Camper hold downs

[SRehberg]

camper tie downs

I had been looking for the Happijac tie down system but had not realized it was a one word search, but stumbled across it. How do you like the system? When we had our camper delivered, the company had a bumper stop system installed at the cab end of the bed. We bought a Lance camper and years back the campers had the rubber bumpers on them, but no longer. I don't know who makes the stop system that mounts in the truck bed, any help would be appreciated.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Happijac Camper Tiedowns

I have a set of the frame mount Happijac tiedowns on our '03 3500 dually to haul our Lance 1121. So far, I've had good luck with them. We've traveled over some rough roads and through road construction in Wyoming where we had to drive in the bar ditch.



Yes, Lance uses a plastic rub strip on the front of the camper instead of the black rubber bumpers. The plastic rub strip matches up with the plastic spacer blocks on the Happijac tiedown crossbar in the truck bed. Also there are two centering guides on the crossbar to help center the camper in the bed of the truck.



I installed the Happijac tiedown system myself in a two-three hours. I measured twice and sometimes three times before drilling. The installation instructions were complete and easy to understand.



There are a couple of photos in my Reader's Rigs. Scroll down to the last two photos.



Bill

 

[SRehberg]

Thanks Bill, it sounds like the bar at the cab end of the bed comes with the system, so that's good to know. I'll check out the photos, thanks.



Bill I checked out the photos. Do the centering brackets come with the system as well or are they an additional part?

 

[Bill Stockard]

The Centering Guides, including the spacer blocks, are part of the frame mount tiedown kit number FM-DR2 which is for '03 and later Dodge trucks. The center stabilizing bar, part number SB-020, is also required as part of the installation on the third generation trucks. You can purchase the Centering Guides separately using part number FM-FGL9 if you already have the frame mount tiedowns installed on your truck.



From looking at the Happijac web site catalog, the centering guides and spacer blocks are part of the frame mount tiedown kit FM-UT9 that is listed for your '96 truck. You will also need the center stabilizing bar part number USB-010 which is required for the installation. To make sure the centering guides and spacer blocks are part of the kit, call Happijac customer Service at 1-800-231-7440.



You might check around for prices on the Happijac tiedown kit. I found them for sale at different camper dealers, some Camping World locations that sell RVs, and at one time, RV Outlet. Make sure the price includes the center stabilizing bar. My local Lance dealer gave me a discount on the price of the Happijac tiedowns for buying our Lance camper from him.



Bill

 

[SRehberg]

Bill, thanks for the great information, I will call our Lance dealer as well as the HappiJac people. I need to get the system so we can use this thing, it isn't any good in the driveway Thanks again, Steve

 

[Crazy Horse]

If you have no bumpers on your camper any more you can make some trips out of 3/8ths plastic, you could probably order some from Lance since that is all they put on their campers now. My new camper came with the rubber bumpers that I took off and made my own. See photo. These line up perfectly with the happijac system.

 

[jmtandem]

srehberg,



You might look into the torklifts, they mount directly to the frame and are very stout.

 

[SRehberg]

Crazy Horse, thanks for the picture, the protective plastic pieces would definetly do the job.



JMTandem, I went to the TorkLift site and the hold downs are impressive in the fact they are removable like a receiver hitch component. I called the factory and they were very careful not to quote prices, so I need to locate a dealer to get the quote. I can imagine they will likely be more expensive than the HappiJac's but perhaps less traumatic on the bed. Do you currently use the TorkLifts?

 

[GFritsch]

Have used these on our last two trucks. Never a problem. Very sturdy and easy to mount.



Greg

 

[SRehberg]

I like TorkLift system, but just now got off the phone with our local Lance dealer. He said Lance for warranty reasons, only approves of the HappiJac system, and takes a real dim view of any other system. I know in our owner's manual, they highlight the HappiJac system with no mention of others. I am not eager about punching holes in the truck bed nor having a permanant bar across the front part of the bed if there is an alternative such as TorkLift. Has anyone else run into this? I tried the Lance factory but you know how that goes, automated phone operation. I left a message and sent them an email for a clear cut response of whether my warranty is in peril or not. I sure can't see where they can dictate what system you use if they are substantial enough to do the job. Thanks

 

[GFritsch]

I like TorkLift system, but just now got off the phone with our local Lance dealer. He said Lance for warranty reasons, only approves of the HappiJac system, and takes a real dim view of any other system. I know in our owner's manual, they highlight the HappiJac system with no mention of others. I am not eager about punching holes in the truck bed nor having a permanant bar across the front part of the bed if there is an alternative such as TorkLift. Has anyone else run into this? I tried the Lance factory but you know how that goes, automated phone operation. I left a message and sent them an email for a clear cut response of whether my warranty is in peril or not. I sure can't see where they can dictate what system you use if they are substantial enough to do the job. Thanks

Had the happyjunk system on my old truck before switching to torklift. The happijac brackets bolt to the sheet metal BED of the truck where an annoying squeak turned out to be torn sheet metal emanating from where the through bolts that hold the bracket are. Switched to torklift after that with no problems.



