Camper Tie Down Options for a 2000 Toyota Tundra Access Cab with 6-1/2 ft Bed

Question:

I would like to know the recommended method to tie down a camper on my 2000 Toyota Tundra Access Cab 4.7L 2WD 6.5 foot bed Truck. I have a installed Class III Hitch and Usually tow a trailer, but I want to put a camper on it. I am installing Timbren rear suspension kit and as will Bilstein rear shocks. Now I need the hardware to tie down the camper. Looking for most economical, at the same time campers are heavy and I want it to stay on the truck. Thanks for your recommendation and direction on hardware.

asked by: Richard C

Expert Reply:

Our most economical camper tie downs are the Brophy Camper Hold Downs, # HSSF, and the Stake Pocket Tie Downs, # TDSF. These are universal tie downs designed to fit a number of trucks. I spoke with Brophy and they have not tested these tie downs on a Toyota Tundra, so we will want to do some measuring to determine if the tie downs will fit on your truck.

The Camper Hold Downs, # HSSF, require access to the underside of the top of your truck bed side wall. You will need 2 inches of clearance between the inside of the trucks sidewall and the inner lip of the side wall (see photo). Also, the top of your side wall must be between 3 to 4 inches wide. If you have a plastic bed liner, you will have to cut sections of the bed liner out so the tie-down makes direct contact with the inside of the truck bed sidewall.

For the stake pocket tie downs to fit, your stake pockets must be at least 2 inches long x 1-3/4 inches wide. You must also have 5-1/4 inches of space in the stake pocket so the tie down can sit flush with the top of the side wall. The stake pocket tie downs require additional holes to be drilled into your truck bed and they are only compatible with truck bed campers up to 8 ft long.

One final item that you may want to consider is the Brophy Camper Tie Down Hardware, # TDHP. This kit includes 3/8 inch turn buckles, S-hooks and chains and it can support campers up to 3,000 lbs.

expert reply by: John H