Why turnbuckles at all?
Why turnbuckles at all?
SidecarFlip |
Apr 1 2017, 03:35 PM
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#1
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 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 |
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? |
skyhammer |
Apr 1 2017, 04:54 PM
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#2
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Group: Members Posts: 91 Joined: 3-July 11 From: NW Calif. Member No.: 5,520 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 |
Freespool |
Apr 1 2017, 08:01 PM
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#3
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Group: Members Posts: 167 Joined: 2-June 16 Member No.: 8,975 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. |
SidecarFlip |
Apr 1 2017, 08:47 PM
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#4
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 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 |
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 |
Apr 2 2017, 11:57 AM
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#5
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Moderator Group: Moderator Posts: 320 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 |
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.
-------------------- 1999 F350 Power Stroke Dually Super Cab, 2003 Lance 1030
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Hermes1 |
Apr 2 2017, 04:17 PM
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#6
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Group: Members Posts: 12 Joined: 20-March 17 Member No.: 9,473 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Not sure yet Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: None Type of Tiedowns used: None Truck and Camper Setup: Nothing yet |
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 |
Apr 3 2017, 11:28 AM
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#7
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Group: Members Posts: 201 Joined: 27-July 12 Member No.: 6,199 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". Steve |
SidecarFlip |
Apr 3 2017, 12:02 PM
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#8
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 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". 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.... |
SidecarFlip |
Apr 5 2017, 04:18 PM
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#9
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 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... |
Electrojake |
Apr 21 2017, 03:55 PM
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#10
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Group: Members Posts: 7 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(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? 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 |
SidecarFlip |
Apr 21 2017, 09:28 PM
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#11
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 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? 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'. |
Electrojake |
Apr 21 2017, 11:21 PM
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#12
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Group: Members Posts: 7 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! -Ej- -------------------- 2016 RAM Longhorn 3500 Cummins/AISIN 4x4
2018 Northstar Arrow-U Truck-Camper |
Spanky |
Apr 22 2017, 08:46 AM
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#13
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Moderator Group: Moderator Posts: 320 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. Lets ride that ole pan down to Winn Dixie.
-------------------- 1999 F350 Power Stroke Dually Super Cab, 2003 Lance 1030
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