Camper Tiedowns
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
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I have just put the camper tiedowns that were on my 04 SD on the truck in my signature. The back ones clamp on the hitch. They are solid enough, just look a little cheap.
The front ones clamp on to the side of the frame.
The front ones clamp on to the side of the frame.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 186
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From: Arizona
I installed the HappiJac system on my 05... but the rear tiedowns are those that go on the ends of the bumpers. Boy are these bumpers weak... scares me when I tighten down the tiedowns. I know you are just suppose to snug them... but the whole corner of each end of the bumper twists so easily!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,708
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From: North Dakota
Jock, What Kind of Tie downs do you have from your 2000? I have an 03' That I'm planning on putting a truck camper on and have looked into a few different systems. From my research the best system looks to be the Tork Lift System. It has four reciever style hitch plates that bolt to you frame. When you put the camper on you just slide the reciever in put your saftey pin in and connect your turn buckles. this system doesn't require any modification to your bumpers or box and seems a little safer since the camper is tied down to the frame instead of the box. I've seen some damage from stake post tie downs so it worries me to use them on my $30k truck. The sets I have priced for front and rear run in that $450-$500 range. They also make nice hitch extentions. Good Luck.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 96
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From: Eagle River Alaska
Jock, i just finished up installing a Happijac tie town on my '05 S.D. Yes I agree with 05bluehog. That rear bumper needs some additional stiffening. Understand Happijac has cheap fix and will be investigating. The tork lift system is good one, but rides too low for my tastes. Have seen two many of those bent! Must be something to do with Alaskan roads. The frost heaves and whoopee doos (road falling off over the edge) tend to stretch camper tie down to their breaking limits.
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Senior User
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From: Arizona
Originally Posted by GaryT
Understand Happijac has cheap fix and will be investigating.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: North Dakota
Boy, I'm not saying I don't beleive the bent story but would like to know what you would have to be doing to bend them. They're pretty sturdy and on my own truck I have over a foot of clearance from the ground, my difs would drag before the torklifts. Just an observation, don't get heart burn, just wondering a question since it seems you would have to do some serious off roading to bend on up.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 881
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
yea, but the diffs are in line with the tires, and go up and down with them, the torklifts would drag on the bump as the tires go down into the next rut? not familiar with these specific parts, but just relating general dragging pieces. Kindof like how running boards get torn off when they are higher then the diffs as well.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River Alaska
Jock, The ones I have seen bent are just behind the cab. Our Alaskan roads like to revenge on travelers come late May early June when our frost heaves and whoopdedoos are at their worst. A whoodedoo is where the road is sliding off the sides into space that I would rather not travel. At posted speed limits it is pretty easy to all four in air one our main state highways. This can be rather exicting when you are carrying 3000# of camper. I have had tie down bolts from the camper break off. Shelving inside the camper break loose from the walls. Not to say the damage these frost heaves can do an 18 wheeler. I remember one trucker who looked to be almost in tears, as he had to drag the broken rear axle of trailer, to clear it off the road so it would not block traffic. The stretch between Glennallen and Tok, where it links to Alcan has reputation. The stretch from Glennallen to Palmer was not much better, but is benefiting from the contracts to add shoulders to the roads and staightening.
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