turnbuckles and locknuts....

[HERR42]

well i believe i have the best solution to the issue of the loosening turnbuckles.

i put on a single wingnut over one hardened steel split ring lock washer....and it works perfect.

not a star washer, it has to be a split ring type. the black hardened steel type.

easy to tighten and ease to back off. no wrench needed.

i tested it on some really bad roads and i can say it worked perfectly. no adjustment required over many weeks.

done.

thats all i have to say about that.

 

[highz]

Did you test star washers, too? I believe DD uses star washers. I ask, because I am about to add wing nuts to my turnbuckles and just bought star washers. Should I go back to the hardware store?

 

[DirtyDog]

Actually I didn't use any washers at all and its been fine.

 

[HERR42]

star washers dont work as well in "hand tight" situations for me.

the split ring washer has more compression range.

dont get cheap ones...get the hardened ones...1/2 in, lots of compression and a good one-way bite.

 

[pods8]

I'm running the star washers and just a quick application of pressure with a pair of adjustable pliers to make sure things are snug and have no issues so far.

 

[Jon&Sue_DeArman]

The problem with split ring washers is not making everything tight; it getting them off again. The steel split ring point gouges into the aluminum turn buckle when you try to loosen the wing nut; it takes an eight inch crescent to get it loose. Just make sure you have a steel washer under it, or use a star washer.

 

[HERR42]

i disagree...get a bigger split ring washer....half inch


it wont fight back so much.

the goal is to NOT NEED TOOLS!!!

a star washer will not hold over time...it does not have enough flex.

 

[fish more]

Torklift Derringers

I have put the Derrringers equipped with 8" j-bolts since I purchased my Hawk, I have not had one come loose !! I will post pictures once I fix my computor to reduce the size of the photos I have taken. I telling you, this is the way to go with the tie down issue. The TorkliftDerringers are small and compact, easy to use, and do not loosen up !! Just a note: I also use two quick links for added length to the camper end of the tie down system(only because I could not find any longer j-bolts, still looking for longer units, will install when I find them. The tie down system is easy to install and it works !! You might depending o your model of camper may need to add or delete a quick link, or if you find longer j-bolts, no quick links at all. Let me know if anybody has found any longer j-bolts. OK, see ya , have to go fishin now.

 

[pods8]

the goal is to NOT NEED TOOLS!!!

a star washer will not hold over time...it does not have enough flex.

I'm cool with using a pair of pliers, not a big deal to me (probably didn't really need them but I felt better snugging it up with some). As it is I use a screw driver through the turn buckle to get 1/2 turn after things are hand tight so this is never a "tool free operation" to me. To me it should just require bare bones tools that folks should have on hand anyways.

I guess I'm missing your "flex" requirement in terms of holding over time, the purpose of the lock washer to to make sure the wing nut has friction opposing the turnbuckle oval from turning. You are stating you think the split washer sets by hand easier, which is find I don't care to question that. However you either create the friction or you don't off the bat so this isn't an over time question.