Cab Over Camper

[MacbreSkull]

hey guys been awhile since i posted.

But i wanted to ask anyone on here if they have used an over the cab camper in there C10, i ave a 64, i live in Utah, so fishing and camping is a big deal. I have really been wanting and looking for one to stick in the truck so i can go camping, any thoughts or opinions would be great! Thanks, hope everyone is well

[blackedoutharley]

I had an 8' cab over camper on my 65 C-10 Longbed that was made in the early/mid 70's. It was great for camping but was very, very heavy.

If you're going to get one (a newer one should be considerably lighter) I would strongly suggest replacing the rear springs (I used Moog "Cargo Coils" part # CC603) as well as rear shocks (probably better to just replace them all depending on what you have and their age).

All this work really shined with the camper installed on the truck once I installed a Helwig rear sway bar.

YMMV

[lakeroadster]

I second blackedoutharley's point. The campers that are being built today are much lighter than the ones built back in "the day". Simply due to use of newer lighter structural materials.

Hardwall Camper (dry) weights range from 1600 lbs to 4700 lbs!
Slide In Pop Ups range from 1400 lbs to 2000 lbs

Although by the time you pack them full of gear they are still pretty darn heavy, and that high profile can be scary in strong cross winds.

Here is an inspirational photo for ya.

Good luck!

[padresag]

better off using a c20 for that type of capacity
ron

[MacbreSkull]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

I second blackedoutharley's point. The campers that are being built today are much lighter than the ones built back in "the day". Simply due to use of newer lighter structural materials.

Hardwall Camper (dry) weights range from 1600 lbs to 4700 lbs!
Slide In Pop Ups range from 1400 lbs to 2000 lbs

Although by the time you pack them full of gear they are still pretty darn heavy, and that high profile can be scary in strong cross winds.

Here is an inspirational photo for ya.

Good luck!

What a great picture thank you!!

[chevyrestoguy]

My '64 C20 had a cabover for most of it's life, and the old campers are sooo heavy and it's really hard on the truck. Mine has broken rear cab mounts, holes drilled everywhere for additional supports, and lots of torn sheetmetal from all of the stress.

I know the newer campers don't look vintage, but they are way lighter than the old units. They are laid out much more efficiently, too.

[blackedoutharley]

Had to sleep on it but finally remembered more info about the camper that I had on my truck.

'71 8 foot cabover Aristocrat. No bathroom but had a 30 gallon freshwater tank, propane fridge and stove and 12 lighting.

As I recall I estimated the weight to be about 2800 lbs.

Getting it going was no problem but stopping it the first few times was a rather hairy adventure.

[Surfdaddy]

My 63 1/2 ton (leaf springs on the rear) had a 8ft camper on it and My grandfather added a power booster so his legs weren't shaking when he tried to stop it. When I got it I dorve it for a while and it was too heavy so I removed it. My 61 3/4ton had / has a 10ft camper on it and though I haven't driven it I imagine it's down right scarry to stop. If your going to put a camper on it make sure you put 10 ply tires and some sort of rear sway control (Helwig or something) in addition to the heavy springs. Remember the brakes are different on 1/2 tons ( smaller?) so it may be an issue also.

[ChevyTruckGuy]

I got my 66 c20 when I was young (23). Its a long bed. I thought it would be cool to go to Mount Baldy in So. Cal and load the bed with snow. My brother and I filled the bed PAST FULL where it wouldent take any more snow and drove down the steep twisty roads. Truck still has the original drum breaks. First thing I notices besides how heavy the truck got was the fact that my breaks sucked. I was riding them most of the way down the hill to where it was unsafe and they were smoking BADLY. Well we made it home to Upland safe but what a ride. WE and everyone in the neighborhood had a blast with A HUGE showball fight...
Be careful with smaller breaks on a c10 with all that weight......

You know I want to go camping too. For me since gas prices are high again I bet trucks with big motors are cheap again. It might not be a bad idea for me to look for a good donor truck. I want a newer motor trans combo and front disc breaks. Maybe a 1978 3/4 ton or? I really need to get this boat out of my garage and sold so I can get my 66 on the operation table, lol....


Also how about a vintage trailer with breaks????


...

[padresag]

1/2t capacity is really only meant for a canopy. there is nothing on them that is rated to carry that much weight of a full camper.
in the case of surfdaddy's g/father adding the power booster so that his legs weren't shaking, didn't really make it stop any better, just that the pedal was easier to push
be safe for the sake of others
ron

[Surfdaddy]

Vintage Trailer, or any trailer sounds good to me. More room, less hassel getting from camp to fishing spots. Don't have to pack evrything away to move around. I've done both and prefer the trailer. And, a smaller trailer can be pretty cheap. I never could figure out why campers were so expensive compaired to trailers.