Update 9/25/20 – After almost two years since we last featured it, this sweet C10 has resurfaced here on eBay with a $10k price drop! Thanks go to Doug B for the tip!
From 11/28/18 – This truck is going to stir up some serious conversations. It’s a genuine low-mileage 1978 Chevrolet C10 pickup, with under 7,000 original miles on the clock. The Ozark camper shell was purchased at the time the truck was acquired, so it’s been a dedicated camper since new. Now, it’s been “updated” with a custom air ride suspension to earn it the nickname of “The Slamper” and while I love seeing things that haven’t been done before, I remain conflicted on whether I love it or loathe it. How do you feel? Find the slammed Chevy C10 here on eBay with a $48,500 Buy-It-Now.
Now, the seller is quick to point out that no original parts were harmed in this conversion, and the original suspension components are included in the sale. The C10 was found after 40 years under cover, only having accumulated its mileage over two major trips: one to Orlando and another to Seattle. Some of the original souvenirs from those excursions still hang in the camper! The truck was carefully detailed to preserve as much of its originality as possible, while fully detailing the inside and exterior along with adding the digital air ride setup from Air Lift Performance and custom 20″ wheels that retained the original colors and center caps.
The inside is immaculate as you’d expect, and I do have to give credit to the seller for preserving the truck’s originality where it truly mattered. You cannot fake this kind of interior decor, and it’s straight out of the 1970s like God intended. As an added bonus, the sleeping and living spaces appear to be in beautiful condition, ready to live in immediately. The air ride suspension may make some purists cringe, but it should improve the ride quality and help this camper conversion C10 float down the road, with the option to raise the suspension when desired.
The original seat cover and build sheet are still with the front bench seats, and you have to love the color coordination that extended inside the cabin. The truck remains highly original in the cab, with the exception of the addition of an air ride controller (that may as well be a CB handset, given how many of the trucks from this era had at least one apparatus hanging off the dash.) The seller says “The Slamper” draws a crowd wherever it goes, and I have no doubt it does. At least it’s not another mobbed-out Cadillac or Lincoln with suicide doors – no offense, but we’ve got plenty of those. Would you keep the air ride set up or convert this camper survivor back to stock condition?
This camper is way too big for a half ton. Probably scared the bejeezus out of the original owners and they never drove it again. I sure hope they don’t drive this abomination as low as it is. Looks ridiculous, and probably still dangerous as heck to drive, maybe more so with the air ride in a stiff crosswind.. Be better off selling the low mileage truck without the camper. I just don’t understand the reasoning behind this. Ruined a nice original pickup. Not even going to comment on the price,,oops, guess I just did.
You beat me to it Howard but you did miss the fact that the half ton rear axle is a single small bearing on each wheel and rolls directly on the axle. This is way to light foe a 10′ camper. I wouldn’t put that big camper on anything less than a 3/4 ton with full floating axle. The truth is a camper this big belongs on a 1 ton duallie also with a full floating axle. You have to remember this camper predates the light weight stuff you see today these campers were heavy. Howard your right that this rig should be split up and sold separately. Not only that but the stock suspension and wheels should be put back on the truck. There is no way I’d want this truck with this suspension in it. But I do think that I like the camper and it would ride well on my over sprung diesel dodge 3/4.
Sorry, guys… nothing was ‘ruined. The Air Ride components bolt on and will unbolt just as easily when one of you steps up and takes delivery… like that would ever happen.
I used to see these crampers every summer in Alaska, they traveled in packs…
Rick, you gotta realize that some people will scream blasphemy and attempt to stone someone the moment he attempts to remove an original black valve stem cap and replace it with a new, identical one…..
it is actually a C20…check the VIN and the photos…
Badging shows to be a C20. But, I can’t help wonder what the suspension changes have done to the original capabilities and capacities of a good pickup!!
Exactly! Didn’t anyone (OR or seller) ever think why a Camper Special package was never offered on a C-10? Stupid crazy and unsafe imo.
That’s not. A C 10
It’s a 20
Totally agree, split it up, convert it back to stock and enjoy the camper on a one ton.
It’s a C20 in the picture BEFORE the modification.
Looking at the the actual eBay ad, it clearly states that this is a C20(3/4 ton) truck. IMO the originality was lost at the conversion to air ride. It’s just not original anymore.
It says C20 in the EBay description.
That camper is way to big for that truck. 48k no 4800.00 is more like it.
I bet this thing rides like a bus bench on roller skates…..a kidney-buster!
I spit my Pepsi out reading this
Not sure how the air ride system “ruined” the truck but whatever. If you don’t want it that low then return back to normal ride height and leave it.
Might not be that simple. They used drop spindles and different rear suspension, which I’m sure was a lot of work. May as well leave it now, and try and unload it to someone who likes a slammed pickup without the camper and they are around, but I’ve pulled many air ride trailers, and almost prefer spring ride, for stability. This unit needs the original springs( and height) and dually wheels on back. I’m sure the original owners found that out.
