Tore Out Mounting Tiedown on Camper
#1
Posted 22 May 2011 - 09:15 PM
I did find when I got home that the front pass. side turnbuckle was laying in the bed. Curious I stuck my hand up to see if the camper mounting point was still there and was greated with torn wood and the mount loop at an angle. The turnbuckle was still adjusted (not loosened) as I use a jamb nut to prevent that. I haven't taken the camper off yet but I know I have some serious repairs to do. Kind of a bummer for our first trip out.
So, has anyone got any great ideas on repairing this type of damage and what can be done to prevent this from happening again? I know I wasn't hardcore wheeling as the truck is bone stock, with only 285/75-16 tires adding a little height.
I was surprised that the mounting loop is not attached to the actual frame and is just in the wood.
Open to ideas. Thanks!
1984 Chevy M1010 Ambulance - Desert Turtle Build Thread
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#2
Posted 22 May 2011 - 09:42 PM
It happened right before I decided to bolt the camper down thru the floor instead.
#3
Posted 23 May 2011 - 02:32 AM
Back it up with a metal plate to repair it.
2022 F350 7.3L; family trailer at the moment and some aluminum stuck together to eventually form another truck camper
#4
Posted 23 May 2011 - 04:18 AM
Some old posts that touch on the subject here:
http://www.wanderthe...56/page__st__20
Sunman2003 Four Wheel Camper -Hawk
2023 All Terrain Camper - Panther 2006 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Limited 4WD
2017 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Limited 4WD
#5
Posted 23 May 2011 - 02:46 PM
Also need to come up with a way to keep the screws holding the L brackets in, from coming out. Found a half dozen inside the bench storage area that were not loose before the trip.
1984 Chevy M1010 Ambulance - Desert Turtle Build Thread
Sold: Build Thread on American Adventurist Dodge Ram and FWC Build
#6
Posted 23 May 2011 - 05:05 PM
(example: can you lift the couch up and take a pic from the top)
It sounds like the previous owner might have over tightened the turn buckle at some point.
The good news (maybe), depending on how bad it ripped through, it is usually an easy fix.
I will post some details shortly.
Over the years we have been making the eye nuts in the camper stronger & stronger to keep this for happening.
More to follow . . .
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Yeah, I had the turnbuckles set per FWC specs. I do think that corner might have already had some damage as I do recall it sitting at a slight angle. I'll have to get it off the truck and repair and then reinforce the mounts.
Also need to come up with a way to keep the screws holding the L brackets in, from coming out. Found a half dozen inside the bench storage area that were not loose before the trip.
.
.
Stan Kennedy --- Four Wheel Pop-up Campers
1400 Churchill Downs Avenue, Suite A
Woodland, CA 95776
(800) 242-1442 or (530) 666-1442
www.fourwh.com --- e-mail = stan@fourwh.com
#7
Posted 23 May 2011 - 07:21 PM
Any ideas you have would be great. I am very surprised the mounting does not go through any metal on the frame. I would think a corner plate welded to the frame would be less likely to ever pull through.
Also Stan, any thoughts on directly mounting it to the bed? This is not going to be removed unless I am selling the truck or the camper. Down the road I am thinking of building a custom flatbed for better use of the space.
Thanks.
Mike
1984 Chevy M1010 Ambulance - Desert Turtle Build Thread
Sold: Build Thread on American Adventurist Dodge Ram and FWC Build
#8
Posted 23 May 2011 - 10:21 PM
A lot of gravel, wash board, and four wheeling and never an issue. After reading several of these threads I think I'll stick with the old system on my new rig.
2012 FWC Hawk
#9
Posted 23 May 2011 - 11:44 PM
#10
Posted 24 May 2011 - 01:37 AM
1984 Chevy M1010 Ambulance - Desert Turtle Build Thread
Sold: Build Thread on American Adventurist Dodge Ram and FWC Build
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