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Aliner Expedition Hard-Top Pop Up [Pros and Cons With videos]

Published on October 11th, 2021 by Ray & Tammy Roman
This post was updated on June 29th, 2022

In my Aliner Expedition review, we are going to go over this hard-sided pop up camper. I’ll go over the floor plan, features and options, and specifications.

I’ll also tell you the 3 things I like about the Expedition and the 3 things I don’t like about it. Let’s get started:

What is the Aliner Expedition?

Aliner Expedition Review

The Expedition is Aliner’s largest model. Compared to Aliner’s other hard-sided campers you get almost 2X the living area and about thirty percent more storage.

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Despite the added living space and the additional storage, the Aliner Expedition base unit weighs less than 2,000 lbs. (unloaded weight). It has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 3,500 lbs which is very good for this type of camper.

Specifications

Length18 Feet
Width84 Inches
Folded Height68 Inches
Weight1,850 Lbs
Wheels & Tires14-inch Aluminum
GVWR3,500 Lbs
Hitch Weight (Dry)240 Lbs

Floor Plans

The Aliner Expedition is available in four-floor plans.

Plans that include a dinette allow you to convert the dinette to a 40-inch by 80-inch bed for extra sleeping capacity. You’ll find bench seats on either side of the dinette, and both seats have storage underneath.

You’ll also find a 3-cubic foot fridge with a freezer and a 2-burner stove located to the right of the small sink.

Surprisingly there is also a portable Cassette Toilet, located next to the storage closet. Most small campers have trouble fitting a portable toilet within its interior space but Aliner was able to do it.

It features 30% more storage than previous models. It has taller countertops and tall beds.

Expedition Floor Plan with Bed

Expedition Floor Plan with Sofa Bed

Expedition Floor Plan with Front Kitchen

Expedition Floor Plan With Twin Beds

Standard Equipment

For a small camper, the Aliner Expedition base unit does come with lots of standard equipment. To start, the interior walls and ceiling are made of Azdel lightweight, thermoplastic composite panels.

The frame is an e-coated frame with powder coating that extends to the front tongue and bumper. A diamond plate stone guard protects the front of the camper from rocks and other road debris.

The flooring on the Aliner Expedition is Performax 500 Premium Marine Grade flooring, and the cushion and mattresses are high-density foam. Here are some additional features:

  • 3,500 lbs axle
  • Water heater tank (heater tank capacity 6 gals.)
  • 11-gallon fresh water tank
  • 4 stabilizer jacks
  • Microwave
  • Outside shower
  • IPO Sofa on select models
  • High Capacity Chasis
  • Dual propane tank
  • Exterior propane connect for a propane appliance for the outside grill
  • Antenna prewiring

For the complete list click here.

Options

The Aliner Expedition like many campers has optional equipment you can purchase. There are not that many but the few they do have are pretty decent.

  • Front dormer – soft
  • Rear dormer – hard
  • Rear sofa layout
  • Front hard dormer
  • Outside propane grill
  • Rear mattress layout
  • Rear soft dormer

Aliner Expedition Video Walkthrough

My Pros and cons

So let’s get started with the 3 things don’t like about this hard-sided camper.

What I don’t Like

Outside Mounted A/C Unit: I’m not a big fan of the outside mount A/C unit. I much prefer if they can figure a way to mount it on the roof.

Thin Mattresses – The provided mattresses are not very thick and feel a bit uncomfortable. I prefer to sleep on a slightly thick mattress, however, I understand that is a personal preference.

Very Little Countertops – I get that this is a small camper, but the lack of countertop is disappointing. Why integrate some countertop that swings down when not needed.

What I do Like

There is a lot to like about the Aliner Expedition but here are my top 3 likes.

Cassette Toilet: Most campers this size don’t have a toilet. For emergencies when you just can’t get to the camp’s bathrooms this cassette toilet is great.

Water Heater: This camper is equipped with a spark-ignition water heater. That’s a great feature that is super convenient since you don’t have to step outside to get the heater running.

Interior Space: For a small camper the Expedition feels spacious. The floor plan is well designed and you never feel cramped.

Problems With Aliner Campers

No camper manufacturers are without its problems and Aliner is no different. Having said that several of the Aliner Camper problems reported are not problems at all, but rather they are more of a dislike for the design. Albeit there are a few the are indeed problems that were unexpected by the buyer. Here is a list of what I found during my research.

  • Not a lot of space: This is definitely inherent in a small camper. In reality, this is not a problem but simply a design element you need to be aware of if an Aliner is a camper you are considering.
  • Setup can be difficult: Aliner’s need a manual setup, unlike some pop up campers that use electricity to raise the roof. Once you’ve done it a few times it will become easier. One thing to keep in mind is if you need to visit the dump station you will need to tear it down, go to the dump, and come back and set up again. If you don’t want to do this every couple of days consider investing in a portable waste tank.
  • They leak: Several reviews I read include complaints about Aliner campers leaking. To avoid a leak issue make sure you properly maintain your seals. One reason you might experience leaks is due to improper leveling. Aliner needs to be leveled properly front to back and side to side to ensure sides and roof match up. If they don’t match up correctly you’ll have gaps that will result in leaks.
  • Aliners are expensive: Yes they are expensive but that is what you can expect from a hard-sided camper. Most are 2X more expensive than traditional canvas pop-up campers. However, the high costs of an Aliner can be offset by the fact you can use a less expensive towing vehicle. In addition maintenance over the years is less than a typical pop up.

Aliner Expedition Review Final Thoughts

Overall this camper is a well-designed hard-sided popup camper. I like that it can sleep 3 people, it doesn’t feel cramp inside, and you have features such as a hot water heater, A/C, city water inlet, and outside shower, to name just a few, that are typically found in larger campers.

The Expedition is the perfect model for a small family or a couple who does not need a ton of space. If you are looking for a camper that is well-made, is easy to tow, and has great features then Aliner Expedition is one you should consider.