Meet Big Red - 1966 Custom Camper

[rideblue00]

Nice work!

[60-66]

Great work Bruce ! Love the details. Question , how does the truck handle now with the added weight and being a bit top heavy ?

[62stepside longbox]

Awesome work! I really like those period correct stabilizer struts, way cool!

[Southcity]

Can't say enough nice things about this truck and all the hard work you have put in to it. It is truly one of a kind and you've shared some great photos and "how to's" so I almost hate to ask but should the opportunity ever present itself would love to see some "camping shots" of this rig in action. Thanks for sharing!

[C10matt]

Very cool truck! love the mirrors and camper supports

[oem4me]

Thanks for the comments, fellas. Top heavy? Yes, you could say that. Lol. I initially described it as a bit "swimmy" when first getting used to it. Once I did, it wasn't that bad. I just keep the high-speed hairpin turns in check and it's ok. As far as pull goes, the truck knows the camper is there for sure. Not going to win many sprint races toting this thing around. The 327 churns out enough grunt to get you there (even steady uphill) without feeling like somethings going to give, but no doubt it's working at it.

I'll include a few pics below from a trip to the snowy mountains we took during the holidays.
The whole trip went off almost without a snag and we stayed cozy warm through a couple nights of freezing temps, thanks to our little propane heater.
The only snag happened on the freeway on way out of town when we ran 50 mph broadside over an extension ladder that some dimwit dropped off his truck. Me thinks the tall 19.5 wheels/tires might have helped out there. Who knows what damage could've resulted if that ladder had turned and flipped under us. Jeeez!

[oem4me]

Last. Lake Arrowhead.

[68panelman]

Beautiful pictures

[plainred65]

Very cool pics. Are you getting a lot of people asking about your rig?

[Southcity]

Great pics and thank you for sharing!

[TJ's Chevy]

Looks awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by oem4me

Last. Lake Arrowhead.

Good ol' Lake Arrowhead. Lived there until the age of 21. Fantastic rig you there!

[my04]

Awesome!

[jocko]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing.

[factorystock]

Thanks for posting photos, they literally look like they were taken in 1966! The large camper and high center of gravity do throw off handling, even on a 3/4 ton. This is the main reason the 16" wheel was used on the Custom Camper package. Any plans for a slide out rear barden bumper?

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Thanks for posting photos, they literally look like they were taken in 1966! The large camper and high center of gravity do throw off handling, even on a 3/4 ton. This is the main reason the 16" wheel was used on the Custom Camper package. Any plans for a slide out rear barden bumper?

On the lookout for a nice, local one.

[factorystock]

Here is the style I have on my C 20, which also hauled a camper for the original owner at one time. I keep it extended 1' out.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by plainred65

Very cool pics. Are you getting a lot of people asking about your rig?

The truck gets used a bit less since mounting the big camper on it, but when it's out and about it does get lots of attention. I had it in a local VCCA show a few months back and had plenty of interest all day long. Kinda funny that many of the wives or girlfriends that were obviously dragged to the show by their men, suddenly "woke up" when approaching the camper! Ha ha. Actually, I think that for most folks, campers and camping are inherently linked with family and good times, hence that response from the ladies.

[shp4man]

Damn nice, oem4me. Keep 'em running just like back then. That's the same reason I keep my old truck mostly original, brings back memories.
Sometimes I think I may see them with rose colored glasses, they have rusted an amazing amount in 52 years, but...
I had a truck like the one in your avatar when I was in high school in the late '60's- same color, camper....it was popular with some girls..that's where the nostalgia mostly comes from. Firsts.

[pimpston65]

that rig is a BEAST!!!

[60-66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Here is the style I have on my C 20, which also hauled a camper for the original owner at one time. I keep it extended 1' out.

PLEASE do a thread on YOUR truck / trucks Factorystock !!!

Originally Posted by oem4me

The truck gets used a bit less since mounting the big camper on it, but when it's out and about it does get lots of attention. I had it in a local VCCA show a few months back and had plenty of interest all day long. Kinda funny that many of the wives or girlfriends that were obviously dragged to the show by their men, suddenly "woke up" when approaching the camper! Ha ha. Actually, I think that for most folks, campers and camping are inherently linked with family and good times, hence that response from the ladies.

Looking great Bruce , love seeing all the progress your making on this one. Great truck ! Looks like that recently restored 63 K10 was there.

[LT1 Burb]

Love it, looks great, love the wheels. Funny too how the front tie downs are attached to the cowl covers

[DKO]

Love the truck! Thanks for sharing the wonderful pics!!

[studeclunker]

Originally Posted by oem4me

And all painted up for a dead match on color and shine.

Originally Posted by darkhorse970

Very nice work! That looks like a great camper, and I've never seen those shocks/supports. Great job!
Posted via Mobile Device

I had those on a camper/truck combo in the seventies. They were called Bounce-Aways I think. Of course, mine weren't the fancy chrome, just painted white.

Your truck is beautiful and the camper is as well.

[studeclunker]

Originally Posted by oem4me

Last. Lake Arrowhead.

That shot looks like a photo-op for a company ad. Beautiful, just beautiful

All of those pics look so familiar as I grew up partly in So Cal and dear old Dad was a Scout Master. Looks like you came up the "back way" via 330 and 18 through Running springs? Used to love riding that road with my ZX-11!