C/30 Extra long wheelbase question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Katrina/10 · 01-11-2012, 03:44 PM

Back in the 70s I remember seeing 67-72 model trucks with single rear wheels, 8ft fleetside beds, and the rear axle set back closer to the rear bumper. It was so far back, the spare tire was relocated to a compartment in the bed side in front of the axle. These were definitely C/30s, possibly camper specials. I saw them usually in RV campgrounds carrying big slide-ins or pulling heavy trailers. I have been browsing this site for quite some time and never seen or heard anything about these trucks. I believe they were factory produced and would like to know if anyone else remembers these or has any information/pictures of them. They were not Longhorns.

Gary

**leddzepp** · 01-11-2012, 03:52 PM

They were Fords.

hick · 01-11-2012, 03:56 PM

You wouldn't be thinking about the long horns would you?

What GM did to compensate for the campers of the day (kind of like the ever growing 5th wheels of today) was they added 6 inches to the box and in doing so the axle appeared and infact was closer to the rear bumper by a mere 6 inches

Ford then decided to slide the axle back while retaining the 8 ft box length to accomplish the same thing

**leddzepp** · 01-11-2012, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

It was so far back, the spare tire was relocated to a compartment in the bed side in front of the axle.

This is a dead give-away that you are talking about a Ford. There is a series of articles in one of the classic trucks magazines right now showcasing one of these trucks.

**special-K** · 01-11-2012, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

This is a dead give-away that you are talking about a Ford. There is a series of articles in one of the classic trucks magazines right now showcasing one of these trucks.

That's right,GM never made such a truck. They made 133" WB single wheel C/30s and that's it. They made 133" & 157" dual rear cab & chassis,but those are much longer than those Fords. A 157" WB truck measures 84" (7') cab to axle (center) and the shortest bed that would fit a bobbed one would be 10'+. I don't doubt there may have been some custom built trucks like you remember,but GM never built any like that.

Katrina/10 · 01-11-2012, 06:28 PM

Well, I must have been confused in my youth! Could have sworn I saw trucks like the ones I described, I recall the Fords as well. Thanks for the replies, that has been bugging me a while.

Gary

**Bob B.** · 01-11-2012, 09:36 PM

Ford F-350 Super Camper Special. Ford made a special bed to fit a F-350 cab and chassis model. Very similar in concept to our Longhorns. It was Ford's answer to the '73 Chevy and GMC Dually's, but (naturally) it didn't work as well. Neat trucks though.

*Achevytruck* · 02-13-2012, 03:44 PM

Yes that guy special-K is right

Duncan and son · 02-13-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

They were Fords.

x2

Steve Hafner · 02-13-2012, 06:57 PM

. . . .

Here's a couple of them - you can see part of the spare tire sticking out from the bottom of the side compartment.

. . . .

Katrina/10 · 02-16-2012, 10:27 AM

Yes, those are the ones, thanks for the pictures. I wonder what Ford had in mind for these trucks when they were new, I do remember seeing them pulling trailers. And no GM equivalent.

factorystock · 02-18-2012, 08:29 PM

Better weight distribution for carrying a large camper, but interestingly decided against the dual rears on the '73 thru '79 1 ton pickups.

01-11-2012, 03:44 PM	#1
Katrina/10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 1,746	C/30 Extra long wheelbase question Back in the 70s I remember seeing 67-72 model trucks with single rear wheels, 8ft fleetside beds, and the rear axle set back closer to the rear bumper. It was so far back, the spare tire was relocated to a compartment in the bed side in front of the axle. These were definitely C/30s, possibly camper specials. I saw them usually in RV campgrounds carrying big slide-ins or pulling heavy trailers. I have been browsing this site for quite some time and never seen or heard anything about these trucks. I believe they were factory produced and would like to know if anyone else remembers these or has any information/pictures of them. They were not Longhorns. Gary __________________ Gary 1971 Chevrolet C/10 1951 GMC 100 1977 GMC C15 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Last edited by Katrina/10; 01-11-2012 at 03:47 PM. Reason: additional info

01-11-2012, 03:52 PM	#2
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,031	Re: C/30 Extra long wheelbase question They were Fords. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

01-11-2012, 03:56 PM	#3
hick Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 286	Re: C/30 Extra long wheelbase question You wouldn't be thinking about the long horns would you? What GM did to compensate for the campers of the day (kind of like the ever growing 5th wheels of today) was they added 6 inches to the box and in doing so the axle appeared and infact was closer to the rear bumper by a mere 6 inches Ford then decided to slide the axle back while retaining the 8 ft box length to accomplish the same thing __________________ 1989 3+3 2wd Dually. 454 BB. Factory loaded for the day, including Alcoa rims.

01-11-2012, 06:28 PM	#6
Katrina/10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 1,746	Re: C/30 Extra long wheelbase question Well, I must have been confused in my youth! Could have sworn I saw trucks like the ones I described, I recall the Fords as well. Thanks for the replies, that has been bugging me a while. Gary __________________ Gary 1971 Chevrolet C/10 1951 GMC 100 1977 GMC C15 1955 Chevrolet 3100

01-11-2012, 09:36 PM	#7
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,363	Re: C/30 Extra long wheelbase question Ford F-350 Super Camper Special. Ford made a special bed to fit a F-350 cab and chassis model. Very similar in concept to our Longhorns. It was Ford's answer to the '73 Chevy and GMC Dually's, but (naturally) it didn't work as well. Neat trucks though. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

02-13-2012, 03:44 PM	#8
Achevytruck Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Alva FL Posts: 197	Re: C/30 Extra long wheelbase question Yes that guy special-K is right

02-13-2012, 06:57 PM	#10
Steve Hafner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northport, Alabama Posts: 1,353	Re: C/30 Extra long wheelbase question . . . . Here's a couple of them - you can see part of the spare tire sticking out from the bottom of the side compartment. . . . . Attached Images

02-16-2012, 10:27 AM	#11
Katrina/10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 1,746	Re: C/30 Extra long wheelbase question Yes, those are the ones, thanks for the pictures. I wonder what Ford had in mind for these trucks when they were new, I do remember seeing them pulling trailers. And no GM equivalent. __________________ Gary 1971 Chevrolet C/10 1951 GMC 100 1977 GMC C15 1955 Chevrolet 3100

02-18-2012, 08:29 PM	#12
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,396	Re: C/30 Extra long wheelbase question Better weight distribution for carrying a large camper, but interestingly decided against the dual rears on the '73 thru '79 1 ton pickups.

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