Story: The Camper That Fell Off

[oldhotrod]

Let me try this again...the Motor Trend crew stopped to help this Taco owner after the fwc fell off the back of the truck...sorry no details as of yet....photo credit to #ShaunOchsner...

 

[Edgewood]

Would not like to be that guy bending over behind the camper.

 

[smlobx]

Forget to check his front turnbuckles??

 

[Mthomas]

https://quietripple.wordpress.com/2018/12/05/thank-you-jesus/?fbclid=IwAR3TyhMEU9H8ZwnsNUOAmnOuP_Ej5USmPJHRhlOg_aTiMwzxaeSMHFkJa88

 

[XJINTX]

Wow good luck for him!!! Hey guys and gals check your turnbuckles often when off the beaten path lock nuts help!!! I believe in Karma so he has done well for someone in the past or will look forward to helping someone down the road.

 

[Happyjax]

Good people in this camping/off-roading world

 

[Ted]

Not sure which is more surprising, not realizing the camper was no longer on his truck or running into a group like that to help him. Either way, an amazing story.

 

[ski3pin]

I'd like to see photos of all the turnbuckles and mounting points to see the cause, what happened, and the aftermath. I'm most curious so we can all learn from this.

It's funny, we almost drove up that road last week. We decided not too as we had explorations elsewhere and the road gets big group traffic.

He was one lucky guy.

 

[craig333]

What a lucky guy! Three week old camper. Likely that settling in process loosened em up. Not to notice? Looks like it wasn't damaged in the process at least. That's why I want to add a strap to my camper, a last ditch failsafe. Next time it comes off I'll do that.

 

[pvstoy]

What a surprising story that how the events worked out to get it back on the truck. Amazing!

On both sides on the front use a wire rope with clips to the eye bolts should be a good safety backup to stop the camper from sliding off.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Great story and it turned out OK.
You would think he would have missed
the camper when it slid off.

Sure would like to know about the turnbuckles.
How did all 4 come off and not be noticed?
All worked out for him.
Frank

 

[PackRat]

If you are using standard turnbuckles, you probably need only one or two runs out there on the highway or some uneven roadways to "set" your camper. Then make any adjustments necessary (usually tightening) and then use WIRE threaded through and around the turnbuckle and the eyebolts to keep them from loosening. I have seen turnbuckles with hex nuts you tighten down onto the turnbuckle from the outer threaded rod which should be checked periodically, but I have neveer seen turnbuckles with an additional INTERNAL hex nut that can be used to tighten the outer hex nut, the turnbuckle itself and the internal hex nut against one another.

This is a weak spot in the design if they are not checked often enough. Especially if you are going off-road or are on some dismal paved roades.

 

[Ripperj]

How can you lose a 1/2 ton (or more) camper off the back and not know? Just the fact that your rear window is no longer blocked would be a big hint

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

This may not be true for everyone but
I have driven my ATC Bobcat over 50K
and never had to re tighten the turnbuckles.
Granted I don't travel 4x4 roads but I have
traveled some pretty rough diet ones.
I still check them though.
Just saying.
My thought also about the camper coming off
and not noticing the extra light from the rear truck window.
Frank

 

[craig333]

I can see it. Its a tough dangerous road. You are keeping your eyes on the road lest you hit the valley floor prematurely.

 

[BillTheHiker]

Explanation is in one of the article's comments:

Roger, I tightened the turnbuckles before I set off but I guess the jolting and shaking loosened them up quickly. I should have checked again half way up. I am going to get some locknut system as the consequences of these turnbuckles slacking off are catastrophic.

 

[PackRat]

While you may not lose your camper, as each turnbuckle slacks off, the forces it held in check are passed on to the others in a domino effect and may end up ripping out floor panels! Secure them and add checking on them to your check list to prevent movement of the loss of the camper in the extreme case.

 

[theway131]

The turnbuckle and thru bolt system with backer plates from FWC a very weak and flawed system. I’ve deformed two different trucks beds and almost lost my camper on 3 occasions! When the bed deforms the turnbuckle gets loose and all hell breaks loose. It can happen from one hard bump.....Stoked they were able to find such good help out on the trail.

 

[EDR]

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/off-road/adventures/the-camper-that-fell-off/

A story worth reading.

I’ve read the advice of fellow campers on this site many times, but it never hurts to mention it again - be sure to regularly check your turnbuckles!

 

[Josh41]

I ordered Torklift Derringers, yet to install.