Need camper tie down suggestions

[steved]

Just remember, Happijac is SELLING their product.

I agree... if my camper was any heavier, I would definately want something different... and I would probably end up pulling the rings out of the camper before the HJs failed anyway...



What I don't find real appealing about the HJs is the fact you are pulling a flat piece of steel (with minimal strengthing added) at an angle other than what would lend itself to being strong... I have no doubt that a straight up-down pull would not affect them much, but angling back (as in my case) puts a load on them that they are not really structurally capable of handling...



The bumper... those are thin, however, there is a bracket extending out to stiffen the end of the bumper... they are pretty secure...



I definately would find another route or (other than it would be costly) use the best pieces from multiple setups... tork-lift with HJ bumper tiedowns, etc.



steved

 

[SMorneau]

The angle the tiedowns make with my HJ mounts provide plenty of down force to hold my camper firmly on the rubber mat. The ears do bend a little but that helps preload the tiedown so that bending doesn't bother me.



So has anyone ever seen a camper come off the truck where they think the situation would have been any better had it been attached to the frame? I'm thinking things would have to be pretty bad, like a roll over of something, and at that point I can't see there being much improvement.



I also agree with the statement made about the camper tiedown ends letting loose first. A handfull of screws attached to the corners of the camper don't look like an equal match for any of the tiedown schemes discussed here.



But, assuming the frame attachment is superior what makes the TL significantly better than an easily built belly bar setup?

 

[steved]

But, assuming the frame attachment is superior what makes the TL significantly better than an easily built belly bar setup?

The only thing I didn't like about the TL (other than the other stuff I mentioned) was the fact they looked like they could literally twist either of the frame rails if enough force was applied to either them... probably not going to happen, but just was a thought...



steved

 

[Regcabguy]

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

Thanks,steved for the info on the crossmember. I've got an appointment with a Northstar dealer in two weeks to transfer my popup and I'll discuss that subject with them. Northstar factory installs do not routinely drill into the crossmember,but it sounds like the way to do it. My '99 has survived with only the "ears" drilled into the bed sides. I notice too that the mounts must be much longer as D/C designed the flat mounting surface much farther toward the center of the bed. When I had my popup installed in 2000 the Northstar dealer would not let a Ford Superduty leave without the stabilizer bar and framemount installed due to fragile nature of superduty's bed. D/C caught up in '03 though. :{

 

[steved]

Thanks,steved for the info on the crossmember. I've got an appointment with a Northstar dealer in two weeks to transfer my popup and I'll discuss that subject with them. Northstar factory installs do not routinely drill into the crossmember,but it sounds like the way to do it. My '99 has survived with only the "ears" drilled into the bed sides. I notice too that the mounts must be much longer as D/C designed the flat mounting surface much farther toward the center of the bed. When I had my popup installed in 2000 the Northstar dealer would not let a Ford Superduty leave without the stabilizer bar and framemount installed due to fragile nature of superduty's bed. D/C caught up in '03 though. :{

I could probably get picts of mine easy enough if you want to see what they look like on a 3rd gen...



steved

 

[Regcabguy]

Tie-downs

I could probably get picts of mine easy enough if you want to see what they look like on a 3rd gen...



steved

I p. m. 'd you. Thanks to all the members for their input. This forum is really great!

 

[GFritsch]

Some more reading on the subject here

 

[ELehan]

fkovalski,

Do you still have your Tork lifts? If you still want to sell them let me know... I just bought a 07 Qcab 4X4 LB. I have a 11 1/2' Artic Fox slide in and I'm looking for a set.

-- email address removed --

 

[Bill Stockard]

I sold my Tork Lifts to a TDR member after I bought our third gen truck because they interfered with the fuel fill door. I didn't want to go through the hassle of releasing the tie down each time I refueled the truck. I used the Tork Lifts on my previous 2nd gen truck without a problem.



Bill

 

[fkovalski]

I sold my Tork Lifts to a TDR member after I bought our third gen truck because they interfered with the fuel fill door. ... .

I have the same issue with mine. I don't let it bother me. I know that when the TC is loaded that I will have a nice long break from driving. This includes the removal of the TL, checking the oil, washing mirrors and windows... and topping off the tank as I do not have the vent conversion. A "pit stop" is always welcomed and I generally allocate 20- 30 minutes per fill-up... . it gives me a chacne to talk to folks. Sometime life does not always have to be so quick as to make fill-ups fast. I take time to enjoy the time... . plus folks will generally wander towards the mighty C to lurk under the Dodge bonnet to amaze at the prowess. It make for some neat conversation. . as I do have the time

 

[jack-green]

tork lifts

have them on my 2004. 5 short bed work great easy to attach . also have the spring loaded tie downs.