Jump to content


Photo

Story: The Camper That Fell Off


  • Please log in to reply
50 replies to this topic

#21 longhorn1

longhorn1

    Ouch, that stings!

  • Members
  • 2,826 posts
  • LocationCarmel, Indiana

Posted 04 January 2019 - 04:43 PM

I purchased two safety chains with quick links install on both ends, and after installing the turnbuckles I will be installing the safety chains to the same eye bolts and camper tie-downs. Turnbuckles will continue to be checked.

Edited by longhorn1, 04 January 2019 - 04:45 PM.

  • 0

http://texaslonghorns01.blogspot.com/

 

Ford F-250 Long bed, 2014 Grandby

 


#22 DavidGraves

DavidGraves

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 1,263 posts

Posted 04 January 2019 - 04:58 PM

I used forged turnbuckles with lock nuts at the rear and have the front thru bolted to existing holes down thru Chevy truck bed mounts and frame...also with lock nuts.

 

Try to keep gentle tension on rear turnbuckles and check ever so often.

 

David Graves


  • 0

#23 yovik

yovik

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 61 posts
  • LocationBaja Arizona

Posted 04 January 2019 - 05:16 PM

These are my turnbuckle backup chains. I sheathed them with an old bike tube, and I zip tie them so they're not rubbing on the turnbuckles. The connect from the camper to a tie down bracket in the truck bed (not the eye bolt for the camper).

My turnbuckles are modified few ways as well:
1. There are lock nuts on each of them.
2. Each one is zip-tied to the eye bolt in the truck bed.

I still check the buckles once before we get moving.

Too much? Perhaps.
20171001_152454.jpeg Screenshot_20190104-100032.jpeg
  • 3
2006 Hawk, 2018 F150 XLT SuperCab 5.0 V8, 2020 Ibis Ripmo AF

#24 Wallowa

Wallowa

    Double Ought

  • Members
  • 2,173 posts
  • LocationNE Oregon

Posted 04 January 2019 - 06:05 PM

I guess you all think that the issue was stronger turnbuckles?  Or secondary security chains/straps?

 

#1  When was the last time you read a report of a FWC sliding out of a vehicle?  Seriously, never in my experience.

 

#2  He HAND TIGHTENED the turnbuckles and even after having one repeated loosen he never correctly tightened them.

 

#3  It doesn't take long nor does it require a lot of research to know that locking nuts prevent the turnbuckles from loosening.

 

The OP was a stand-up guy and acknowledged that it was his error that caused the camper to "escape"; for the camper to leave the bed of the truck all of the turnbuckles had to have come loose and come free from the camper/truck not just one.

 

Anyway he is one lucky guy and for the rest of us the sky is not falling...turnbuckles correctly tightened and locked work; and yes, periodic inspection of the turnbuckles makes sense.


  • 0

#25 camsf

camsf

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 32 posts

Posted 04 January 2019 - 06:06 PM

Amazing story.  Brings up something I'm considering for my slightly damaged Eagle.  I purchased it early last year (already with a bent frame) and have been using it with no issues and no further bending of the frame).  It's pretty clear the camper was dropped at some point although I'm not sure exactly what happened.  There is still clearance between the camper and the left side lip of the bed wall where the camper frame is bent inward. In order to support the frame on that side I have thought of shimming along that side between the bed wall and the camper (perhaps with rubber or some other soft but durable material) in order to support and keep the camper frame from bending further (the shim supporting the camper on that side).  However doing so would add a small weight load to the Tacoma bed wall on that side and I'm concerned that it might cause some structural issues with the Tacoma.  I'd like to run my rig at Cerro Gordo and other offroad sites which is why I'm considering this hack.  Love any feedback.

Attached Thumbnails

  • IMG_2215.jpg

  • 0

#26 RC Pilot Jim

RC Pilot Jim

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 1,544 posts
  • LocationSan Diego Calif

Posted 04 January 2019 - 07:06 PM

My Eagle is bolted down. I explore about 200 miles a year off - road and after 55,000 miles all nuts are tight. If you consider this course of action you will need to have a welder weld plates to the front of the frame frame (doesn't void your warranty). We located existing holes on the rear to bolt the plate to. You will need the plates if you have a Tacoma as the bed is composite NOT steel. We never take the camper off.


