Tie Downs

I have the Torklift Talons they are aluminum very light and awesome.

I would not hesitate to use the brophy mounts for a lightweight camper. I wonder how many people that recommend against them have actually used them. Check with brophy for the right product for your truck. They make both stake mount and clamp on brackets. I had the stake mounds on a 11 foot hard side camper and did fine on our 94 Ram 2500.

Frame mounts work great and arguably needed for large campers but they are expensive, add weight and reduce ground clearance in certain circumstances. Go to etrailer and read the reviews from people who have actually used the product and decide for yourself.

I used Brophys for decades, on large campers. They work just fine.
I use frame mount tiedowns now but they’re so simple and so expensive to buy I just made my own.

On newer trucks, the sheet metal used on the truck bed is just too tin to use an anchor point for your turn buckles. Use the provided anchors in the bed or find a way to attach to the truck frame.

I don't know anything about HappyJack tie-downs but I love my Torklift Fastguns. You are right, they are expensive. Amazing customer service though. I think for me a lot would depend on how often I was going to be taking the camper off the truck. If it is often, paying the extra for Fastguns or HappyJacks might be worth it in the long run just for ease of use.

Bedlam wrote:
On newer trucks, the sheet metal used on the truck bed is just too tin to use an anchor point for your turn buckles. Use the provided anchors in the bed or find a way to attach to the truck frame.

It seems lot's of people think the same but E-Trailer says it is just fine..This is another question on e-trailer about the Brophy type tie downs and a 2018 Ford with the aluminum bed..

e-trailer wrote:
Question:
Will these tie downs with the aluminum bed of the new super duty trucks?

asked by: Jordan

Expert Reply:
You can use the Brophy Clamp On Camper Tie-Downs # HSAB for your 2018 Ford F-350 Super Duty but we actually recommend going with the Camper Tie-Downs # HSSF instead as they have a slightly different design that better fits your Super Duty. Attached are dimensional photos of each for you to reference with your application. You will notice that one, part # HSAB, has an extra bend towards the end where you attach your tie-downs.

We are talking about a 1,000 pound camper here but here is a question for a 2600 pound camper and Brophies or Tork-lift..

Question:
Can this hold down a 2600 pound camper on a F250 SD safely? My dealer says the only safe mount is a tork lift and not a pocket mounted hold down. I am getting ready to go to Alaska for the summer and dont want to lose it.

asked by: David H

Expert Reply:
The Brophy Camper Tie Downs, part # TDSF are a universal application for full-size trucks and they will fit a Ford F-250 Super Duty. The hardware to mount the tie downs to the vehicle is included.

I would also recommend the Brophy Camper Tie Downs, part # HSSF which is a more heavy duty tie down. The tie downs wrap around the bed, not in the stake pockets, and are mounted inside the bed. They will not work with a slide-in bed liner.

There is no weight capacity rating on the camper tie downs and they will work for any camper size that is properly sized for your vehicle. The weight capacity will be on the Brophy Camper Tie Down Hardware Package, part # TDHP that is used to attach the camper to the tie downs. The hardware package has a weight capacity of 3,000 lbs.

If the above mentioned camper tie downs are installed properly on your vehicle you will have no safety problems with your camper on your vehicle.

The Tork Lift design of camper tie downs would be the best type of tie down you could use. They bolt to the vehicles frame and are vehicle specific.

If you give me the year and bed size of your Ford F-250 Super Duty I will be able to help you get the correct Tork Lift tie downs. I will also need to know, for the rear tie downs, if you have a factory hitch or an aftermarket hitch on your vehicle and for the front tie downs if you have running boards that extend past the truck cab onto the truck bed.

My camper reaches 6000 lb with all the souvenirs and even with TL tie-downs I observe the 1.25" tubings pretty carefully.
Seems that with rubber mat camper weight holds it by friction as there is no way the ties could carry that much.
My front tie-downs were shaped into quite jigsaw puzzle as the frame is bend and twist at the mounting point. Would take me weeks to fabricate something to fit on try-by-error mode.
If you have C&C frame, those might be straight frames and easier to fit.
But once again -rear tie-downs are easy to make, but I did not see any better way than send TL $350 for front set.

jaycocreek wrote:
Stake pocket tie downs have been used for years on heavier campers than your..They were the only choice for some in remote area's, years ago if you had a TC other than a pre-fabbed one..I have used them on several Truck Campers of old..

Stop and think about it..The old Happi-Jack tie downs were only secured by the metal of the bed,not the frame..Stop and think about it..The old Happi-Jack tie downs were only secured by the metal of the bed,not the frame..

This is from e-trailer on the stake pocket tie downs.

e-trailer wrote:

The Brophy Stake Pocket Mounted Camper Tie Downs part # TDSF are not given a weight capacity rating. The stake pocket mounted camper tie downs are instead rated to withstand the weight of your truck's payload capacity. Therefore, as long as the 1,600 lb truck bed camper you have does not exceed your 2017 Ford F-350's payload capacity and your truck does not have dual rear wheels, then they will work well for you.

In order to secure the truck bed camper to your truck you will need a set of turnbuckles such as the Brophy Basic Turnbuckles w/ Hardware for Camper Tie-Downs part # TDHP. These turnbuckles have a 3,000 lb weight capacity and a retracted/extended length of 7-5/8" - 12".

Not exactly correct. I installed HJ tie down's on my 1997 F350 (still there and still use them), on my 3rd camper, same truck) and my HJ's secure to the front of the bed AS WELL AS TO THE FRAME and I'd consider my 97 install as older (installed them in 1997) so your comment don't hold much water in my view.

Slymer wrote:
I don't know anything about HappyJack tie-downs but I love my Torklift Fastguns. You are right, they are expensive. Amazing customer service though. I think for me a lot would depend on how often I was going to be taking the camper off the truck. If it is often, paying the extra for Fastguns or HappyJacks might be worth it in the long run just for ease of use.

HJ makes the cam lock quick tie down's a well for less than half the price of the TL version. I have 4 on my truck.