Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Truck Campers: Turnbuckle advice
Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Posting Help and Support  |  Contact  

Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Truck Campers

Open Roads Forum  >  Truck Campers

 > Turnbuckle advice

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 2  
Next
Ernie Fergler

Iowa

Full Member

Joined: 02/25/2006

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 06/05/23 12:13pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I recently purchased a used Arctic Fox 990. It came with happy jack standard turnbuckles. Only the front ones are spring loaded. According to etrailer website, they are not recommended for frame mounted tie downs (which I have, front and rear). Do I need to buy springs for the rear? I don’t understand why a bumper mount would take a different turnbuckle than a frame mount. Please enlighten me.


2016 Ram 3500 dually, Aisen, 4.10 gear, 4x4, 8 ft bed
2020 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

Grit dog

Black Diamond, WA

Senior Member

Joined: 05/06/2013

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 06/05/23 12:32pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

All 4 “should have” some sort of spring in them. Weather frame mount bumper mount or bed mount tie down locations.
Anything from a chain and hardware store turnbuckle or a 2” ratchet straps will get you home, but with no relief in the tiedowns you risk bending something or ripping a camper mount off when you hit a large bump or twist the truck frame much.
That said just cheapo turnbuckles and chain work fine but need a spring. Either in the tie down or on the truck side mounts like the little ones torklift sells.


2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

ticki2

NH

Senior Member

Joined: 07/09/2008

View Profile



Posted: 06/05/23 03:20pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The earlier bumper rear mount depended on the flex of the bumper to act as a spring . If your rear mount is frame mounted it should have a spring .


'68 Avion C-11
'02 GMC DRW D/A flatbed

Ernie Fergler

Iowa

Full Member

Joined: 02/25/2006

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 06/05/23 07:27pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Thx guys. The Torklift springs seem a little pricey for what they are. Any alternatives?

joerg68

St. Ingbert, Germany

Senior Member

Joined: 02/27/2009

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 06/06/23 05:34am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

No alternatives from my side. I have been a happy TL Fastgun user since 2009 and recommend them.


2014 Ford F350 XLT 6.2 SCLB + 2017 Northstar Arrow


Bedlam

PNW

Moderator

Joined: 06/13/2012

View Profile






Posted: 06/06/23 06:24am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Torklift makes at least three price ranges of turnbuckle that all carry lifetime warranties. Happijac also makes a spring loaded turnbuckle. The two more expensive offerings from Torklift make setting tension easy and consistent while the offerings require more work when loading and unloading your camper but still will safely do the job.


Chevy Sonic 1.8-Honda Passport C70B-Host Mammoth 11.5-Interstate Car Carrier 20-Joyner SandViper 250-Kawasaki Concours ZG1000-Paros 8' flatbed-Pelican Decker DLX 8.75-Ram 5500 HD


JimK-NY

NY

Senior Member

Joined: 05/12/2010

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 06/06/23 06:25am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Torklift parts might be expensive but they are well engineered and built to last.

deltabravo

Spokane, WA

Senior Member

Joined: 09/08/2003

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 06/06/23 06:54am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I'll say the same thing here that I posted in reply to your question in the FB group:
Spring loaded are a must.
If it were me, I'd sell the Happijacs and get Torklift Fastguns for all 4 corners


2009 Silverado 3500HD Dually, D/A, CCLB 4x4 (bought new 8/30/09)
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator

Geo*Boy

Unknown

Senior Member

Joined: 04/27/2020

View Profile






Posted: 06/06/23 07:13am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

JimK-NY wrote:

Torklift parts might be expensive but they are well engineered and built to last.

This ^^^^^^^

mkirsch

Rochester, NY

Senior Member

Joined: 04/09/2004

View Profile



Posted: 06/06/23 09:04am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Ernie Fergler wrote:

Thx guys. The Torklift springs seem a little pricey for what they are. Any alternatives?


Buy once, cry once.

Spend a little extra and never question your decision, or cheap out and kick yourself for years down the line...

How many tens of thousands did you spend on the truck and camper? Now's not the time to quibble over a few hundred dollars.


Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 2  
Next

Open Roads Forum  >  Truck Campers

 > Turnbuckle advice
Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Truck Campers


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:




© 2024 CWI, Inc. © 2024 Good Sam Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved.