Heavy Half - Trailering Special

[shpark2]

I am the proud new owner of a 1980 Sierra Classic 15, Trailering Special 9000 GCW.  Can anyone tell me how 9000 GCW is reached with this truck?  All the old brochures I been digging up this morning have 0 spec details on the trailering pkg.  I assume the 6 spring pack in the rear is good for 5500, can someone confirm this for me?  I was able to find a little blurb on the trailering package which talked about some of the options included.  Does anyone have a list (or dynamite memory) of the options that came with the trailering special in 1980? (ie; rear end gearing, diff cam, HD brakes-1.25"?)

Any info appreciated,
PAT

[Blazin]

No idea how they came to that number, but welcome to the board from New Hampshire, and congrats on the new member of your family.

[BILTUP]

Is that a 2 or 4 wheel drive?  I have a 80 chev k20 (3/4ton) 4x4 camper special (8600GVW).  Here is the info i could find so far, the trailer special would be similar i am sure.

"Trailering Special Packages - Recommended for trailer towing, Chevy Trailering Special Packages are available for both 2wd and 4wd vehicles in all series. The recommended equipment will vary depending on the series and the weight to be towed; light, medium, or heavy. Equipment specified in most includes a 350 - 4 bbl, or a 454 4bbl V-8 engine, Turbo Hydra-matic (TH) transmission, power steering, power brakes, HD battery, trailer wiring harness, weight distributing hitch, or ball hitch for step bumper."

"Camper Special Packages - Available on all 20 and 30 series with V-8 and turbo hydra-matic transmission or 4 speed manual transmission, Camper Special Packages are recommended for use with slide in camper bodies for pickups or chassis mounted bodies for cab and chassis models. Although equipment recommendations will vary with body weight, most packages specify camper body wiring harness, heavy duty front and rear springs, heavy duty front and rear shock absorbers, heavy duty front stabilizer bar, and Camper Special name plate. Deluxe Camper Special Package includes all the equipment in the Camper Special Package, plus these additions: Camper Tie Down Package: Elimi-Pitch Package: rear stabilizer bar (standard on dual rear wheel vehicles). Available on Fleetside models only.

Plus..... Power Steering, power brakes, electric clock, chromed front and rear bumpers, bumper guards, two-tone paint, fuel tank shield plate(s), engine oil cooler, 61-amp generator, heavy duty shocks absorbers, heavy duty front and rear springs, heavy duty battery, color keyed front floor mats, intermittent windshield wipers, Rally wheels, styled steel wheels, inside hood lock release, weight distributing trailer hitch platform, ball type trainer hitch and a wide array of factory installed tires."


Could try this too:

www.73-87.com/7387info/73...ackets.htm

Edited by: BILTUP at: 3/5/07 8:51 pm

[shpark2]

Truck is a two wheel drive, see pics @
Cardomain Site

Nowhere in the old brochures can I find weights that high for a 2WD half ton - 1980 GMC Truck Brochure

Thanks for your info!

[BILTUP]

I have the factory book for my truck at home and will check it out.  I do recall the c30 having a 10000# capacity and the c20 having 7000# so i would assume the heavy half would be in between.  The one thing i did not understand is that all the 2WD's had a higher capacity then the 4WD's, any body know why?

I will post what i find tonight.

[BILTUP]

SERIES PAYLOAD #
C10     960 - 2680
BIG-10 1980 - 2355 (heavy half)
C20     2075 - 3930
C30     2125 - 5720
K10     1790 - 2495
K20     2120 - 4250
K30     3795 - 5345  

[BILTUP]

Max Trailer Weight right out of my 80 3/4 ton manual.

See pics

www.putfile.com/biltit/images/88655

Derek

[shpark2]

I hadn't thought of trailer weight, so 9000# would be for total truck and trailer weight?  4500#truck + 4500# trailer?

On a different note, if I had to fix bad negative camber after I drop the front end - anyone know of a camber kit I can buy?  Or will the factory susp. have enough adjustment in it?
My truck won't be low as this one Truckin' built - but same problem.  I know this one won't be making many miles - if any, but mine will drive daily after it drops.
Truckin' Magazine Red Rocker Project

[roundedline]

There is no "camber kit" for these trucks.  If you use quality componets for your drop any good alignement shop should be able to get it within spec.

Red Rocker was on air in addition to drop components, so it didn't "ride" that low.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[shpark2]

Yeah, I thought of that later when I was looking at it again.  I guess when it airs up to ride height, the fronts probably push towards positive.