Chinook Chassis Mount Cab Over Camper on 1963 Chevrolet Truck

Here is a classic Chinook 1400 chassis mount cab over camper mounted on a 1963 Chevrolet C30 one ton truck.

Chassis mount campers are basis and genesis of the term “Class C” motor home. This style of camper is mounted directly to the chassis of the truck.  This becomes a permanent installation. The advantage to a chassis mount is it provides additional space for the occupants.  The access door can also be positioned on the side instead of the rear.  Changing the position of the door allows for more floor plan options. The first chassis mounts were actually travel trailers mounted on the truck. Class C motorhomes are built on a truck chassis. Fabricators get trucks without the bed and added their own camper.

This model of Chinook camper was introduced in 1963. They were specifically designed to fit Chevrolet pickup trucks. The camper outside dimension are 84″ wide and 13 feet long.  The inside height is 75″.  The camper included a large exit window located in the cab-over for safety.  The outer walls are 1 1/2 inch fiberglass for a smooth and durable finish.

There is a 25 Gallon water tank.  It includes a custom side kitchen. In the dinette area there is a 5 foot long window providing a great view of the outdoors.

Chinook was a famous for using fiberglass on it products. The Chinook pictured in this post is a bit of hybrid with aluminum “siding” for the sidewalls, and the roof was a single fiberglass molding.  Fiberglass molded roof is excellent in keeping water out of the inside.

The Chinook first produced it product in 1938.  This makes is one of the oldest US manufacturer in the recreational vehicle industry.  This plant was originally located in Orange County, California.  The original owners were Sy and Rose Mair.