Project "Problem Child"
This thread will be used to document the build and restoration of a project I've dubbed "problem child". The project in question is a 1988 Lance LC980 slide in truck camper. I inherited this fro...
Forum Discussion
67avion wrote:Scott wrote:
Yes, I have looked at frame mounted tie downs. My family has been using happijac tie downs for decades with no Ill effects. I know frame mounted are stronger, and I may go that way eventually, but for now, the happijac are working great. I ask you, if happijac products consistently failed, or did not work for campers, would they continue selling them, risking a large lawsuit if the mounts failed?
Scott
Of course you are right, Happijacs are a good product according to a lot of folks. And I respect your family's experience. But, I have seen tie downs fail when a great deal of stress is experienced. That does not appear to be the case with frame mounted equipment.......best of luck.
Personally, I've seen more failures at the camper end of the tie-down than the truck end.
The big complaint people had with Happijac is that they mount to the truck bed and bumper, which is not as sturdy as it once was and can deform when heavy load is applied.
The big complaint I see about the frame mounted tie downs is they're using only a vertical clamping force instead of a bi-directional (Happijacs both pull at an angle and down where as Torklifts and belly bars basically just pull straight down) and without a bed mat the camper could potentially shift more.
