Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Happy Jac tiedown question
Those of you who are using these on your cabover camper, do you have the spring housing to the top or to the bottom? Does it matter?
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
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Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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I've used them both ways for years and I don't think it matters. Seems like I've made the decision based on which direction was easier to get torque
on the lock nut.  Pretty scientific!
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Thanks, Perry. I just put mine back on and they seem much noisier with the spring housings up.........of course I cant remember if they were like that
before.
In short, I dont know up from down...........
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
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I have them up. The spring loaded ones are only on the front of my cabover. I put a couple of drops of 3-In-One oil in there from time to time and
also along the threads where the nuts are. The installers put them in spring up and I just kept it that way.
Bob H
Edit.... are your Happy Jacs rusting?
[Edited on 6-2-2007 by Bob H]
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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The ends of the spring assembly away from the nuts is showing some rust. Assume that is coming from rust in the enclosed spring assembly. That leads
me to believe that I had them springs down before. Not much rust, really. None on the threads or the outside of the housing.
We live about a mile from the beach so nightly moisture is probably to blame.
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Mexray
Super Nomad
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I've got mine mounted with the springs 'down'...
...which I believe is the way Happi Jac recommends. I have those 'quick disconnect' cam-over mounts on mine, and it's easier to use them if the
'cam-overs' are on the top, and the springs on the bottom.
BTW, I've been told that you adjust the tension just enough to get the spring tension - less than a 1/4 inch from loose. Seems to work out OK.
According to my clock...anytime is \'BAJA TIME\' & as Jimmy Buffett says,
\"It doesn\'t use numbers or moving hands It always just says now...\"
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Neal Johns
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Spring down, from Happijac website (keeps water out of moving parts). And, yes, 1/4 inch pre-load.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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BigWooo
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 1-2-2007
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We've always had the Housing down. Never had a rust problem with the springs and we live near you Hook.
Here's a way to help keep the chrome exterior from rusting:
When offroading, once and a while a rock would hit the chrome housing an cause it to chip, which in turn would cause the exterior of the housing to
rust. I bought some clear plastic hose at Lowes and slid it over each of the housings. Works great, no chips, no rust.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Big Wooo, I welcome cosmetic chips and dings on my rig................they're payments on my pizza insurance policy.
I guess I will reverse the springs.
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BigWooo
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 1-2-2007
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
Big Wooo, I welcome cosmetic chips and dings on my rig |
I have to laugh at myself. The camper tie down is the only thing left on the truck that hasn't been chipped up by flying rocks
[Edited on 6-4-2007 by BigWooo]
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
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Sure enough.... http://www.happijac.com tells you that all of the threaded hooks should be UP. I'm gonna fix mine today!
Thanks for bringing this up Hook!
Bob H
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Yep, bob, I reversed mine last night and also discovered that the only noisey one was the one by the cab on the drivers side. Sprayed a bunch of chain
lube down there and all is quiet now.
Have to say that I am a little disappointed in the performance of the rig with the new Bilsteins on it. I get about 2 bounces going over a speed bump
in the back and it feels like a bit more body sway. Definitely mushier in back. but it seems to have translated into a bit smoother ride on pavement.
Next week's trip will be the offroad test. May have to end up getting airbags.
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
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Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
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Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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Hmmmmm...I guess I've ACCIDENTALLY been putting my on correctly.
I can't seem to keep from getting "battle scars" on my rigs.
I've finally decided that it is less painful to not beat myself about the head and shoulders when it happens.
Rust on my tiedowns? Pretty much a non-issue.
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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