Need camper tie down suggestions

[KBennett]

I just got a slide-in camper and need to know the best way to tie it down. The previous owner had a short bed Dodge and used tow straps to tie it to the frame.

I am interested in something a little more robust but don't want to mount to the frame unless it is necessary.

 

[Desperado]

I used these they work great and are very easy to install, it is best to use something that ties the camper to the frame. IMHO

 

[Regcabguy]

Happijacs.

My '99 has survived 30+Baja trips and a couple of desert trips,carrying my 8'popup camper 24/7. It's been on there for 8 years now,zero damage. I'm going with Happijac again but adding the stabilizer bar to compensate for the cheezy new beds. Interesting video on :www.happijac.com

 

[Jumbo Jet]

You just missed a great deal in the Classifieds.



I purchased a used set of Torklift tie downs for about 1/3 of new cost from a fellow TDR member. I got them installed Saturday. No holes to drill!



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Duchess, the dog, is checking them out along with the Rickson 19. 5" wheels.

 

[Grizzly]

I used the Happijacs that were part of the camper when purchased new. Just make sure you have the bar in the bed that connects between the tie-downs. I think the most important thing for a cab-over-camper is a good rubber mat under it, that way nothing will slide. My truck and Lance camper (sold) did well on a 11,000 mile round trip to Alaska with that set up this past summer. Also, always have more then enough truck to haul your camper.

 

[GFritsch]

I used the Happijacs that were part of the camper when purchased new. Just make sure you have the bar in the bed that connects between the tie-downs. I think the most important thing for a cab-over-camper is a good rubber mat under it, that way nothing will slide. My truck and Lance camper (sold) did well on a 11,000 mile round trip to Alaska with that set up this past summer. Also, always have more then enough truck to haul your camper.

Tork lift frame mounts here. The Happijacks tore the sheetmetal on the bed of my 94. Even with the bar the camper pulls back and forth on the beds sheet metal. The rubber bed mat is a must as well.

 

[KBennett]

Jumbo, thats a nice rig. What does it weigh? My camper is much smaller than that, probably 1500 lbs. dry.

GFritsch, was your camper as big as Jumbo's?



I am leaning more toward the Happijacks.

These show a frame mount included in the kit:

http://www.racersrvstuff.com/racersrv/details.php?ITEM=3255002

What do you think?

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Thanks, we enjoy it a lot. Weighed with dishes, misc. equipment, LPG tanks full, and fresh water full - right at 3,550 lbs.



The picture was taken with all tanks dry and one LG tank full, dishes, etc. I had 10 lbs. of air in the airbags. Sitting very level and the truck does NOT have any overload springs.

 

[JStrasser]

Had HappiJacs on our previous GMC 2500HD/Adventurer 810ws TC



Now have TorkLifts on the CTD/Northstar 850SC



Haven't had a problem with either. Read each company's literature and they say theirs is best and the other company's tie downs will rip your truck apart.



Liked the HappiJacs because the mounts are nearly undetectable and are mounted up high- away from hitting anything (that would be the way to go, especially if the camper is a lighter model).



Minor annoyance- with TorkLifts on our longbed I have to undo the left front turnbuckle to get to the fuel filler. HappiJacs fitted to our truck would have avoided that.



Just my input.

John

 

[MDM]

Had the bed mount tie downs for several years with no problems but found a deal on a set of tork lifts. I think they are much better. Going down the road I can see the over shot. It does much less bouncing around and when windy feels more stable. And Jumbo Jet take another look at the instructions- it looks like you may have the rear tie down facing fwd. I think its supposed to face to the rear.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

And Jumbo Jet take another look at the instructions- it looks like you may have the rear tie down facing fwd. I think its supposed to face to the rear.

Three of the tie downs had the stickers on them (bought them used) and I placed them according to the stickers.



I will go check the manual and the Internet to see the proper way to install. Thanks!



