Turnbuckle/tie down options?

[DonC]

Are there options to the standard turnbuckles/eye bolts supplied by FWC? I've had one failure of the eye bolt at the camper. Just recently an eye bolt in the bed of my truck and the turnbuckle were both missing when checked everything before driving home from a trip - they were both in place at the beginning of the trip. So, I'm looking to see if there are options.

 

[pvstoy]

I had two FWC and both of them I bolted through the floor. Metal plates were used on both sides for backing. In the early years that is the way they were done. That is another option.....

 

[ntsqd]

In similar threads I've posted links to McMaster-Carr parts that have forged eye eye-bolts and eye-nuts, and clevis ended turn-buckles. I used forged eye-bolts along with the backing plates that Patrick suggests. As I anchored to the jack brackets I only needed the plates under the bed.

 

[chnlisle]

I think these would work. You might have to add a QuickLink or two but they're way cheaper then Derringer Fast Guns.

http://www.amazon.com/Koch-100942-Binder-Working-Pounds/dp/B002PNORZE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413400062&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+load+binder

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Binder-Chain-Tensioner-Tightener/dp/B00B0ITRKK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1413400315&sr=8-6&keywords=mini+load+binder#productDetails

http://www.amazon.com/3150BC-Zinc-Plated-Quick-Link/dp/B000I19DNG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1413400404&sr=8-2&keywords=A+Quick+links

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

175 lbs. working load capacity is not much.






.

 

[chnlisle]

Per corner gives you a total of 700lbs. Breaking strength is much higher. I wonder what the working load of a eye bolt through ply wood is. It never seems to be the turnbuckles or other attachments that fail. Certainly cheap enough to buy to and test keeping a turnbuckle on hand for backup.

 

[BillM]

I never liked the factory eyebolt install. On my Nissan I used a plate underneath the bed and a U-channel on top. I also upgraded to forged turnbuckles and grade 8 bolts at the camper. Have had no problem after several years and thousands of miles of rough roads. Just got back from 4wheeling in UT and have had no problems.
-BillM
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[ntsqd]

Thanks to BillM for pulling it up, what I posted in this thread: http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/9423-question-about-tie-downs-for-fwc/

I used some forged eyebolts for the anchor to the bed.

A little over $5 each and 1,300 lbs (vertical) capacity each: http://www.mcmaster.com/#eyebolts/=tzdxvp Even discounting for an slightly angled pull I guessimated that to be roughly a 4X Safety Factor.

Made some 4"x4"X1/8" plates from cold rolled steel for under the bed and used flanged all metal lock-nuts (~$8/50) to secure them.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#hex-locknuts/=tze0cv

I think that I also used these turn-buckles:
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/9423-question-about-tie-downs-for-fwc/

Their 1200lbs Working Load Limit, each, is close to the gross weight of our camper, providing a large Safety Factor.