Happijac or Torklift Turnbuckles?

[lakeside013104]

Happijac QWIK-LOAD Lever Action Turnbuckle or Torklift S9526 Long Polished FastGun Turnbuckle.

The price on the Torklift is about double. Will the Happijac do the job as well as the Torlkifts?

Lakeside

[54suds]

link to tork lift story


link to hj story

these two stories should make up almost everybody's minds

in the second story the owner attributes h j as possibly being a contributing factor in overall failure.

[ticki2]

NEOK , did you happen to check the tension indicators after the incident ? It would be interesting to know how much if any they changed with that movement .

[NEOK]

Last week I was traveling on I35 and coming into a construction zone that narrowed to one lane with a speed limit of 55mph. The signs for merging were quite a ways back but as usual an idiot tried to run past everyone else on the shoulder to cut in line. With traffic going 55 the woman in front of decided to stop and let him in. I had to slam on my brakes and locked up all four wheels. The Torklift tie downs and Fastguns held the camper only letting it shift about a half an inch. I can't say enough good things about the products or the customer service at Torklift.

[macdale4]

I had tork lift fast guns when I wrecked my truck and they snapped like twigs and the camper rolled down the highway. So when "it" hits the fan I doubt either one is all that great.

[ticki2]

Reddog1 wrote:

lakeside013104 wrote:

Question:

Is it recommended to have the spring loaded turnbuckles on the rear tie down connection points of a TC or are spring loaded turnbuckles used only on the front?

Thanks.

Lakeside

My personal opinion says it makes no difference, but I do suggest to follow the manufactures recommendation. I really do not recall, but I think the manufacture recommends the spring tie downs in the front. Do verify if this is true.

I should point out, you can tighten them to the point the spring is totally compressed or the rubber bumper is totally compressed. This raises the question, how do you know when you have 300 lbs pressure? I think the answer is to follow the manufactures instructions, and think carefully as to what is the purpose of tie downs.

Wayne

On the TL anchor guards , which are the same as the HJ , the preload adjustment is 1/4" off the O-ring . This can easily be done by turning the barrel by hand and is no where near 300# . The 300# is probably the safe working load of the open hook ends , or possibly the full compression of the springs .

I need to find someone with a big enough hook scale . 🙂

[Reddog1]

lakeside013104 wrote:

Question:

Is it recommended to have the spring loaded turnbuckles on the rear tie down connection points of a TC or are spring loaded turnbuckles used only on the front?

Thanks.

Lakeside

My personal opinion says it makes no difference, but I do suggest to follow the manufactures recommendation. I really do not recall, but I think the manufacture recommends the spring tie downs in the front. Do verify if this is true.

I should point out, you can tighten them to the point the spring is totally compressed or the rubber bumper is totally compressed. This raises the question, how do you know when you have 300 lbs pressure? I think the answer is to follow the manufactures instructions, and think carefully as to what is the purpose of tie downs.

Wayne

[SoCalDesertRid1]

I run the HappiJac cushioned turnbuckles on both ends, snugged but not too tight.

[lakeside013104]

Reddog1 wrote:
I question how many know the construction of the tie down points in their TCs. I question how many know how their tie downs themselves are constructed. I question how many know if their tie downs have springs or rubber cushions. I question how many know if the spring tie downs go in the front of the TC or rear.

If you are off road on rough roads/trails and have your rear tie downs connected, you may want to do a bit of research on this subject before you post.

It is my opinion that most people are of the "monkey see monkey do" belief and bling-bling on the subject of tie downs. Too much sales info, without really researching the subject.

There are many factors to consider on tie down methods. I can't think of any tie downs that will not do the job well. Many are bling-bling, many are gotta have a gimmick, many are to make them more easy to connect and disconnect.

My point is, your tie downs may satisfy your needs based on your knowledge and beliefs, but consider that there may be other alternatives that work just as well. I think it was Wil Rodgers that once said, " Do not judge the abilities of others by your own."

This is not directed at any one person, but I will add that in my opinion the dumbest statement someone can make is "you get what you pay for". Does this mean the quality goes up if the price is raised?

Wayne

Interesting point, Reddog1.

Question:

Is it recommended to have the spring loaded turnbuckles on the rear tie down connection points of a TC or are spring loaded turnbuckles used only on the front?

Thanks.

Lakeside

[lakeside013104]

Joe417 wrote:
Lakeside,

FYI, the Quick Loads, Torklift anchor guards, and Fast guns all have the rubber cushioning and springs these guys are "discussing" on your post.

Thanks Joe

Lakeside

[Reddog1]

I question how many know the construction of the tie down points in their TCs. I question how many know how their tie downs themselves are constructed. I question how many know if their tie downs have springs or rubber cushions. I question how many know if the spring tie downs go in the front of the TC or rear.

If you are off road on rough roads/trails and have your rear tie downs connected, you may want to do a bit of research on this subject before you post.

It is my opinion that most people are of the "monkey see monkey do" belief and bling-bling on the subject of tie downs. Too much sales info, without really researching the subject.

There are many factors to consider on tie down methods. I can't think of any tie downs that will not do the job well. Many are bling-bling, many are gotta have a gimmick, many are to make them more easy to connect and disconnect.

My point is, your tie downs may satisfy your needs based on your knowledge and beliefs, but consider that there may be other alternatives that work just as well. I think it was Wil Rodgers that once said, " Do not judge the abilities of others by your own."

This is not directed at any one person, but I will add that in my opinion the dumbest statement someone can make is "you get what you pay for". Does this mean the quality goes up if the price is raised?

Wayne

[Joe417]

Lakeside,

FYI, the Quick Loads, Torklift anchor guards, and Fast guns all have the rubber cushioning and springs these guys are "discussing" on your post.

[Bedlam]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
Using solid turnbuckles and chain can pull the eyelets out of the wood camper, if you have them tightened and do some good off roading. Just driving on smooth highways, likely won't be a problem.

Either rubber or spring cushioned turnbuckles, or spring loaded bases, help keep from pulling out eyelets when the truck frame gets to twisting off road.

You don't even have to go off-road to get twisting. Some driveways with tall curbs and short ramps at gas pumps do a good job.

[lakeside013104]

Well I asked for opinions and I certainly got a few. 😄

Thanks all for taking the time to reply.

I will reread the input from you folks and then make a decision.

Safe travels.

Lakeside

[54suds]

Red dog 1 you may remember years ago we had posts with pix about hj turnbuckles pulling apart (incomplete poor welding I had a set that were pulling apart with rust in the weld crack I stand by my opinion HJ has little ,to no qc systems in place and produces products that just meet minimum standards.