Happijac tie downs installed! Maybe some other discussion...
Went with these because of cost mainly, but I believe that they'll work well for me and what I do. Also have been known to go off road occasionally. Got what I feel was a good deal from some internet site. They also included the bar that goes between the brackets for my application.
So, I'll include a couple of pictures. Basically, what I have to say about them is this: I think the installation looks elegant, I was surprised at the ease of the installation, and when I ordered the system I didn't know that it came with the centering guides. I have yet to have the camper on the truck yet, but I am happy that I have the centering guides. I've only loaded the camper on the truck a total of three times and what seems to like to happen is I get the back where it needs to be, and the front of the camper is always loaded towards the passenger side of the truck.
Now, I think the turnbuckles that I already have will work with this mounting system and I can get rid of the home made stuff that I have. I am way more confident in the way that the Happijacs are mounted and I would consider it frame mounted. Plus, the stuff I had before used chains and it was a lot of extra stuff to hook up when securing the camper. I also have heard that chains with spring loaded turnbuckles can cause some undesired feelings while driving.
Here's what the old setup looked like
And here's a photo of the truck and the camper with the old home made setup.
Now for the discussion. I have recently been in the process of selling my 2006 Cummins truck. I was going to find a dually, but there are a few issues with this. I don't have swing out brackets. My truck is already setup with everything besides a super hitch. And I would much rather bank the money and pay things off and go with some 19.5s and commercial tires on this truck. Dry weight of the camper is probably 3000 lbs, and id like to be able to tow a Mastercraft ski boat on a tandem axle trailer. Nuts, or what?
Let me know what you think. Just can't seem to find a decent truck for a decent price. Everything is inflated right now. I am over on weight, but I don't feel like it's anything the truck can't handle. Tires are for sure a concern though. And I know this topic has been beaten to death, through the nermerous searches I've done trying to justify not having to get another truck. This one is my baby. It needs some paint and trans work. I'd much rather use the money for it and bank some.
So, I'll include a couple of pictures. Basically, what I have to say about them is this: I think the installation looks elegant, I was surprised at the ease of the installation, and when I ordered the system I didn't know that it came with the centering guides. I have yet to have the camper on the truck yet, but I am happy that I have the centering guides. I've only loaded the camper on the truck a total of three times and what seems to like to happen is I get the back where it needs to be, and the front of the camper is always loaded towards the passenger side of the truck.
Now, I think the turnbuckles that I already have will work with this mounting system and I can get rid of the home made stuff that I have. I am way more confident in the way that the Happijacs are mounted and I would consider it frame mounted. Plus, the stuff I had before used chains and it was a lot of extra stuff to hook up when securing the camper. I also have heard that chains with spring loaded turnbuckles can cause some undesired feelings while driving.
Here's what the old setup looked like
And here's a photo of the truck and the camper with the old home made setup.
Now for the discussion. I have recently been in the process of selling my 2006 Cummins truck. I was going to find a dually, but there are a few issues with this. I don't have swing out brackets. My truck is already setup with everything besides a super hitch. And I would much rather bank the money and pay things off and go with some 19.5s and commercial tires on this truck. Dry weight of the camper is probably 3000 lbs, and id like to be able to tow a Mastercraft ski boat on a tandem axle trailer. Nuts, or what?
Let me know what you think. Just can't seem to find a decent truck for a decent price. Everything is inflated right now. I am over on weight, but I don't feel like it's anything the truck can't handle. Tires are for sure a concern though. And I know this topic has been beaten to death, through the nermerous searches I've done trying to justify not having to get another truck. This one is my baby. It needs some paint and trans work. I'd much rather use the money for it and bank some.
