New GM truck tie-downs

[monkey44]

Bummer, took Happi-jac tie-downs off the GMC and tried to put them on the new 2015 Chevy ... won't fit properly.

Anyone have a solution here - I talked to the tech support at Happi-jac and they said it requires a new set-up, but when I look at it, it's almost identical. Needs the front plate, and it's different.

So, we're fabricating it Monday - and the rear bumper tie-downs ... Happy-jac sent me a page that shows the same bumper bolt, but when I look inside the bumper at it, the whole area there is "PLASTIC" not metal. SO, no way am I tying a 3200 lb camper to a plastic bumper.

Tried Tork-Lift too, and he said he's not sure if the 2014 design fits the 2015 ... they haven't looked at a 2015 yet.

SO, in effect, no one is sure if it fits or works - they're just shooting from the hip it sounds like.

Anyone got any first-hand on either one fitting? I'm guessing we'll just build something from scratch, but it's a hassle.

[monkey44]

Follow up in the tie-downs ... The Lance camper dealership had two of the new Happi-jac front plates - according to him anyway.

They are different than the older design, but DO NOT fit the 2015 DC 2500HD ...

Although we "flattened the bend" ... we took out the crease an installed it. But we had to bore out the holes just a bit because it threaded holes did not line up exactly. Flattening it set the threads "off-line' just enough to force the bolt. But, the plate worked with "some hassles" ... if this is the new Happi-jac design, it needs some modifications in order to "bolt right in" ...

The rear 'tie-down' button - according to the diagram Happi-jac sent fits in the new bumper similar to the old one. But once I lined it up, it was directly in the center of the Plastic Insert" ... there is no metal in that bumper at that area -- ... SO, no way I was drilling out plastic and expect it to hold anything ...

Beneath the camper, as part of the hitch assembly, a round brace sits below the hitch itself. So, we installed a round pipe into the round brace, welded a face plate on to it, then formed a "U" shaped flat plate and ran it under the bumper and bent it again and that formed the upper edge of a face plate (the vertical face). Drilled a hole in that, and installed the hold-bolt ... Then, we slid the entire assembly into the round brace and drilled a hole through both - we had to drill at 45 degrees, because you can't reach above this brace "pipe" and installed a hitch-pin through the top and the cotter pin at the bottom. The entire assembly comes out just like a hitch ball - just pull the pin and slide it out.

It was time consuming - took about four hours total, but we were 'designing and measuring" on the fly kinda, so my guess would be if you have a diagram that works already, probably about two hours would do it ... cutting, bending, welding etc. We also welded two diagonals at the edge of the "U" plate because it turns out to be about seventeen inches total, so we wanted to make sure there was no play in it - and there isn't...

I have no clue how to post photos here - have never done it - and have no photo host site ... if anyone wants a drawing or photo of what we did, I have it from start to finish ... just PM me -- or, if anyone wants to post the photos here, I'll send and you can post it for others to see.

When I talked to Happi-jac, they did not know or think about this plastic bumper - so they have no answer at this time. Tork-lift does not have a rear set-up for the 2015 either, and as I look at it, I'm not positive the front will work either --- but I don't have one to check -- and won't take this any farther as far as looking at either one ...

[monkey44]

Bigfootchevy wrote:
Congrats on your new truck. We are just getting the pricing information on the new GM HD trucks this week up here. I am hoping to order my new truck soon.

I have a 2011 3500 HD Silverado and I believe the frame and drive train remained the same as the new 2015. I agree the body and bumper changed but my Torklift tie downs are mounted to the frame both front and back.

So I am hoping my 2011 Torklift tie downs will fit my new 2015 truck.

In 2011 I got my truck way before Torklift had seen the new 2011 trucks and I had to wait until they had to get my tie downs. But when they came they fit perfectly.

Hope you get your problem resolved soon.

Paul

The frame is different than my 2003, not a lot different. BUT, if you have Torklifts, it will not fit in the rear -- GM went to a Round Tube in the rear hitch instead of square, so the shaft won't fit now (Unless you have a round one on yours already. I called Torklift, and the tech guy said it won't fit ... but they are working on it. It will take a slight modification, not a whole new assembly.

But for all you guys that are wondering - don't run out and think you need a whole new set-up ... the changes are minor, and any fabricator can easily fix you up far less than an entire new assembly ... Same with the step-rails.

BUT, the new rear bumper is not a good build for this - the Happyjac connector is a 'non-work' for me for sure -- you'll see, but the part of the bumper where Happyjac hooks on is now PLASTIC ... and so we're making a new set-up completely, and using the ROUND part of the Hitch as an anchor ... I'll photo it Monday ...

[Bigfootchevy]

Congrats on your new truck. We are just getting the pricing information on the new GM HD trucks this week up here. I am hoping to order my new truck soon.

I have a 2011 3500 HD Silverado and I believe the frame and drive train remained the same as the new 2015. I agree the body and bumper changed but my Torklift tie downs are mounted to the frame both front and back.

So I am hoping my 2011 Torklift tie downs will fit my new 2015 truck.