If Lance only wants you to use HappiJac ask them to stand behind your truck repairs. I would call another Lance dealer, or ask to see something in writing as to the reasons. (perhaps they want your truck to be the weak link rather than their camper) My guess is that this dealer only sells Happijac. FWIW I have seen lots of Lance campers with frame mounted tie down systems.



Keep asking questions before settling on a bed mounted system.



Greg

 

[dresslered]

Please do a search on the Tork-Lift as they are well worth the price. I ordered them from Hill's Auto & RV - Yakima, WA for about $400 (inlcuding shipping). I use the rigid mounts with the Happijac spring loaded turn buckles. Your dealer does not want to sell something he doesn't stock.



I had the Happijac Tie Down Kit just for the test drive of my camper and soon realized my mistake. In fact, Bigfoot cautions you about using a bed mounted tie-down system as serious damage will result. You will run the risk of cracking your bed welds and camper gel coat if you secure the front of the camper to the bed and the rear to the frame (bumper). Do a search! There are members who have had this happen. Even Happijac realized their deficiency and has now come out with a frame mount system. Whatever you do, go with a frame mount or you will pay later.

 

[dresslered]

Here's just a few of the old posts on the subject:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18377

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39740

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79185

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24152



enjoy!

 

[SRehberg]

I'm convinced, it doesn't make much sense to secure that much weight to sheetmetal. I wondered why they called it a "stabilizer" bar. Thanks for the references to the HappiJac system threads, scary!



Lance wrote me back and stated if I use the TorkLift system, not to use chain link connection. I'm not really sure what they mean by that, maybe direct chain connection to the camper. Some sort of spring shock?

 

[Rman]

The chain link they speak of is a chain that helps your tie downs reach the anchor point. My happijac tie downs wo't reach my torklift rear mounts so I use the chain extensions. I haven't had any problems with my setup. I have torklift rear receiver mounted mounts and happijac bed mounted fronts. I didn't know at the time about the torklifts, I would advise the torklifts all the way around. They are very stout, and take a look at the fast gun tie downs from torklift, those are sweet too!

 

[wcjp]

My 96' came with the old style bed mount Happijac. I used it one time with my very large slidein. Immediately upgraded to the frame mount Torklift setup with spring mounts. Never a problem with the torklift.

 

[SRehberg]

I just received a phone call from the Lance Camper warranty dept. who stated they honor the warranty when using TorkLift, "if" installed per mfg's installation instructions. So it seems they will accept other tie downs, but recommend HappiJac.



I mentioned the past track record of bed damage to which he responded HappiJac made a change in 2001. This is when they added the stabilizer bar that now bolts to the frame, not just the bed. He indicated that took care of bed damage issues. He also recommended the camper centering guides that are triangular pieces of metal. These guide the camper into the center of the bed while keeping it from "walking" on rough roads. His position was favoring the HappiJac system which was no surprise, but his reasoning was the angle of the hold downs for restraining the camper. Anyway this is what Lance had to say, so thought I would pass it along.

 

[Rman]

If I were to have an issue with the frame mounts it would be the angle. You want as much of a forward angle as possible, essentially pulling the camper toward the front of the truck. The torklift tie down photo's that I have seen do not do this. I imagine this is the problem Lance has with them.



I have hauled quite a bit with my happijac system and it's OK... except for the cheesy bumper mount for the rear. I switched to the torklift rear tie downs when I had my bumper replaced. I am very impressed with the strength of the torklifts, and would recommend them. But I also see Lance's perspective, if properly attached I think either system will work for the vast majority of camper owners.

 

[doppx006]

I work at an RV dealership that sells truck campers and does mounting all of the time, I have used pretty much everything out there my conclusion is.



Happijac: Poor paint, bad idea for anything over 8. 5 or 9. 5 I haveseenit bend the junk out of our amazingly thick boxes.

Torqlift: great quality, kind of steep price

Billis mfg: They are from canada, they are my favorites they just bolt to our frame via u-bolts, and the rear ones are kind of apain because they fit between frame and bumper brackets, I would suggest using the chrome buttons from happijac for the rear, takes alot less time to install, but the billis have a very nice price tag on them. billis

 

[dresslered]

I don't really see an issue with the reduced angle of the Tork-lift. A picture of the angle made with my Torklifts can be seen here:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=4425&width=0



If you install your camper in the truck on a non-slick surface, it should pretty much stay there by itself due to the friction and low center of gravity. Another common mistake is to overtighten the tie-downs. Just make them snug. The spring loaded turnbuckles that I use from Happi-Jak only provide up to 125-lbs of force. This is not what is keeping your camper in the bed, it is just keeping it form hopping out.



The Billis tie-downs look interesting. I have not heard of them before.