Front Happijac tie down?

pcoplin wrote:
The Fastguns are a possibility. I can also fabricate a hold down a little further to the rear along with the fastguns, hopefully with that and the mat it won't move anymore. If it does, I'm getting a short class C diesel and converting to 4wd. :D

Not sure about your mat. I get mine down at the Tractor Supply Company. They have horse stall mat made from shredded tires (I was told), its tuff and I mean tuff stuff!! 5/8th thick IIRC. Its heavy, I just lay it down in the bed and my TC sets on that...its also inexpensive!

The Fastguns are a possibility. I can also fabricate a hold down a little further to the rear along with the fastguns, hopefully with that and the mat it won't move anymore. If it does, I'm getting a short class C diesel and converting to 4wd. :D

Look into this setup: http://www.torklift.com/index.php/products/tiedowns/talon-camper-tie-downs

I use that and TorkLift fastguns and it works very well, no issues at all.

bikepsyche: that's what I do. In fact when I'd put the camper on (and I haven't set my resto-mod on the truck this way yet, this was with my previous pop-up camper), I'd leave the rears loose enough to wiggle until I feel I've "set" the camper into the front bed bar and centering points by bouncing a bit down our gravel neighborhood road, maybe a little brake. Then I'll re-set the fronts to the quarter inch tightening thing (instructions) and finally tighten the rears until hand tight, just taking out the wiggle. I had that on some off-kilter and even today, I went out to check "the ears" on mine (and maybe a Dodge bed is different than some others) but my ears are well away from the bed metal and everything looks so good, no evidence of body bending and all the parts looks real good. Installed in 2006. (Shrug).

bikepsych wrote:
Good topic. For all of you "HappiJackers," when you say that you leave the rear tiedown's "loose," how loose is the correct looseness? I snug mine down by hand so they don't wiggle when I shake them. Should they be looser?
BG
2013 F250 FX4 CrewCab shortbed
Scorpion Diesel
HappiJac tiedowns
2013 Adventurer 89RB

I do the same.. I do not want any tension on the rears. After the camper settles the fronts sometimes will be a bit loose.... I reset them to spec.

We HJ folks deal with the camper being off even a 1/2" F to R or L to R when putting it on the truck thus we will have to open the hooks up a bit to hook up unless you are anal about it and want it dead on each time.

I would want the camper to shift a bit on rough roads so HJ when installed right work well doing this.

Jim

Good topic. For all of you "HappiJackers," when you say that you leave the rear tiedown's "loose," how loose is the correct looseness? I snug mine down by hand so they don't wiggle when I shake them. Should they be looser?
BG
2013 F250 FX4 CrewCab shortbed
Scorpion Diesel
HappiJac tiedowns
2013 Adventurer 89RB

I am finding this humorous. To answer ops question, yes the HJ system will work and is strong enough for your camper. No it will not interfere with fueling. I had HJ on our 01 Ford F250. It worked well as far as restraining the camper. I removed because the bed mounted anchor plates (ears) were flexing and was crushing the bed. The HJ system had the inside cross bar but did not have the additional hardware bolting thru floor, though that would not have stopped ears from flexing.

Changing systems, Whether it will solve issues your having unknown. From past threads movement was a concern, the HJ inside bumpers may help as well as the different angles of the tie downs. From what Im gathering though bed mounted guides may help more to restrain camper.

But to clarify and counter some of the comments, on your 01 Ford specifically, the HJ system by no stretch of the imagination can be construed as a frame mount system. Though that was not the question, just not sure why the references. Yes there are 2 small pieces of bent flat bar bolted between bed wall bracket and floor. A 5" carriage bolt goes thru floor and bed cross member. It does NOT attach to frame or frame component on the Ford. http://www.happijac.com/images/pdfs/TieDowns/1-ft-ut9.pdf. Installation instruction.

The primary resistance to any force IS on the bed wall mounted anchor plates. That's how its made. Its a proven system thats worked for years.

If you were to change to the HJ system I would consider continue using rear frame mounts. If you do use the bumper buttons install the optional bumper braces, they will help. Likly not on your 01.

pcoplin wrote:
Any Lance and Superduty owners using it? Does it get in the way of the fuel filler?

I'm a bit curious about the apparent obsession some people (possibly not you) have with the torklift tie downs "blocking" the fuel door. If you have Fastgun tiedowns, it takes less time to pop open the tiedown lever than it does to open the fuel door and remove the gas cap. In many (if not most) applications, this is all that's required to get the fuel door open sufficiently to refill the tank.

My Happijac qwik-loads system is now on its fourth TC. Everything from a Caribou Outfitter to a single slide Lance 861. Now on my Lance 825 with no issues and no fuel door blockage. Lever action and pin release for quick removal.

Happy with mine, 16 years and close to 200,000 miles on the camper and HJ's. I WD 40 them every time I remove the camper.

Just remember, loosen them up for off road! Let them flop a bit.

Jim