ironeagle
Va
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Joined: 10/15/2009
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http://s840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/ironeagle0074/?action=view¤t=DSC_86661.jpg&newest=1
Yes I'm stupid about posting photos
I have a 04 Dodge QC long bed with a Lance 815. My truck has the happijac tiedowns inbetween the cab and bed and the button tiedowns on the bumper.
My two longer turnbuckles for the back are two long and the front ones are too short. These came with the camper used. Do I take apart the longer turnbuckles and cut the threaded bolt? Do I use a chain with the front one to make it longer?
Is some sort of spring supposed to be used on the front turnbuckles or is it really needed?
I'd like to have some fast guns one day but I'm trying to make these do for now.
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clinthia
Flathead County, Montana
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Joined: 09/08/2004
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2007.5 Dodge 3500 4X4 Crewcab with 6.7 Cummins
2004 EC950 w/ slideout
2 Costco 6 volts
Yamaha EF1000IS
Kyocera solar panel
GO POWER 300 watt 12 volt PSW inverter
TorkLift tiedowns with Fastguns
Timbrens
Homemade bumpstops
The Schnauzers Madeline & Genevieve
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clinthia
Flathead County, Montana
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Joined: 09/08/2004
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I had the same turnbuckles and purchased some Torklift Derringers. I also replaced the threaded rods with stainless steel.
Hope this helps, Clint
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Raften
Northern Calfornia
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Joined: 01/27/2003
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If you do cut the threaded shaft make sure to thread on a nut past the cut so you can dress the threads after the cut.
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ironeagle
Va
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But is the spring really needed?
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Chuck and Di
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 09/28/2008
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Most have chains and do not have springs, so no springs are needed, and yes you can use a piece of chain to lengthen the ones that are too short.
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vanbikehorse
Green Lane, PA
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Joined: 10/29/2003
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Those look like Happijacks. If so, the rear has about a 1/2" rubber inside the rears that disintigrates after a short while. I figure my rubber bed mat is giving that degree of flex. The fronts have springs inside them, so no external springs are required. My fronts are too short also. From the factory, they came with 3 chain links. I converted to the quick release and only had to use one link then.
2005 Chevy 2500HD SB X-CAB,4X4,G-80,D/A,ALCOA Wls,265/75R16E, Air Lift Sure Set, SuperSprings, RS9000x, Curt 14108.
2003 Alpenlite Laramie w/X CAB & Polar Cub A/C, Happijac FM, EU-2000.
2000 Brenderup Baron TC Horse Tailer
1996 Arab Endurance Race Horse
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KKELLER14K
BEAVERTON OREGON
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Joined: 12/15/2006
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Just a quick chime...those shorter style holdown rods do have a rubber insert. They are not spring loaded and are easy to get overtightened. Fine for lighter TC's and just fine if you use a length of chain to compensate for longer length. I had this as a similar set up on 2 prior TC's but with my largest one to date, I opted to go with solid rod Anchorguards (no chains), Fastgun conversions and spring loaded turn buckles from Torklift at the bottom frame holdown. This holdown system is just a little more beef and you can see the spring tension your putting on the turnbuckle. I personally don't believe in using bumper style buttons....have you seen the damage they can do to a bumper if you get a bounce??? Have you seen the holdown on the TC get ripped off the camper??? This is why I like the spring setup better, it's very sturdy but more forgiving (IMHO).
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ironeagle
Va
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Well I'd like to have a torklift setup but I'm just going to make do for now. Can I add some kind of spring setup with what I have? The think rubber mat sounds like a good idea too. If it were a heavy TC I would be more worried and get torklifts and not use the bumper buttons, but it being a Lance 815 helps I guess.
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KKELLER14K
BEAVERTON OREGON
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Iron you should be just fine.... but you can buy these things a little at a time. If I was to start somewhere, it would be with the frame holdowns first, add the lower turnbuckles later, then work on getting away from the chain thing with some solid type connectors like Anchorguards, then finally fastgun conversions. Remember it's the bed thats doing most of the work right now holding your rig on. Going to the frame eventually is way better (IMHO).Good luck!
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