C20 - Trailering vs. Camper Special

VPC20HD · Oct 12, 2024

Hello,

I have a 1982 c20 and I'm not sure if it's a Trailering or Camper Special.

Forgive my ignorance but can any tell me the difference from the two and how I can find out which one I have?

-Thank You

Rickf · Oct 12, 2024

Is there a SPID (Google it) still inside the glovebox lid?

VPC20HD · Oct 12, 2024

Rickf said:
Is there a SPID (Google it) still inside the glovebox lid?

No, unfortunately the SPID is gone.

bucket · Oct 12, 2024

There were different levels of Trailering Special packages as well as Camper Special packages.

Trailering Special would include stuff like brakes, springs, steeper ratios, HD cooling, etc.

Camper special would include similar items, plus things like camper wiring, dual batteries, rear sway bar, etc.

I believe that any option in any of those packages could be ordered separately too. Not 100% sure though and I know it could very by model year. But ordering the packages saved a little money.

Rickf · Oct 12, 2024

My '74 is a camper special. It has brackets on the front fenders for a slide on & over the cab camper, it came with towing mirrors (since removed), dampening absorbers from inside the cab to the bed and four camper mounting brackets at both ends of the bed coming off the frame. I'm not sure if an '82 would have anything similar.

bucket · Oct 12, 2024

Rickf said:
My '74 is a camper special. It has brackets on the front fenders for a slide on & over the cab camper, it came with towing mirrors (since removed), dampening absorbers from inside the cab to the bed and four camper mounting brackets at both ends of the bed coming off the frame. I'm not sure if an '82 would have anything similar.

All those were part of the most elaborate camper special package. Do you have pictures of the cab-bed shock absorber setup?

Keith Seymore · Oct 13, 2024

Camper Special = RPO Z81

Trailering Soecial = RPO Z82

www.gm.com/content/dam/company/no_search/heritage-archive-docs/vehicle-information-kits/chevrolet-trucks/1982-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

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bucket · Oct 13, 2024

Keith Seymore said:
Camper Special = RPO Z81

Trailering Soecial = RPO Z82

www.gm.com/content/dam/company/no_search/heritage-archive-docs/vehicle-information-kits/chevrolet-trucks/1982-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

So Z81 is the basic camper special option, but what is the RPO for the deluxe camper special option, that included Z81?

Rickf · Oct 13, 2024

Pic's added to original post.

Keith Seymore · Oct 13, 2024

bucket said:
So Z81 is the basic camper special option, but what is the RPO for the deluxe camper special option, that included Z81?

Z83.

K

75gmck25 · Oct 14, 2024

Not sure about your year of truck, but for my ‘75, the Camper Specials have a Teepee emblem in the trim on the side of the cab.

I have the deluxe package with Elimi-Pitch and it's impossible to miss.
- Brackets bolted to the back of the cab extend through holes in the bed front, where they could bolt to the camper and tie it to the cab.
- brackets mounted on the top of the front fender, where you would bolt a shock absorber rod that went up to the camper overhang to stabilize it. My brackets got lost by the body shop when I had the truck painted many years ago.

Camper Specials also have a splice in the wiring running to the back of the truck, so you can connect the camper lights. My wiring was cut under the truck near the bed front, so I extended it and put lights in my headache rack.

ali_c20 · Oct 14, 2024

My C20 is a Camper Special too but it only has the wiring and the HD sway bar. Basic camper group.

Keith Seymore · Oct 14, 2024

Just to add a little color to the commentary: I used to do the trailer ratings between 1986 and 1990, during my time at the GM Milford Proving Ground (Milford Mi).

We would verify the ratings during public highway test trips, like Powertrain Cooling trips to Davis Dam and Death Valley, brake test trips at Pikes Peak and trailering specific rides in and around Michigan (the trailering 'expert' actually flipped a Suburban/Airstream combo on the entrance road of the Proving Ground. I'm still not sure what happened there).

I used to be required to take the rig, loaded to GCWR, out to the 16% grade at Milford to make sure it could be launched up the hill from a standing start, as a final confirmation.

K

desertdog1 · Oct 14, 2024

HI Keith. Do you know where I could get the CGWR for my 83 C20? I do not have a SPID label. It is a long bed regular cab 2WD 4:10 rear axle with SM465 manual 4 Speed with 454 engine. It is a camper special but does not have any of the extra brackets described above. The previous owner used it with a slide in truck camper. Thanks.

rawhide · Oct 14, 2024

Been a member for a long time but have never posted anything. This is on my 1979. It’s a C10 Silverado that carries the “big 10” badges on the bed. It also has 10 rear leaf springs. So I think it was considered a “heavy half”? I’m the second owner and I knew the family that bought it new. I’ve kept it all original so these are the badges that came on it. Not sure if it helps you out any?

C20 - Trailering vs. Camper Special

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