C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Was the leaf spring an option on the C20?
I found a long bed C20 that I want to use for camping but it has coils instead of leaf...........which because I am ignorant....I was not familiar with. Anybody know the spring rate of the C20 Coil pack? I am just curious if it would work with a truck camper....? Leaf Spring is a no brainer........not sure on the coil....... |
Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
Joe, I have a stock 71 C-20 with coils and factory overload springs, I only use it to bring in green firewood every summer. It will hold about three cords when I use tall side boards. Not sure how much that weighs but more then a truck camper I bet ?:metal:
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Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
1970 C20 with coils on all four corners. Gramps ran a truck camper on this truck for nearly 30 years, no issues. I also have towed 5-6k lb loads without issues.
Also, a cord of wood has got to be pushing at least a ton, right? Hope this helps. |
Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
I think that Chevy standardized on coil spring/trailing arm rear suspension as the factory 'as delivered' default with the leaf springs as an option and I think GMC was the opposite.
If it is a C20- 3/4ton, either one should work ok with a camper BUT......it depends on the camper you are looking at? (ie: 8'? 9'? 10'? or??? and what its weight is). Do you have any information off of the SPID in the glovebox? (H.duty rear springs? auxiliary overloads? or??? camper special options?). Also look at the GVWR plate in the door sill.....does it say 7500lbs as manufactured or? The leaf springs always provided a more stabil load when carrying weight but the coils could carry quite a bit. The thing with a camper vs other types of loads is the high/sway element where you would notice the advantage of the leaf spring and multi-point load carrying stability. My two bits. Coley |
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May be closer to two cords! And it's pine and red fir, not oak which is a lot heavier when wet !
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I would like to see a pic of the factory overload helpers with coils. Did they install overload leafs alone or was it a type of coil over or air shock helper spring? To the OP, I don't think you'll have an issue with a camper on 3/4 ton coil spring setup provided everything is still at spec. After 40+ years coils do degrade a lot in their spring rate so new coils would be advised. |
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Truck Campers of the era in the picture probably exceeded 3000 pounds...the new aluminum frames are much lighter............but even then they are heavy |
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Edit: You might consider a shorter (8' or 9' unit and perhaps also one that is narrower. This camper is 11' (floor length) long and 8' wide. |
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I can tell you that wet dirt piled as high as the cab will squash leafs and the rear tires even with 60 psi in them. It also put the leafs on the overloads, made it ping and try to jump lanes.
Leaf springs were listed on my truck as H D Rear Axle. |
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Sorry, I believe the leafs are listed on the SPID as Auxiliary Spring EQ.
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I had a 11' by 11' by 8" block of concrete on my truck. If concrete weighs 3800 Lbs. per cubic yd., that figures to be right around 11,353 pounds, or 5.7 tons.
It made the truck ride real nice. |
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...was it in the cab with you or on the tailgate? LOL Coley:chevy: |
Re: C20 Leaf Springs or Coils
I have to say it's beyond amazing what this gen of truck were/are capable of doing. The newer trucks are fantastic, but not 40+years-newer worth of fantastic. In terms of loading a truck, yeah, leaf's are better for the stability with a camper. But if you get the elliptical overloads, a sway bar and a good set of shocks (I swear by KYB gas adjusts, but everybody has their preference), you will do ok with that truck.
The other thing is, for basic loading of ANY truck: 1) Make sure your tires are aired up to the proper weight for the load, and not in good shape, but GREAT shape! and suited for the weight you will be carrying. 2) Load it up completely and see how the tires squat and how the suspension squats. You should be at no more than about 2/3 of the suspension travel at best for a somewhat safe ride. If it's sitting down more than that, think about some air bags. 3) Do NOT drive it like a new truck with anti-lock brakes, stability control, etc! Drive it for what it is, slow the hell down a bit when it's loaded heavy, and have fun! |
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Now I have to find a longhorn! |
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