Hello friends! Today, we’re diving into a super cool comparison that might make you wanna grab a wrench and hit the open road! We’re talking about the 1979 GMC Truck Trailering Special vs Camper Special. Both of these trucks are iconic and really awesome for different kinds of adventures. But you know what? They also have some unique features that make each one special in its own way. So, if you’re curious about which of these classic GMC trucks was better for towing trailers or camping out under the stars, buckle up! I’ll explain everything in a way that even a 12-year-old can easily understand!
The Basics of the 1979 GMC Trucks
First things first! Let’s understand a little bit about what makes these trucks so awesome. Back in 1979, GMC was all about giving people options for their trucks. Whether you needed something to tow a big trailer or take your camper out for a long vacation, GMC made sure you had the right wheels for the job.
These trucks were sturdy and reliable, and they had lots of power under the hood. People back in the day loved them because they could take on almost anything. The Trailering Special was built for pulling trailers—just like the name says. And the Camper Special was designed to handle those big, heavy campers, making it perfect for road trips. Both trucks had some amazing strengths, but they were a bit different in their own ways!
1979 GMC Trailering Special: What Made It So Awesome?
The Trailering Special was all about towing! If you had a boat, a horse trailer, or even a bunch of gear that you needed to take somewhere, the Trailering Special was made just for you. It had some extra features that made towing safe and easy. For example, it had a heavy-duty suspension and brakes that were strong enough to help stop the truck even when pulling a lot of weight. It also had better cooling for the engine and transmission, which meant it could work harder for longer without overheating.
One thing that was super great about the Trailering Special was its stability. When you’re towing something heavy, you want your truck to stay steady, right? Well, this truck had a very solid rear axle and springs that kept everything balanced even when towing a heavy trailer. This made the ride smoother and kept the trailer from wobbling all over the place. It also had mirrors that stuck out more than normal, which helped drivers see what was behind them—really important when you’re hauling something!
And of course, we can’t forget how powerful this truck was. You could get it with a V8 engine, which had all the strength you needed to haul a big load. It felt great knowing you had that kind of power at your fingertips. If you had a big trailer that needed to get somewhere, the Trailering Special could do it with ease!
1979 GMC Camper Special: Ready for Adventures
Now let’s talk about the Camper Special. This truck was perfect for those who loved adventures—you know, the kind where you load up a camper and drive off to a beautiful place for a few days. The Camper Special had a lot of extra features that made it just right for carrying a camper on the truck bed.
The Camper Special had beefed-up suspension too, just like the Trailering Special. But it was designed to handle the heavy weight of a camper that sat on the truck itself instead of pulling it behind. This meant that the springs and shocks were built to handle a lot of weight right over the rear wheels. This kept the truck level and steady even when you loaded a heavy camper on top.
The truck also came with some awesome electrical connections that let you hook up your camper directly to the truck’s power. This way, you could use the lights and some of the appliances inside the camper without having to mess around with extra wires. Pretty smart, right?
Plus, the Camper Special had extra cooling systems too, which kept the engine and transmission from getting too hot when carrying all that weight. It made long trips much more reliable, which is what you want when you’re out exploring and having fun! Imagine going up into the mountains or traveling across the desert—you’d want a truck that wouldn’t quit, and that’s exactly what the Camper Special gave you.
1979 GMC Truck Trailering Special vs Camper Special: Which One’s Better?
Okay, friends, here comes the fun part: 1979 GMC Truck Trailering Special vs Camper Special! Which one is better? Well, it really depends on what you need!
If you’re someone who loves to tow stuff—maybe you’ve got a big trailer, a boat, or even a car that you need to move around—then the Trailering Special is the winner. It’s built to make towing as easy and safe as possible. You get those heavy-duty brakes, the extended mirrors, and that strong suspension, all working together to help you pull anything you want.
On the other hand, if you’re all about adventures and camping, then the Camper Special is the truck for you. It’s got the right suspension to handle a big camper, and it’s got all the little things that make camping easy and comfortable—like those electrical hookups and extra cooling. Imagine having a comfortable camper on the back of your truck, ready to go wherever you want! That’s what makes the Camper Special so amazing.
Both trucks are incredibly powerful and reliable. They’re built on the same base GMC frame, which means you get the same strong bones no matter which one you choose. It really just comes down to what you’re going to do with it. Are you towing a trailer or taking a camper on an adventure?
Differences in Design and Features
So, what really makes these trucks different from each other? Well, it’s mostly in the little details. Both trucks look a lot alike, and they both have the tough GMC design that’s great for heavy-duty work. But their features are slightly different depending on what they’re built for.
- Suspension System: The Trailering Special’s suspension is designed to handle weight being pulled behind the truck, while the Camper Special’s suspension can handle the weight being directly on the truck. This is a small but very important difference!
- Mirrors: The Trailering Special has extended mirrors to help you see around whatever you’re towing. That’s super handy because backing up with a trailer can be tricky without a good view.
- Electrical Hookups: The Camper Special has extra electrical systems designed for campers, so you can power things inside your camper without needing a separate generator or power source. This was a pretty fancy feature back in 1979, and it made life on the road much easier.
- Cooling System: Both trucks have great cooling systems, but they’re built a bit differently to suit the purpose of each truck—whether pulling a trailer or carrying a camper.
The Driving Experience: Trailering Special vs Camper Special
One thing that everyone agrees on is that both of these trucks are a blast to drive. They’re not like the super-fast sports cars of today, but they have tons of power and a really solid feel when you’re on the road. They feel like they can handle anything you throw at them.
With the Trailering Special, you’re gonna feel super confident pulling heavy loads. It’s got enough muscle that you won’t be nervous about whether it can handle your trailer. And it’s designed to stay steady on the road, so you won’t feel like you’re swaying or losing control.
The Camper Special is a little different because you’re not pulling anything behind you—instead, you’ve got all that weight right on the truck itself. It still drives super smoothly, and because of the strong suspension, the truck doesn’t get too bouncy even when it’s loaded up. It’s perfect for long drives into the wilderness where you want to be comfortable, relaxed, and ready to camp wherever you end up.
Which One Would You Pick?
If I had to pick one, it would be really tough, because both trucks are incredible in their own way. If you love to tow trailers, boats, or anything else, then the Trailering Special is perfect for you. It’s got all the little features that make towing easy and safe, which is super important when you’re moving big things.
But if you’re into camping, and you like the idea of taking your home with you wherever you go, then the Camper Special is probably the best choice. It’s just designed to make camping as easy and enjoyable as possible. Imagine taking off into the mountains, with your camper packed with everything you need for an amazing weekend—that’s what the Camper Special was built for!
Final Thoughts: 1979 GMC Truck Trailering Special vs Camper Special
At the end of the day, the 1979 GMC Truck Trailering Special vs Camper Special comparison is all about what kind of adventure you want. These trucks were built with different purposes, and they each shine in their own way. Whether you want to pull something heavy or carry a camper, both trucks will get the job done and look amazing doing it!
I hope this helps you understand the difference between these two classic trucks! They’re both legendary and represent what trucks used to be—tough, reliable, and built for adventure. Thanks for hanging out and talking trucks with me today! If you ever get the chance to see one of these old beauties in person, definitely take a look. They’re even more impressive up close!
So, which one do you think you’d choose, friends? Let me know—I’d love to hear about which truck fits your dream adventure!
