15 replies to this topic

[ntsqd]

If the truck bed has internal tie-downs you may be able to run a cable from one rear tie-down around the backside of the camper to the other tie-down. This can be down low where visible and possibly even be run behind a piece of trim should there be any. Shouldn't take much to stop the rearward translation. 1/8" cable is probably too small, but not by a lot. Use a turn-buckle on one end to tension the cable. Armor the corners with steel though, cables make decent saws given the chance.

 

What is your bed mat's weight? Our is in the 50-60 lbs range. If yours isn't that heavy it may not be as much rubber as you need. Our first camper did the jitterbug on wash-board roads until I put that mat under it. It rides between the steel bed and the camper floor, nothing else is in there. If you have a plastic bed liner that for sure will give trouble, even with a rubber mat on top of it.

[smlobx]

Just saw this thread and as others have said welcome to one of the best truck camper forums out there.

 

I am a Hallmark owner as well and agree with Wandering Sagebrush about the Torquelift front tie down and Fast guns. They are not cheap but they do work very well. Like you mentioned the guys at Hallmark drilled additional holes in the bracket that allows the tie downs to sit about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch from the bed panel. It works very well. Also the Torquelift brackets have 2 different attachment points that will allow you to move the lower attachment point forward about 4 inches.

 

Another thing I noticed is that the plate that your tie down attaches to is something I’ve never seen before. I’m wondering if that is some sort of bracket the previous owner had installed. Mine secures to the plate on the camper much more securely. I can take a picture if you want.

 

We have taken our rig on some pretty bumpy roads but don’t have the fixed step that you do. My steps retract up under the bed.

Edited by smlobx, 21 February 2021 - 04:20 PM.

[smlobx]

I had to go to my shop and snapped a couple of pictures. 
‘Here’s the front bracket mounted. Although it looks like it may be sticking out several inches the Fast gun just clears the side.

 

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[smlobx]

Here is the front mounting point for the camper. Obviously I have a manual jack but between it and the camper is a C channel piece of metal that attaches completely along the camper’s plate. My Fastgun attaches into the hole on the front. 
Very secure.

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[Dadocut]

Thom: My mat is quite heavy but it sits on top of a spray-on bed liner.  Maybe the liner makes it slip and causes the movement.

 

Eddie: The front frame-mount torklift tie-down points look similar to the rear ones I have.  They are stout but unfortunately would interfere with the F250's running board step.  When you use your fastguns, do they go straight up and down?  Or do they angle forward, helping to hold your camper towards the front of the bed.  The C Channel is an interesting idea.  For my truck I'd need the C channel on the inside of the plate but it might get me a better mounting spot. 

 

All these suggestions have sparked a number of ideas.  Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

As soon as I get my water tank back in I'll work on the tie-downs.

[smlobx]

Thom: My mat is quite heavy but it sits on top of a spray-on bed liner.  Maybe the liner makes it slip and causes the movement.

 

Eddie: The front frame-mount torklift tie-down points look similar to the rear ones I have.  They are stout but unfortunately would interfere with the F250's running board step.  When you use your fastguns, do they go straight up and down?  Or do they angle forward, helping to hold your camper towards the front of the bed.  The C Channel is an interesting idea.  For my truck I'd need the C channel on the inside of the plate but it might get me a better mounting spot. 

 

All these suggestions have sparked a number of ideas.  Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

As soon as I get my water tank back in I'll work on the tie-downs.

my front tie downs actually are pointed back and the rear ones pointed forward so that my rear bracket actually keeps it from slipping backward.

‘Here’s a picture all nice and clean before we left for Alaska last summer!

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