Happyjack or Torklift

I've had both and both have worked fine. I'm not a huge fan of Happijac rear mounting as today's truck bumpers are pretty thin and flex. If I had to choose between the two, I would go Torklift.

Unless you plan on hauling a light camper, I also suggest the Torklift fame mounts. I feel they are better anchored and the fact that no drilling is required means you are not weakening your truck or allowing a point of corrosion.

Since they bolt up with no additional holes left behind, you can easily remove them and move them over to another vehicle (Fords are good for that) or resell them if you get a vehicle that requires a different fit.

Gary3 wrote:
I like HappiJac system but you will find just as many like Torklift so toss a coin.

I agree; they are both are good systems. I've had Happijac tiedowns on our Fords/Lance for 18 years and many 1,000's of miles. I've been very happy with their performance.

Brad

15 years and 60,000 + miles T/C'n and Happijacs have never been a problem. Been on some backcountry trails in Wyoming a few years back and the camper stayed put without without moving. I've heard some complain about their t/c moving and ask what tiedowns they have and it's almost always torqlifts.

Torklift has no real competition. The Hippijac tie downs are far inferior in my opinion.

It's a shame that nobody else is offering what Torklift offers, because it should be self-evident that frame mounted tie downs are necessary for the weight and size of a truck camper.

GeoBoy wrote:
Torklifts all the way, they are true frame mounts. Your 2500+ lb. camper mounted to the frame is much better than the sheetmetal of the box and the metal of the rear bumper!

Regardless of the tie-down the turnbuckles should not be tightened to provide more than 300 lbs. of tension or the brackets mounted in the camper will pull out. Fastguns are designed to make it easy to know that you have them set for 300 lbs. of tension at each mount.

Either brand can be installed your self. The HJ system requires decent drill bits, the TL decent wrenches. I originally installed the HJ system. Few years later replaced with the TL mounts on same truck.
Both are pretty much a bolt on. I found the TL system physically more of a work out, 3 hours just simple bolting. For me, drilling holes in the bed for the HJ more difficult, Just couldn't measure enough before drilling that first hole. That and drilling rear bumper not fun.

In our case the TL system holds our tall heavy camper better. The strength of system IS primary consideration. Noticeable difference in handling tied directly to frame verse thru bed & bumper. Though on ours, the front TLs do have a brace that ties to bed cross member.

My eye sees the 2 systems as apples and oranges-. One costs considerably less out of pocket than the other but for what you get I see the lesser one overpriced. My preference is the TL, but I couldnt recommend one over the other, except where the larger the camper the more justifiable Torklifts.

Having to modify either system is not the norm, but if a typical DYI'er you know everything can be improved upon to fit your eye. Obviously frame mount system is more truck specific, with all the variables more likely to run into something, still, not the norm.

Only other thought is the mention of the rear TL mounts and possible receiver change, if upgrading the receiver different rear TL mounts are used than for stock. So yes, if planned, do it first or you'll be replacing rear mounts.
My 2¢...

I've had them both. Torklift is a much better system in my oppion.

I have HappiJac tiedowns on my truck. They were available in the local RV Store when I needed them that day, when we found our camper on CL. I wish I had been able to wait and get the TorkLift. Eventually, I plan on switching, or when I get a new truck someday, I would get TorkLift. The rear bumper mounts on mine are OK, but I have an extremely overbuilt custom rear bumper. I really don't care for the way the front system works, but I haven't had a problem.

On my last truck I had the HJ and on my present truck I have the TL tiedowns. TL beats HJ by far, just a stronger setup in my opinion. With HJ I had that bar in front of the bed thus you had to be careful with raising and lowering the camper so as not to damage the front rubber bumpers on the camper. I broke one off once. I don't have that problem with TL plus TL is a local company here.