In 2011 I got my truck way before Torklift had seen the new 2011 trucks and I had to wait until they had to get my tie downs. But when they came they fit perfectly.

Hope you get your problem resolved soon.

Paul

[monkey44]

I think we got it figured out -- am building brace and bracket that will mount under the bed and fit inside the hitch component under the rear end. It will connect just like a trailer - but sideways instead of backward ... and hook up with a round hitch pin. Will drill it out so the hitch pin can lock instead of a cotter pin ...

Will have photos, but am not sure how to post photo here -- will figure it out, or send photos to someone here and get it posted if anyone wants to see what we build -- but, after looking at the changes in the truck, it's not a big deal altho' it will take some fabrication, it's not difficult. It will be removable and installable without a torch.

the older model Happyjac will not fit - but it's only one front bracket we need to modify. But again, I don't like that bumper mount, so will develop a bracket and mount the rear - probably more like the Tork-lift mount.

AND FYI: The older version step-bars (Mine fit 2003 GMC) will fit the 2015 with a little modification too, the mounting brackets. Slipped right up there and bolted up ... but the bolt hole was out of alignment, so we elongated the bolt-slot and it snuggled right up tight and fit like it was made for it. Took ten minutes.

[AidenJ]

Monkey
I used square tubing for the rear tie down. One piece with ears welded to the end for the hooks. Similar to the post above. It is bolted to the frame and sits just behind the spare. I had one in the front but finally got a set of Torklifts. They both work good on my 04

[Photog101]

Ya might want to think "old school' and go with a couple of belly bars. One in front and one in the rear. I used them for years before they came up with custom tie-downs.

[CAJW]

It would be nice to see some pics of the interior and measurements of the bed to see what, if anything has changed. Our 2013 rear stake pockets are rounded vs. squared off like earlier versions. The 2013 apparently has less room between the stake pockets making loading a little tougher, but manageable. Mine measures 59 & 9/16" between the rear stake pockets which leaves about 1" clearance per side. Hopefully they haven't reduced the clearance, making even tighter quarters.

[gregchambers]

Let us know what you find out as I hope to go down the same road in the near future. Waiting for information on the 2015 Sierra 3500's. In the research I have done, the frame and drive train remained the same as 2014, the body and bumper changed and they beefed up the class V hitch if yours came with the 2 1/2" receiver but I would bet that Torklift would still work. Happyjac probably has some issues as the bed is all new and as you already found, the new corner plastic bumper steps are not going to like Happyjacs bumper bolts.

Keep us updated!

[monkey44]

Looked at the hitch assembly too. It is round, and crooked, has a bent portion so can't push a square or a pipe through it. Good idea tho' ...

I designed a bracket that will either weld or bolt to a support component of the frame ... am trying to make it bolt-able, not weld ... so its removeable. And, am not sure if welding on the frame voids any kind of warranty, even if it's only a brace. So, we'll see Monday.

And, right -- I talked to both Happijac and Torklift ... Neither one has seen the 2015 yet. None in the area, apparently.

Not a lot of them around here either. I actually went to look at a 2013 for a good discount. But didn't like the options especially, and the ride was a bit stiffer ... and tight steering. But this 2015 Double Cab 4x4 was sitting on the lot too. The dealer had two ... so, took one for a ride and it cooked my goose.

Very nice truck -- good ride, nice finish. So we're now leaving Florida for the west coast in our Chevy with 234 miles on it instead of our 2003 GMC with 214,000. A bit more comfortable, although that GMC traveled lots of great miles over the years.

Will let you all know how the tie-down situation falls out ... as of now, am thinking everything works except the front plate. So, we'll make that first, and see if the other parts work with it - and it looks like a 'yes' at this point.

We actually looked at it earlier, and before we removed the Happijacs off the GMC, we thought it was a direct match -- once we got it matched up, the front of the new bed has a slight curve in it, so it won't lay up against it directly.

But, a couple bends in a new front plate looks like it will work. The Happyjac plate is a formed 3/16, but we'll use a flat plate, so decided to go with 3/8 instead.

Not sure what to do about the rear -- but am very uncomfortable with the 'bumper bolt' ... and always was - but at least it was metal to metal. Bolting through composite material kinda pushes me off that option.

[mkirsch]

The frame and drivetrain are supposed to be the same as the 2010-up trucks, I thought. All they did was change the body.

Unfortunately, this is the price you pay for being "first." Neither Torklift nor Happijac get access to the vehicles any sooner than you do, and it takes time to modify the design and get the new tiedowns into production.

[BTPO1]

When I had my Lance on my Dodge, I never liked the idea of tying the rear to the bumper. I used two pieces of pipe slid inside the two open ends of my square tube receiver. Welded a plate on the end of the pipe and bolted the connector to it. I drilled a hole through the end of the receiver and pipe and pinned it in place. Never had a problem with it. JMO

[SugarHillCTD]

What does your towing receiver look like?

If it is like my 2012, how about a 7' length of square tubing slid through it(side to side, obviously)?

[trail-explorer]

No suggestions.... but it is obvious you got a 2015 HD before them! LOL