Forum Discussion

bfacklam's avatar
bfacklam
Explorer
Nov 01, 2013

tiedowns

I bought a Northstar popup truck camper last spring and brought it home with straps tied to the bed. It traveled great. Since then I have bought front torklift tie downs and had our high school welding class make rear tie downs. I have bought turnbuckles and chains to attach the tiedowns from the frame to the camper. The questions is how tight should the turnbuckles be? Do I leave a "little" room for the camper and bed to give and shift separately, or do I tighten them down securely to the frame? Short weekend trip today. Then travel from Kansas to California over our two week Christmas break. I like the freedom of our tc over our motor home. Also much better fuel mileage.
Truck Campers
  • rickeoni's avatar
    rickeoni
    Explorer
    Nov 03, 2013
    Reddog1 wrote:
    rickeoni wrote:
    Used turnbuckles for years with no problem. 2 years ago bought some fast guns, should have done it way sooner. A little steep in $$$ but well worth the price.

    Why do you think they were worth the price? I do not mean for my question to be challenging, or a troll. Just curious.

    I do think the Fastguns look nice, and definitely have more bling-bling than turnbuckles.

    Wayne


    I find it is so much easier to and quicker to secure the camper. I didn't buy them because they look slick which they do.
    My DW can now attach the tie downs which makes for a much quicker loadup, and she is more comfortable using the camper on her own with my daughter and granddaughter.
    I am anal about leveling my camper have been ever since my popup trailer days, and remove the turnbuckles at every campsite.

    We are also at the stage in life that we deserve a few luxuries.
  • macdale4's avatar
    macdale4
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    Well I spent several weeks in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward island, where they have never heard of a level campsite, buckling and unbuckling chains so that I could level the camper on the truck and it was a real pain. I bought fast guns when I go back and they were the best money I've spent on the TC. They just make it so much easier to take it on and off of level on the truck.
  • okan-star's avatar
    okan-star
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    Tighten them until the slack is out of them , until just on the spring , by hand thread the nut down twards the body until it is 1/4" to 3/8" away from the body , tighten the hold down until it touches the nut , then lock the nut down
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Nov 02, 2013
    rickeoni wrote:
    Used turnbuckles for years with no problem. 2 years ago bought some fast guns, should have done it way sooner. A little steep in $$$ but well worth the price.

    Why do you think they were worth the price? I do not mean for my question to be challenging, or a troll. Just curious.

    I do think the Fastguns look nice, and definitely have more bling-bling than turnbuckles.

    Wayne
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Nov 02, 2013
    KD4UPL wrote:
    ... Commercial tie downs incorporate a spring.

    Exactly what is a "Commercial Tie down"?

    Wayne
  • rickeoni's avatar
    rickeoni
    Explorer
    Nov 01, 2013
    Used turnbuckles for years with no problem. 2 years ago bought some fast guns, should have done it way sooner. A little steep in $$$ but well worth the price.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Nov 01, 2013
    You want them snug. You don't want the camper moving around. Only use your hands to tighten and then go easy. I hope there's a spring or something in your design. That is what absorbs the shock over bumps in the road. Commercial tie downs incorporate a spring.
  • Reddog1's avatar
    Reddog1
    Explorer II
    Nov 01, 2013
    I have been hauling TCs since the late 60s, and have never tightened my turn buckles more than hand tight (no wrenches). If you go down a rough dirt/rutted road, I suggest running the rear turnbuckles very loose. This will put less strain on the rear TC tiedowns.

    Wayne

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