What is a camper special?

[robtco99]

Hi I just bought a 79 k20 4x4 camper special. It has a 400/400turbo and is full time 4wd. I was told this truck is 3/4-1 ton and has lots of heavy duty items.

So what exactly is a camper special and what makes it different than a regular 3/4 ton? What axles does it have? Thanks

[HAULIN IT]

Rob, I'm sure some guys with more knowledge of the history will post,there may be some variations due to years,ect here's what I know. They had very high GVW, something like 14 leaf packs in the rear,mine ('76) had the 14 bolt corp. axle in the rear, I believe all of the 4x4s had Dana front diffs (some 44 ? & some 60) dual gas tanks, big swing out mirrors, sliding back windows & let's not forget the tepees on the cab corners. There were also 1 ton - single & dual rear wheel Camper Specials. The interesting thing I noticed when I had mine was when you passed another one on the road EVERYONE gave a little wave, it became a joke with my friends that rode in it. "The Camper Special Wave" they called it. Kinda like the motorcycle guys do. People picked out the truck sitting right & the mirrors I guess & knew you had "one of the good ones" Others will come on & correct me & fill in the blanks I'm sure. Have fun & look out for the wave, you wouldn't want to be a snob, Lorne

[Captkaos]

So a search on the forum.  I know I have answered that before.  If you can't find it post back...

[BILTUP]

"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."

 

[BILTUP]

I have an 80 3/4T CS (i am second owner) and it has a one ton full floating rear diff (4.10 gears), heavier leafs (56'' long), dual batteries, trans cooler, a camper wiring harness, and i believe it had a 400sbc which has know been replaced with a 350sbc.

[joesgarage71]

 http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1979

[ceara]

http://brochures.slosh.com/index.shtml?1979

Love this link! tks!!!

[talan1979]

i have one of these mine is a 1976 Chevy c 30 454 model going up hill i get the power needed and so far i have tested it on back roads hwy and parked i love it figuring out the fuel switch over was a little confusing and it uses alot of gas passes alot of the newer sportys up in a hurry but as far as gas goes the only thing it cant pass is a gas station 

[Henry]

Hi Robtco99:
Does your truck have the "Camper Special" badges on the fenders?...if so then this was a factory delivered truck with either of the 2 camper special options coded Z81 or Z83. Do you still have the options sheet that came with the truck? You can look at the specs for your truck at the GM Heritage site at:
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits/Chevrolet-Trucks/1979-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

Having said that, if your truck does not have the badges and you do not have the options code sheet, your truck still may have a lot of options on it that the Camper Specials did without being a factory delivered "Camper Special".  The amount and combination of options you could order a truck with in the day was mind bending.

Regards,
Henry