Turn buckles

[Big Jim]

Hi
for those who use off the shelf turn buckles , do you use them with a lock nut , or do they just stay tight on their own ?
Thanks Jim

[zildjian]

I've only seen them with a lock nut on, they may well come without but I think you'd need to try and lock them,

All four need to be tight and camper against bulkhead for them to work,
If loose and camper shifts some go looser other taut.

[Big Jim]

Thanks , This is what I have on the back 16mm thread . It would be better to add a lock nut

[keeflester]

You won't be able to get a lock nut on that bottle screw. However, I've used those for several years with no problems. I live down a bumpy lane and always do a wee shakedown and final tighten after the first twenty miles or so. The rig stays tight after that through just about anything.

[sabconsulting]

My old turnbuckles didn't have lock nuts - they had lock rust actually moving them was a problem.

The replacement are marine grade stainless steel and have a lock nut. I just tighten the latter finger tight.

As Zildjian says, you don't want any play / slack or the camper will rock when you go over big bumps and work like a 700+kg slide hammer That is why I stopped using ratchet straps.

Steve.

[zildjian]

All mine came with lock nuts (to pinch up tight by hand)
but then some are left hand thread of course so might be difficult to buy them later on to add

[Toshbins]

You will only really need locknuts on one end (right hand thread). Once that can't turn the other end can't unwind on its own.

[zildjian]

Sometimes I feel such a land-lubber beside you boaty sorts.
You, Mark & Chris I expect know all the ways to tie knots in string

[Big Jim]

Thanks for the replies .
I have added a lock nut to each one . It is reassuring when one goes a little loose that it is the camper that has moved rather than the turnbuckle coming loose.