They staged the camp pics nicely. If you look at the eBay ad, it’s definitely a 3/4 tonner. He also has the original suspension if the new owner wants to go back to stock
Not a fan of the comedy wheels , but nice C20 with a top heavy camper
This truck is way less “ruined” than the ones that people strip the honest straight six/3 on the tree setups out of and slam big blocks and autotragics into because ‘moar power”. I’m trying to find a cheap slant six and manual combo, and run across 440/cummins swapped show trucks instead. Sigh. This guy’s got a sense of humor, and kept the flavor seventies era fresh. It’s all reversible. Good on him.
Sweet ride why would you want to break it up. I have a big rig with air ride and it handles very well and a great ride. I did have to put large sway bars in it though, it corners very flat. 100.000 miles so far.
It would be a good idea on this camper, if it is not already done.
I had a 1976 Ford F250 Supercab 3/4 ton with a 10.5 foot Scamper camper that was almost a clone of this one. Sure you knew it was back there, and sure it was an adventure in a brisk cross wind, but most RVs are. I had 8 ply truck tires on it and made many many miles without any issues of any kind.
I’m NOT a fan of the lowered suspension, but on a stock basis this C20 will handle that camper just fine.
Price seems pretty optimistic for what it is, even taking into account the low miles.
Shhhh! Stop complaining, or they’ll go back to posting every hopelessly rusted Charger they find!
Hard to look at. big wheels and tires ruin it, and the way they have the camber cranked back, this thing would plow thru a corner. Put it back to stock and get 5 large for it. Owner and truck what a waste…..
I think it’s pretty cool. I like it.
This C20 (2 wheel drive 3/4 ton) originally had 8.75 x 16.5 tires which would have handled the load of this heavy camper fine.
I would be more concerned about the load rating of the new custom wheels and the load rating of what looks to be a car tire on the truck now.
There is also the question of load rating of the suspension pieces installed.
I don’t love (but don’t particularly hate) the new wheels and tires, But I would not haul that camper on that set up.
This is the 1976 C20 I had for almost 20 years. I installed a C30 suspension and 500 cu inch Cadillac engine. Making it a great tow vehicle. When loaded (10 and 1/2 ft.DeRay slide in camper and car trailer with vehicle) I got better gas mileage with the 500 than with the original 400 small block.
Sold it while at Ft Bliss in 2004. Has anyone seen it lately?
I have to agree with the comments about that camper being way too big for the truck. We had a Ford F-250 Camper Special which we dropped a 10 fit camper on. Dad took the 3 youngest kids in our family on a trip down the coast in it back in ’71. Came home and sold the camper. Got into one wild crosswind at Pocatello, ID, and almost tipped it. Kept the F-250 and Dad bought a 23 ft. motorhome, which he kept until ’79. The guy who bought the camper put it on an F-250 4×4 and used the rig to tow his boat out to his favorite fishing hole: Duck Lake.
Now this truck. Slamming one out west will give you nothing but hardship. If you don’t high-center it on a cigarette paper you’ll be sure to clip the front crossmember on the first manhole you encounter. Those thin bands of rubber around those 20 inch hoops will get you about 10 miles down the road between Kevin and Cutbank and those rims will be shaped like the stop sign you just breezed through at Kevin. Best put that stock stuff back in and try to forget that it was ever modified.
That’s why you drive it in the ‘up’ position and drop it when parked…
No one on here seems to understand the concept 😖
Definitely the Up position. But then, if you have to drive it like that all the time, why drop it at all?
I think this truck/camper has nothing whatever to do with campers, camping, trucks or load ratings and everything to do with showing up at a lo-rider show and totally blowing everyone’s minds by operating the individual air ride bags independently or in tandem. Hey, maybe it’s even a jumper. Now THAT would be really cool!
This is EXACTLY why they did it.
lol, thank god for one astute, decent comment amongst this luddite sea of complaints.
Some Chev pickups came with coil springs on the rear. Change all stock springs to air bags no other changes needed.
That ended by 1971 they were back to leaf springs in 1972.
Everybody loves Grandma…and nobody wants to see her twerking. Okay if you’re trying to be quirky/funny but then there’s that insanely serious price. Just seems kind of stupid. Otherwise a nice $8,500 truck and camper.
All I see is overheating issues with that spare in front of the rad. I guess air bags are used in heavy duty applications, just would leave me feeling the stability in high winds may be an issue. Be a nice truck on its own.
Hahahaha! Glad someone built it. Glad it wasn’t me!
“You cannot fake this kind of interior decor, and it’s straight out of the 1970s like God intended.”
Seems to me I saw that in an old book somewhere:
And from the mountain top it was proclaimed for all to hear, thou shalt revere that which came from the decade of seven for the rewards it brings unto thee shall be returned one part in ten to the Lord during the gathering on the day of rest.
Ok apparently we have a knowledge deficit here with all the comments about the suspension. With air ride, you DON’T ACTUALLY drive it with the bags deflated as shown in the pics. You adjust the suspension height to a “normal” level before taking off. This also corrects the camber.
