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> How tight is tight enough?, Tie downs need to be....

emcvay
post May 10 2017, 12:37 PM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Arctic Fox
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Ford F350 Crew cab long box 6.4l 4x4
Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 2010 F350 PS CC LB SRW with AF990



"how tight" is tight enough? I now understand that I am darn near strong enough to pull the tie downs out by hand so I don't want to put a wrench on them and crank them down super tight before asking how tight should they be?
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SidecarFlip
post May 11 2017, 09:24 AM
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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



QUOTE(emcvay @ May 10 2017, 12:37 PM)
"how tight" is tight enough?  I now understand that I am darn near strong enough to pull the tie downs out by hand so I don't want to put a wrench on them and crank them down super tight before asking how tight should they be?
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Front's should always be spring loaded with around 1/2" of freeplay (sping tension on them and rears should be solid mount with just a little 'give' in them. Always spring loaded in the front. I use HJ's myself but if you want to spend large bucks, TL Fast guns are for you. HJ now makes a Fast Gun copy for about half of the TL/FG price.

With my Lance, I used chain and S hooks. on both ends.
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emcvay
post May 11 2017, 11:33 AM
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Member No.: 9,497
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Arctic Fox
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Ford F350 Crew cab long box 6.4l 4x4
Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 2010 F350 PS CC LB SRW with AF990



I ordered a set of Happijack standard turnbuckles. Figured those would do for now and at $114 it's a lot cheaper than the fast jacks
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SidecarFlip
post May 11 2017, 07:22 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



QUOTE(emcvay @ May 11 2017, 11:33 AM)
I ordered a set of Happijack standard turnbuckles.  Figured those would do for now and at $114 it's a lot cheaper than the fast jacks
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The Fast Guns are over rated and over priced I've been using Happyjac tie downs for years (2 campers, the Lance and now the Palomino) with NO ISSUES AR ALL and thats mostly off road.

FYI, HappyJac makes a Fast Gun clone now for about half the price of the TL edition. Even that I think personally, is over priced.

TL has some downright stupid prices on stuff.
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emcvay
post May 11 2017, 08:44 PM
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Member No.: 9,497
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Arctic Fox
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Ford F350 Crew cab long box 6.4l 4x4
Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 2010 F350 PS CC LB SRW with AF990



Thanks -- funny thing is I ordered 'Lippert' tie downs but I noticed in one area they called them Happy Jacks and they look identical. They aren't the fast gun style but I am not sure it's worth the $500-$600 unless the camper is coming off and on a lot (which in the future it might but for now it won't).
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SidecarFlip
post May 11 2017, 09:48 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



HappyJac offers a cam over conversion (similar to the TL Fast Gun's that utilize the standard HJ barrels. It's a nice upgrade if you have the HJ standard screw in tie down's like I do.

I have no issue using mine (screw in). Takes an extra minute to attach.
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Hermes1
post May 15 2017, 11:49 AM
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Type of Tiedowns used: None
Truck and Camper Setup: Nothing yet



QUOTE(SidecarFlip @ May 11 2017, 05:22 PM)
The Fast Guns are over rated and over priced  I've been using Happyjac tie downs for years (2 campers, the Lance and now the Palomino) with NO ISSUES AR ALL and thats mostly off road.

FYI, HappyJac makes a Fast Gun clone now for about half the price of the TL edition.  Even that I think personally, is over priced.

TL has some downright stupid prices on stuff.
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I am in the process of getting set-up for a truck camper we hope to purchase as early as August. I have installed the Torklift tie downs and was planning to purchase the TL Fastguns. What I have found from a previous TL product I owned and their tie downs I just installed, is their products are all well made. After reading your post reply, I have looked at the HappyJac clone and the price is tempting, as I like to save a dollar as much as the next guy. But a couple differences shedding light on the hefty price First Torklift offers a lifetime warranty which speaks volumes at least to me, while Happyjac's warranty is 1-year. Second HappyJac's clone is the new kid on the block, while TL have been making them for years and are proven. Third, TL FG's are by a huge margin the most recommended from all my reading on the subject. These are important considerations, at least for me, but admittedly I am still on the fence.
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emcvay
post May 16 2017, 02:58 PM
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Member No.: 9,497
Favorite Truck Camper(s): Arctic Fox
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: Ford F350 Crew cab long box 6.4l 4x4
Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift
Truck and Camper Setup: 2010 F350 PS CC LB SRW with AF990



