tow rating of a 1976 20 camper special?

[Pook]

Trying to find out the tow capacity of my new to me tow rig.

1976 20 camper special

It's been upgraded by the po with a rebuilt 400 tranny and cooler and I'm pretty sures its got 4.10 gears by the way it revs out on the highway. It has some really built up spring packs in the back and 8 lug wheels.

I got a fresh 30over cammed 350 going in it with headers and flowmasters. So it should tow all right....just wondering what my max allowed load is.

I can't find anything on the truck door plate except the 8200gvw

[Pook]

and its 2wd I know on newer trucks that can effect the towing capacity

[KWTMECH]

With the correct hitch, I'd say 10k

[bigyellowjimmy]

Originally Posted by Pook

Trying to find out the tow capacity of my new to me tow rig.

1976 20 camper special

It's been upgraded by the po with a rebuilt 400 tranny and cooler and I'm pretty sures its got 4.10 gears by the way it revs out on the highway. It has some really built up spring packs in the back and 8 lug wheels.

I got a fresh 30over cammed 350 going in it with headers and flowmasters. So it should tow all right....just wondering what my max allowed load is.

I can't find anything on the truck door plate except the 8200gvw

You cant tow too much for that rig, I used to tow 20K livestock trailers with these 2nd generation trucks all the time. Your 350 engine will be your limiting factor. The TH400, 14FF and brakes can take it. Just make sure you have a good hitch and trailer brakes.

[Pook]

I figured the little 350 would be limiter. On the legality side of things a fully loaded 7500lb trailer with brakes would still be well into the safe zone?

[mudslinger99]

Here is a little info..

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.

K/20 models were available with GVWR from 6,800 - 8,400 pounds..

[Pook]

Originally Posted by mudslinger99

Here is a little info..



K/20 models were available with GVWR from 6,800 - 8,400 pounds..

I found that info last night when I was searching. But how does the gvwr relate with the tow rating?

[u2slow]

10,500# GCWR

Squint if you have to...

[Pook]

Thanks

[GMCTruxrule]

I had a 78 Silverado Camper Special C20. It was a great truck.
454/Th400/14FF rear. Dual 20 gal tanks, tow package, factory oil cooler, A/C, dual batteries, camper tie down points on the outside of the bed.
Paid $1200 for it, it was a great truck. Wish I hadn't sold it.

[Pook]

Good cheap trucks... thats for sure, I am trying to get my life to the point were my mortage is my only real payment, no new truck for me till i can pay cash. A brand new truck would be nice though

But unfortunetly the PO bad wiring couldn't handle it another 2 weeks till I had a chance to change motor and redo the wiring damn thing died in my backyard loaded with fire wood It appears the starter wiring is messed up and the wire running back the fuse block is corroded and splice to hell. Truck gets the motor swap sooner than expected.