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[Grizzly]

Tork lift frame mounts here. The Happijacks tore the sheetmetal on the bed of my 94. Even with the bar the camper pulls back and forth on the beds sheet metal. The rubber bed mat is a must as well.

11,000 trouble free miles of Alaska Highways, Alcan, Cassier and Top of the World, speaks for itself. As long as you keep the proper tension on the Happijacs they should be just fine. My camper was about as heavy as you can get. Maybe that's why the mileage wasn't as good as I though it should be.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Well, checked the manual when I got home and the rear tie downs are backwards. I will remove the sticker. Maybe Torklift will send me some replacement stickers.



The TDR is a great place for information!

 

[fkovalski]

Kirk-



I will be taking off my TorqLifts (TL) to go with the HappiJacs (HJ)... not because I am unsatisfied, but the TL's hang down under the body and frame. This presents a problem for me when I off road. I have come close to some exposed roots in wash- out roads where I thought I would have to slide the TL's out to clear obstacles. The TL's can present more of a problem for the serious off roader with a truck camper.



This winter I will be taking off the TL's... I have the complete set (for a long bed 3G Dodge) including the fastguns. I am not sure if they will fit a short bed... would have to compare model numbers. But am looking for a buyer for the whole schmee to sell this winter.







.

 

[BBoling]

Tork lifts here. Had them on my '97 too, IMO they are the only tie downs worth considering.

 

[steved]

Kirk-



I will be taking off my TorqLifts (TL) to go with the HappiJacs (HJ)... not because I am unsatisfied, but the TL's hang down under the body and frame. This presents a problem for me when I off road. I have come close to some exposed roots in wash- out roads where I thought I would have to slide the TL's out to clear obstacles. The TL's can present more of a problem for the serious off roader with a truck camper.



.

This is one reason why I didn't buy the tork-lifts, that and they would not clear my FASS... I went with the happijacks and they work fine for my 1500#ish camper...



I am well satified with my HJs...



steved

 

[tandersen]

I can't imagine why you don't want to tie it to the frame. The Happijaks will work with that light of a camper. I have a large camper and have had both Happijaks and Tork lifts and I chose the Tork lifts. I won't be doing any off-roading with my rig though.

 

[Regcabguy]

More tie-down comments.

I also have a lightish camper,1700# and the happijacs are going to be fine. They do offer straps that go through the floor and bolt to the frame but with the fully boxed frame and D/C's instructions to not drill,they won't work with our trucks. Stabilizer bar will do the job. That comparison video is pretty disturbing on happijacs site though. Identical truck under identical conditions and that camper's rockin' with the Torqlifts. Still,I'd probably go with the Torqlifts with our 3rd. gens if I had a heavier,hardwall camper. My reg. cab. actually doesn't have the warning from D/C about not recommending slide-i ns. I think you have to go with a dually before they'll give the application the thumbs up.

 

[steved]

They do offer straps that go through the floor and bolt to the frame but with the fully boxed frame and D/C's instructions to not drill,they won't work with our trucks.

They still have the strap on the third gens, they just bolt through the bed's crossmember and the frame's bed support IIRC, but not the truck's frame.



steved

 

[Jumbo Jet]

That comparison video is pretty disturbing on happijacs site though. Identical truck under identical conditions and that camper's rockin' with the Torqlifts.

Just remember, Happijac is SELLING their product.



I have taken my truck this past week down some rough roads. If my camper moved liked that in the video, I would be scrapping the Torklifts in a heartbeat.



Happijacs are probably OK for a camper on the light side. Think about this, the sheet metal in our truck beds is thin. The bumper flexes and dents at minimal impacts.



Torklift uses 1/4" steel on the mounting brackets that bolt to the frame with 1/2" bolts. Can't get much stronger than that.



It is hard for me to figure out how the camper was made to rock back and forth in that video. Maybe a 2"x2" board installed between the bottom of the camper and the truck bed at COG.