The Happijack tie downs had good instructions and only needed 1/4" on the spring side and 'snug' on the back. Little loose on the back after 200 miles but I don't see that as an issue and will tighten them.

All in all seem to work well for $114!
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Tomcat58
post May 16 2017, 05:12 PM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Bigfoot
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2500 chevy pickup
Type of Tiedowns used: custom
Truck and Camper Setup: 3500 chevy 10.5 Bigfoot



QUOTE(emcvay @ May 10 2017, 12:37 PM)
"how tight" is tight enough?  I now understand that I am darn near strong enough to pull the tie downs out by hand so I don't want to put a wrench on them and crank them down super tight before asking how tight should they be?
*



Just purchased the Original Happijac tie downs after reading many reviews and possible failures ! I found no documented failures on either. The price was a factor so I passed on the torklifts and the fast gun setup on the happijack. The originals where a bit more then $100 and reading the instructions I do see a difference in the two brands.

Happijac has spring loaded front turnbuckles and the rear are cushioned with rubber not springs. I have no idea if spring would be better in the rear also ? I did read that torklift uses springs on all 4 tie downs.

I am not sure how current this Q/A is but it seems to be current ! Now all I wonder is why the springs verses the rubber ? I am wondering if it;s related to cost BUT maybe someone else knows ?

http://www.torklift.com/index.php/resources/torklift-faqs
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SidecarFlip
post May 16 2017, 06:48 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



QUOTE(Hermes1 @ May 15 2017, 11:49 AM)
I am in the process of getting set-up for a truck camper we hope to purchase as early as August.  I have installed the Torklift tie downs and was planning to purchase the TL Fastguns.  What I have found from a previous TL product I owned and their tie downs I just installed, is their products are all well made.  After reading your post reply, I have looked at the HappyJac clone and the price is tempting, as I like to save a dollar as much as the next guy.  But a couple differences shedding light on the hefty price First Torklift offers a lifetime warranty which speaks volumes at least to me, while Happyjac's warranty is 1-year.  Second HappyJac's clone is the new kid on the block, while TL have been making them for years and are proven.  Third, TL FG's are by a huge margin the most recommended from all my reading on the subject.  These are important considerations, at least for me, but admittedly I am still on the fence.
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HappyJac was around (selling tie down systems) long before TorkLift was even conceived. Back in the 90's when I bought my first TC, HappyJac was the premier tie down system and I still have my 1997 Pickup with their system installed (2 TC's now) and I have had no issues whatsoever.

Said before, I don't care for the TL under mount tie downs, never have. If all your 'camping is in campgrounds, you are good. Off road, they can become catch objects on a trail and the results (depending on how solid the object they catch could result in a bent frame rail. I won't use them... and installation on newer Ford picklups (with a DEF tank) is a real PITA far as a driveway install.

HappyJac is now a wholly owned subsidary of Lippert Component Industries and while I'm not fond of Lippert, hopefully HJ will continue to provide a quality product.

Cam over tie down's isn't rocket science so I cannot justify TL's price.

In reality you can use ratchet straps as tie downs and / or hardware store turnbuckles and chain. Back in the old days, that is all there was really. I used hardware store turnbuckles and chain on the rear of my Lance for a long time, travelling all over the country without any issues at all.

Only the front of the camper needs a spring loaded tie down, the back can be solid with just a little tension. The front tie downs secure the camper, not the rears.

Way back when I knew a guy who mounted a steel plate under the floor of his TC, and secured it in the bed of his pickup with bolts.

