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What holds it on truck

Jack_Diane_Free
Explorer
Explorer
Sorry for the dumb question but I know nothing about Truck Campers other than they are really neat.

Question: What actually holds the camper unit on the truck, how is it attached?

Jack
16 REPLIES 16

whizbang
Explorer II
Explorer II
The rubber mat.

It drastically increases friction. Tie downs don't hurt either.
Whizbang
2002 Winnebago Minnie
http://www.raincityhome.com/RAWH/index.htm

bobndot
Explorer II
Explorer II
Use 4 truck camper bolts:

CAJW
Explorer
Explorer
insp1505 wrote:
Gravity, friction and a tie-down system. I use torklift frame mounts on the truck and fast guns.



In some cases, pucker power!
2013 AF 996, 2013 Chevy 3500 CC,LWB,4X4, Duramax, DRW, 3.73 rear, Torklift Stableloads & Tie-downs,Fast Guns, Ride Rite Air Bags, Superhitch w/ 32" extension.Big Wigs, Front Timbrens, TST TPMS-507,CubbyCam, Trimetric. TM & SC 2030 150W + 100W suitcase

steve68steve
Explorer
Explorer
And funny enough, they say to not tie down your camper too tight. Tie downs even have built-in springs...

... so the camper can 'bounce' in the truck bed!
2013 Travel Lite 960RX
2001 Ford F350 Diesel Super Cab Long Bed

joe_b_
Explorer II
Explorer II
As mentioned weight and friction do most of the work in my opinion. The tie downs are to keep the movement from ever starting. Most TCers use some sort of rubber mat between the TC bottom and the truck bed to add a bit more non-slip to the rig.

One other type of system for tie downs that also replaces having to have a jack system is the www.stablelift.com Several of the forum members have such a set up and speak highly of it. It actually clamps the TC to the truck bed.

For the most part, on a trip when the camper settles in and gets squared up to the front of the bed or whatever you have it up against, a spacer, etc normally there is very little movement on the rest of the trip. This past summer I had to make some small adjustments on my tie downs about half a day into the trip and for the next two months they didn't have to be touched. Many times you can catch a sale on any of the major brands from many dealers, or find them on some free list such as Craigs. Some of the parts are truck specific, so you may have to look a bit to find a good used set as they seem to last forever. LOL
joe b.
Stuart Florida
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
2016 Fleetwood Flair 31 B Class A w/bunks
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Alaska-Colorado and other Trips posted
"Without challenge, adventure is impossible".

Super_Dave
Explorer
Explorer
iwon415 wrote:
portscanner wrote:
Romantic attraction.

Love.

Gravity.

Dumb luck.

Sometimes bolts.

Other times tie downs.


Had to laugh at this! I agree sometimes it feels like dumb luck. Hard to believe those four little lengths of metal can hold 5000 lbs in a bed of a truck sometimes!

TimH

I guess I'm on the other end of amazed as I find it funny that 5,000 lbs needs to be, "held down".
Truck: 2006 Dodge 3500 Dually
Rig: 2018 Big Country 3155 RLK
Boat: 21' North River Seahawk

Led_67
Explorer
Explorer
Gripnriprod wrote:
No such thing as a dumb question!


Actually the only dumb question is the one that is never asked.
The tie down system for a TC has come a long way yet retains mostly the basics when you consider how they work. From the days when a TC was simply bolted to the floor of the truck bed and maybe somtimes they would bolt into the frame rails, The Happijack system that utilizes the truck bed body, The Torklift system that utilizes brakets that are attached to the frme of the vehicle, Even the old stakepocket tiedown system that is part of the truck bed yes the systems are all different yet the same.

iwon415
Explorer
Explorer
portscanner wrote:
Romantic attraction.

Love.

Gravity.

Dumb luck.

Sometimes bolts.

Other times tie downs.


Had to laugh at this! I agree sometimes it feels like dumb luck. Hard to believe those four little lengths of metal can hold 5000 lbs in a bed of a truck sometimes!

TimH

portscanner
Explorer
Explorer
Romantic attraction.

Love.

Gravity.

Dumb luck.

Sometimes bolts.

Other times tie downs.
One beautiful wife -Trooper and Doc the furcampers
2019 Dodge 4500 Flatbed with 2013 Chalet TS116 http://www.brittanynews.us

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
This is what the FAST GUN TIE DOWNS look like...



Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
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2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
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trail-explorer
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Explorer

Gripnriprod
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Explorer
No such thing as a dumb question!
'11 GMC 3500hd SLT DRW D/A 4x4 Spray-in, Air Bags w/comp & controls, TL, Superhitch, 48" Supertruss, 9.5t Warn, front rcvr, Fox Shocks, '11 AF 1140, DB, AC, Gen, Solar, Thermal Windows, Wardrobe, Rear & Side Awnings, 18' Lund/40hp Honda 4 stroke

Jack_Diane_Free
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks everyone. Now I am educated.

Mich_F
Explorer
Explorer
Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
Sorry for the dumb question but I know nothing about Truck Campers other than they are really neat.

Question: What actually holds the camper unit on the truck, how is it attached?

Jack


Here's a link to one of the companies that makes tie down systems for truck campers.

linky
2014 Itasca Spirit 31K Class C
2016 Mazda CX5 on Acme tow dolly- 4 trips ~ 5,800 mi
Now 2017 RWD F150 with a drive shaft disconnect