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How to anchor light-weight truck bed camper to first gen

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by MT-Tundra, Aug 30, 2024.

  1. Aug 30, 2024 at 1:42 PM
    #1
    MT-Tundra

    MT-Tundra [OP] XX

    Joined:
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    #115150
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    811
    Montana
    Vehicle:
    2002 AC 4wd V8 Limited
    In the little online searching I've done, I'm finding advice for heavier pop-up campers, or generally much larger, heavier campers. The one I bought is likely not much heavier than a fiberglass topper. I need to weigh it, but I'm guessing well under 500 pounds.

    I've included photos. The attachment points on the camper are...adequate? Not awesome. But I wonder whether these anchored to my factory bed anchor/tie downs will be plenty. I'll need to run this with my tailgate down, so I don't have that added security.

    I've seen the tie downs that attach to the frame and stick out from under the body, then connect to the camper. I've seen tie downs that bolt through the floor of the bed, into the frame. The under-body type is definitely not necessary for this camper. I guess I'm curious what people think between the factory tie downs, or adding ones that bolt through the bed into the frame. No idea on the weight limit of the factory hooks.

    Any advice? I guess my question is: frame mount, or bed mount?

    Pretty small
    IMG_6728.jpg

    Bare bones, very little weight, though I'll be adding maybe another 200 lbs of stuff
    IMG_6730.jpg

    Current mounting setup. This is how it's mounted in the 70's pickup truck bed. My Tundra has the factory 4 ring tie downs at each corner of the bed. Previous owner only had front turnbuckles attached. I'd obviously want all four attached, but it rode just fine the way it was
    image.jpg
    image (1).jpg
    image (2).jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2024
  2. Aug 30, 2024 at 2:16 PM
    #2
    Pac12AfterDark

    Pac12AfterDark New Member

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    Check out wander the west, but everyone I know runs bed mount with larger plates on top and bottom to distribute load.
     
  3. Aug 30, 2024 at 2:22 PM
    #3
    MT-Tundra

    MT-Tundra [OP] XX

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Montana
    Vehicle:
    2002 AC 4wd V8 Limited

    Thank you. Can explain this? Plates where?

    By "bed mount" I'm talking about these

    IMG_6744.jpg IMG_6745.jpg
     
  4. Aug 31, 2024 at 7:38 AM
    #4
    Pac12AfterDark

    Pac12AfterDark New Member

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    Ahhh ok. I thought you meant drill through the bed and mount eyelets. Yes I’ve used those as well on my 2019. It has worked just fine for 4 years.

    the plate comment was only for going through the bed, sorry about the misunderstanding.
     
  5. Aug 31, 2024 at 7:44 AM
    #5
    Pac12AfterDark

    Pac12AfterDark New Member

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    I’d say though, you may want to beef up that angle metal on the camper. Not sure what you’re going to be doing with it. Most people run an eyelet on the interior, and go down through.
    upload_2024-8-31_8-44-27.jpg
     
  6. Aug 31, 2024 at 7:47 AM
    #6
    Pac12AfterDark

    Pac12AfterDark New Member

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    MT-Tundra[OP] likes this.
  7. Aug 31, 2024 at 11:04 AM
    #7
    MT-Tundra

    MT-Tundra [OP] XX

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2024
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    #115150
    Messages:
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    Montana
    Vehicle:
    2002 AC 4wd V8 Limited

    Gotcha. Yeah that's my debate - drill through the bed to mount eyelets to the frame, or just mount to the bed.

    I agree, the metal anchor points on the camper aren't very stout.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2024
  8. Sep 2, 2024 at 12:38 PM
    #8
    MT-Tundra

    MT-Tundra [OP] XX

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2024
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    #115150
    Messages:
    811
    Montana
    Vehicle:
    2002 AC 4wd V8 Limited
    Looks like mounting 4 new rings to the floor of the bed, with steel backing plates, is my best, cheapest, simplest option. Just ordered these. Will drill through the bed floor, put some steel plates underneath the bed, bolt through. I'll also look into camper mounts that are a bit more stout than the brackets currently on it.

    Screenshot 2024-09-02 133707.png
     
    Pac12AfterDark likes this.

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