2015 Ram Trucks

DirtyOil wrote:

I just was questioning the spring hold downs. Having drove big trucks and having to secure loads it just looks a little weak to me.

actually those aren't "spring hold downs", the are chains with turn buckles , as you know driving big trucks you would have used either ratchet straps or chain boomers... the later with the old style "lever boomer" which are outlawed in these parts, the new boomers are the "ratchet" style.
His words not mine

Bedlam wrote:
The friction of the pad material between camper and truck keeps it in place just fine. Spring loaded tie downs at the same tension on each corner keeps the camper from shifting due to bumps or vibration.

The pick up box will and does keep the camper from just sliding left or right, that whole set up just does not look safe to me. I would not like to see the end result of any hard emergency avoidance maneuvers with that set up.

I do understand and have seen some setups just not up close and personal. Can say i have never lost a load and the only load I had shift was a load of tires and wheels loaded and the trailer closed and sealed by the company I picked the load up from. Got to Keystone RV and when they opened the back doors some of the tire/wheels came tumbling out the back door! Fun times.....not. More paper then I wanted to do.

That has been the way truck campers have been tied down for years. There would be square tubing attached to the underside of the frame at the front of the box and extend pass each side of the box and the turn buckles attached to the tubing/camper. At the back the turn buckles were attached to the rear bumper at each corner or another piece of tubing was installed. In some cases tie downs were installed in the "stake pockets" - which I and many others would agree is about as safe as no tie-downs at all.


I think you get the picture now? :W

while on the subject, in my MTCs (mobile treatment centers - first-aid) we are only required to bolt(4 bolts) the camper-ette to floor of the box and install a internal roll cage... roll cage yes, but just bolt it to the floor and not the frame.... lol.