Is an over the cab camper too much for a C-10?

[Dano69c10]

Is an over-the-cab camper too much weight to put in a C-10?
Will changing the rear springs to 3/4 springs be enough or will the 1/2 ton frame bend?
Are the C-10 brakes too small to stop that much weight?
Thanx
Dano

[mycool72]

We had an 80-something 1/2ton model when I was younger that hauled ours around growing up, didn't seem to have any problems..I would think a shock/maybe airspring upgrade would be helpful though.

[nicolas72gmc]

I don't think so, the PO of my truck had one on it for 37 years.

[Longhorn Man]

the bare frames are the same... some added braces is all.
I wouldn't want to drive eery day like that, but if driven properly and cautiously, you should be fine.
If you feel you need to, load it up with all your gear and people with the camper on it, and cross the scales at the local truck stop, see what it weighs, and then look at the plate in the door jamb.

[69GMCLonghorn]

Growing up, my dad and the neighbor transformed our '63 Ford F-100 into a Lance camper hauling monster! They did an Add-a-Leaf, stiffer shocks, and added these coils that didn't kick in until the ass-end squatted about 3 inches. It rode like a 1/2 ton empty, but you could carry the PLANET in the bed and not hit the bump stops!

Of course, the weak 6 cyl and 3 on the tree made for a nice 2nd gear, 30 MPH floored out climb up the Grapevine on I-5, but it made it!!

REDEMPTION TIME: My dad sold it after that trip and bought a '69 3/4 ton Chevy!

[factorystock]

Its all about the weight. Remember the rear axle on a 1/2 ton is rated at 3500lbs max.( with pickup and camper), while a 3/4 ton rear axle is rated at 5200 lbs total.Check your maxium load capacity of each tire also.

[capev86]

make sure you don't exceed the trucks weight capacity. if this is a small camper (one of those slim ones with the pop-up top, then standard duty 3/4 ton rear coils (2000 lb rating) would be perfectly fine. if it is a macho truck camper, then i would recommend atleast a 3/4 ton truck with the HD rear coil springs installed (2750 lb rated). lmc truck sells both the light and heavy duty 3/4 ton springs. lmc also has the 2000 lb rated rear coils listed for both 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks (also lists HD springs for the 3/4 ton). the 2000 lb rated springs were optional on 1/2 ton trucks and i don't see why anyone would want the dinky 1400 lb rated springs anyway. guess thats what lmc thinks too as they don't list them. you can tell what is going on by comparing the lmc part numbers for the 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. i got the spring ratings from my 72 suburban dealer brochure.

[capev86]

i will eventually replace the rear coils on my 72 suburban 3/4 ton with the HD springs and sell mine to someone planning to haul or tow with their truck (or wanting to get rid of that saggy back end look).

[69GMCLonghorn]

Also consider a good rear sway bar if you're doing the camper thing. You want some lean in the body, but not too much. In terms of shocks, not everyone will agree with me, but the KYB Gas-Adjusts are fantastic! I thought they'd be too stiff, but they ride and handle nicer than anything I could have imagined!

[glock35ipsc]

In the late 70's we had an overhead camper in the 70 K10. It went from Colorado to Yellowstone once, and to Wyoming a bunch of times. We're all still here, the truck too.

[69GMCLonghorn]

The other thing to consider is this: How many idiots on the road do you see with trucks that are loaded 10,000 lbs beyond what the poor thing was designed for, riding on the bump stops, front wheels almost off the ground... Most of those people keep doing it and the trucks (and people) come back for more.

So that being said, if you have even HALF you wits about you, make sure everything is in good shape, load the camper on the truck and just drive safely, as stated above, you should be just fine and will get all kinds of cool looks from people, rolling into who-knows-where with a 40+ year old truck and camper. Enjoy and send pics from the road trip!

[Dano69c10]

I'm just planning for the once or twice a year camping trip with the family.
I want to be safe with my family, so I think I'll be looking for a 3/4 or 1 ton. I'm sure the 1/2 ton would do fine, but will be at capacity. I would rather not be at capacity.
Thanx everyone for your help. I'll keep my 1/2 ton LWB for my regular working duties. Another good excuse to go out and buy another one!
Dano

[capev86]

amen on sway bars....

i have the big 1-1/4" front / 1-1/8" rear bars from classic performance products to go on my truck soon. bigger front bar than hellwig and both bars are bigger than what lmc truck and others carry....and waay cheaper too and thats with cad plated parts and poly bushings!