray
- Salida
- Telluride
- Vail
Cass’s Tour: Alaskan 850
Destination Highlights
Across desert plateaus, high mountain passes, and busy town parks, the Alaskan delivered what she came to test: hard-sided security with pop-up drivability, quick daily setup with the electric roof lift, and a dinette that became her most comfortable mobile office yet.
The route became a map of Cass’s favorite terrain. At nearly every stop, familiar faces appeared—owners comparing notes, curious travelers eager to peek inside. It felt less like a formal demo and more like a series of easy conversations on the road.
Cass picked stops that suited both the rig and the camera. In New Mexico she tapped into local flavor at a junkyard-turned-brewery, and later explored a nearby ice cave formed from ancient lava flows. In Colorado, she wound through the Collegiate Peaks, Telluride, Aspen, and the San Juans—her favorite stretch.
Driving the Million Dollar Highway and Independence Pass became the ultimate test. “Every switchback felt like part of the trial,” she laughed—and the Alaskan rose to meet it.
The Tester’s Take
Cass weighs rigs like a realist. After years of living on the road, she balances design against daily life. During her three weeks she kept a running list: window types, mattress comfort, storage tweaks, electrical quirks. She also noticed details that resonated with her own renovation work—like Alaskan’s walnut trim and solid cutting boards, a touch of craftsmanship she’s long appreciated.
What stood out was Alaskan’s willingness to listen. She flagged components; our team explained they were already changing suppliers. She asked about weight; we shared plans for aluminum framing and lighter builds. For her, that openness was as important as the rig itself.
Her verdict: the concept is strong, the design practical, and the experience lived up to the brand’s reputation. Coming from someone who has cycled through nearly every type of rig—and built trust with a large following—that endorsement matters.
Looking Ahead
Cass isn’t done testing. Her Hallmark is still in the mix, and she’s keeping a close eye on Alaskan’s next lighter builds. These days her travel rhythm is shaped by her partner, her work, and her dogs—some trips solo, others shared. Ahead are bigger adventures still: Alaska, Utah’s red rock deserts, and the peaks of Yellowstone.
For Cass, it’s all part of the same experiment—and the same joy. Every rig, every road, every lesson gets her closer to what she’s been chasing since that first family road trip at twelve: a way of living where the journey itself feels like home. To follow along, you can find her on Instagram and YouTube at Tails of Wanderlust, below:
Thanks again for chatting with us, Cass!
Have a story to share or love the outdoors? We’re always looking for Alaskan owners with real-world adventures to feature in Alaskan Life. Whether it’s a memorable trip, a unique rig, or an experience worth passing on, we’d love to hear about it. Email [email protected] and let’s chat.
