Affordable Tie Downs!

[Cymru]

I am looking for a truck camper and tie downs. I have found a few good campers, but tie downs are way overpriced! Does anyone have good ideas on sourcing affordable tie downs? If it makes a difference, the upcoming camper is going onto my 2005, GMC, 2500, diesel, crew. Thanks!

[finaddict]

okan-star wrote:
If your hitch has open ends , you can slide 2" x 2" x1/4" box into it and drill a hole thru the hitch and the box , put a pin in it so its removeable, drill a hole in the top on the outer end and hook the turnbuckle to it .
That's a cheap rear setup

Like this

Yep that is what I did as well. Except you can shorten the 2" x 2" length to half that length, bolt it permanently to the truck and add a length of 1 1/2' x 1 1/2" that slides in and out of the 2 x 2 and is attached to the chains.

[okan-star]

If your hitch has open ends , you can slide 2" x 2" x1/4" box into it and drill a hole thru the hitch and the box , put a pin in it so its removeable, drill a hole in the top on the outer end and hook the turnbuckle to it .
That's a cheap rear setup

Like this

[tad94564]

Cymru wrote:
This question will certainly seem redneckish, but why not use ratchet straps?

They stretch badly.
A tiny tear in the strap, and it's no good.
Any fraying in the strap, and it's no good.
The ratchets get stuck when hit with water, mud, snow, ice.
Any dirt/mud/sand in the strap will act like a knife, and slowly cut the strap.

Just a few things I remember from using them for a vehicle tie down..

[AnEv942]

No different than if you were looking for a trailer and needed a hitch. Hitch is going to cost what it costs and not proportionately priced or related to value of trailer your pulling. Nor anything else you might need-ie wiring, bed mat, etc.
Best option cost wise is looking for used tiedowns to fit your truck.
They are required to carry a camper.
If you only have x amount to spend-simply need to factor in what its going to cost to safely mount it to find what you can actually spend on camper itself and still have enough to use. As long as you keep the truck its a one time cost for the tiedowns.

[hedge]

I'm not much of a welder so I had to buy them. I got lucky and found a set on Kijiji

[Cymru]

This question will certainly seem redneckish, but why not use ratchet straps?

[JumboJet]

Back Set for $125 on Craigslist

eBay has lots of sets listed too.

You can always go to the local parts store and purchase some nylon ratchet straps. But I wouldn't for my TC.

[dadwolf2]

I look at it this way; if I went out and bought plates of 3/16" - 1/4" steel it would cost X amount. If I needed to buy a plasma or acetylene torch to cut the steel it would cost X amount. Then I would need to have a welder. Then I would need some amount of engineering or years of experience to make sure it works and I won't be sued. Then I would get them powdered coated and it would cost me a lot more than I paid Torklift or Happijac.

I do know there are talented welders on the forum that could do it for a LOT less...but I'm not one of them.

Or you could check out Craigslist and see if you can find used ones for sale.

[JumboJet]

Got any friends with a welder, cutting torch or sawzall? I'll send you a set of Torklift tiedowns you can modify to fit the Chevy. That is what we did for my son's Chevy. I also have 2 Torklift Fastgun Derringers I would throw in for a few bucks. You pay the freight and customs. Of course, you would be your own warranty station as the Torklift Lifetime warranty would not apply.

[Cymru]

Well, there are great campers around with stoves, furnaces, sinks, etc... for a few grand (if you are poor like me)and that seems reasonable; but several hundred dollars for a few chucks of metal tie downs seems outrageous!

[Buzzcut1]

define affordable? couple of hundred to protect my $20,000+ camper seems affordable. $500 for a $3000 camper maybe not