If you had to move your tiedown system (for a lightweight TC) from one truck to another, maybe even twice a year - which would you use?Background: We own a small used car lot. Right now, our "pet truck" from inventory is a 2012 F-350 long bed SWD Diesel. We're looking at a 2002 Palomino SS1200 popup camper (about 1200 lbs) - we like that style due to its flexibility in fitting either a long or short-bed truck. Murphy's Law says that just as soon as we get a tiedown system installed, someone will fall in love with, and BUY the F-350. So then we buy another truck.The TC would only be used occasionally for weekend trips (we also have a 5th wheel)Is there a "universal" system that would fit the next truck which could be a Chevy or a Ram, for example?

Tiedowns are pretty specific to the year, make and model of a truck. Yeah, some tiedowns can be used across various applications, but in some cases, it might involve drilling. By and large, tiedowns are not something I would to install, remove and reinstall on a regular basis. Maybe once. To me, tiedowns are something you install and leave on and sell with the truck or remove once and sell or reinstall on the new truck--if they fit. My rear tiedowns are the drill-into-the-hitch type. Not something I would want to bother with or do multiple times to multiple vehicles. Now, the slide-into-the-hitch style, I would probably remove, keep and hopefully re-use on a different truck. With the Happijac system, you will leave holes in the bed. IMO, that takes value away from the truck. Torklift is the only system that generally doesn't require holes to be drilled, but still would be a pain to remove and reinstall on another make/model vehicle every time someone gets the urge to buy your truck.

I think in your case I would make some type or belly-bar/TL system.Search around on here, some Folks have made some very creative tie downs.PM me I have something that might help you.Bill

If there was something universal and any good, that is all that would be available.It's very unusual, basically unheard of, to want to quickly switch campers from truck to truck to truck like that. Most people buy one truck and keep it for a long time, so you'll find any good commercial solution to be long term and specific to the brand, model, and year of the truck.That leaves stake pocket tiedowns and belly bars.The problem with stake pocket tiedowns is that the sheet metal used to make truck boxes these days is thin and flimsy. You'll be fine 99.9% of the time, but if you hit that unexpected bump just a little too hard, the camper will cause damage to the truck box.I am unable to find any commercial solution for belly bars. Tweety's used to sell them but they do not list them on their site anymore.

With a 1,200 lb. popup style camper I would go with the stake pocket hold downs and not worry.

How about heavy duty ratchet straps? From inner hooks in bed and tie downs on camper. I did it on my hardside to get it home. The weight of your camper, it might be safe.

Easiest tie-down system to switch from vehicle to vehicle?

23 Replies

mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 31, 2014
If there was something universal and any good, that is all that would be available.

It's very unusual, basically unheard of, to want to quickly switch campers from truck to truck to truck like that. Most people buy one truck and keep it for a long time, so you'll find any good commercial solution to be long term and specific to the brand, model, and year of the truck.

That leaves stake pocket tiedowns and belly bars.

The problem with stake pocket tiedowns is that the sheet metal used to make truck boxes these days is thin and flimsy. You'll be fine 99.9% of the time, but if you hit that unexpected bump just a little too hard, the camper will cause damage to the truck box.

I am unable to find any commercial solution for belly bars. Tweety's used to sell them but they do not list them on their site anymore.
billtex
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
I think in your case I would make some type or belly-bar/TL system.

Search around on here, some Folks have made some very creative tie downs.

PM me I have something that might help you.

Bill
joeshmoe
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
Tiedowns are pretty specific to the year, make and model of a truck. Yeah, some tiedowns can be used across various applications, but in some cases, it might involve drilling. By and large, tiedowns are not something I would to install, remove and reinstall on a regular basis. Maybe once. To me, tiedowns are something you install and leave on and sell with the truck or remove once and sell or reinstall on the new truck--if they fit. My rear tiedowns are the drill-into-the-hitch type. Not something I would want to bother with or do multiple times to multiple vehicles. Now, the slide-into-the-hitch style, I would probably remove, keep and hopefully re-use on a different truck.

With the Happijac system, you will leave holes in the bed. IMO, that takes value away from the truck. Torklift is the only system that generally doesn't require holes to be drilled, but still would be a pain to remove and reinstall on another make/model vehicle every time someone gets the urge to buy your truck.

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Easiest tie-down system to switch from vehicle to vehicle?

23 Replies

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