Seon
Lake Camanhe, CA
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Joined: 07/02/2006
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How tight should the hold downs be? Hand tight, snug tight or wrench tight? I just bought a '96 Elkhorn 8' camper yesterday, loaded into the truck bed and the seller hand tightened the hold downs saying that's tight enough. I drove 100 miles home and discovered three of the hold downs loosened considerably. I don't want to over tighten that it rips the eye bolt off the camper.
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RJsfishin
Winston Or.
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Joined: 10/16/2007
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Once things settle in, it will stay snug,....providing that whatever you're tightening can't work loose.
Rich
'98 Flair, 454, Onan Microlite 4k, Intel PD 9155 w/ wizard, Sta-power 1500 watt Inv, 2 6v batts, ammeters, KingDome/sat, Oly Catalytic Heat, hauling 2 Bent Bikes and sometimes towing a Tracker F&S boat.
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EricCO
Gilcrest, Colorado
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Joined: 04/16/2007
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Hand tight. I think my happijacs say to spin the barrel until it moves about 1/16". That's not very tight. I just tighten them up until they won't wobble to much.
Mine loosen considerably depending on how the truck is sitting. I think it twists a little or something which is why you want play in them.
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Seon
Lake Camanhe, CA
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Hand tight it'll be. Thanks
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cewillis
Tucson, az, usa
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Joined: 01/24/2005
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Depends on what you're using. Torklift (and Happijac?) tie downs have springs that need to be engaged (stretched) some. The springs provide needed give, while maintaining a snug hold.
Cal
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Butch50
NW Montana
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Joined: 06/29/2002
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If you don't have them I would highly recommend that you get spring turnbuckles for at least the front tie downs. I didn't a number of years back and ended up pulling out the tie down on the camper. I'll never load a camper again without having either something like the Fastguns or the spring loaded turn buckles.
This is IMO
Butch
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cyclegrrrl
nh
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Joined: 09/25/2008
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I too will never go without some type of spring cushioning system on the front tie downs. Not having that system eventually led to the eyebolts on my camper coming loose and getting damaged - after about 6 years. The eyebolts on the camper can only take so many shocks of bumps on the road before they give way! The springs system are a bit pricey, but less costly than a damaged camper.
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Wanderin fool
Woodland Park, Colo.
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Joined: 10/07/2004
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My instructions say to tighten them about 1/4 inch past where they are snug when you sinch them. As said, they need the room to move. I check mine all the time, as the camper moves a bit on some of the trails I go down.
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