Best turnbuckes

[biggjb]

I bought a 1999 fleetwood and it came with a set of turnbuckles. My truck has frame mounted tie-downs and had to use chains to make the old turnbuckles fit. Also during a few of my trips I felt alot of bumping and banging of the camp when I hit bumps. I am thinking of replacing the old set of turnbuckles for new ones but am not sure if I should get a set from Torklift or Happijac....any suggestions?

[billyray50]

They are both proven tie down systems and I have used both. Just prefer Tork lift now.

[SidecarFlip]

jaycocreek wrote:

Way back when, when I first hauled a TC, the norm was to use Brophy stake pocket tie downs, chain and hardware store turnbuckles and no one that I know of, ever lost a camper.

Exactly why I have a hard time wrapping my head around a $600 system..Happijac's came with my TC and I am Happi to have them.The whole setup new, can cost more than an older truck camper.

Some of the TL offerings are way out of sight price wise. Not demeaning them, just saying there are alternatives out there, especially for a person like myself with a fab shop to build things is.

I have the TL Stow and Go Revolution steps on my TC and they appear to carry a reasonable price tag for what you get, you get an excellent step kit, very stable and easily stowed and deployed.

Whatever blows your dress up I guess....lol

[SidecarFlip]

Not much to break / fail on a cam lock tie down that I can see, barring bad manufacturing. Not sure about crackheads. I think it's more the opiod crowd that one has to be concerned with.

If I ever bought a new truck (doubtful), I'd build my own frame mount tie down's. I like and dislike the TL frame mounts at the same time. Pretty easy to copy the advantages and work around the disadvantages too.

[JumboJet]

I have had TL Fastguns on my Lance Campers for years. I have traveled coast-to-coast and border-to-border. I have yet to find a need for the locks.

I know there are crackhead thieves every where, but who is going to steal your Fastguns? A user of another brand?

I don't know the details about Happijac's warranty, but I do know that Torklift's Lifetime Warranty is exactly what the say it is - Lifetime!

[jaycocreek]

Way back when, when I first hauled a TC, the norm was to use Brophy stake pocket tie downs, chain and hardware store turnbuckles and no one that I know of, ever lost a camper.

Exactly why I have a hard time wrapping my head around a $600 system..Happijac's came with my TC and I am Happi to have them.The whole setup new, can cost more than an older truck camper.

[SidecarFlip]

billyray50 wrote:
As far as not drilling holes in ones truck bumper and front of truck box Torklift is better IMHO.

I agree. I installed my front anchors many years ago and the ones in the bumper too but I don't use the bumper anchors now. I never really liked them but when I installed mine, the choice was Brophy or HJ. TL wasn't around then.

Back on the cam lock tie downs, HJ offers a very similar set to the TL offering at a much lower price point and I have a set. Work fine have removable handles (to deter tampering) and if you leave the handles in place, have the locking feature. 4 for 100 bucks versus the TL units is (IMO) a substantial savings.

All about choice versus cost versus availability.

[billyray50]

As far as not drilling holes in ones truck bumper and front of truck box Torklift is better IMHO.

[SidecarFlip]

billyray50 wrote:
I used Happijacs for years and the system works fine but after buying new truck and not wanting to drill into bumper bought torklift system and Fast guns. The system and Fast guns are so much better. Worth the extra bucks. Wish I went with them earlier.

I don't think so. HJ now offers a cam lock tie down just like the Fast Guns but at a substantially lower price. I have 4 and work just fine.

I get a kick out of the comment about the 'Fast Guns' provide the correct tie down pressure... As Kayteg will will tell you, there is no correct tie down pressure. Not even TL will state what it is because... They don't have a clue either.

I've used the HJ's for years on multiple campers with no issues. I went from the bumper mount rear to a frame mount rear I fabbed up myself. I have no issue copying the TL design. It is a good one (at least the rear mount).

I wouldn't say the TL's are better. I would say they are substantially more expensive however.

Way back when, when I first hauled a TC, the norm was to use Brophy stake pocket tie downs, chain and hardware store turnbuckles and no one that I know of, ever lost a camper.

The tie down opinions remind me of the Honda genny folks. My Honda is better because..... Because it's substantially more expensive or because you buy into the Internet hogwash...

If the TL tie down system was so superior, HJ wouldn't be in business and they have been and are.

I love being contentious.

[billyray50]

I used Happijacs for years and the system works fine but after buying new truck and not wanting to drill into bumper bought torklift system and Fast guns. The system and Fast guns are so much better. Worth the extra bucks. Wish I went with them earlier.

[GeoBoy]

:W:W:W

covered wagon wrote:
My fast guns are all made by Henry.:)

Yes, I have a couple of those also, one is my camper fastgun.:W

[deltabravo]

Torklift Fastguns

[covered_wagon]

My fast guns are all made by Henry.:)

[GeoBoy]

Fastguns.

[biggjb]

Kayteg1 wrote:
I've been using chain extensions for years and even they might be a bit annoying, new fastguns come with sticker shock.
Are you having old 2 turnbuckles spring-loaded?

Yes, both sets are spring loaded. I am not sure their age but assume they are the same vintage as the camper...