C20 - Trailering vs. Camper Special

I have only seen the 11,000 GVW rating on a C30 or K30, and I think it was a 4 door crew cab. Someone has done some swapping of something if your truck is only a heavy half.

Based on the hub caps, you do not seem to have 8 lug wheels or a 14 bolt rear axle, so it’s only a half ton. Maybe they just added the HD rear springs to a half ton. The Trailer Special badges probably came from some other truck.

desertdog1 said:

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.

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This is a little hard to read (but I had it handy) and it is for an '85, but would indicate GCWR = 15,500 lbs.

K

rawhide said:

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?

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The Big 10 was the Chevy heavy half (a GMC would have "Heavy Half" where yours says Big 10). It basically got the larger brake option and heavier duty springs/trans cooler/etc to up the GVWR past the emissions requirement weight (6000lbs IIRC?). That Trailering Special badge was likely added by someone in the past, those were never on half tons as far as I'm aware. Keith could confirm but I highly doubt there were any half tonners rated for 11k lbs

I agree, 11K GVWR is a bit much for a 1/2 ton (lol). Petty sure it won't tote that much weight. I think you're right about the emissions requirements. I got home and looked and I was wrong on the spring pack. Instead of 10 like I previously posted, it only has 8. It does have 5 lug axles. I took a pic of the SPID in the glovebox. Thanks for all the great info.

rawhide said:

I agree, 11K GVWR is a bit much for a 1/2 ton (lol). Petty sure it won't tote that much weight. I think you're right about the emissions requirements. I got home and looked and I was wrong on the spring pack. Instead of 10 like I previously posted, it only has 8. It does have 5 lug axles. I took a pic of the SPID in the glovebox. Thanks for all the great info.

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That's a pretty cool optioned rig!

I think those emblems are original. The Trailering Special option is clearly on your SPID and the emblems state 11k gross combined weight, not gross vehicle weight. Combined weight would be the weight of the truck and trailer too.

Yup, mine is Z83. Has the fancy pants cab to camper system. I'll get pics tomorrow or Wednesday, I have to move a bunch of stuff to access.

Radiohead said:

Yup, mine is Z83. Has the fancy pants cab to camper system. I'll get pics tomorrow or Wednesday, I have to move a bunch of stuff to access.

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Mine is just the Z81. I'm pretty sure the original owner got that option just for the springs and gears and such. The camper harness has never been utilized.

rawhide said:

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?

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Sweet setup dude!
My BIG10 carried a truck camper its whole life. Until I bought it. I need to get a picture of it with the camper on it from him.
Tough little trucks!
I bet trailering special is probably just deeper gears and what used to be rare, factory trailer hitch and lights. Woukda been cool if trailering special meant big block. Or at least a 400. Mine is a high geared 1 wheeler peeler.

VPC20HD said:

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

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If you can’t actually figure it out, it kinda doesn’t matter. It either has the heavy gvw brakes and springs or the regular, but realistically it’ll haul the same weight and how well it will tow depends about solely on the gears given a stock 350.

Here's a dim view of what Z83 looks like in real life. I can't clear the bed for a better shot today but it gives you an idea. The holes in the sheet metal look kinda hinky, like it was done at the dealer level perhaps, because I would expect better craftsmanship from the plant in CA.

You can see through the giant hole how the cab mount has broken down on that corner. You can see the entire bracket there. The shocks have ball stud mounts much like the lift assist shocks on the canopies has.


Passenger side is missing the shock and a better view of bracket centering.

Hard to see the cab bracket, but that's the side view


There could be more parts to it I am not recognizing, but if so, it's not here. The tie downs look sort of dealer add-on too, but there are others on the site that would know for sure. Both sides, front and back.


Those tie in to the crossmembers of the bed via a bracket. The holes in the sheet metal are near perfect for the brackets.

You've got the original California tailpipe too. Is there a screen in the outlet?
@Radiohead

Lol, maybe. Its dark and I will go look tomorrow. The exhaust is a goofy cannibalism affair with weirdness to it. Only a picture can do that statement justice. You'll understand.

bucket said:

You've got the original California tailpipe too. Is there a screen in the outlet?
@Radiohead

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OK bucket, i hadn't forgot. That's a good eye you have. Notice the hole poked in it for an emissions sniffer.


It's just the tailpipe that's original. Which surprises me. But here's where it gets weird going forward.

A glasspack


Then a patched in piece of Y pipe


Then on to the factory cat

And on forward. I laughed, because I forgot how ridiculous this exhaust looks. If it didn't have a cracked manifold, I would leave it until it fell off. I do have some long tube headers for it. Considering 2½" exhaust with a crossover. Maybe cutouts, I don't know yet.

Radiohead said:

You must be registered for see images attach

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