anutami
Ramona
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Joined: 12/15/2012
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Well, Since I opened this can of worms here is the entire story.
First let me say I have been a long time truck camper owner and I am no rookie. I have gone trough several truck campers. I recently had an article published in truckcampermagazine.com about me and my family
Here is some more background on who I am and how long I have been truck camping.
http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/campe........son-truck-camping-in-southern-california
If you read the article you can see in the pictures I used the same tie down system with both the Northstar Laredo and Eagle Cap 800.
The week before Christmas I was driving home from a great camping trip in the anza borrego desert (trip report here http://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=694 and was traveling on BLM land road named EC085. I was traveling at approx 25 mph on a straight section of the road, when a strong gust of wind came up and caused the camper to become separated from my truck and rolled over the truck bed rail! The road was also a bit bumpy but not too bad. I had my 6 year old son Brett and 8 year old daughter Brenna in the truck with me. It is a miracle we are all okay. The crazy part of the situation is I did not really feel the truck do a huge sway or anything. It was my daughter in the backseat who said "dad the camper just fell off". Upon further inspection I noticed the cause of the camper becoming separated from the truck was my Wolf Creek was manufactured with a spliced in piece of plywood where the front passenger anchors are installed and this spliced plywood separated from the skirt. When the front tie down became separated I noticed my bumper was tweaked a bit upward and believe the rear tie down became separated by pulling up on my bumper. Before starting to travel on EC085 I called my wife to tell her we were going to stay one more night. Knowing I was about to be driving about 20 miles on a dirt road I specifically checked all my spring loaded turnbuckles to make sure they were nice and hand tight snug. I am fully aware of keeping the turnbuckles hand tight and not using a tool to tighten them down.
Here are some pics from the incident
The spot where I called my wife took a pic and checked the tie downs
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/fish%20creek/IMG_7074.jpg)
The spot where the camper rolled out
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/48E919EF-3BD1-4146-8829-057704C7C3A8-180-00000007FA4B3481_zps70aa02b5.jpg)
My wolf creek in the middle of the desert. Notice the turnbuckle still attached
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/A63DD56D-E947-4FFB-A7DE-22106A488131-180-000000080DD55304_zps446d064b.jpg)
closer look at splice
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/1577242E-2F74-487D-90C8-62B093953748-1224-0000009F2835064F_zpsb519e9be.jpg)
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/8B01CACE-FC5C-49B2-8F5A-9479DE6A060F-235-0000000ED5783029_zpsa0d9a54d.jpg)
My truck
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/FF8F8878-E596-40AF-B9C2-49AC2DE8411A-235-0000001024F97C6F_zps58c981f4.jpg)
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/IMG_5824.jpg)
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/IMG_5847.jpg)
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/A08F2D71-05CC-4CED-973D-275F64ACDCB2-180-0000000814C2FDCD_zps006b53da.jpg)
The torn off jack
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/IMG_5849-1.jpg)
Underside separation
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/IMG_5887.jpg)
Nose cap damage
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/IMG_5864.jpg)
rescued by Dickerson Towing
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/D05943DD-9AB9-4D2E-A8F1-8C70F297AB1D-902-0000006C6CABC977_zps8cf2a5a8.jpg)
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/IMG_5861.jpg)
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/IMG_5877.jpg)
![[image]](http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac329/anutami/IMG_5888.jpg)
Moderator edit: Please note, maximum photo width=640.
* This post was
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edited 01/12/14 11:53pm by an administrator/moderator *
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CREATO
Beautiful Harvey N.D.
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Joined: 12/17/2006
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Holy smokes , glad no one was hurt that's a story your children will never forget.
I dont rent out space in my brain
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RamTC
Space Coast, FL
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Joined: 03/31/2012
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anutami, thanks for sharing your experience, good to hear that no one was hurt. The only thing I can add is that AF seems to be using the same failed design on the new Wolf Creeks that they were using on the AF's prior to 2005. This type of failure was an issue back then as well. When AF went to the AL frames in 2005, they improved the tie point design by bolting through the new frame, very strong and would tear up TorqLift or HJ mounts before failing. Seems AF needs to re-visit the the Wolf Creek tie points and I think they would want to based on the pics you've provided.
