What makes up a Custom Camper?

[MJN]

Like the title says, What makes up a Custom Camper? Specifically for a '72 GMC K/2500. Were there standard options for the camper package and then add-on options as well?
Thanks

[special-K]

Yes.The badge is actually an option in itself.But,you were required to order minimum options to order the nameplate.The vehicle had to have optional power in I6 or V8,then the HD springs,shocks,steering stabilizer,and just maybe HD radiator.I`d have to look at the literature to be certain.But,you get the idea.The big mirrors,sliding window,wiring harness,etc. were all individual options.

[MJN]

So would a 3/4 ton 4x4 have the HD springs? The truck is getting a 350 and possibly a sliding rear window if we can find one and big mirrors. So the emblem would be right at home with just these few additions? I'm just looking to do something a bit different but keep it as correct as possible at the same time. Thanks

[factorystock]

This question comes up quite often since so many 3/4tons from this era were bought as recreation vehicles. The custom camper option gave you a heavy duty suspension system to keep the price down. From there, they wanted you to build up your truck from an option list to tailor make it to suit your specfic needs. This is why so many custom camper pickups are found set up differently with unique options added to them.Sorry about the blurry photos, hope to get a better camera soon. Let me know if you have trouble reading any of the details.

[Longhorn Man]

HD rear springs and shocks.
Thats it.
From the dealers books...

[RPOZ11]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

HD rear springs and shocks.
Thats it.
From the dealers books...

Hey LongHorn...

What if it were ordered as a C/30....like my non-dually C/30?

[Longhorn Man]

Ok... no photo, but, as worded in the dealers books... (this one a mid year listing dated march 71)
WITH SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Avalible only when front stabilizer, HD shock abssorbers, HD rear or auxiliary rear springs, and 9.50-16.5/D or 9.50-16.5/E tubeless or 7.50-16.5/E tube type tires are ordered.

[RPOZ11]

I ask as on my 1972 Chevy C/30 LongHorn, it has coilover shocks front and rear.

[Longhorn Man]

the coilovers are either dealer/camper dealer installed, or aftermarket P/O installed
That listing I just typed is for both the 04 and 34 models (04 = stepside and 34 = fleetside)

[special-K]

Originally Posted by MJN

Like the title says, What makes up a Custom Camper?

The simple answer is,"The Custom Camper nameplate".GM offered certain options that could only be ordered with supporting equipment or trim packages only with certain options.The Custom Camper nameplate option was available when HD springs and shocks were ordered,if leaf suspension a sway bar is required.What`s not mentioned is that optional 6 or 8 cyl power is also required.

[RPOZ11]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

the coilovers are either dealer/camper dealer installed, or aftermarket P/O installed
That listing I just typed is for both the 04 and 34 models (04 = stepside and 34 = fleetside)

I dunno.

I spoke to the original owner whom I purchased this truck from.

To have the C30 ordered as such, this particular truck was special ordered by himself, when he received the truck... they were supposed to a part of that option.

I do believe that this truck came without them from the Factory, But I recall him specifically stating that the dealer had to correct the order because he thoroughly went over the truck to make sure everything he ordered was present on the truck when he took delivery here locally.

He was a mechanic for heavy equipment out here and had a particular intention when he ordered it this way.

Whether they were to be there from the factory...I do not know what GM determined back then.

[mr48chev]

You have to remember that when these trucks came out the base truck of that model year was pretty naked. A half ton short stepside with an I6 and three speed and nothing else was often advertised for under 2k sitting on the dealers lot. These are the little trucks we find that have no options on them and were often delivery trucks or used pretty hard by. You went up from there.
The camper special setup had as mentioned above, hd springs and shocks and a heavy duty front sway bar. I think it could be added to any series of 3/4 ton truck from the base to the Cheyenne.

[RPOZ11]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

The camper special setup had as mentioned above, hd springs and shocks and a heavy duty front sway bar. I think it could be added to any series of 3/4 ton truck from the base to the Cheyenne.

I agree and do not exclude Longhorns documents whatsoever.

The sway bars are the same as far as I can tell when any truck got that added.

The front coil spring rates might change between 3/4 and 1-ton.
I believe I posted my coil spring tags here once before in a different thread.

And, I wonder if the rear leaf spring rates were any different between 3/4 & 1-ton...
I could go out and count my spring stack, plus measure the thickness of the leafs.

MJN, what spring pack do you have in your 4X4???

All of this based upon these not being the six wheel optioned trucks.

[special-K]

I believe coilovers were available as a GM accessory that the dealer may have installed.

[factorystock]

[quote=special-K;3592233]The vehicle had to have optional power in I6 or V8,

The bottom line on dealear literature says "minimum engine required for satisfactory camper performance is the 350 V8, for optimum camper truck performance, the 400 V8 is recommended." We tend to generalize the 67 -72 years, but for 72 this was the deal. Other years, GM made recommendations to which drivetrains would be best for camper service.

[Longhorn Man]

recomendation.... bot not required.

[special-K]

I guess it may have said recommended on the motors.The`71 info I have says,"Minimum engine required for satisfactory camper performance is the 350 V8,for optimum camper truck performance,the 400 V8 is recommended". The point is,the Custom Camper nameplate is "the" option...that`s it.You could have a better equipped truck for camper hauling that is not a Custom Camper.GM wouldn`t let you call it a Custom Camper w/o certain equipment,required as well as making recommendations.There were required tire options,too.In`71 7.50-16/D tube type or 8.75-16.5/D tubeless (both 8 ply) were required.On a 1t Longhorn it was 7.50-16/E (10 ply) or 9.50-16.5/D (8 ply).So,you could say a Custom Camper came with a nameplate,HD tires,shocks,springs,as well as sway bar,and most likely an optional engine.I wonder if you didn`t follow their recommendation whether you still had a warranty.

It looks like the coilovers were an option...RPO-F51,F52,and G68

[factorystock]

I understand now, read the literature a little too quickly. 1967 thru 1970 brochures did not have that "satisfactory camper performance" line. In other words, Chevy would sell you a 250 or 307 in a custom camper, but let you know it would result in unsatisfactory camper performance. 1972 Custom Campers did have a longer list of options than previous years though.

[special-K]

I think you were right the first time.To me it says a 350 is required and the "for satisfactory camper performance" just states why.Required means required to me.GM is suggesting or recommending that a 402 would be best.
It`s true,the RV market exploded in the`60s and the mfgrs responded.So,the list of support equipment expanded as the years progressed to`72.After`72 even more was available,like rear sway bars,dual wheel pickups,bed braces,etc.