Spring-loaded Turnbuckles and Mount Kit

[rockandroll]

My used camper came with the what appears to be an off-brand or older Happijac tie-down system without the stabilizer bar.

We installed the rear anchor bolts & couplers directly in the bumper (with no support other than the bumper) and the front anchor plates and the guide plates (with no stabilizer bar in between). This is how the original owner had it fixed to his Dakota.

My biggest concern is that the turnbuckles are not cushioned or spring loaded. I plan to replace the front 2 turnbuckles with spring loaded turnbuckles, but my question to the board is are the rear ones okay?

As for the lack of a stabilizer bar and bumper supports do you think I will be okay? I won't be doing any "off-roading" but expect a lot of pot holes and poor road conditions throughout the journey south.

 

[njtaco]

IIRC, Happijack specs the "extra" support bar on some trucks and not others depending somewhat on the strength of the bed bulkhead. If you are off-roading...er, Expeditioning...I'd install one regardless of the truck.

If I were to have to chose, I'd use rigid stays in the front and sprung stays on the bumper, to allow a little movement as the truck flexes.

You don't have a plastic bedliner, do you? If so, remove it. Too slippery for a truck camper to be stable on.

Those rear bumper "buttons" are plenty strong, but plenty of people lose the the attachments. Buy spares...

 

[eugene]

Mine had turnbuckles with rubber bushings for one set. I put them on the rear, figured I wanted the least flex next to the truck cab to prevent any contact there.
I'm using the tie downs in the truck bed.

 

[rockandroll]

Thanks for the replies Gentlemen.

I've heard that the rear bumper mounted buttons are fairly strong. But, I've decided to ditch those front plates drilled into the bed and go with Torklift front tie-downs.

As for the springs: I called Happijac and they suggest the front turnbuckles be spring-loaded (and that the rear bumper will act like a spring, so spring-loaded in the rear is not as important). I'm likely going to go spring loaded all around as a safety precaution with my wood framed camper.

njtaco: don't have a plastic bed-liner, but thanks anyway. I've found that the camper will slide easily (only 1,200 lbs wet) on my un-treated truck bed. A rubber mat should fix this and is on the way.

I also talked to Torklift and the part number for the front tie-downs for the 1st generation Tundra is T-2301. Couldn't find it online, so I figured I'd leave it here for the searchers.