Far as warranty goes, nothing to break anyway (tie down's) so any brand should last for an enternity.

It's your money, not mine, spend it as you want to. For me, I prefer to spend a lot less and have money for other things, like extra adult beverages.

TL has some nice products but their pricing is pie in the sky. I prefer meat over pie.
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lyman guy
post May 17 2017, 10:13 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): camp lite
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F250 wt. camper package
Type of Tiedowns used: happijzac
Truck and Camper Setup: F250 with camper package, long bed, air bags and billstein 4100's



HappiJac's are fine, but have a tendency to rust on the threaded screws and nuts. No stainless steel. We are in the NE, so salt probably plays a role with the rust after a year. Also, if you have them at all loose and go around a corner with the camper leaning, you can lose one of them. I am replacing the one that fell off, but am going to heat and close up the hook at the camper end of the tie down.
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Hermes1
post May 17 2017, 11:04 AM
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Type of Tiedowns used: None
Truck and Camper Setup: Nothing yet



I just got off the phone with a vendor who sells both products and asked about the differences between the two in light of the price differential. What he said and I noticed in a photo of the Happijac's installed on a truck, is the front are attached to mounts on the bed and the rear are attached to a mount on the bumper. He also as I had noted, Torklift has a life time warranty, so if there is a failure TL will replace them. Where as Happijac's have a 1 year warranty after which if a failure were to occur, you basically "throw them out and buy new". Given we are planning to purchase a large 3-slide, heavy TC, it made sense to me to secure to the frame and I have already installed TL tie downs on my truck. Another factor in favor of TL FG's is they offer locks for the FG's which I find worthwhile.
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Dorado
post May 17 2017, 11:07 AM
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Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance
Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1995 Ford F-350XLT Crew Cab
Type of Tiedowns used: Happijac
Truck and Camper Setup: F-350XLT:Airbags, Happijac Tiedowns, 1997 Lance 880



QUOTE(lyman guy @ May 17 2017, 09:13 AM)
HappiJac's are fine, but have a tendency to rust on the threaded screws and nuts. No stainless steel. We are in the NE, so salt probably plays a role with the rust after a year. Also, if you have them at all loose and go around a corner with the camper leaning, you can lose one of them. I am replacing the one that fell off, but am going to heat and close up the hook at the camper end of the tie down.
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I'd avoid heating up the loop unless you plan on welding it shut. Heating it will ruin any temper the metal has making it much softer and easier to bend out. I've had a couple of turnbuckles give out because I did that. I heated them up to fit over a loop and then closed them tight. The loops I bent gave out while the others didn't show any signs of stress much less failure. Don't do it.
If you're worried about them coming off while driving I'd suggest tying them on. You can use thin wire to wire them on the camper loops or just use some stout line of some sort.
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SidecarFlip
post May 17 2017, 03:37 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(Dorado @ May 17 2017, 11:07 AM)
I'd avoid heating up the loop unless you plan on welding it shut. Heating it will ruin any temper the metal has making it much softer and easier to bend out. I've had a couple of turnbuckles give out because I did that. I heated them up to fit over a loop and then closed them tight. The loops I bent gave out while the others didn't show any signs of stress much less failure. Don't do it.
If you're worried about them coming off while driving I'd suggest tying them on. You can use thin wire to wire them on the camper loops or just use some stout line of some sort.
*



I don't believe they are heat treated but I'll find out later on. I'll do a hardness test, I have a Rockwell hardness tester in the shop, only take a minute.Never had a serious corrosion issue with mine and I live on a dirt road a mile off the pavement plus I'm in Michigan, the salt capital of the country. I keep my HJ's oiled up and all always good. Heat treated or not, if you want to close the hook up a bit, cold closing it in a bench vise is the way to do it, not heating it. Why? because the rods are cad plated and heating them can cause the plating to give off very noxious fumes. I do get some surface corrosion on the outside of the barrels but it, in no way, impacts their performance. I ignore it. Unless you are anal, you should as well.
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