Forum Discussion

silverbullet555's avatar
silverbullet555
Explorer
Jun 09, 2020

Tie-down systems performance/safety vs cost

I have no doubt this has been beaten to death.

Now that we have a new truck camper, I need to outfit the truck to safely carry it. If it matters, the truck is a 2007 2500HD Chevrolet Silverado crew cab 4wd 6.5' bed.

It seems that the torklift stuff is the crème de la crème of tie-downs and they are at the top of my list.

But, I would like to balance cost as well, at least until we know if truck camping is for us. The camper cost us $3K and I am looking at probably $2.5K in truck upgrades if I am not careful. I need to upgrade the hitch so I can run a 24-36" extender to be able to safely tow our boat. That alone will cost me a bit over $1K between the hitch and the truss.

I also plan to do some suspension upgrades with a sway bar and/or airbags.

That leaves tie downs and the truck attachment points. It came with Brophy tie downs which will I will use to get the camper home (5 miles).

I want to balance performance and safety with cost. Safety is always the top consideration, but if two systems are both safe, then cost can come into play. This goes for the tie down points and the turnbuckles to connect the camper to the tie down points.


So, from your perspective, what do I need to consider?

What are safety/performance benefits of torklift over happyjack, etc.?

I want to make a good choice and not overspend or make things unsafe.
Truck Campers
  • brholt's avatar
    brholt
    Explorer II
    Jun 09, 2020
    Definitely not Brophy tie downs.

    How are you going to use the camper? Paved streets and campgrounds? Crawling over rocks on trails? The more off-road, the more I would tend to the Torqlift.

    The other thing to consider is how long you intend to keep it and use it. Amortizing over a long time makes the costs come down
  • Slymer's avatar
    Slymer
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2020
    You are considering safety versus cost but the other consideration is convenience. How often you will be taking the camper off will be a big consideration. If it is OFTEN then the convenience of the FastGuns will be huge. Will provide safety, plus MAJOR convenience,..but yes,..at a cost.
    I did major truck upgrades to my 2011 F350 to carry our AF811. The last one I did was RideRight airbags,....and I wish it had of been the first upgrade. I may not have needed all the other upgrades.
    One upgrade though shines above ALL others,....going to 19.5 rims so I could get commercial Michelins on my SRW. The rubber is the weakest link I believe.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jun 09, 2020
    If you're upgrading your hitch, you could reasonably fab straight bar tie downs for the rear coming out of a Curt or Torklift hitch. Or get just the Torklift extensions.
    Front you could use happijacs
  • Slymer's avatar
    Slymer
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2020
    Wow,.....that is certainly ballsy. Never seen that one done before. Love the ingenuity though,...just to get it home. Well done.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Jun 09, 2020
    Happyjacks attach to the bed and bumper. Torklift attaches to the frame. I’d look for used tiedown mounts on Craigslist/Ebay/etc considering you have a very popular truck. I’d go with cheaper tiedowns before I’d go with cheaper tiedown mounts.

    Also, Torklift has a hitch that works well with tiedown mounts, so I’d consider that as well.
  • silverbullet555's avatar
    silverbullet555
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2020
    All good points and I appreciate the insights.

    Initially, it will likely be paved roads and some light dirt roads. Come fall, it will include some washboard and forest service roads and could get into some more rough stuff depending on what tags I draw.

    Prioritizing upgrades is certainly important and that may be the best move. I also don't want to damage the truck or us while waiting to find better or more convenient options.

    I'm not sure how often it will come on and off yet as I haven't ever had one. I have another vehicle that I often use as a daily driver so there is potential that it could stay on the truck a fair amount.

    I've seen a ton of torklift pop up, but mostly for Fords. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for torklift on the used market even if I initially go a different direction. Ebay will be another good place.

    Right now, I am considering
    Air bags with individual bag control from cab
    Sway bar
    Tie down sytem
    Hitch and extension

    Again, I appreciate the perspective as I don't know what I don't know.
  • jaycocreek's avatar
    jaycocreek
    Explorer II
    Jun 09, 2020
    The new Happijac's attach to the frame and are a fraction of the price of Torklift..More than enough for your camper...I have the old happijack that doesn't attach to the frame and a Lance 9.6 camper with a horse mat under it and don't have any issues in the backcountry on FS unmaintained roads and grades which is 99% of my TC use..

    I am right at 4K loaded ready to camp for the TC..
  • northshore's avatar
    northshore
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2020
    Our first camper we had happijacs they came with the camper, they worked fine, no problem connecting them and I felt safe with them. This camper has the Torklift, truck came with them so we have them. I don't feel any safer, the camper does not seem like moves any more or less than with the happyjacs. Honestly I could not tell the difference.

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