I've been pretty good at checking my turnbuckles on my 2014 Bobcat. Not every 300 miles good, but around every 500 miles good. And I've always made sure to follow Marty's "hand tight then 1/4 turn more" that he drove into my mind the day we received the camper, even to the point that I loosen them a couple times a year and retighten them to make sure they're not overtightened.
Today, I went to check them and (to my shock and surprise) the forward passenger buckle was laying in the truck bed. I was very confused. I knew they had been tightened a short while back. Then I noticed the 2" washer lying there. So, I reached up to check the eyelet on the underside of the camper: nothing. Nada. Not there. I felt around and there it was lying in the bed just outside of direct sight. <Gulp> My first thought (maybe my second thought after a "wtf!") was how long had it been like this? Ultimately, it doesn't really matter. It broke and I'm fortunate that the other buckles didn't loosen or fail themselves.
So, the now what? question. Get an equivalent bolt and eyelet and reinstall? Or do something different? Would love to hear folk's thoughts.
