Custom/DIY Truck Camper Tie Downs

Kayteg1 wrote:
Too many general statements, not giving any details.
I am metal fabricator, what is now hobby, but was profession for some time in my life.
When I was estimating what it would take to make template for front tie-down, it was shooting north of 20 hr just for design.
Even Torklift screw the designs as the ties for my Ford come with 4 thick shims to compensate for bad design.
But rear tie downs for truck with rear hitch it just straight tubing with reducer on 1 end and small plate on other end.
Even highschooler can make design in less than 5 minutes.
TL adds "moustache" bracket to bolt under hitch, but I simply drilled 1/4" hole for a pin.
With some extra time you can make it easy bolt-on design, but welding is simply easier.

Yep. It's the head scratching that takes the time/$. And I agree, the rears are completely different, and if for a give set-up, can be done with just some square tube(of sufficient size/wall thickness)and some drilled holes, then that's fairly straight forward. But even then, we both know that many folks are more then capable of forking even this up. Loose fit, thin wall, holes badly placed. You start getting the "good enough" mentality in there and something like a tie down can go south quite easily.
I tend to assume nothing when it comes to my clients and I assume that 100% when it comes to guys online touting how easy something is to just throw together. I'm no safety Susan, but if it's something that has the potential hurt others or is touted as a "How-To" and is just completely wrong, I'm speaking up.