Camper on a 1/2 ton LWB

[FingerTight]

Hey guys, looking to put a camper in the back of my truck. To do it right I would need to put a 3/4 ton rear axle and some HD springs, yea? Anything else? Can I get away with my stock drums? (not planning on towing much more than a ski boat) I have a leaf rear end, so my hope is that I can get away with an axle / spring swap relatively inexpensive. Suggestions on axles appreciated (Corp. 14 bolt / Dana 60 are what I have turned up so far). Are there any differences between the Dana's that came under the backs of Fords vs. Chevys?

Thanks!

[72 cheyenne pdx]

While cruising on the site and talking to my dad, I came across your post. I asked him what his truck has and this is what he said.

He has a '92 Chevy 1/2 ton that he uses with his camper. He did install helper bags in the rear for leveling purposes. He doesn't know what rearend it has but it is stock, and has 3.73 gears and stock drums in the back. The only thing he tows with it is a couple of ATVs. He said what he has done to modify his truck, besides the helper bags, is that it has a 383 motor with an RV cam in it with a performance chip, oil cooler, the stock transmission beefed up and a transmission cooler installed, and put in a limited slip differential in the rear.

He says he hasn't had to do any maintenance to it except for the standard changes and services all vehicles should have.

Hope this helps.

SEA

[72 CustomCamper]

My dad had a 69 C/10 that he used to haul an 11' slide in camper. It had the stock 12 bolt rear with coil springs. All he did was add healper springs. Hauled it for many years until the cab supports rusted away and made it into a trailer...


Chuck

[edmonton72]

How big of a camper and boat doing you plan on hauling. Since your truck has leaf springs you can add some more leafs or helper air bags. Are your brakes power brakes. My dad always tells me i should get a 8 foot camper for my truck and he told me that his uncle back in the day had a 68 with a 283, powerglide and 3.42 rear end and he drove the thing all over Canada with do problem.

[WorkinLonghorn]

A camper can weigh 2000 lbs,or it can weigh 900 lbs.depending on the camper.If you plan to use a heavy one (weigh it in any case) I would definately upgrade to dual diaphram vac.ast.brakes. Heavy shocks to go with helper or 3/4 springs.A full floating axle like the ones you mentioned are good but not absolutely necessary.You will need wiring to the camper and to the boat trailer (mine came with these) and a second (marine) battery to use with the camper lights etc.It should be tied in to the charging system,but the truck battery should not be run for lights.
I'm just not too sure your 1/2 ton drums,even with assist,will be up to the task.This is one case where I would recommend a disk conversion.

[special-K]

I had a`69 CustomCamper/10 4wd.

[FingerTight]

Thanks for the replies everyone. My boat is not big at all, it's an 18' ski boat with an outboard...can't be more than 2000lbs, see pic here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...2&postcount=34

My big concerns were brakes and rear axle failures. Sounds like you guys are thinking that as long as I am conscious of the camper weight and don't buy a monster my axle can take it fine, brakes will need an upgrade however (power drums).

Planning on some sort of helper spring setup (bags, add a leaf or two, swap in 3/4 springs...something of the sort) and electrical upgrades (battery, wiring, etc).

[BB72CHEVKT]

The previuos owner of my 69 used air shocks when he had camper attached.

[mrein3]

Air shocks, air bags, helpers, and anything else you come up with, on a half ton you are still putting all that weight on about a 7/8" shaft of steel that is riding around on a light weight bearing in the axel housing.

I've replaced a lot of these axels that were worn from too much weight.

You can put a camper in there, just don't exceed the factory recommended weight for the truck and all the stuff you pile on it. Newer campers are a heck of a lot lighter than what was available in 1972.

[OLDIRON69]

If you plan on leaving it on the truck all the time I would do 3/4 ton springs. If you put 3/4 ton springs out back it will be really stiff with the camper off the truck.Bags if it will only be on the truck when you go on a trip. Gabriel makes some good air shocks, I put them on my truck for hauling a 16' trailer (I haul 1-1.5 cords of firewood at a time). The slide in's of today are much lighter, do some shopping. The slide in I had on my Dodge was like having a car in the bed though. It was a 88 or 89 model camper with all the goodies. The dealer can set your wiring all up for you. I had a seperate plug in the bed for my camper and one at the bumper for my trailer. The 93 Dodge with the 5 speed and Cummins could tell the camper was back there, even it needed load leveler bags or something. If I can fiind a pic I'll post it to show you what I had and how it weighed the rear down on my 3/4 ton.

here is a pic, It was a Starcraft..do yourself a favor and buy one with a shower!lol!

[FingerTight]

Thanks guys, I think I am going to look for the lightest one I can find and bag / air shock the back since the camper will not be in all the time. Discs in front will be next on the list...or a class C.