Due to the after market bed and air bags on my truck Torklift does not have Tie down tubes to fit my truck. I found someone who can fabricate them and then weld them to the frame. Is this safe to do? I've read where some people say it can weaken the integrity of the frame rails and others saying they have done it many times. Also, it sounds like shorting out the electronics could be an issue.If anyone has experience with this I could use some help.Thanks

I had the rear torklift tie downs that slipped into the factory hitch. After I upgraded to a Reese Titan hitch I used the same tie downs, but had them shortened and a steel plate welded on the end. I then bolted them to the side of the Titan hitch. Maybe you can use your rear hitch as a mounting point and not the frame. Now you just have to come up with something for the fronts.

I wouldn't weld to the frame. Bolting to the frame is ok, and since it is fairly easy as well that would be my first option. Worse case add a backing plate on the other side of the frame and weld a plate to the receiver.

There isn't a canned blamket answer to your question. It depends on if any welding is done in a stress area or in an area not subject to high stresses. Also on how the welding is done and as some welders will burn literally thru and/or leave thinned areas or even a large area while others will lay layered beads of weld and allow to cool down between layers. Some welders welds look like bird droppings and others have fine fillet beads of structural welds. Is there a reason a tie down made to fit bracket that can't be bolted to holes drilled thru the frame in a non-stressed area or by using some holes already in the frame? I don't have a problem welding to the frame as I know where the non-stressed areas are and I know how to weld correctly to a frame. All welding could be done on the brackets and then securely bolted to the frame.

The great and powerful OZ predicts that you will get the following answers to your question:"some people say it can weaken the integrity of the frame rails and others saying they have done it many times. Also, it sounds like shorting out the electronics could be an issue." :WOn a previous truck of mine (three trucks back), I had a fabricated tie-down fixture for the front tie-downs welded to the frame. No problems with the frame of that truck. I eventually had it removed and transferred to the truck that replaced it, but had it modified so it could be bolted to the frame (drilled holes in the frame). No problems with that truck's frame either........from the tie-down fixture that is. I also put air-bags on that truck, the kind that you had to drill holes for, and those holes developed cracks around them. So of the two options, drilling or welding (assuming using existing holes is not an option) I'd choose welding. :):)

If 'they' can fabricate and weld to the frame, then they can fabricate and bolt to the frame. Welding to the frame is faster than drilling holes and bolting; that is why they want to do it. And welding to the frame means they are there forever until you or the next owner cuts them off, and what it you damage one...As for the electronics, I've welded on a few different vehicles (frame/body/stuff bolted to the frame, trailer hitched to the truck). Make sure you have a good clean ground for the welder on or near what you are welding on, and I've always pulled a battery cable on the vehicle.

Is it OK to weld Tie Downs to Frame | Good Sam Community

jefe_4x4
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
What about using squared U-bolts? There are many aftermarket apps for these and come in a large variety of sizes and strengths. My Dodge manual says, "Weld nothing to the frame". GM also advises against welding on any of their truck frames mostly for fear of frying the electronics.
That being said, I have welded many times on my CJ8 frame because it cracked, over and over. Many of these frame plates and patches were done on the trail with my on board welder not because i wanted to but because I had to. My friend Mark who had a CJ8 also had BOTH sides of his front frame horns simultaneously snap in two on the trail, right where the shock towers were bolted to the frame (those weak bolt hole areas). That stopped our parade for a while.
Look for a mechanical, bolt-on-without-extra-bolt-holes solution.
jefe
covered_wagon
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Jaxom wrote:
Please stop YELLING

What make, model & year was that 1998 camper on?

I like big letters. I can read it with ease. It's only crabby guys that don't get in enough camping that consider it 'yell' letters :B
Jaxom
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Please stop YELLING

What make, model & year was that 1998 camper on?
cigar_100
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
ON MY FIRST TC I HAD WELDED SQUARE TUBING UNDER THE RAILS ATTACHED WITH TWO TABS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME RAILS. I NEVER HAD AN ISSUE AND HAULED A 1998 REAL LITE 1230 AROUND FOR 12 YEARS. GOOD LUCK, BUT BEWARE OF BRAKE LINES AN ANY ELECTRICAL IN THE WAY.
okan-star
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
Mike@Asheville wrote:
Thanks guys. Some good suggestions. I have a couple of people investigating how to make it work without welding. My 2004 F450 frame rails are 34" apart as it was ordered as a cab/chasis vs 37" for traditional pickups. That plus a big rear frame with airbags and a custom receiver hitch make it more difficult. Hopefully someone will figure it out.

Maybe its been discussed in your many recent posts but is your bed longer than a stock bed , and if it is will the camper be able to be all the way forward in the bed, and if not will that affect where you locate the tiedowns ?
Mike3
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
Thanks guys. Some good suggestions. I have a couple of people investigating how to make it work without welding. My 2004 F450 frame rails are 34" apart as it was ordered as a cab/chasis vs 37" for traditional pickups. That plus a big rear frame with airbags and a custom receiver hitch make it more difficult. Hopefully someone will figure it out.
PRodacy
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
I work with metallurgists daily and asked their opinion. Turns out that the older vehicles used alloys that could be safely welded. Vehicles made in the past 15 years or so should not be welded on. The heat will seriously weaken the frame. Drilling the frame and using bolts will not weaken the frame unless you get carried away and drill multiple holes in a small area. Best way is to use existing holes or make a bracket that can clamp around the frame rail, similar to a U-bolt assembly that holds your spring to the axle.
markowwes
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
Do not weld on your frame!!!! It is heat treated metal!!!don’t even torch cut holes…only drill in side, not top or bottom web.
covered_wagon
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
If it were my truck there would be no to drilling nor welding to the frame.

I would have bigger steel plates added to the torklifts mounting plate in order to capture existing frame holes. Drill the plate to match the frames holes not drill the frame to match the torklifts holes.
JumboJet
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
I took a Torklift front set for a 2008 Dodge RAM and modified them to bolt around the frame on my 2013 RAM.

I do have a complete metal working shop and it was a breeze to convert.

A good welding shop should have no problem making a suitable modification for you. Pick up a pair and go for it!

I have a SuperHitch on the rear and built my own tie downs as well as my own Sooper Truss.