Morning all,


I have posted similar before as I have been in the market for a TC for a little while now.

Well, found a deal that is hard to pass up. It's an older TC (Not sure of the brand yet) But everything feels solid, there is no water inside (it had rained like a banshee just 2 hours before I stopped there) and it comes with tie downs. (Which is one of the bonuses) Except it comes with Brophy Heavy Duty tie downs.

Does anyone have any real world experience with these? Does anyone know if they will fit a 2004 F350 DRW? I know the rears will not, but I don't know about the front of the bed where the rail is wider.


Also, are they worth their weight? I would prefer a set of Torklifts due to the fact that one of my reasons for a TC is beach camping on Cape Cod but I have yet to be able to afford them. Only need the fronts, rear I think I can get away with a HD bumper ring atleast for now.


Any help would be appreciated.

btw, the camper is about 10' long, I have an 8' drw F350 V10. So I have no worries about the truck taking it. I have to assume the camper weights in around 18 - 2200 lbs.


Thanks
Glenn

 

I've used that style tie down once. I'd never use them again. They rely totally on the bed rails to support the weight. A proper set of tie downs will tie to the frame in some way. I have the happi-jack ones and while I'd have preferred the torqlifts, these did the trick.

Also, I had a 9.5 foot lance that weighed 3000 pounds. Unless this camper is newer and has an aluminum frame, I think you're seriously under estimating it's weight.

 

I may be underestimating. That would not surprise me. I don't have a clue. It's a used camper, prolly 20 years old or so. Needs a little repair to the ceiling inside and replacement cushions but it seems sturdy for the most part. The jacks are already widened for a dually so it should slip right on.

What I am going to have to do is use these to get the camper home (It's about 100 mile drive) then pickup a set of torklifts at some point. I don't like the happijack design due to the protruding rings at the bed. (I'm a clutz and thats going to hurt at some point or atleast cost me several pair of pants)


Do you think the POS mounts will hold it long enough to drive it home providing I drive real slow and avoid rough roads?



G

 

I'm assuming the mounts worked "OK" on the PO's truck?
Any design reason they would not work equally "OK" on your truck for the trip home?

Which is not to say you shouldn't still upgrade for you long term security!

 

Unfortunately, I do not know who the PO is. The camper is left at a mechanics garage. The PO brought his truck in with the camper on it. Of course they had to take it off in order to perform the work inside the garage. When complete, the PO took his truck and left. Leaving the camper behind apparently as payment to the garage.


I did try to use the mounts this weekend, and the HD brophy will NOT fit the truck at all. The distance from the bed brace to the bend on the bracket is too short to fit the front of the 350 bed. The rears don't make it past the Dually.


Guess I am back on the hunt for a set of torklifts, or something else that will hold it down.



G

 

Just be sure to check cabover to cab roof clearance when you load it.. A lot of older campers need a "riser kit" (2x2's and/or blue or pink styrofoam insulation) to clear the roof of a SD.

 

I used the happy jacks on mine when I had a truck camper. They worked fine for me, have since sold the truck camper and bought a fifth wheel. the happy jack is for sale, and I'll take $50 for it. It is just sitting in the garage and I don't need it. I have an '04 f-350 single rear wheel.

 

As far as I know, the deeper bed came about on the '08 and up Super Duty Trucks... I have one and I have the "Pink Styrofoam" risers and they have been under my Lance on many weekends for the last year now. They are standing up fine.

BTW, my Happijack loops have never got me yet and if something is around that I'm going to get hurt on, I find it!!!
They're a great anchor package IMO.