Tie down alternatives...
I like thinking outside the box and I had a brain fart earlier today.. Instead of using HappyJac turnbuckles or Fast Guns, why not use ratchet straps instead? Certainly easier to put on and off,...
Forum Discussion
I somehow believe this site has limited server space, I went to post this morning and it wasn't happening...
Couple comments..
First off, back in the day a few decades ago before Fast Guns or Happyjac's or any of those 'spring loaded' tiedowns, standard tiedowns for TC's were chain with 'S' hooks and hardware store turnbuckl;es. That worked for many years, thyen came along the spring loaded tiedown and viola, it was purported to be the best thing since sliced bread...
Now, a ratchet strap on the other hand is just as strong as any 'Fast Gun' or any other comercially available metal tie down at maybe 1/4 the price for 4, versus one of the fancy dan tie downs.
I see a couple distinct advantages in ratchet straps versus the spring loaded things. The big one is cost. So you have to replace them every year, so what. For the OTD cost, you could go 10 years and still be on the plus side..
Secondly, if the strap is loose, you can see it in your mirror (if you look that is) where as a spring loaded tiedown, you cannot tell if it's loose or not by observing it and don't tell me you can because I run them now, and I know you cannot.
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\Finally they are easy to stow and if you absolutely have to have spring loading, just trundle down to Lowes and add a heavy duty coil spring and 'S' hook abd viola, you ahe a spring loaded ratchet strap.
Finally, last summer I was driving down a 2 lane and hit a whoop at speed. I pulled the Fast Gun on the drivers side front completely apart, and no, I didn't hurt the tie down point on the camper...at all, so they are breakable (by the way, to get home, the camper got a chain, S hook and turnbuckle from Hone Depot.
I'm going to replace both my rear tie downs with ratchet straps and leave the spring loaded ones on the front.... for now. That may change this season.
Couple comments..
First off, back in the day a few decades ago before Fast Guns or Happyjac's or any of those 'spring loaded' tiedowns, standard tiedowns for TC's were chain with 'S' hooks and hardware store turnbuckl;es. That worked for many years, thyen came along the spring loaded tiedown and viola, it was purported to be the best thing since sliced bread...
Now, a ratchet strap on the other hand is just as strong as any 'Fast Gun' or any other comercially available metal tie down at maybe 1/4 the price for 4, versus one of the fancy dan tie downs.
I see a couple distinct advantages in ratchet straps versus the spring loaded things. The big one is cost. So you have to replace them every year, so what. For the OTD cost, you could go 10 years and still be on the plus side..
Secondly, if the strap is loose, you can see it in your mirror (if you look that is) where as a spring loaded tiedown, you cannot tell if it's loose or not by observing it and don't tell me you can because I run them now, and I know you cannot.
\
\Finally they are easy to stow and if you absolutely have to have spring loading, just trundle down to Lowes and add a heavy duty coil spring and 'S' hook abd viola, you ahe a spring loaded ratchet strap.
Finally, last summer I was driving down a 2 lane and hit a whoop at speed. I pulled the Fast Gun on the drivers side front completely apart, and no, I didn't hurt the tie down point on the camper...at all, so they are breakable (by the way, to get home, the camper got a chain, S hook and turnbuckle from Hone Depot.
I'm going to replace both my rear tie downs with ratchet straps and leave the spring loaded ones on the front.... for now. That may change this season.