* This post was
edited 01/12/14 04:16pm by RamTC *
Present - 14' Ram 3500 4X4 DRW CTD AISIN 3.73
Past - 98' Ram 3500 4X4 DRW CTD / 99' LANCE 1110 / 04' ARCTIC FOX 990 / 05' ARCTIC FOX 990
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Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
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Joined: 02/23/2011
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MAN!
Callin' my son right now and telling him to check how the tiedowns are attached to his camper- I'm really shocked that at least from the pics these depended on a few wood screws holding the point of attachment on.
Thanks a lot for the post/pics- sure hope insurance covers everything and glad no one got hurt.
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien
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Ski Pro 3
Placerville area
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Joined: 06/15/2012
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If it were me, I'd never even bother with dealing with the camper manufacturer. Your insurance should cover your camper and truck. Let THEM deal with the Wolf Creek folks if they wish.
If you want to kick the can, maybe contact an attorney about the personal injury / civil litigation against WOLF CREEK but life is awful short to be spending time on a long shot.
Only property damage. Nothing money can't fix and that is why there's insurance.
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Rbertalotto
Massachusetts
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Joined: 06/02/2005
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Once again...I'm totally amazed at how poorly truck campers are designed and manufactured.......And what we PAY for them!
Sure glad no one was hurt!
RoyB
Dartmouth, MA
2021 RAM 2500 4X4 6.4L
2011 Forest River Grey Wolf Cherokee 19RR
520 w solar-200ah Renogy Li-Epever MPPT
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n7bsn
Yes
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Joined: 04/11/2004
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That is certainly not what people expect of Northwood quality
2008 F350SD V10 with an 2012 Arctic Fox 29-5E
When someone tells you to buy the same rig they own, listen, they might be right. When they tell you to buy a different rig then they own, really pay attention, they probably know something you don't.
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Victory402
NC
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Joined: 10/28/2013
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You can blame it on the mounts if you want to, but anyone with 1/2 a brain can see that 7 wood screws and seamed plywood aint gonna hold squat. This blows my mind!
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Ranger Smith
Wherever the rig is parked
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Joined: 05/13/2006
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Man that is******for mounting surface. It's like you need to run a strap over the camper to keep it secure. I would never trust that mounting and don't think I'll ever own another Northwoods product if they are all made like that.
Where we are now
Amateur Radio Operator WW1SS . . . Flex 6500 PGXL and TGXL
Steve and Joy
2014 Itasca Suncruiser 38Q . . . 2016 Lincoln MKX
The Doodles, Abbie & Abel
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3 tons
NV.
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Joined: 03/13/2009
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And in some states, passengers are even allowed to ride in campers!! Whoever it is at Northwood that sanctioned this reckless design needs to take a walk for the good of others...I seriously doubt that the good Mr. Ron Nash would have permitted this tie-down design returning to production...Might this have been engineered by Billy-Bob?? Looks like someone's now 'up a creek'...Northwood needs to issue a warranted fix.
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![[image]](http://s912.photobucket.com/user/anutami/media/fish%20creek/IMG_7074.jpg.html)
![[image]](http://s912.photobucket.com/user/anutami/media/48E919EF-3BD1-4146-8829-057704C7C3A8-180-00000007FA4B3481_zps70aa02b5.jpg.html)
![[image]](http://s912.photobucket.com/user/anutami/media/A63DD56D-E947-4FFB-A7DE-22106A488131-180-000000080DD55304_zps446d064b.jpg.html)
![[image]](http://s912.photobucket.com/user/anutami/media/1577242E-2F74-487D-90C8-62B093953748-1224-0000009F2835064F_zpsb519e9be.jpg.html)
![[image]](http://s912.photobucket.com/user/anutami/media/8B01CACE-FC5C-49B2-8F5A-9479DE6A060F-235-0000000ED5783029_zpsa0d9a54d.jpg.html)
![[image]](http://s912.photobucket.com/user/anutami/media/FF8F8878-E596-40AF-B9C2-49AC2DE8411A-235-0000001024F97C6F_zps58c981f4.jpg.html)
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![[image]](http://s912.photobucket.com/user/anutami/media/IMG_5849-1.jpg.html)
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![[image]](http://s912.photobucket.com/user/anutami/media/IMG_5861.jpg.html)
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