pics of truck campers

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by special-K

I'll have to disagree on that.

Should have said weight distribution, instead of center of gravity, sorry my bad. Studied this subject in depth. The industry finally came to the rescue with a 1 ton pickup with a 140" wheelbase, the Ford "Super Camper Special" with a 460 under the hood.

[special-K]

I never studied it, I experienced it in depth in real life. Only Ford built that truck, not the industry, and only for a short while. No weight distribution issues with the 10' camper on my '71 C/20. It rode better with the camper and family (2 kids) than without. The water tank sits across the front, which offsets a lot of tail end weight. The truck with camper was a very well balanced unit. It cornered flat as empty, too. I did have 9.75" wheels on the rear. We traveled and camped in that rig from '88 to '04 all over the place. The longest trip was Maryland to the southwest in '89. We took it to the North Rim of Grand Canyon, up and back down the switchbacks. Also went over Rocky Mt National Park, more switchbacks. That truck/camper combination was ideal.

Fixing a meal on the way up to Taos by way of Vegas, NM on the roadside

[Steeveedee]

This is all pretty interesting. I was OK with the new camper shell (which does not overhang the rear bumper though it does go all the way to the front of the cab, which the old one did not) until I replaced the Michelin tires with Firestone Trans-force tires. I still get some over steer, even with 10 PSI higher pressure in the rear tires. I'll be adding a rear stabilizer bar sometime soon. It's a Custom Camper Longhorn, so it is plenty heavy duty and has rear leaf springs, but I'm sensitive to over steer after driving like a lunatic on twisty roads as a kid. Not in a truck, though. My goal would be that the wife could drive it with dead neutral handling characteristics, were something to happen to me and she had to drive it. I guess I shouldn't worry too much, she usually drives far enough below the speed limit that people passing us are giving us dirty looks, and handling really wouldn't be an issue.

[richards72chevy]

Originally Posted by special-K

I never studied it, I experienced it in depth in real life. Only Ford built that truck, not the industry, and only for a short while. No weight distribution issues with the 10' camper on my '71 C/20. It rode better with the camper and family (2 kids) than without. The water tank sits across the front, which offsets a lot of tail end weight. The truck with camper was a very well balanced unit. It cornered flat as empty, too. I did have 9.75" wheels on the rear. We traveled and camped in that rig from '88 to '04 all over the place. The longest trip was Maryland to the southwest in '89. We took it to the North Rim of Grand Canyon, up and back down the switchbacks. Also went over Rocky Mt National Park, more switchbacks. That truck/camper combination was ideal.

Fixing a meal on the way up to Taos by way of Vegas, NM on the roadside

What motor/transmission was in that?Did you ever experienced much lugging down going up any of the grades?I was going to put a camper on my 72 but it's a lowered half ton long bed.I plan on getting a pre 72 Chevy/GMC 3/4 or 1 ton eventually and putting a camper on it or even getting a c30 motorhome.I will probably just be mostly going to our local camp area but I'm sick of setting up a tent.Plus you get more amenities at the RV hookups.

[GerhardH]

Tegernsee Germany

Truck drives like a modern car. Perfect.

[special-K]

One more word on weight dustribution with the 10' campers I had another thought on. With all the focus on the added 2' out behind the bed moving the weight off center, aren't we forgetting the added 4' forward of the bed to help counter that? What we are calling a 10' camper is actually a 14 footer. And again, the farthest forward on the bed floor slammed up to the cab is the water cross tank that puts it's weight on the front suspension. One remaining factor is simply how you load the camper, same as any cargo loaded in any truck with regards to weight distribution. The same cargo loaded in different ways can result in big differences. Many camper rigs mount the spare tire off the front bumper. I didn't on mine, just saying many factors involved not taken into account on that piece of paper

Originally Posted by richards72chevy

What motor/transmission was in that?Did you ever experienced much lugging down going up any of the grades?I was going to put a camper on my 72 but it's a lowered half ton long bed.I plan on getting a pre 72 Chevy/GMC 3/4 or 1 ton eventually and putting a camper on it or even getting a c30 motorhome.I will probably just be mostly going to our local camp area but I'm sick of setting up a tent.Plus you get more amenities at the RV hookups.

That one had a 350/TH350 and big radiator. It hauled that camper like nothing was there. On long trips on interstates my favorite part, other than scenery, was running it out on the merge ramp after pulling off for food, gas, rest stop and hearing the dual pipes sing through the pass-through with rear side glass cranked out a bit. That truck was very happy with that camper on top

Originally Posted by GerhardH

Tegernsee Germany

Truck drives like a modern car. Perfect.

Love it and want one. That is the reason I got out of my '71 camper truck shown above. I want one for my '72 K2500. The reason for the switch are no overhang for I can tow and low profile for carrying kayaks on top as well as camp out in the wilds where 4ed will get me there and tree limbs over the trail will be less of an issue

Now for my favorite factory camper model ever, "Camper Cruiser"!

