Camper tie downs 1972 C20

[Phitoflyer]

Just picked up a nice vintage camper for my 1972 Chevy C20. The seller gave me his Happijac brackets but they’re for a classic ford (2nd pic) and don’t quite fit without modification. The Happijac CA-FU is what I need but it is discontinued and I haven’t found a set. Does anyone happen to have some laying around or have a suggestion?

Thx

[Phitoflyer]

Here’s a close up of his set up

[Onry69CST]

I have these bed anchors in a box somewhere if that helps.

[Phitoflyer]

Thanks, but mostly interested in the heavy front plate that bolts to the bed.

[Rufas]

You really don't need those camper tiedowns. My Dad had a 10 1/2 foot Lance camper mounted on his, now mine, 1970 GMC 2500. He used six 1/2 inch bolts with flat washers that were bolted through the floor into the bed. That camper remained on the truck from 1971 to sometime around 1985.

I remember traveling with it through Nevada with 40 mph headwinds and that camper never moved. In all those years there was never an issue just using those bolts.

Using the bolts through the floor is a much cleaner appearance and you won't have to drill holes in the side of your bed to mount those ugly tiedowns. Just my .02 cents worth.

Then


Now

[FirstOwner69]

I used some similar to these on my 69 from 1969 to 1986 with no problems. I continued to use them on my 1986 dually for several more years. No drilling required. The only warning would be to be sure your bed is securely bolted to the frame. Brophy also makes a stake pocket version which I would not recommend.

https://flagstaff.craigslist.org/pts...001135107.html

https://www.amazon.com/CR-Brophy-Mac.../dp/B004OCM0C6

https://www.crbrophy.com/tdhd.html

[Phitoflyer]

That’s interesting, I haven’t heard of bolting it through the floor. I was looking at the Brophy’s too and wondered if they worked well. I have the old Happijac brackets from his ford as well as the front shock/links. Thinking about modifying them with a torch to bend them or putting some washers behind them so they’ll line up better. I want to make it easy on and off because I like to use it as a truck when I need to.

[HO455]

Back in the day my dad used a couple of pieces of square tubing bolted to the underside of the frame. Our 69 had sevice boxes on it so the doors had to accessible. The two pieces would stick out from under the service boxes on each side front and rear. Then when we got to camp we could remove the turnbuckle to get in the one of side boxes if needed. If I had to guess I would say they were 1 1/2" with 1/4" wall thickness. The camper was mostly used for hunting in the fall so for the rest of the year the square tubing was removed and lived in a corner of the shop.

[Phitoflyer]

I think those are called belly bars. That may be an option too. I’m not worried about it falling off as much as I am about getting in an accident and having it launch off the truck

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Phitoflyer

I think those are called belly bars. That may be an option too. I’m not worried about it falling off as much as I am about getting in an accident and having it launch off the truck

Belly bar is the correct name for that setup. It's normally only run in the front position. I ran a front belly bar later in my ownership of the '86 Chevy dually I mentioned above. I then used HappiJacs on a '99 Ford and 2002 and 2006 Chevy duallies. I now have Tork Lifts on a 2015 Chevy dually. I can't say I've noticed anything significantly different in their performance. However, Tork Lifts seem the most secure design followed by the HappiJacs when the HappyJac stabilizer bar and bolts to the frame are used. The Brofhys are the only ones that are easily removed.

[Phitoflyer]

@FirstOwner69 I love the front motorcycle carrier

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Phitoflyer

@FirstOwner69 I love the front motorcycle carrier

Thanks. It was a bit crude and was only used until the California Highway Patrol stopped me in 1971 and said it was illegal due to the fact it partially blocked the headlights. I think I still have it in the attic.

[randy500]

I have a set for sale like posted in post #6 i took off a 72 if your interested send me a PM.

I also have a set like in post 7 but from a square body truck.