Custom/DIY Truck Camper Tie Downs

Torklift products are over priced and there are other options like Happijac's and home made which were the choice for heavy truck campers back when and as simple as adding a belly bar..I've seen them just clamped to the frame for easy on easy off..There are countless ways to secure your TC without spending a thousand dollars on tie downs..There products are good but way over priced IMHO..

burningman wrote:
Are you guys for real?
These are extremely simple metal fab, not rocket science.
I made my own and they’re a better fit for what I needed than anything Torklift makes, and easily as strong.
I’m not knocking Torklift, they make great stuff.
I’m knocking the people who think no one can or should do anything themself.

Sure. If someone can build a dog house, then they must be able to build a full size house. Makes sense.
So yeah, just go grab any old Harbor Fright welder and start blazing away. Beside, there's always a grinder and paint to make it 'look' good. :S

Are you guys for real?
These are extremely simple metal fab, not rocket science.
I made my own and they’re a better fit for what I needed than anything Torklift makes, and easily as strong.
I’m not knocking Torklift, they make great stuff.
I’m knocking the people who think no one can or should do anything themself.

ajriding wrote:
You can't be cheaper than I am. I sucked it up and got both front and rear Torqlifts. Geat investment!
To save money then just get the front Torqlifts and make something for the rear. The front is the more center part of the camper and needs the most restraint.

Also, never weld on your truck frame between the axles. Never! Esp that you will be loading it down with a TC.

Actually the rear restraint is important as it would have more tendency to lift then the front restraint . Front edge/mount is more at a pivot point. Weight of the cabover is the other side of the pivot.

You can't be cheaper than I am. I sucked it up and got both front and rear Torqlifts. Geat investment!
To save money then just get the front Torqlifts and make something for the rear. The front is the more center part of the camper and needs the most restraint.

Also, never weld on your truck frame between the axles. Never! Esp that you will be loading it down with a TC.

......and don't' just go picking up a Hazard Fraught welder and start bird-poopin' something together.
There are cheaper brands. But they are that for a reason. Mine are Draw-Tit I think. The PC paint is chit!!!!

AISURFFISH wrote:
X2... why even question the price..

Suck it up and do what's right..buy the right to for the job at hand.

mkirsch wrote:
How many tens of thousands do you have in the truck? How many tens of thousands do you have in the camper? I just don't see any rational reason to pinch pennies on the tiedowns. $600 is chump change. Your time is worth something. Raw materials are not cheap.

I bought the Torklift fronts for my $2000 camper and have not regretted it for a minute.

X3

There have been quite a few self built over the years. Fairly recent one that went into some detail but couldn't find thread.
In the TCUsticky thread, under Camper Loading, Hauling, Tiedowns: there are few older threads

X2... why even question the price..

Suck it up and do what's right..buy the right to for the job at hand.

mkirsch wrote:
How many tens of thousands do you have in the truck? How many tens of thousands do you have in the camper? I just don't see any rational reason to pinch pennies on the tiedowns. $600 is chump change. Your time is worth something. Raw materials are not cheap.

I bought the Torklift fronts for my $2000 camper and have not regretted it for a minute.

For the rear I slid 2" sq. tubing in the ends of hitch cross member and attached turnbuckles to the ends. On the front I welded mini 1-1/2" receivers to the frame and slid in sq. tubing and connect turnbuckles to them.