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by special-K

That one had a 350/TH350 and big radiator. That truck was very happy with that camper on top

Now for my favorite factory camper model ever, "Camper Cruiser"!

Just curious, did that one have leaf spring or coil spring rear? That '67 is beautiful, low factory production numbers and very well preserved, a time capsule, with what appears to me, Terrace Blue paint, a GMC only color.

[special-K]

It had leaf rear. I would never want coil springs to haul a camper, personally. I always assumed the leaf springs were a requirement for the Z81, but have learned in recent years coil springs were possible. I don't think I have ever seen one with coil rear. One fine Camper Cruiser, ey? I need a drool pan

I really like these slide-top camper/canopies

[special-K]

Alaskan on 133" C/30 SRW

[special-K]

nice frame-mount Open Road

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by special-K

nice frame-mount Open Road

I like it, a base model Custom Camper C 30. I'm assuming a C 30 chassis mount camper would have been ordered with the 4.10 ratio. Would like to see the SPID on that one!

[factorystock]

Those mirrors aren't going to cut it! Agian, both seen with period 16" 2 piece rims.

[Gary 70 Jimmy]

Not a truck but it does have a camper on it.

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by Gary 70 Jimmy

Not a truck but it does have a camper on it.

Awesome!

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Gary 70 Jimmy

Not a truck but it does have a camper on it.

Beautiful, I love it....

[Gary 70 Jimmy]

1981 four wheel camper.

[special-K]

Here's a '70 GMC C3500 SRW cab & chassis that was ordered to install the utility bed and Alaskan Camper on. 350/4spd, posi, and a/c. These are current pictures a friend sent last week. He's had it a long time but now looking to sell

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by special-K

Here's a '70 GMC C3500 SRW cab & chassis that was ordered to install the utility bed and Alaskan Camper on. 350/4spd, posi, and a/c. These are current pictures a friend sent last week. He's had it a long time but now looking to sell

That's a cool truck ,you looking to buy it ?

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by special-K

Here's a '70 GMC C3500 SRW cab & chassis that was ordered to install the utility bed and Alaskan Camper on. 350/4spd, posi, and a/c. These are current pictures a friend sent last week. He's had it a long time but now looking to sell

Can't see the whole shebang, but that bed being offset of center, (rear pic) seems like it would along with the added crown of the road, prematurely wear out that right rear tire.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

That's a cool truck ,you looking to buy it ?

On high hopes, yes. It's a friend and I at least want to help him establish a good price. It's a nice '70 1t w/utility bed AND it's a nice Alaskan camper. I'd want it all together but I wonder if selling separate is a good idea. I mean if someone wants it all and wants to pay, great. But they both have strong individual values.

Originally Posted by Sheepdip

Can't see the whole shebang, but that bed being offset of center, (rear pic) seems like it would along with the added crown of the road, prematurely wear out that right rear tire.

Good eye on that. I didn't catch that. Not sure what's going on there but I believe that side bin is full depth. I think that back panel just lays over the body on that side and lays over less on the side with tag? I am sure this truck was designed and built properly. It was professionally built when new. He ordered just the truck and camper he wanted. My friend is the second owner and he's had it about 15 years. I'll ask about tire wear

Here is a picture of that bin

[dave6672]

I think that a toolbox bed would be the perfect setup for a truck camper because you can store all your camping crap in the cabinets, making it easily accessible.

[Sheepdip]

[QUOTE=special-K;
Here is a picture of that bin[/QUOTE]

Well never seen that before. Must be the outer trim on the camper that gives it the off-center look. Custom made for a custom fit!

[HO455]

Originally Posted by special-K

Here's a '70 GMC C3500 SRW cab & chassis that was ordered to install the utility bed and Alaskan Camper on. 350/4spd, posi, and a/c. These are current pictures a friend sent last week. He's had it a long time but now looking to sell

This truck takes me back to 6th grade. Dad bought a all white 69 or 70 K20 with those same service boxes minus the fender extensions and a standard width box. Service boxes with different door configurations on each side aren't the norm.

I think the interior was blue on the one we had.

We didn't have a fancy Alaskan camper just a nice homemade one that was used for hunting and fishing trips and one road trip to Minnesota.

[HWY-STAR]

Wow that's pretty Kool. The truck and camper take me back to the seventys also. I guess I'm hopelessly stuck in the seventys. I sure am thankful I got to grow up back then. We we're somewhat poor but had lots of fun growing up. It was a lot simpler way of life, and you new your neighbors and played in the neighborhood streets.
I'm glad I have all my memories.

[special-K]

Keep your stinky wet camping, hunting, and fishing gear in the bins. Just less clutter inside.