Lance Truck Camper, Owner'S Manual

Page: 23 / 112

23
SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
AIR BAGS
Adding air bags can improve vehicle ride, safety,
handling and load hauling. Air bags are used to
maintain proper weight distribution to all the tires to
improve steering, braking and tire wear. Air bags
increase spring rate and improve your truck and
camper stability. Air bags are used to raise your
loaded truck back to the normal ride height. A level,
balanced vehicle handles better and provides a safer,
more comfortable ride.
HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS
An adjustable shock absorber can significantly
increase ride-tuning capabilities in all driving
conditions, on and off-road.
TIEDOWNS AND TURNBUCKLES
The camper must be secured to the truck with high
quality tiedowns and turnbuckles. The front
turnbuckles must be spring or shock loaded. Lance
recommends Happijac tiedowns and turnbuckles.
Happijac Front Turnbuckle Installation
The front turnbuckles are the ones with the longer
barrel. They are spring loaded. They must be used on
the front to ensure proper system performance. Prior
to installing the front turnbuckles hold the turnbuckle
up by the captive (non-threaded) hook, mark the hook
at the point where it enters the barrel with a painted,
taped, or scribed line to make future installations
easier. Install the turnbuckles on the truck and camper
with the threaded hook end up. This will keep moisture
from entering and pooling inside the turnbuckle.
Tighten the turnbuckle until the mark that you made
has drawn away from the base of the barrel by 1/4".
This will set the proper preload on the internal spring.
DO NOT TIGHTEN BEYOND THIS POINT! The
turnbuckles can be easily hand tightened to this point.
Use a 3/4" wrench ONLY to tighten and loosen the jam
nut which prevents the turnbuckle from twisting loose.
Happijac Rear Turnbuckle Installation
Unlike the front turnbuckles, the rear turnbuckles do
not have an internal spring. Rear turnbuckles should
NEVER be used on the front of the camper. The rear
turnbuckles are the pair with the shorter (8") barrels.
Install the Tiedown Couplers onto the Anchor bolts in
the ends of the rear bumper. Install the turnbuckles,
threaded hook up. Tighten by hand until just snug and
then tighten the lock nut using a 3/4" wrench.
Check eyebolts, turnbuckles, and bracket bolts before
each trip and at frequent intervals.
21