We've all been in this position at one time or another.
A lot of this would go away if you were using Lance centering guides or suitable alternative. The guides keep the bottom of the camper fixed in a 'keyway' that allows almost no side-to-side mobility. Of all the additives to my TC, this one paid off with the best outcome.
This means that there is approaching zero chance that the tie-downs will suffer differing torques since the box cannot move vis-a-vis the truck bed, and tie-downs.
Yes, use new pins and get four guides bolted down to the bed.
search camper guides on here and you will find a plethora of info on the subject.
notice the very thin sticky rubber mat also. Some boys on here have made much better versions of the guides than the Lance factory ones.
regards, as always, jefe
A lot of this would go away if you were using Lance centering guides or suitable alternative. The guides keep the bottom of the camper fixed in a 'keyway' that allows almost no side-to-side mobility. Of all the additives to my TC, this one paid off with the best outcome.
This means that there is approaching zero chance that the tie-downs will suffer differing torques since the box cannot move vis-a-vis the truck bed, and tie-downs.
Yes, use new pins and get four guides bolted down to the bed.
search camper guides on here and you will find a plethora of info on the subject.
notice the very thin sticky rubber mat also. Some boys on here have made much better versions of the guides than the Lance factory ones.
regards, as always, jefe
During summer my TC didn't move much, but during wet or snowy weather it moved around a lot. At stops I'd readjust my Fastguns. My ultimate fix to stopping the TC moving was to make the frame below (insulation not shown). Frame also made loading the TC much easier. The TC university shows other frames you could make.
Prior to making the frame I tried an easy fix. I made foam blocks that filled up the space between the TC and the sides of the truck. They were 6" x 8" x 12" made from Owens Corning 2" thick, rigid extruded polystyrene foam insulation, Foamular 250. You can find the extruded polysytrene sheets at Home Depot, Lowes or some other builders supply companies. I used low volatile organic content (Low VOC) contact cement to make the blocks. I used two blocks on each side of the TC. They stopped the movement.
The only problem was that I had to have the TC loaded just right, or wait until it shifted to the side with the blocks, before I could install the last two blocks.
The lock pins (below) for the TL tie down receivers can be found at most hardware stores. I carry extras in the TC.
Prior to making the frame I tried an easy fix. I made foam blocks that filled up the space between the TC and the sides of the truck. They were 6" x 8" x 12" made from Owens Corning 2" thick, rigid extruded polystyrene foam insulation, Foamular 250. You can find the extruded polysytrene sheets at Home Depot, Lowes or some other builders supply companies. I used low volatile organic content (Low VOC) contact cement to make the blocks. I used two blocks on each side of the TC. They stopped the movement.
The only problem was that I had to have the TC loaded just right, or wait until it shifted to the side with the blocks, before I could install the last two blocks.
The lock pins (below) for the TL tie down receivers can be found at most hardware stores. I carry extras in the TC.
