Fastgun tiedowns - tension vs camper weight

Same here, if I installed mine following their instructions to the letter, all I get is excessive pulling on the camper anchors. I install mine so that it feels right for my setup.

I just loaded my camper and fastened my Fast Gun tie-downs. I spun the hook in or out one revolution. I noticed that if you increase the tension on the Fast Guns, all it does is flex the underside of the camper more. I can't see a lot of benefit in flexing the camper more.

dave17352 wrote:
I have a 3500 pound TC wet. I really don't pay any attention to the o ring. I look at where The tension starts when closing the handle. I want to feel tension when the handle closing is about 1/2 way across the locking hole. I think using the same tension on lighter or heavier campers is fine. The camper sits in the truck because of gravity. The tie downs are there just for the bumps of the road and stopping and starting. JMHO

X 2 Many times when I put my FG'S on the "O " ring moves either up or down even though the camper and truck are in the exact same spot. I agree, tension will tell you. K.

I would tend to think just the opposite- that the lighter the camper the more need for restraining

This would be true if you are trying to hold the camper in the bed against the wind. For small very light campers with large frontal areas or overhang, this would apply.

More important than weight, would be the vertical and side-to-side COGs. Lower the COG, less you need to hold it in place. I.E. think of moving a pallet of blocks vs a tall piece of furniture.

MikeJinCO wrote:
Tony your definitely over thinking this. I always have them just snug and probably looser than recommended and have survived the topes in Mexico quite well for about 10 years now so we have hit a few way too fast. Shipping out of Houston for Cartegena in early to mid November. Trying to figure out how to make the free GPS maps work on a Garmin is crazy.

Mike

I bought the South American Map Pack from Garmin. So far in Buenos Aries to here at the falls in Brazil, they have been perfect even in little villages with dirt tracks leading to the rivers. Don't have 100% coverage for a couple of countries though - Bolivia being one, but I have downloaded those from Open Street Maps and installed them on the SD card.

Another vote for how they "feel", IE tension at closing. When I bought my camper, tension at closing is what the shop guy at the dealership told me to pay attention to. So it is totally a feel thing for me. I don't pay any attention to the O rings.

I like the comment about the handle showing through the lock hole when resistance begins. A good measuring point.

I would tend to think just the opposite- that the lighter the camper the more need for restraining, though less likely to tolerate I would imagine.
Over the recommended #setting you start to loose the benefit of spring loaded tie downs (which should be called something else, positioners/restrainers?). Would also, in the case of frame flex, side hilling etc quickly go to a 'sumpins gonna break' point. Theres is only so much travel/give in the tiedowns- the recommended setting has to do with how they are designed and still offer some 'stretch'.

I also tend to run mine probably looser than the 300#-maybe 1/4". I just go by feel-if it takes to much effort when snapping over handle I back off the bolt a turn. If ours moved around excessively Id be looking at guides or retainers in the bed to limit movement. But theres been occasion I wished both the truck & camper could accept load binders.

macdale4 wrote:
Well when I wrecked my truck, camper and jeep last year the tork lift brackets mounted to the frame bent straight upward and the fast guns snapped like twigs. I don't think having the right tension would have made any difference. (The truck had a blow out and I shot between two guard rails. The truck had rolled over on the left rail and then slid sideways between the two rails and wedged tight. The inertia flipped the truck upright and it stopped but the inertia tossed off the truck camper which rolled once and landed upright in the road.)

Wow that sounds like a heck of a wreck. May I ask what the conditions of the accident was. Road conditions, speed, which tire and day or night. It might help others of us in the future.

Tony your definitely over thinking this. I always have them just snug and probably looser than recommended and have survived the topes in Mexico quite well for about 10 years now so we have hit a few way too fast. Shipping out of Houston for Cartegena in early to mid November. Trying to figure out how to make the free GPS maps work on a Garmin is crazy.

Mike

My guess is nylon isn't used due to the short length and the fact that it stretches/moves. If you've used them to tie down motorcycles, for instance, you've probably seen them stretch/move.