Turnbuckle Question

[Vic Harder]

yup, i'm using these length is adjustable by cutting off the extra length of the lower eyebolt these are standard 1/2 threaded bits, available in several lengths i bought a bunch and experimented

on some corners i cut the eyebolt to make a hook out of it, on other corners i used carabiners to get the right length

not really spring loaded, but strongly cammed, and they have a large safety pin

 

[klahanie]

I found these "bullets" for springs. Don't know they could be incorporated and still fit the factory ...

http://www.torklift.com/index.php/products/turnbuckles/basic-springload

 

[OutbacKamper]

Thanks for the info Vic, I have ordered a set of the Derringers. Once they arrive I will figure out how to rig them with new turnbuckles/chains/quick links/etc. I like the design of the derringer handle that includes a pin to lock it in place, hopefully there is enough room between the camper and truck to operate the handles and install the pins.
Cheers

 

[CougarCouple]

Thanks Vic

 

[OutbacKamper]

I found these "bullets" for springs. Don't know they could be incorporated and still fit the factory ...

http://www.torklift.com/index.php/products/turnbuckles/basic-springload

Are you thinking that there would be enough give in the bullet spring to eliminate the turnbuckle completely (ie: derringer/chain/bullet) ?

 

[Karlton]

I put nuts on the normal thread portion of the turnbuckle and after the turnbuckles are tightened and set up I tighten the nights to keep the turnbuckles from moving.....it works and I haven't had any loosen up....

Agreed. I had my Hawk installed in Boise, ID and they put a nut on the part of the turnbuckle closest to the bed. No issues with loosening.

 

[klahanie]

Are you thinking that there would be enough give in the bullet spring to eliminate the turnbuckle completely (ie: derringer/chain/bullet) ?

Mentioned the bullet because the derringer has no spring (someone was asking). The way I read Vic's post (below) there is no turnbuckle in his assembly and I wouldn't think there'd be room for one in the oem positions, at least on my camper . Perhaps the carabiner could be substituted with a bullet + link for the longer pair of hold downs. Two spring loaded hold downs might be better than none. Again don't know the length of the pieces and of course the attachment point's eye to eye distance will be application dependent.

yup, i'm using these length is adjustable by cutting off the extra length of the lower eyebolt these are standard 1/2 threaded bits, available in several lengths i bought a bunch and experimented

on some corners i cut the eyebolt to make a hook out of it, on other corners i used carabiners to get the right length

not really spring loaded, but strongly cammed, and they have a large safety pin

 

[Vic Harder]

Just went out and popped off a Derringer and took some pictures and measurements. I don't think you need a spring/bullet.

Here is a view of the passenger side rear turnbuckle still mounted. To remove it, I just remove the pin and pull the handle towards me (and to tighten it, I push it in, I find that easier than trying to reach into this space and pull it tight). That give me enough slack to remove the top of the Derringer from the camper side eyebolt (I've upgraded mine to the latest FWC style). It then is flopping around in there and I can loosen the caribiner to extract the whole unit. On some of the other corners, I may have a caribiner dangling from the top, and cut the eyebolt on the Derringer into a "C" shape to so I loop it into the truck mounted eyebolts.

Here the whole unit laid out and some length pictures.

And here is a pic of the inside of the Derringer. This bolt has been cut, and then tweaked for length by turning it in a few threads. Once the ideal length is achieved (judged by how hard it is to close the Derringer once mounted) then I also added some blue loctite. No loosening, ever.

I don't think these are any better than properly secured turnbuckles. Meaning locknuts/loctite/security wire - pick your poison. But they sure go on and off in a hurry. Just mark each one for which corner they are for. Putting them on again is then a piece of cake.

 

[OutbacKamper]

Thanks very much Vic, that is extremely useful info. Can you say approximately how much change in overall length occurs between the open and closed derringer positions?

 

[Vic Harder]

an inch?

 

[MattC]

I have been using the full size Fastguns on my Pastime (outside the bed to frame mounts) for a short while, and they are great

So now that we have a FWC fleet on the way, I have been wondering if there would be room to build some kind of short assembly for inside the bed mounts using their Derringer model.

I guess this answers my question

 

[dharte]

I'm glad to see lots of discussion and good ideas on this thread. So far, with about four thousand miles of road trips including washboard and moderate off-roading, the zip ties have prevented the turnbuckles from coming loose.

 

[Jeromelo]

Hi, doing my bit on learning the ins and outs of FWC since I'm in the market for a Swift/Finch camper. I was wondering if anybody has used the Rachet strap system on the FWC like Phoenix Campers.

 

[VanGoOutdoors]

i fixed it with sourcing stainless steel ones. The crappy ones supplied were garbage and after 2 months have pretty much become useless due to corrosion.

i think we will be selling them around 24 bucks a piece

http://www.qmh-inc.com/product.php?pid=20160104000005

 

[AlMcK]

Vic, I have been trying to purchase the newer camper side eyebolts (upgraded to latest FWC style) but could not find a supplier. So I am about to get four made for me. I guessed the dimensions as 1/4" Stainless steel angle- 1 1/2" x 2" x 6". Is that about correct?
Thanks, Al

 

[Vic Harder]

Vic, I have been trying to purchase the newer camper side eyebolts (upgraded to latest FWC style) but could not find a supplier. So I am about to get four made for me. I guessed the dimensions as 1/4" Stainless steel angle- 1 1/2" x 2" x 6". Is that about correct?
Thanks, Al

I had mine shipped from FWC. Your dimensions sound about right. It's the upper 3"x6" plate that is more critical. What camper are you modifying? Are you in Calgary?

 

[AlMcK]

I am in Jasper and it's a 2005 Hawk. I wasn't sure if I would be able to get the new brackets or not but turns out a machine shop in Hinton was happy to make them for me. I had them put a 75deg angle on them instead of 90 so that the pull is directly towards the forged eyebolts in the truck bed. I will try to attach a couple pictures of them. Since I didn't know if I would be able to get the brackets I went ahead with 3.5"x8"x 1/4" plates both inside and outside on the camper, Then used three grade 8 bolts at each corner with the original camper side eye nut. Now that I have the brackets I will be able to just bolt them in. I guess it might be a bit over built but maybe the turnbuckle will now be the weak point?

 

[Vic Harder]

Looks good. Yes, the turnbuckles... I like my FasGun Derringers, but others here are using a variety of techniques to secure them... wingnuts, safety wire, etc.

 

[ntsqd]

With the big turn-buckles on our old camper I used safety wire and it worked very well. With the new(er) camper I'm just using the jam nuts supplied on the marine safety line turn-buckles (both LH & RH nuts) and I've not seen these loosen. They are outside of the bed where they're easy to get at.

 

[Wallowa]

Jam nuts only here....have not loosened.....lots of off road pounding...'16 Hawk, plates intact....