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Do I need a sled deck? 

While truck campers are the most common use for our tie downs and turnbuckles, a truck camper is not the only useful application you can use them for. A great example of something else you can use tie downs and turnbuckles for are truck bed sled decks! 

Check out their entire set up with the sled deck fully loaded and travel trailerPhoto Credit: Coty Built. Check out their entire set up with the sled deck fully loaded and travel trailer.

Sled decks are incredibly convenient for hauling recreational equipment without having to set up a towing system and trailer. It’s also a useful application if you want to tow a travel trailer, boat trailer, horse trailer, etc., while bringing along extra toys like snowmobiles, Jeeps, ATVs and more. 

Coty Built 2These truck decks are installed in the bed of your truck which means you’ll have to make sure that your truck is able to handle the amount of weight that you’re going to be loading into the bed. On average and depending on what kind of truck sled deck you purchase. You can refer to your Owner’s Manual on how much capacity your truck can handle.

 


What do I need to hold down my cargo? 
Now that you know the basics of what a sled bed or sled deck is, it’s good to know the gear you’ll need in order to make sure that it, and your cargo stays securely attached to your truck. Coty Built, a company in British Columbia that does custom work on Jeeps, recently shared their sled deck photos with us. Who do they trust most with the safety of their expensive rigs? Torklift of course! 

“Without your products, this system would not work! Twenty thousand miles towed so far without any sway or issues!” 

-Coty Built

So, what product does Coty Built use to haul their Jeep and sled deck? 


1. FastGun Turnbuckle
FastGunThese stainless steel turnbuckles come in sets of two and are spring-loaded with spring tension indicators. What does that mean? It means that you can quickly determine the correct tension needed to hold down your deck. Manufacturer recommended tension is 300 pounds to be applied for securing the deck properly. 

The number one selling turnbuckle in the world, the FastGun only takes seconds to install and remove, making them exceptionally quick and convenient. This is due to the quick-release handle that allows for easy, tool-free adjustment. 


2. Tie Downs
tdtbWhen it comes to Torklift tie downs, you won’t find anything stronger! The patented design incorporates four independent tie down points that bolt directly to the truck frame. This dramatically improves stability and handling while you’re hauling your sled deck and accessories. 


These tie downs are engineered to provide safety, security and stability while on the road. They are designed to fit tight and secure to your truck frame with no loss of ground clearance. 



The FastGun turnbuckles and Torklift tie downs also come with our Legendary Lifetime Warranty. When used with our tie downs with any of our fully spring-loaded turnbuckles, including the FastGuns, we also warranty the truck frame and camper anchor points for the extent of the manufacturer’s warranty. 


For questions about setting up your snowmobile truck deck, Jeep truck deck or sled deck, or for more information on Torklift tie downs or FastGun turnbuckles, contact us at 800-246-8132 or shop now at one of our Torklift Certified Dealers.

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kerstin

Written by Kerstin Stokes:
As a graduate from the College of Idaho with a B.A. in both History and Art, Kerstin has found her passion for writing and marketing. She enjoys looking up tasty recipes, spoiling her cat Clio and daydreaming about future travels. 

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Torklift or HappiJac Tie Downs?

When getting ready to journey out with your truck camper, a thought that probably crosses your mind, “is my truck camper safe?” The way your truck camper is secured with tie downs and turnbuckles is essential for safety and stability while hauling. What brand of tie downs and turnbuckles are out there?

HappiJac Tie Downs - Starting at $284.80
HappiJac has designed a tie downs system by creating an I-beam truss structure that uses leverage to reduce the force on your truck, and control the truck camper movement. The front two anchor plates are drilled for installation at the front of the truck bed where the cab and bed meet.

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The two rear anchor points are drilled onto the back bumper. The HappiJac tie down anchor points paired with their turnbuckles create a triangle leverage counter force to prevent side-to-side, front-to-back and up and down movement. By preventing this movement, it prevents the camper and truck from moving as a solid unit which can cause jolting to the truck bed and camper. This tie down system is covered by a one year warranty from purchase date.

 

Turnbuckle Blog 2Torklift Steel Frame-Mounted tie downs - Starting at $313.99
Torklift’s patented designed tie downs incorporate four tie down points that bolt directly to the truck’s frame. A system that bolts directly to the truck frame dramatically improves stability and handling. The tie downs are engineered to secure your truck camper to your truck with a tight fit and no loss of ground clearance.

The Frame-mounted tie down systems are designed to eliminate bed and bumper damage. When the steel frame-mounted tie downs are paired with any of our fully spring-loaded turnbuckles, we warranty the truck frame and camper anchor points for the extent of the manufacturers warranty. Because the turnbuckles are springloaded, it allows the truck and camper to move together as a solid unit which prevents jolting to the truck. Since the tie downs mount to the frame, there is no risk of tearing sheet metal on the bed or pulling down on the bumper. We have also designed a high-performance aluminum and stainless steel tie down called the Talon Camper Tie Downs that is constructed of 100% military grade aluminum and stainless steel that is rust free and corrosion protected for life. 

Turnbuckle Blog 3A tie down finishing kit and locks are available for both tie downs. Our tie downs are also the only tie downs in the industry that come with a Legendary Lifetime Warranty.

