Butch50
Fyffe, AL
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1mtnman wrote:I see some of these very large truck campers using front bed and bumper tiedowns and I just don't understand how that can be a safe setup when we are talking about a 3000-4000 lb camper.
I would never haul a camper using any system that did not utilize the truck frame to attach the tiedowns. There are a lot of us who take these campers into out of the way and rough areas where other RV's dare not go therefore you can't be too concerned about how safely your camper is tied down.
Many camper manufactures make recommendation as how there units should be tied down and one would expect a reputable dealerships do the same however I'm sure this is not always the case.
The incident sure gives those of us who haul these units a chance to evaluate our setup and learn from someone else experiences.
Before I post this just to let you know that I use Torklift frame mount tie downs. But to say you wouldn't use any tie down that doesn't tie to the frame, I take it you haven't looked how Happpijac's are fastened to the truck then you need to take a look. Happijac tied downs
If you look at the diagram you well see that the Happijac's also tie to the frame. If I didn't care about drilling holes in my truck bed I would have no problem with the Happijac tie downs. In fact many years back I used the Happijac tie down system, this had to been in the 70's when I used them.
To the OP I'm glad nobody got hurt. Truck and camper can be replaced, I know it sucks but can be done.
Butch
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1mtnman
Colorado
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My point was regarding the use of the bumper tiedowns that are used in many cases with large campers. The bumpers just aren't built to support the loads placed on them by these heavy campers. We have seen in the past several times just on these forums references to the bumpers being bent when using this support method. I have nothing against the Happijac system although I also have the Torklift system.
I have often wondered how the Happijac quick release and the Fastgun units compare with the turn buckle and chain system as far as strength is concerned.
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pasusan
Northernmost PA
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I had to show DH this thread as we are always drooling over truck campers. As we went through the pictures and I told him that insurance totalled both the camper and the truck he immediately saw the big picture and said: "You mean the manufacturer is off the hook and we all pay for that?"
I am hoping the insurance co. goes after the manufacturer somehow... Would they?
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crosscheck
Coldstream, BC
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Thought I would add a personal story regarding winds in the Anza-Borego Springs SP.
Last year in March, we parked by the water tower near the train tracks at the end of the Montaro Wash road as we hiked in to see the Goat Canyon trestle. That night the winds were so strong, we couldn't sleep as the Outfitter was rocking so much. My wife thought the truck was going to flip over.
I dropped the top, drove into the wind and made up the dinette bunk where we slept kinda.
I always have a lot of respect for desert winds. (Pictures and write-up in "Some Like It Hot![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/tongue.gif "tongue") art 1") in our blog.
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Rbertalotto
Massachusetts
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Quote:
I am hoping the insurance co. goes after the manufacturer somehow... Would they?
Only if death resulted or great, long-term bodily harm and the lawsuits were enormous. Otherwise it would not be worth it for the insurance company to pursue.
Now, the Recreational Vehicle Association, DOT, or some other vehicle/camper organization should get involved and create standards because it is clear the camper manufacturers can't police themselves.
(I can't believe i just wrote this being a libertarian..... ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/doh.gif "doh") )
RoyB
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tad94564
Pinole, CA
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crosscheck wrote:
I always have a lot of respect for desert winds. (Pictures and write-up in "Some Like It Hot art 1") in our blog.
Having stayed at Truckhaven (Salton City) when the Big W was blowing..
When the wind blows at Anza Borrego/Salton Sea area, it's really, really bad..
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Mello Mike
Golden Valley, AZ
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1mtnman wrote:My point was regarding the use of the bumper tiedowns that are used in many cases with large campers. The bumpers just aren't built to support the loads placed on them by these heavy campers. We have seen in the past several times just on these forums references to the bumpers being bent when using this support method.
Yep, especially since in this incident it was one of these rear Happijac tie downs that failed.
I think the main objection with the Happijac tie downs are the rear tie down points, not the front ones (though many don't like the idea of having to drill into the truck bed). For this reason, some TC owners use a combination of the two, using Happijac TD's for the front, and Torklift TD's for the rear.
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Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
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anutami wrote: Just so glad my kids were not in the back as I often let them ride in the camper.
I mentioned earlier that I was going to call my son and tell him to check his camper tiedowns...and the above is the first thing he said when he saw the post/pics. His tiedowns look O.K....but he's stopped the "kids-in-the-back" policy just in case. They're not too happy about it, but it's kids-in-seatbelts-in-the-truck from now on.
Thanks again for the heads-up!
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Gripnriprod
Alaska
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Mello Mike wrote:Not only that, but I've driven through some intense wind storms in Northern Arizona without incident though I do have frame mounted Torklift tie downs for my rig. Driving 60+ mph and being passed by a semi is an intense wind storm. The OP said it tweaked the bumper. Many have talked about how rugged the older (2001?) bumpers are and they're ok for HJs.
I don't think the TC would have come off of the truck (JMHO) with Torklift Tiedowns. Probably wouldn't have prevented damage to the TC anchor point considering the apparent design but I'm no engineer. Sure would be nice if some of the manufacturer's would contribute to this site. I'd bet they monitor it.
Go on Torklift's site. They used to have pics/video of a truck and TC on it's side in a ditch. Retrieval accomplished without the TC coming off of the truck. Yes I have Torklift Tiedowns and No I don't work for Torklift.
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Wagonqueen Truckster
Pittsburgh, PA
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Since we are on the subject of tie downs... My camper will be kept on my truck with (old technology I assume?) belly bars. Two of them. One front and one in the back. (there is no bumper on my truck due to the size of the camper) These bars are tied into the frame (so to speak) and I am using turn buckels attached to each of the four jacks that are permanently attached to the camper (1976 Amerigo) What do you think of this setup as far as safety goes?
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