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> Why turnbuckles at all?

SidecarFlip
post Apr 1 2017, 03:35 PM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard
Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded



Got to thinking about securing a TC to a pickup truck.

Why use turn buckles of Fast Guns or anything similar at all?

Why not use ratchet straps instead?

Easier to deal with. weight rating the same as or better than metal turnbuckles.

Stores easier...

Cost much, much less..

Easier to adjust on the road.....

Ratchet straps make a whole lot more sense to me.

Your opinion?
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skyhammer
post Apr 1 2017, 04:54 PM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Host
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2011 F-350,4WD,CC,DRW
Type of Tiedowns used: Tork lift fast guns
Truck and Camper Setup: Air bags, tork lift stable loads,Reese extension hitch. Host 11.5' triple slide



Ratchet straps aren't spring loaded,not a good thing.
Straps are not easier to adjust.Once the Tork lifts are adjusted, you really don't have to mess with them again.If you do, turning the hook a few turns one way or the other is fast and easy.Since I take my camper off the truck whenever I can, I label each tie down, so they go on the same place each time.
Storage is not a problem, just put them in the basement.


--------------------
2011, F-350,CC,DRW,6.7,4WD
Air bags, Tork Lift Stable Loads
Host, 11.5' Tripple Slide
Tork Lift Fast Guns
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Freespool
post Apr 1 2017, 08:01 PM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Still deciding
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2016 GMC3500dualyy4x4diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift with Fastguns
Truck and Camper Setup: The plan will utilize a 3500 GMC with a 11 or 12' TC with a full compliment of Torklift hitch components and tie downs. Stable loads if needed will be installed.



I agree with skyhammer, the need for "travel" in the tie downs is absolutely necessary. The stretch in straps work great for securing loads of wood or even jerking out 4x4's from mud but there stretch normally only occurs with maximum tension. I would bet they would do harm to campers if used as you suggest, especially when traveling off road.

Additionally we truck campers should be aware that there is a stigma attached to us by some. I have personally been to membership campgrounds who do not allow any truck campers, even the one's with a combined value of 100 grand, but they will allow the 4 year old entry level motor home that blue books for 18 grand, don't figure. Maintaining clean nice looking rigs that appear to be outfitted with well designed after market products will help to change this undeserved label.
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SidecarFlip
post Apr 1 2017, 08:47 PM
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Group: Members
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard
Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded



You could be right. I think I'm going to give it a shot anyway. No 'basement' on my unit.
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Spanky
post Apr 2 2017, 11:57 AM
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From: Silver City, New Mexico
Member No.: 144
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance 1030
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1999 F350 Power Stroke Dually SuperCab
Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 1999 Ford F350 4x4 Super Cab 1 ton Dually Lance 1030 Torklift tiedowns



Hate to say it but in this time and world whats to keep some dodo head from walking by and cutting them and you not notice. Jus sayin.


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1999 F350 Power Stroke Dually Super Cab, 2003 Lance 1030
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Hermes1
post Apr 2 2017, 04:17 PM
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I would think besides the already excellent reasons given for not using ratchet straps that straps would be vulnerable to the elements causing them to weaken. It seems to me considering the risks involved trying to go cheap is false economy.
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RV_Tech
post Apr 3 2017, 11:28 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear
Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper.



Although I am not sure about the use of straps, one thing to bear in mind is truck campers were and still are hauled without the use of spring loaded turnbuckles substituting hardware store turnbuckles and a piece of chain.

While the springs came into play, according to my reading, to reduce the likelihood of tearing the eyelets out of the camper when striking sharp potholes, etc., not everyone uses them. And, folks are still ripping out their eyelets by overtightening their spring loaded turnbuckles. No long ago I corresponding the a Northstar owner who emailed me with pics that he had to add steel plates on three of the four eyelets of his camper because they had started "to sag". sad.gif

Steve
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SidecarFlip
post Apr 3 2017, 12:02 PM
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Group: Members
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Member No.: 9,221
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard
Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded



QUOTE(RV_Tech @ Apr 3 2017, 11:28 AM)
Although I am not sure about the use of straps, one thing to bear in mind is truck campers were and still are hauled without the use of spring loaded turnbuckles substituting hardware store turnbuckles and a piece of chain.

While the springs came into play, according to my reading, to reduce the likelihood of tearing the eyelets out of the camper when striking sharp potholes, etc., not everyone uses them. And, folks are still ripping out their eyelets by overtightening their spring loaded turnbuckles. No long ago I corresponding the a Northstar owner who emailed me with pics that he had to add steel plates on three of the four eyelets of his camper because they had started "to sag". sad.gif

Steve
*




I was going to mention that in the 'old days, everyone used chain and hardware store turnbuckles, Shot guns and Fast guns and Happyjac's were even thought of back then....

I secured my old Lance that way and never had an issue. The I moved into the 20th centure with spring loaded tiedowns, never saw any difference except in initial cost.

