Need hardware installed on truck

[amy7319]

I need the necessary hardware (installed?) on a '99 F350 Superduty. One RV dealer said it would cost $700 for parts and $300 for labor. That seems a bit excessive. The camper is a Lance 835.

What different types of securing is there. I don't know what to ask for.

Thanks, Amy

[K_Mac]

Hands down Torklift's the way to go.My neighbor and I put my superhitch and fronts on in under two hours,(his compressor's bigger than mine).Simple instruction's too follow,step by step.They also have a superb staff on hand to answer all your questions. I think my FASTGUNS were the best decision I've made since joining the T.C. world.Well worth the money.RAD Auto beat all other vendors out there.

[bikerdib]

Shame you don't have a Dodge because I intend to sell my HappyJack tie down system. I bought a one ton and don't need the HappyJack tie downs.

[2Gordons]

We had Happijacs previously... I did not like them. The camper moved around a lot, and it never felt secure. We went with the Torklifts and have been extremely pleased.

[NEOK]

Another fan of Torklift. A friend of mine and installed the tie downs and SuperHitch on my truck in about 3-4 hours. We weren't pushing very hard to get it done quickly either.

[wintersun]

If you are getting Torklift tie-downs for front and back the dealer's price for parts and labor is right in line. It depends on what components will be used, in particular the turnbuckles.

Front and rear Torklift tie-downs $497
Fastguns - two pairs - $440
Lance 7-connector harness $48
Battery isolator or dual battery switch $28
Fuse - $4
8 ga battery wiring and connectors for harness - $15

The unknown is the time to install the Torklift tie-downs on your truck. With some trucks it is easy and could be accomplished by an experienced installer in a couple hours or less. With my 2011 GM shortbed truck it took me 8 hours which included having to saw off sections of plate, grind down corners, and repaint the brackets to get them to fit properly as the sizing for the front pair caused them to hit the frame before the bolts could reach the holes in the bed and one of the rear bracket had its corner pressing against both the rear brake and the fuel lines. Torklift makes a very good product but the 2011 GM kit was not something I would recommend to anyone I liked.

I would guess that there is about 4 hours of total labor so the $300 is reasonable. Best part is it is locked in regardless of the proplems the installer may run into with your truck.

Bottomline the dealer's estimate is fair if you are getting these items and you can get a detailed breakout of the tie-downs, turnbuckles, and other parts to be provided and check pricing out for yourself.

The dealer is not paying "retail" for the tie-downs and turnbuckles so you may be able to negotiate on the installation. I did this with the 845 where I got the dealer to sell me the AC unit at his cost and install it for free. Paid less than $400 for a new 9.3 Coleman unit installed on the camper. Dealer sold the camper and was not out of pocket for the AC so it was a win win result.

[Blind_Bob]

Just as most everyone else has said, Torklifts.If I remember correctly, 100.00 and about an hour to install. Quality product.

[6pac]

When we traded our truck in 2001 for a new one . We just ordered a setup from Happijacks an installed it within a couple of hours . It was hot work ,summer in Fl , but it went fast and we saved a lot of $$ doing it our selves . That's what I would do if we had to do it again.

[Tarkin75]

Bought my Torklift's used off Craigslist... Got the directions from the TL website. I'm not sure it even took me 1 hour to get all 4 installed. Maybe an hour, but definitely not two.

Later
C

[Bedlam]

Another vote for the TorkLift frame tie downs. I feel if you get one of the heavier campers, there is no other choice. So why not do it right once and not worry about it until you replace the vehicle? The no drill application and Ford's endorsement of using frame based tie downs also won me over...

[dakonthemountai]

I installed Torklift tie downs on my dually myself also. It's not all that hard, especially if you have a hitch receiver, as they have "side holes" to slide and clamp the rear tie downs to. The front were a bit more difficult, but not too hard. They are expensive, but you only have to do it once! I've never been a fan of the HappiJac system because I hate the thought of drilling into the bed of my truck. But that's just me. I'm not saying they are bad, just not my thing.

Whatever you do, ensure you do it right. Coming on here is the right thing to do, though you will get different opinions. The two systems are really the only way to go nowadays.

Best of luck and welcome to the site! 🙂

Dak

[SugarHillCTD]

I have installed both HappiJac and TorkLift tie downs.

I had liked the HappiJac system because there are no arms to remove and don't rust like the TorkLift "receivers" do. (northern N.H. with lots of winter salt)

But after spending MANY hours installing the front HappiJac mounts on our last truck, I wasn't about to do the swearing routine again.

On our current truck I had the TorkLift mounts on in a couple hours.

If you can turn a couple wrenches, TL is the way to go.

[whizbang]

Were are the Happijac fans?

I use Torklifts also. I think mine were about $700 complete installed. Not cheap, but the only way to go.

[My_Blue_Heaven]

Still another vote for Torklift. I tried HappiJack previously and was not impressed. I installed the Torklifts myself, not that big of a deal.

[Scott16]

Agree, with Torklift tie downs and fastguns. Go to there web site a lot of installation vedio's with step-by-step instruction . Also check their dealer locator for installers. Another install thread vedio, in this web site is Melo Mike's install Torklift Fast Guns to Wolf Creek 850 thread comes to mine. Do a search in upper left corner of this page.
Scott