Happijac tiedown system and the new Ford Aluminum beds

[nycsteve]

I called Happijac directly with this question and got an ambiguous answer. The new Ford F series now have aluminum truck beds. I guess to save weight. I have a Happijac tie down, the type that bolts through the bed bulkhead. I'de like to switch it over but wonder if theres a difference if the bulkhead is aluminum rather than sheetmetal in strength? Im picturing the bolts ripping through the aluminum like it was a soda can. I've been somewhat out of touch latly so if theres already opinions out there on this I missed them. It seems the 2017 F series is a redesign, there arn't even the bolts in the rear bumpers any more that used to secure the rear turnbuckles. Any input?

[wnjj]

~DJ~ wrote:

realter wrote:
I find a product called anti seize, but nothing called anti sieze that you refer to. Evidently it's not always I before e, except after c.

Good one Realter. Nothing like handing it back to the spelling police!!!

Also for the new guy ~ as far as TL having to stay at KOA....BS!!!

X2. If you're hitting your TL mounts on stuff you're not a good driver and likely doing body damage.

Awesome picture, DJ.

[_DJ_1]

realter wrote:
I find a product called anti seize, but nothing called anti sieze that you refer to. Evidently it's not always I before e, except after c.

Good one Realter. Nothing like handing it back to the spelling police!!!

Also for the new guy ~ as far as TL having to stay at KOA....BS!!!

[Kayteg1]

SidecarFlip wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:
Is happijack giving the same lifetime damage warranty for their tie downs the Torklift does?

I have no idea actually. I've never had a warranty issue with them or TL for that matter.

Unfortunately too often people do things becouse they have no idea, or don't know better.
Somewhere on the net is article how new Ford owner lost his radio antenna when car-wash ripped it right from aluminum fender.
So I do see lot of potential for ignorance.

[realter]

I find a product called anti seize, but nothing called anti sieze that you refer to. Evidently it's not always I before e, except after c.

[SidecarFlip]

realter wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

Bubtoofat wrote:
Can stainless bolts be used on the bed or is there a risk of galvanic corrosion?

Mike

Of course but you'll still need to coat them with anti-sieze.

What's anti-sieze? Is that something made by happijacd?

Comes in a plastic bottle with a brush in the cap or a tube and you put it on the threads so you can get them apart at some future date..if you need to. It also ******* galvanic corrosion from dissimilar metals.

[realter]

SidecarFlip wrote:

Bubtoofat wrote:
Can stainless bolts be used on the bed or is there a risk of galvanic corrosion?

Mike

Of course but you'll still need to coat them with anti-sieze.

What's anti-sieze? Is that something made by happijacd?

[SidecarFlip]

I will say that I just purchased 4 HJ Qwik Load conversions for my HJ tuenbuckles and they were 95 bucks for 4 sets with free shipping.

In actuality, I don't give a hoot what anyone uses. Don't care if a person uses chains and hardware store turnbuckles or ratchet straps. The HJ system works just fine for me and I'm all that counts anyway because I have to deal with it. Not you or anyone else. Just me.

[SidecarFlip]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Is happijack giving the same lifetime damage warranty for their tie downs the Torklift does?

I have no idea actually. I've never had a warranty issue with them or TL for that matter.

[Kayteg1]

Is happijack giving the same lifetime damage warranty for their tie downs the Torklift does?

[work2much]

Looking at their website I see they do not list the 2017 F series trucks. The guide appears to be up to date as 2017 GM, Ram and Tundra models are listed. If they don't list it and calling them didn't give you confidence I would use something else personally.

[work2much]

I had them many years ago on my 94 Dodge carrying a Bigfoot 10.6. Installed per directions they cracked the sheet metal where they attach. Later they came out with a backer that addressed the situation. I assume that the product has improved since 1994. Since then I have gone with frame mounts and never had an issue. Have you contacted Ford and asked?

[monkey44]

I've had the same HJ tie-downs on three trucks over about fifteen years - and we travel some pretty rough roads with it.

Like mentioned above - the bolts "pancake" thru the front bed wall, spreading the grip over a wide area, not pulling shear on each bolt. AND, it anchors down thru the frame as well ... In my opinion, a very secure system, and will not be any different with Aluminum bed.

[SidecarFlip]

Bubtoofat wrote:
Can stainless bolts be used on the bed or is there a risk of galvanic corrosion?

Mike

Of course but you'll still need to coat them with anti-sieze.

[SidecarFlip]

languiduck wrote:
In my opinion, the anchors on the TC will fail, or the framework around the anchors will fail, before the material on the bed will fail. As you know the happijac system using clamping force to secure itself to the front of the bed; so it is spread across a large area. As opposed to a small point trying to puncture or tear the material. The bolts provide the clamping force, and don't necessarily carry the load like you are imagining that will rip through the metal. It also bolts through the floor of the bed and hits a crossmember. I personally would do it if I could afford a new truck that had an aluminum bed and/or body.

Exactly. You can find about anything you want to support about any argument on the .net so I tend to heavily discount any comment like 'I heard that somewhere'.

If I bought a new Ford truck with an aluminum bed, I'd not hesitate to install the HJ system either in as much as I know how it mounts and it also mounts underneath the bed floor to the frame... Just like mine does right now.

My prime motivation however is clearance. I don't care for the TL's sticking out the sides under the bed at all because I camp off road. Be fine for the KOA or improved campsites, not at all fine for what I do and I don't want shin busters and/or frame rail benders sticking out. Not my thing.

Secondly, is price, the HJ System is much less expensive than the TL system and lastly is the angle of attachment. The HJ system splays the tie down's at more of an angle which is most desireable to keep the camper from moving around.

Both good systems but I prefer the HJ system over the TL system

[languiduck]

In my opinion, the anchors on the TC will fail, or the framework around the anchors will fail, before the material on the bed will fail. As you know the happijac system using clamping force to secure itself to the front of the bed; so it is spread across a large area. As opposed to a small point trying to puncture or tear the material. The bolts provide the clamping force, and don't necessarily carry the load like you are imagining that will rip through the metal. It also bolts through the floor of the bed and hits a crossmember. I personally would do it if I could afford a new truck that had an aluminum bed and/or body.