I think what I'll do is use the spring loaded tie downs on the front and ratchet straps on the rear and see how that plays for me.

Someone fiddling with them is a non-issue for me, I check them every time before I move the outfit anyway.

One nice thing about ratchet straps is, you can look in your mirrors and see if they have loosened up where as you cannot tell with metal spring loaded tiedowns.

Far as running off road, unlike the ad's where some person is doing high speed 4 wheeling with a camper on the back, thats not reality. Reality is taking your time, I do my off roading in 4Low. Much less carnage that way nd much easier to avoid those obstacles that 'pop up' on a trail....
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SidecarFlip
post Apr 5 2017, 04:18 PM
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Group: Members
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Member No.: 9,221
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard
Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded



QUOTE(skyhammer @ Apr 1 2017, 04:54 PM)
Ratchet straps aren't spring loaded,not a good thing.
Straps are not easier to adjust.Once the Tork lifts are adjusted, you really don't have to mess with them again.If you do, turning the hook a few turns one way or the other is fast and easy.Since I take my camper off the truck whenever I can, I label each tie down, so they go on the same place each time.
Storage is not a problem, just put them in the basement.
*



Ran a thread concurrently on the Open Roads RV forum. You need to go see what Wayne (moderator) posted, Might open your eyes a bit. That and take a gander at 4 Wheel Campers and see what they recommend as tie down's and install as tie downs on new purchases...

Straps work, so does chain, S hooks and hardware store turnbuckles...
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Electrojake
post Apr 21 2017, 03:55 PM
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Member No.: 8,215
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Northstar
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2016 RAM 3500
Type of Tiedowns used: TorkLift & FastGuns
Truck and Camper Setup: See Signature



QUOTE(Freespool @ Apr 1 2017, 08:01 PM)
Additionally we truck campers should be aware that there is a stigma attached to us by some.

I have personally been to membership campgrounds who do not allow any truck campers, even the one's with a combined value of 100 grand, but they will allow the 4 year old entry level motor home that blue books for 18 grand, don't figure. 

Maintaining clean nice looking rigs that appear to be outfitted with well designed after market products will help to change this undeserved label.

Man this issue deserves it's own thread...
My dear sister (a triple axle class-A pusher owner) is appalled at my recent purchase of a TC.
I've learned that in some arenas truck-camping is also refereed to as 'dirt-bagging'.
Heh... And I figured that for the $110,000 investment I just made I'd get at least a little respect? user posted image

But back on topic here...
Seems a ratchet strap would be a great 'Plan-B' if you ever lost or broke a FastGun, just not too good for full-time use.
In that respect, the OP had a pretty darn good idea!
-Ej-


--------------------
2016 RAM Longhorn 3500 Cummins/AISIN 4x4
2018 Northstar Arrow-U Truck-Camper
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SidecarFlip
post Apr 21 2017, 09:28 PM
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Group: Members
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Member No.: 9,221
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel
Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard
Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded



QUOTE(Electrojake @ Apr 21 2017, 03:55 PM)
Man this issue deserves it's own thread...
My dear sister (a triple axle class-A pusher owner) is appalled at my recent purchase of a TC.
I've learned that in some arenas truck-camping is also refereed to as 'dirt-bagging'.
Heh... And I figured that for the $110,000 investment I just made I'd get at least a little respect?  user posted image

But back on topic here...
Seems a ratchet strap would be a great 'Plan-B' if you ever lost or broke a FastGun, just not too good for full-time use.
In that respect, the OP had a pretty darn good idea!
-Ej-
*




If you really want to loose respect, buy a vintage pan head Harley chopper and trailer that behind your 'Dirt Bag' truck camper...

You'll be 'in like flynn'.
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Electrojake
post Apr 21 2017, 11:21 PM
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Group: Members
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Joined: 13-June 15
From: Not so new Jersey
Member No.: 8,215
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Northstar
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2016 RAM 3500
Type of Tiedowns used: TorkLift & FastGuns
Truck and Camper Setup: See Signature



QUOTE(SidecarFlip @ Apr 21 2017, 09:28 PM)
If you really want to loose respect, buy a vintage pan head Harley chopper and trailer that behind your 'Dirt Bag' truck camper...

You'll be 'in like flynn'.
*


Put training wheels on that bad-boy and I'm sold! user posted image
-Ej-


--------------------
2016 RAM Longhorn 3500 Cummins/AISIN 4x4
2018 Northstar Arrow-U Truck-Camper
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Spanky
post Apr 22 2017, 08:46 AM
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Joined: 24-June 06
From: Silver City, New Mexico
Member No.: 144
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance 1030
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1999 F350 Power Stroke Dually SuperCab
Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 1999 Ford F350 4x4 Super Cab 1 ton Dually Lance 1030 Torklift tiedowns



Trailer Trash and love it. biggrin.gif Lets ride that ole pan down to Winn Dixie.


--------------------
1999 F350 Power Stroke Dually Super Cab, 2003 Lance 1030
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