Camper Tie Downs for an OBS Ford
Helping a friend with camper set up and tie down brackets
Camper: 2003 S&S Ponderosa 9.5 - Dry weight 2800#.
Truck has Happijac tie downs set up from original owner back in 1992 (but no stabilizer cross bar for front tie downs, nor stabilizer brackets.... only end brackets).
Maybe the front stabilizer bar and brackets were not yet available back in that era?
Rear button head bolts anchors are mounted to truck bed behind wheel well (most I have seen are mounted to bumper ends). If he went with this HJ system he would need a complete new system, as its less expensive than purchasing the many missing parts.
Truck: 1992 F-350; Crew Cab; 4X2; 460/E40D; Long Bed; Draw-Tite Hitch; Factory Camper Package
He is considering Torklift, Happijac, and Brophy.
HJ are simple tie downs...front are brackets connected to bed with stabilizer bar between brackets and two L brackets mounted from stabilizer to frame. Rears are bolts head anchors mounted to rear bumper ends. Appears like an old school system for truck campers of 70s through 90s. 14 holes to drill BUT none are through frame, only 12 through truck bed sheet metal and sheet metal cross members and 2 at bumper.
TL are frame mounted at all four points. MUCH more work to install vs HJ and Brophy....12 frame holes to drill!
Brophy: Simple to install (compared to the HJ and TL), less expensive, tried and proven design, much like HJ and TL. NO drilling!
Which is preferred between these three and why?
PROS and CONS for each?
Thanks!
Camper: 2003 S&S Ponderosa 9.5 - Dry weight 2800#.
Truck has Happijac tie downs set up from original owner back in 1992 (but no stabilizer cross bar for front tie downs, nor stabilizer brackets.... only end brackets).
Maybe the front stabilizer bar and brackets were not yet available back in that era?
Rear button head bolts anchors are mounted to truck bed behind wheel well (most I have seen are mounted to bumper ends). If he went with this HJ system he would need a complete new system, as its less expensive than purchasing the many missing parts.
Truck: 1992 F-350; Crew Cab; 4X2; 460/E40D; Long Bed; Draw-Tite Hitch; Factory Camper Package
He is considering Torklift, Happijac, and Brophy.
HJ are simple tie downs...front are brackets connected to bed with stabilizer bar between brackets and two L brackets mounted from stabilizer to frame. Rears are bolts head anchors mounted to rear bumper ends. Appears like an old school system for truck campers of 70s through 90s. 14 holes to drill BUT none are through frame, only 12 through truck bed sheet metal and sheet metal cross members and 2 at bumper.
TL are frame mounted at all four points. MUCH more work to install vs HJ and Brophy....12 frame holes to drill!
Brophy: Simple to install (compared to the HJ and TL), less expensive, tried and proven design, much like HJ and TL. NO drilling!
Which is preferred between these three and why?
PROS and CONS for each?
Thanks!
