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#1 |
Registered User
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Location: Vero beach
Posts: 127
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C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Was the leaf spring an option on the C20?
I found a long bed C20 that I want to use for camping but it has coils instead of leaf...........which because I am ignorant....I was not familiar with. Anybody know the spring rate of the C20 Coil pack? I am just curious if it would work with a truck camper....? Leaf Spring is a no brainer........not sure on the coil....... |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Eastern Oregon
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Joe, I have a stock 71 C-20 with coils and factory overload springs, I only use it to bring in green firewood every summer. It will hold about three cords when I use tall side boards. Not sure how much that weighs but more then a truck camper I bet ?
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71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Anaheim, CA
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
1970 C20 with coils on all four corners. Gramps ran a truck camper on this truck for nearly 30 years, no issues. I also have towed 5-6k lb loads without issues.
Also, a cord of wood has got to be pushing at least a ton, right? Hope this helps.
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-JASON My grandpa, Gramps, won a 1970 C20 in 1969 for $1. I'm on a mission to restore it before he passes. My 1970 C20 Build Thread |
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#4 |
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I think that Chevy standardized on coil spring/trailing arm rear suspension as the factory 'as delivered' default with the leaf springs as an option and I think GMC was the opposite.
If it is a C20- 3/4ton, either one should work ok with a camper BUT......it depends on the camper you are looking at? (ie: 8'? 9'? 10'? or??? and what its weight is). Do you have any information off of the SPID in the glovebox? (H.duty rear springs? auxiliary overloads? or??? camper special options?). Also look at the GVWR plate in the door sill.....does it say 7500lbs as manufactured or? The leaf springs always provided a more stabil load when carrying weight but the coils could carry quite a bit. The thing with a camper vs other types of loads is the high/sway element where you would notice the advantage of the leaf spring and multi-point load carrying stability. My two bits. Coley
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....for some men, there is experience, skill and effort....for the others...there is visa and UPS LOL 1966 Chevy 1/2 ton (Florida- Red/white) 1972 Chevy 1/2 ton (California- Blue/white) 2005 Chevy Silverado HD2500/Duramax 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 |
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#5 |
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Location: Colfax-California
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
I'll have to call bs on that one.......the wood would have to be stacked 8-9' high and weigh in upwards of 8k. A cord of wet oak can weigh in the neighborhood of 4000#+ by itself. I've got a GMC 3/4 with 10 leafs and I am maxed out at 4200# in the bed ...gravel
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#6 |
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Location: Eastern Oregon
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
May be closer to two cords! And it's pine and red fir, not oak which is a lot heavier when wet !
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71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD |
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#7 | |
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Location: Wisconsin & Arizona
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
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#8 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin Texas
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Quote:
I would like to see a pic of the factory overload helpers with coils. Did they install overload leafs alone or was it a type of coil over or air shock helper spring? To the OP, I don't think you'll have an issue with a camper on 3/4 ton coil spring setup provided everything is still at spec. After 40+ years coils do degrade a lot in their spring rate so new coils would be advised.
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Owner: Times Are Tough Toys 92 4 Runner (Joyce, long story from my time in Africa) Lotsa stuff, just about finished dumping money into it. 89 Mercedes 560 SEL, Merdle. Wrecked 71 Chevy K20, Clifford, BB and 1 Tons |
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#9 | |
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Location: Vero beach
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Quote:
Truck Campers of the era in the picture probably exceeded 3000 pounds...the new aluminum frames are much lighter............but even then they are heavy |
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#10 | |
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Location: Vero beach
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
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#11 |
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
The camper shown is not self contained so it may be a bit lighter. I ran the truck and loaded camper, with my wife in the cab (about 140# there, so no jokes please) over a scale back then. I believe the total was 7240#. Motorcycle was not on board.
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#12 |
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Yes It would be lighter for sure...........but you did not like the coil spring?
