Truck Camper Tie Down Brackets, welded or bolted?

[bigdogtruck]

I have read somewhere that there is a danger to welding tie down brackets for a truck camper directly to the frame. That somehow the heat from the welding process can make the frame weaker. What are your thoughts. I just bought a 2004 3500 DRW to carry my truck camper and need to install brackets. The bolt on variety will cost about $500 more than weld on.

 

[mwilson]

After much thought and agony when I bought a slide in two years back I passed on the welded style and went with bolt on.

Trying to remember the brand...give me a minute to find it..

 

[mwilson]

I didn’t care for the idea of welding on the hydro formed frame plus the cross bar is right in the way when working under the truck.

 

[mwilson]

TorkLift is what I bought. Very happy with them.

Install was pretty easy.

The camper already had the turnbuckles and chains with it, those are HappyJack brand, front two are spring loaded.

 

[mwilson]

I checked online for the best price on the TorkLifts, then went to a couple local camper places and one of them matched the best online price.

I spent about $800.00 for the TorkLifts and some other stuff such as an extended receiver..etc..

 

[Road Dog]

Never weld the frame. The complete frame is heat treated in a giant oven. Welding it will create brittle spots. On a commercial truck there are parts of the frame at the front and back where brackets can be attached but they're on a non-load bearing part of the frame. On the 3rd generation the camper tie downs attach at the body mounting points where there's a extra layer of metal and holes that look like they were put there for tie downs.