The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Need more load carrying capacity

I have a 1963 C-10 with stock coil springs all around. I drive my truck daily, and pull a small cargo trailer. I've added Monroe air shocks on the rear, and they help with the "squat" due to the trailer tongue weight.

I want to buy a vintage slide-in truck camper. So I need to increase the load carrying capacity, preferably with air bag suspension that's adjustable for heavy load vs. no load. I'm unable to find any suppliers of air bags for the coil suspension.

Any links to suppliers or other truck owners who have added or converted to air bag suspension would be much appreciated.

Try pbfab.com.............. Disclamer: I know nothing about this company. I have not purchased any of their products.

What sort of trailer hitch are you using? A simple ball on the bumper won't be enough- - - -you need to install a Class III or better square tube receiver hitch and use a Reese, Valley Tow-Rite, or some other brand of load-equalizing hitch that transfers some of the tongue weight to the front wheels. Simply "improving" the rear suspension capacity is just hiding the problem, not solving it. BTW, your air shocks should only be used to level the vehicle from whatever load is in the bed BEFORE hooking up to your trailer, NEVER to compensate for squat after hookup.

I started towing travel trailers in the mid-1960's, and I was building load-equalizing hitch receivers from angle iron and flat stock long before bolt-on Class III hitch receivers were invented.
Jerry

I have a Class III receiver hitch on it, which works fine with my little 6x10 cargo trailer. But the hitch doesn’t have anything to do with a slide-in truck camper’s load...

Thanks for the link to pbfab - I’ll check them out.

Onetimecustoms also makes an air bag system I found.

My Dad had a 63 C10 long bed step side - I believe totally stock except for the 292*. The truck regularly carried a 8' Caveman camper while towing a trailer. We traveled all over the province in it. However, he said if we wanted the bigger camper (longer than 8') we would need a new truck.

*overload springs were an option but I don't know if it had them.

I’m talking to the folks at pbfab.com and they are very helpful. Again, thanks Justhorsenround

You're welcome.

If it were me. I'd get a hold of the half leaves that came on many of the 60's Chev trucks. They're beautifully
designed. They only apply themselves as-needed. So if yer running empty, they aren't even touching. But the
more load you add the more push-back they apply. All the while maintaining that cadillac ride these things
provide. They shouldn't be very hard to find in the wrecking yards, or any of the suspension shops. Tho
the wrecking yard would have nicer prices. :) Added bonus; it's a bolt on feature. No fabbing involved!

Well. That's how I'd do it. :)

--Chris