Tie Downs

[GWolfe]

So I've been looking at pop up truck campers lately, found a Sunlite near me that weighs just over 1000 lbs, very basic camper to say the least but good for my half ton truck.

I've been looking at tie downs and am wondering just what I need? Of course the stake pocket ones look good because of the price but are they enough? I really like Torklift but man they are pricey. Is there a happy medium out there? I'd like something removable.

I'll mainly be travelling to local lakes with my boat in tow so I won't be doing any serious off roading with it.

Thanks for any input.

[Slymer]

I don't know anything about HappyJack tie-downs but I love my Torklift Fastguns. You are right, they are expensive. Amazing customer service though. I think for me a lot would depend on how often I was going to be taking the camper off the truck. If it is often, paying the extra for Fastguns or HappyJacks might be worth it in the long run just for ease of use.

[Bedlam]

On newer trucks, the sheet metal used on the truck bed is just too tin to use an anchor point for your turn buckles. Use the provided anchors in the bed or find a way to attach to the truck frame.

[burningman]

I used Brophys for decades, on large campers. They work just fine.
I use frame mount tiedowns now but they’re so simple and so expensive to buy I just made my own.

[work2much]

I would not hesitate to use the brophy mounts for a lightweight camper. I wonder how many people that recommend against them have actually used them. Check with brophy for the right product for your truck. They make both stake mount and clamp on brackets. I had the stake mounds on a 11 foot hard side camper and did fine on our 94 Ram 2500.

Frame mounts work great and arguably needed for large campers but they are expensive, add weight and reduce ground clearance in certain circumstances. Go to etrailer and read the reviews from people who have actually used the product and decide for yourself.

[Youngm3571]

I have the Torklift Talons they are aluminum very light and awesome.

[WNYBob]

I've got such a deal for you. I have a 2011 Silverado long bed / regular cab truck with Torklift frame mounts that I don't need as I sold my TC.

PM me to see if we can work a deal.

[BradW]

...

[jaycocreek]

E-Trailer is recommending them for a 2017 Ford F-350 and a 1600 pound camper..Not an older truck..I'll just leave it at that,an experts recommendation(ask the experts) in questions and answers on the e-trailer website..

e-trailer wrote:
The Brophy Stake Pocket Mounted Camper Tie Downs part # TDSF are not given a weight capacity rating. The stake pocket mounted camper tie downs are instead rated to withstand the weight of your truck's payload capacity. Therefore, as long as the 1,600 lb truck bed camper you have does not exceed your 2017 Ford F-350's payload capacity and your truck does not have dual rear wheels, then they will work well for you.

In order to secure the truck bed camper to your truck you will need a set of turnbuckles such as the Brophy Basic Turnbuckles w/ Hardware for Camper Tie-Downs part # TDHP. These turnbuckles have a 3,000 lb weight capacity and a retracted/extended length of 7-5/8" - 12".

[Bedlam]

You could build your own belly bar up front and run a bar through your receiver in the rear to get an inexpensive tie down system.

Some light campers have access doors inside so you can reach the inside bed tie down points. I would not hesitate to use those up to 1500 lbs.

[Kayteg1]

For front - frame mounted Torklift are hard to beat and I do not see any competition here.
For rear however -it is easy to manufacture tie-downs, or plain drill hole in metal bumper.

[specta]

ajriding wrote:
The bodies were more robust back then.

That's why I would question using the pocket mounts today.

[ajriding]

The stake pocket ones will be fine for a fold-down light camper on roads. If off-roading over rough trail then at least one (front) frame tie down would be wise.

Full size campers will have more sway and more leverage because they are taller, so when they sway would pull more on the stake pocket tie down. With a folding TC you should be fine. Be sure to pad between the top rail and the tie down just in case to keep it from scratching.
There is possibility of a small dent on rail.

Not related to post, but I remember growing up the neighbor had an old 60's something truck set up for TC. It had the tie down mount bolted to the side of the fender sheet metal. The bodies were more robust back then.

[jaycocreek]

Stake pocket tie downs have been used for years on heavier campers than your..They were the only choice for some in remote area's, years ago if you had a TC other than a pre-fabbed one..I have used them on several Truck Campers of old..

Stop and think about it..The old Happi-Jack tie downs were only secured by the metal of the bed,not the frame..

This is from e-trailer on the stake pocket tie downs.

e-trailer wrote:

The Brophy Stake Pocket Mounted Camper Tie Downs part # TDSF are not given a weight capacity rating. The stake pocket mounted camper tie downs are instead rated to withstand the weight of your truck's payload capacity. Therefore, as long as the 1,600 lb truck bed camper you have does not exceed your 2017 Ford F-350's payload capacity and your truck does not have dual rear wheels, then they will work well for you.

In order to secure the truck bed camper to your truck you will need a set of turnbuckles such as the Brophy Basic Turnbuckles w/ Hardware for Camper Tie-Downs part # TDHP. These turnbuckles have a 3,000 lb weight capacity and a retracted/extended length of 7-5/8" - 12".

[specta]

I would stay away from pocket type tie downs too.

Happijac work fine for me.

[Old_Days]

You could use happy jack tie downs or look on craigs list to find tork lift tie downs for your truck. I would stay away from pocket type tie downs.