Front Happijac tie down?

Buzzcut1 wrote:
I have the Torklifts on My F350, I have Fastguns, pull the pin release the tension and its not in the way of the fuel door. After seeing how flimsy my truck bed sidewalls are (blow out damage) no way I want to use a system that uses the bed wall as part of the TC mounting system.

Actually the front system is tied to the frame thru the bed. It appears as you say but the forces all get transferred to the frame. The old system used to use the bed alone until they realized the beds were being made flimsy and thinner, that happened about 20-25 years ago that they made the change. Don't be fooled they work very well. Not saying the rest don'r work well on my very first TC an ElDorado I had frame tiedowns made by a local shop.
Happy camping!

pcoplin wrote:
I have a 2001 F250, and I'd like to try the front HappiJac tie downs. The Torklifts aren't working out the best for my camper.

I have a 9.5 ft Lance, weighs probably 3200 lbs all loaded. Is the HappiJac system strong enough for the camper? I do travel some rough, twisty roads at times.

Thanks!

Ever since my first Lance I have had HJ system...always worked fine, especially since the redesign attaching the front system to the frame thru the bed. I like the alignment front knobs...get it right every time.

The tiedowns are not to hold it on it is just to keep it from moving around and should never be torqued tight, just snug.

trailgranny50 wrote:
We've never had a problem and the front brackets DO bolt down THRU the bed and attach TO THE TRUCK FRAME not just the bed as some folks seem to think. The "L" brackets at the front the bed hold the centering guide bar, not the camper itself. The anchor tabs are secured thru the bed, bar and brackets to "L" brackets as well and go to the frame.

X2. I think this is a common mis-conception by many people about the frame mounted nature of the Happijac system. Another VERY important aspect is to NOT over-tighten. It may seem counter-intuitive, but true. And don't take a short-cut of using traditional solid turnbuckles. Use the sort designed by and for Happijac on their tie-down system.

I have had the Happijac system on two campers and three trucks no problems. Off road has been no problem. Take a look at some of the big off roaders pictures in their trip reports, you will see a good many use the Happijac system on some pretty tough trails.

My main problem with the low frame mount systems is that they are low mount and frankly can be a problem off road. Also, there is lots of leverage on those arms,its just another thing to watch out for.

I also use the Happijac quick mount tiedown system and it has worked well and are much cheaper than the other brand.

We have a Chevy 3500 with a way older model 9.5 hard side camper. Use the Hapijac tiedowns and no problems. No gas fill issue. We travel highways and back trails as well, had encounter with deer last week requiring hard stop and no movement or damage to camper, truck or tiedowns. This is the third set we have had during our 47 years of camping with no failures. Rear tiedowns are fine on our bumper but then it's an 04 Chevy with beefed up bumper versus the ones on newer trucks nowadays, any make. We've never had a problem and the front brackets DO bolt down THRU the bed and attach TO THE TRUCK FRAME not just the bed as some folks seem to think. The "L" brackets at the front the bed hold the centering guide bar, not the camper itself. The anchor tabs are secured thru the bed, bar and brackets to "L" brackets as well and go to the frame.

I have the Torklifts on My F350, I have Fastguns, pull the pin release the tension and its not in the way of the fuel door. After seeing how flimsy my truck bed sidewalls are (blow out damage) no way I want to use a system that uses the bed wall as part of the TC mounting system.

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

I've gotta Lance 865 and a F350 and the happijacs work good for me. And they don't block the fuel door.

I'll chime in too. Happy with my Happijacs. The centering pins in the bed-front keep it from shifting side to side. The fronts I keep snug per instructions (meaning not too tight) and the rears are even looser, but per instructions. The built-in "give" of their basic turnbuckles have worked for me and I have travled some rough roads too.

I don't have experience with the tork-lifts, but if I had a heavier camper, and less "hang down" concerns, I'd sure look into the Tork-lifts. In the meantime I like the Happijacs.

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

If I rember right, happijac has been around a lot longer than torklift, and they are still going strong. I'm happy with my happijacs.