20” wheels are nothing uncommon these days and there’s more sidewall there than is realized first-glance as the illusion of barely any is created by the close proximity of the wheel’s trim rings to the white wall.
At minimum, the suspension and rolling stock upgrades are light years ahead of the inadequacy of what came stock. I’m certain it drives/rides better and safer than 40+ yo suspension tech offers.
Of course you drive it with the ride height up. And yes it can be made to handle too. Problem is by the Time there’s enough air in it to get it not to sway down the road like a pregnant elephant it will be riding like a brick. There’s a reason leaf springs are still used to carry loads even today, its because they can. You need at least 8 ply tires too. I’d be willing to be that this big old camper weighs at least 2500 lbs. the original owner of my 3/4 diesel dodge carried a 10.5′ camper on it and added two extra leafs to each side to be able to handle the weight and it’s a 4×4 with straight axle up front too. Thats the kind of suspension you need to haul this big beast around and your kidding yourself if you think otherwise. PS I too have been a mechanic for over 30 years I know what I’m talking about.
The ’73 to ’87 Chevy and GMC pickups are very hot in the collector market. If this truly has 7K original miles, there is no doubt what it’s future is.
Return the stock suspension, leave the camper on the side of the road somewhere, and lose the clown wheels.
This proves “anything looks good slammed”.
I love these comments never seen so many automotive engineers in one place !
The truck looks cool, the air suspension does not bother me. The wheels look cool. (I like different wheel treatments) But the tires have to go. They have no place on a rig hauling this monster slide in. I have had every kind of camping rig there is. And many, many years in the tire and wheel business. Just because you can do something, does not mean that you should. In it’s current state it is a show vehicle. That you can level without jacks or 2x4s!
And a 350 is still a wee bit small to carry this load up Donner pass. It will do it, but you will be the rolling blocker vehicle.
“Just because you can,doesn’t mean you should”.
I love campers! They are a great way to just get away, if even for a day! My wife and I are heading out tomorrow to Monterey for two nights pulling our Lance 1685 trailer. Going to a concert Friday, hanging on Saturday cuz at nite is the x-mas harbor lights. Our home away from home. Not for everyone, but then what is, however we really have a great time. Hope y’all have a wonderful holiday season.
Too much weight for that truck and air ride is a waste ! Ill bet it drove with steering issues as in too light in the front. What makes me laugh is the air ride kills tires as it changes alignment settings at different heights ,thus tire wear is common. Too bad they want way more then itll ever be worth ,hope they like it as they will be keeping it.
I like it,looks rad
So hey, we had front row for Lou Barlow ( Dinosaur Jr), Very private setting, 50 people total. A solo acoustic only event. I know, some people have all the luck! Our daughter is a musician in Monterey and set up the event. Check him out if get a chance.
This, whatever it is, was on BAT and bid to only $20,877 and did not make the reserve. There is an extremely limited audience for this type of “conveyance”.
Wonder what the seller has invested in it? Oofah.
The more I look at it the more it grows on me. It’s not my cup of tea but I respect the detail involved to retain the hubcaps and color match the rim. Do they make low profile whitewalls or are those adhesive?
The trailer is cool. I want that map table.
Definitely a C-20 3/4 ton truck. Beautiful throughout, it would likely find a buyer easier without the camper. By the same reasoning, the camper should sell very fast without the truck. Air ride is popular with some folks, but I am more than happy with the stock suspension on my ’78 GMC C-35 one ton single rear wheel pickup. My GVW is 9,000 lbs., giving the truck a 3,660 lb. payload rating.
I like it just as much now ,as I did the first time I saw it! I know I am in the minority, as I usually am, my defense is, the nay sayers are over thinking the whole thing. You can’t compare it to a regular truck with a camper on it. This was built to make a statement and having something no one else has. It was not built to take on rough roads to remote camping sites, but think about taking it to a national 3 day car event or tailgating at a major sporting event, maybe NASCR Daytona 500.
Nice truck and camper. I had one back in the day that was similar. Even with the 350, It did a decent job hauling the camper plus towing a bass boat from a sliding bumper/hitch my father built for it. I had considered converting it to a dually, but the kits they sold did not extend the full floating axles. They added a spacer to the existing hub face that another wheel bolted to. As our family grew, we quickly outgrew the three passenger cab, so we upgraded to a one ton crewcab dually. Then we upgraded to a 12 foot camper with a shower included which was a lot heavier then a 10 foot camper with just a toilet and no water heater. Now we haul an 11 foot fully self contained unit on an F-350 crewcab, dually 4×4 and tow a 22 foot boat. As for jumping this rig, I can imagine one either smashing the camper to pieces, or dumping it off of the truck if someone tried that trick. Think wood framed box with four I bolts held to the truck with turn buckles and chains. A truck camper is actually cargo that the truck carries, not part of the truck.
Camper was and still is way too big for the truck… a lot of money wasted. Maybe that’s why it hasn’t sold in two years…..
It’s a mess, the price is too high, it sure got a lot of traffic on Barn Finders.
Love the truck, I don’t think it’s worth anywhere near the BIN price…