Features of the Torklift Talon Tie Downs include:

• Rust free corrosion protection for life†
• Dramatic improvement with vehicle handling and stability and is the safest way to haul a truck camper (prevents vehicle sway and camper movement in all directions)
• Mounts using independent tie down points that bolt directly to the truck frame
• Available for best-selling applications
• Tie down receiver tube and tie down insert are each 100% military grade aluminum and stainless steel
• Fast, 100% no-drill installations
• No loss of ground clearance
• Hidden when not in use
• Best ride quality in the industry
• Finishing Kit included
• Lockable with Tie Down Locks
• Legendary Lifetime Warranty
• Proudly made in the USA

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So what do I use to connect my truck camper to my tie downs?

HappiJac Quik-Load turnbuckle
The Quik-Load is a stainless steel body with a reinforced ½ solid steel round hook. It can be turned to adjust the tension after installation. This turnbuckle features a rubber cushioned handle that can be detached, and locking pins that keep the turnbuckle in place and can be quickly removed. The Quik-Load turnbuckle comes with a one year warranty.

Torklift Original FastGun turnbuckle - Starting at $323.99
Turnbuckle Blog 5Torklift has designed a FastGun truck camper turnbuckle that is the number one selling quick-disconnect turnbuckle in the RV industry. This stainless steel turnbuckle comes in a set of two and are spring-loaded with spring tension indicators to determine perfect tension. Precision made from high impact, powder coated steel, the FastGun turnbuckle is available in black, white, polished stainless steel and grey. They are compatible with both frame-mounted and bed-mounted tie downs and come with a Legendary Lifetime Warranty. Our tie downs, when installed properly, provide 100% support for your truck and camper. Torklift has designed the FastGuns to secure your truck camper investment to your truck as well as further security with the FastGuns Locks which help deter any potential theft of your turnbuckles!

Features of the FastGun turnbuckles include:

• No. 1 selling patented quick disconnect turnbuckle in the world
• Connects and disconnects in seconds - Quick release handle allows for easy tool-free adjustment
• Spring-loaded design ensures a safe ride for your family and your truck camper
• Tension indicators determine perfect tension to hold down truck camper while in use
• Precision made from high impact powder-coated stainless steel
• Available for frame-mounted or bed-mounted tie downs
• Lockable to secure your truck camper (locks sold separately)
• Legendary Lifetime Warranty
• Proudly made in the USA

For a better truck camping experience and overall improved safety and stability – it’s a pretty clear choice. To learn more information on Torklift tie down or turnbuckle products, contact us at 800.246.8132 or email: support at torklift.com. 

 

shyannWritten by Shyann Guerra:
Being in an environment in which I can problem solve is where I flourish. Every answer to a problem leads me to a new concept to understand or a lesson to learn. When I'm not solving problems I enjoy camping and going to festivals with my family - from the local city center festivals to the mountains of Wenatchee at the Winter Grass, blue grass music festival. Experiencing culture is where my heart is content. 

 

 

 

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Don’t hold your truck camper to your truck with glue

Glue Blog 11Sher Jennings-South Dakota born and raised and familiar with the extreme weather patterns is ready for it all. She also understands when it’s unsafe and time to shut it down. Working with her grandfather who was a home mover and very adamant about using the safest equipment really set her safety standards in place, especially while hauling. She carried these standards into purchasing her first camper. Friends badgered her with other alternate brand tie downs but after she did her research, she decided to go with Torklift turnbuckles and tie downs.

Don't let this happen to you!

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Tie downs vs. wind

Glue Blog 3A couple years ago while on a trip with a friend who previously badgered her about trying an alternate brand of tie downs, heavy winds hit hard. That afternoon on the way back from the Pendleton Roundup the friend of Shers’ was hauling her caravan to the Gorge with their brand new $45,000 truck. When they had finally arrived both the driver and the passenger were a wreck in fear of the support and safety of the caravan. She then asked them, “why they had just bought a new truck and spent $30,000 on a new camper but settled for a cheaperalternate brand of tie downs?” Sher then tried to explain how using an alternate brand of tie downs is like trying to secure your camper using Elmer’s glue. It’s important that when investing a large amount of money into a new rig and camper that you have a tie down system that is going to protect and support that investment. Torklift has two types of tie downs that will do just that!

Frame-Mounted Steel Tie Downs
This option secures your truck camper at four independent tie down points directly to the frame. This tie down improves the vehicle’s handling and stability with no loss of ground clearance. A lifetime warranty comes with this tie down.Glue Blog 4

Talon Aluminum Tie Down 
This is a high performance tie down that is lightweight and rust free for life. It also secures the truck camper to the truck frame. Constructed out of light weight military grade aluminum, it’s 50% lighter than most steel tie down applications. Featuring high impact powder coating with a no-drill application, this product is also covered by a lifetime warranty.

What connects the camper to the tie down?

Glue Blog 5Torklift has designed a FastGun turnbuckle that is the number one selling quick-disconnect turnbuckle in the RV industry. This stainless steel turnbuckle comes in a set of two and are spring-loaded with spring tension indicators. They are compatible with both frame-mounted and bed-mounted tie downs with a Legendary lifetime warranty.

 

Our tie downs, when installed properly, provide 100% support for your truck and camper. Torklift has also designed a product to secure your investment that much more! With FastGun Locks you are able to secure your turnbuckles to your tie down. The locks come with keys for convenience and weather caps to prevent damage and road grime. For more information on any of these products you can contact us at 800.246.8132 or email: support@torklift.com. 

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shyannWritten by Shyann Guerra:
Being in an environment in which I can problem solve is where I flourish. Every answer to a problem leads me to a new concept to understand or a lesson to learn. When I'm not solving problems I enjoy camping and going to festivals with my family - from the local city center festivals to the mountains of Wenatchee at the Winter Grass, blue grass music festival. Experiencing culture is where my heart is content. 

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