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#13 | |
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Quote:
Edit: You might consider a shorter (8' or 9' unit and perhaps also one that is narrower. This camper is 11' (floor length) long and 8' wide. Last edited by FirstOwner69; 12-03-2013 at 04:58 PM. |
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#14 |
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Here is the best picture I have on file...same truck.
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#15 | |
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Quote:
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#16 |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin Texas
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Thank you sir. That's an interesting quarter elliptical setup.
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Owner: Times Are Tough Toys 92 4 Runner (Joyce, long story from my time in Africa) Lotsa stuff, just about finished dumping money into it. 89 Mercedes 560 SEL, Merdle. Wrecked 71 Chevy K20, Clifford, BB and 1 Tons |
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#17 |
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
I can tell you that wet dirt piled as high as the cab will squash leafs and the rear tires even with 60 psi in them. It also put the leafs on the overloads, made it ping and try to jump lanes.
Leaf springs were listed on my truck as H D Rear Axle.
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1970 Longhorn, Front Disc, 350/4 bolt, 882 heads, HEI, Edelbrock, 700R4, HO-52/4.11. 1996 Corvette, Collector Roadster, LT4, 396, 450RWHP, 6sp, 4.11/Dana44/posi 5 point roll bar And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 Last edited by Longhorn 70; 12-03-2013 at 10:19 PM. |
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#18 |
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Location: Chandler AZ
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Sorry, I believe the leafs are listed on the SPID as Auxiliary Spring EQ.
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1970 Longhorn, Front Disc, 350/4 bolt, 882 heads, HEI, Edelbrock, 700R4, HO-52/4.11. 1996 Corvette, Collector Roadster, LT4, 396, 450RWHP, 6sp, 4.11/Dana44/posi 5 point roll bar And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 |
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#19 |
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Location: Wisconsin & Arizona
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Longhorns came standard with leaf springs so that wouldn't be on your SPID. G60 was the option code for both the leaf and coil auxiliary springs even though the aux. spring designs were very different.
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#20 |
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Townsend MT
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
I had a 11' by 11' by 8" block of concrete on my truck. If concrete weighs 3800 Lbs. per cubic yd., that figures to be right around 11,353 pounds, or 5.7 tons.
It made the truck ride real nice. |
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#21 | |
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![]() Quote:
![]() ...was it in the cab with you or on the tailgate? LOL Coley ![]()
__________________
....for some men, there is experience, skill and effort....for the others...there is visa and UPS LOL 1966 Chevy 1/2 ton (Florida- Red/white) 1972 Chevy 1/2 ton (California- Blue/white) 2005 Chevy Silverado HD2500/Duramax 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 |
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#22 |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Porter Ranch, CA
Posts: 978
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
I have to say it's beyond amazing what this gen of truck were/are capable of doing. The newer trucks are fantastic, but not 40+years-newer worth of fantastic. In terms of loading a truck, yeah, leaf's are better for the stability with a camper. But if you get the elliptical overloads, a sway bar and a good set of shocks (I swear by KYB gas adjusts, but everybody has their preference), you will do ok with that truck.
The other thing is, for basic loading of ANY truck: 1) Make sure your tires are aired up to the proper weight for the load, and not in good shape, but GREAT shape! and suited for the weight you will be carrying. 2) Load it up completely and see how the tires squat and how the suspension squats. You should be at no more than about 2/3 of the suspension travel at best for a somewhat safe ride. If it's sitting down more than that, think about some air bags. 3) Do NOT drive it like a new truck with anti-lock brakes, stability control, etc! Drive it for what it is, slow the hell down a bit when it's loaded heavy, and have fun! |
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#23 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Vero beach
Posts: 127
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Quote:
Now I have to find a longhorn! |
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#24 |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Porter Ranch, CA
Posts: 978
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
I wish I still had mine. I sold it a few years ago to a guy shipping it to Germany. They were going to mount TV's in the bed and drive around Munich advertising ladies of the evening... I wish I could have gotten pics of that!
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#25 |
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Location: Vero beach
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
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