  • 0

Jim

Retired from truck camping June 2021

Our Basic Eagle/Fleet Shell Build


#27 knoxswift

knoxswift

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 219 posts
  • LocationAshburn, Virginia

Posted 04 January 2019 - 07:29 PM

Also, if you read the article I'm pretty sure the blown air-bag lead to some if his issues. More stress on the turnbuckles as he bounced around?

 

My 2c with a FWC and extreme off road people should move away from airbags.

 

I completely customized my suspension to be without airbags because I knew I'd be going extreme. Yes, the suspension,  might be a bit harsh if I have the camper out, but fulltime  camper install and desire to go extreme I think air bags are more a failure point than turnbuckles. 


  • 0

#28 camsf

camsf

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 32 posts

Posted 04 January 2019 - 08:12 PM

@Knoxswift do you think the Daystar cradles protect the airbags enough for bigger offroading? I've got them installed on my Taco with billstein springs at this point (and no other suspension mods).  Happy with the performance but haven't yet been in an environment where there will be huge articulation (enough to potentially rip a bag).  Cradles are supposed to mitigate this issue (at least to some extent).


  • 1

#29 knoxswift

knoxswift

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 219 posts
  • LocationAshburn, Virginia

Posted 04 January 2019 - 10:22 PM

Cradles are an interesting solution, I've seem some YouTube videos. I think they are to re-gain travel so removing the tear issue of over travel but does it protect against blowout? I think it would open up more to a slam down type of blowout?

The side to side sway of rock crawling with a heavy payload also gives the over pressures on a single airbag when bouncing along?

Sort of like low-riders hopping, those pressures kill the air-bag off road. (Let alone all the other possibilities of tears for other reasons).

I guess Cradles will support the sides to a point because they act like a Cup...but like you said how much still a question?

I think they are really meant to just regain some travel?

 

Don't get me wrong, bags are a good solution for many reasons, specifically if you don't install the FWC full time and want a better unloaded ride, it's my opinion not the optimal solution for extreme off road.

 

People need to really think about how they intend to use the FWC setup and be honest with the payloads and how much stress the bags can really take with the payloads under off road conditions.

 

My guess is that most Tacoma PUs are at or over the GVWR with a FWC...and that's the risk we accept with our mid-size trucks...There are plenty of threads on this topic on this forum in fact...

 

When I was designing my suspension I was looking for BAJA action with 1100+ payload and hard rock-crawling with the same payload and travel to allow for 33" tires. In my research I just couldn't find myself trusting airbags. Every airbag manufacturer calls out never overloading and only for leveling to GVWR, assuming on-road use only. In fact Air Springs even states it voids warranty to install on a modified off-road vehicle. 

 

I live by Lone Pine and know Cerro Gordo RD. I wouldn't do it with street tires and/or airbags...LOL...there are sections that will get that payload swaying and tire eating rocks...

 

So, my build, rear suspension,  I went with Custom 9 leaf no overload progressive Spring Pack (Working with a local spring shop), sway-a-ways (for roll), hydraulic bump stops and detachable sway bars. 

 

I've done AK wilderness, Moab Rock crawling, desert open tracks at ridiculous unsafe speeds, Smokey Mountain Muddy Forest, and miles of on-road crazy weather driving with my FWC installed and with the stock aluminum turnbuckles no lock nuts. Never had a problem.

 

(However, since being a part of this forum and reading about several issues with turnbuckles, I've upgraded and added lock nuts just this year... :D  :P )

 

All this is just my opinion... putting this out there, I found it very interesting the article called out the loss of an airbag, and I've read many times on forums of loss of airbags...I'm sure on that road the Tacoma was bottoming out with the lost airbag putting added stress on those turnbuckles...


  • 0

#30 klahanie

klahanie

    Senior Member

  • Validating
  • 932 posts
  • LocationSW BC

Posted 04 January 2019 - 11:31 PM

I'd be buying 649 that day (lotto ticket) ...

 

I get that the guy would have been concentrating on the road ahead but still find it bizarre he didn't notice sooner. But then again, I've seen full tilt ambulances driving on the shoulder for ages, hoping the obstructing driver in front might just check his mirrors.

 

Anyhoo, stuff happens.

 

 

Too much? Perhaps.

 

No, don't think so. You have to be happy with your own set up what ever it might be or look like. If the access to the turnbuckle and safety chain area is awkward I might have used a carabiner on one end. Great idea !


  • 0




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users