Forum Discussion

TxGearhead's avatar
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Jul 25, 2016

TIE DOWN BAD FIT RAM?

2016 Ram 3500 CC LB SRW, wheel to wheel running boards/steps. I ordered TorkLift tiedowns and installed them. The end that the insert goes into was very close to the step support at the front of the bed. I drove from Houston to Maryland, loaded the Bigfoot, and drove home. No issues. I unload the camper and remove the inserts. Driving around town I hear a big rattle over street bumps. Argh...that breakover bar under the back seat is bouncing off something; no it's not. Maybe it's backseat head rests I crammed under the seat back; no. Trailer hitch ball; no. I roll under the truck and look at the tie downs. They are hard against the step support. Got a wrench and checked...they are tight. So I loosen them up, got a 4.5" angle grinder and took .250" off the step support. Problem solved.
Called Tweety's RV Parts and talked to their TorkLift rep. Yeah your Ram has a long list of notes in the fit application guide. I got on Torklift website and emailed them about the issue. No response yet. Nothing really to do about it. They may need to fine tune the welding fixture and give it a little more angle.
Just a heads-up for those using the same application...
Truck Campers

11 Replies

  • TxGearhead's avatar
    TxGearhead
    Explorer II
    Jul 31, 2016
    Oh yeah the Torklifts and new trucks are awesome. Our first TC was a Tejas (Texas built), maybe a 1978 model. I bought it 3rd hand in 1983? Put it on a light duty F250. Waay overloaded. Only thing holding it on the truck was a 6 inch piece of square tubing with a 3/8 " bolt through each stake pocket. The Ford had a 300 cu in 6 cylinder and a 4 speed with granny gear. Very slow. But that rig went on several Colorado elk hunts and a tour of Yellowstone.....from Houston.
    A class c MH and two fifth wheels later.....
  • 996Pilot's avatar
    996Pilot
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2016
    Glad they cleared that up for you, I hope your comments make it into Torklifts new instructions.

    I had Torklift frame mounts on my 2006 Dodge RAM 2500 and was very happy with them even if they were a slight pain to install. Just installed my new Torklifts on my 2015 RAM 3500 MegaCab SRW yesterday and I can't believe how easy the install was. No fished bolts, perfect fit, complete install of front and rears in 45 minutes in the driveway.

    Good luck with the new truck - aren't they awesome?
  • TxGearhead's avatar
    TxGearhead
    Explorer II
    Jul 30, 2016
    I have exchanged a couple of emails with TORKLIFT. Yes, they do seem like nice folks. Based on this feedback, customer service is recommending the instructions be revised.
    I'm happy, they're happy, maybe everbody is happy.
  • TxGearhead's avatar
    TxGearhead
    Explorer II
    Jul 29, 2016
    Yes sir. One of my emails to them:

    "Yes, looking at your attached pics and the instruction booklet I have the gussets opposite.

    Not to sound ugly, but it would be helpful if you mentioned in the instructions that there is a difference in the right and left side, and it is critical to a proper fit as to which way the gussets are. I did read on internet forums that your instructions are not the best, I agree.

    And while I have your ear...if that bolt that is fished through the frame was about 1/2" longer, I wouldn't have to hold it with my fingernail in the root of the threads while I tried to start the nut with only 1 thread exposed, and at the same time hold pressure against the tie down. That is a killer doing that and thinking what the heck am I going to do if it falls back in the frame.

    I would be interested in reading feedback from your installer on that issue.

    I'll swap them and see if the clearance improves.

    Hopefully I won't be calling asking to buy 2 new bolts, star washers, and backup plates. "
  • zcookiemonstar's avatar
    zcookiemonstar
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2016
    TxGearhead wrote:
    I got it all straightened out. After emailing pics to TORKLIFT they said I had the right tiedown installed on the left side, and vice versa. Well, there isn't anything in the instructions that says this is the right one, and this is the left one. The only difference is the welded reinforcing gusset is welded to one side on the left and the other side on the right. I told them their instructions aren't worth flip. Also the bolt that has to be fishwired should be a 1/2 inch longer. I was trying to hold the bolt in place with my fingernail with only 1 thread exposed to start the nut on, meanwhile trying to hold the tiedown in position. Jeez.
    But it's done.


    So they did look different and you just randomly put them on wrong sides and it's Torklifts fault? Did you bother to hold each one up on each side to see why the gussets were not on the same side? Why didn't you call Torklift in the first place? Torklift is a good company that goes above the service of most companies yes they make mistakes too but that is when customer feedback helps. If you would have called them in the first place they would have helped you and would have known they need to update their instructions. I hate when people just go bashing companies on forums.
  • TxGearhead's avatar
    TxGearhead
    Explorer II
    Jul 27, 2016
    I got it all straightened out. After emailing pics to TORKLIFT they said I had the right tiedown installed on the left side, and vice versa. Well, there isn't anything in the instructions that says this is the right one, and this is the left one. The only difference is the welded reinforcing gusset is welded to one side on the left and the other side on the right. I told them their instructions aren't worth flip. Also the bolt that has to be fishwired should be a 1/2 inch longer. I was trying to hold the bolt in place with my fingernail with only 1 thread exposed to start the nut on, meanwhile trying to hold the tiedown in position. Jeez.
    But it's done.
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Jul 25, 2016
    Reminds me of my 3500 HD dually with the trombone style megaphone exhaust.

    The right rear tiedown, which is bolted to my SuperHitch, rattles against the tail pipe if I leave the insert installed when the camper is off. The weight of the insert closes the small gap between the two, causing them to contact each other, and rattle.
  • TxGearhead's avatar
    TxGearhead
    Explorer II
    Jul 25, 2016
    trail-explorer wrote:
    Send pics to Torklift too, so they can visualize the problem as well as reading the description you sent them


    It didn't take me 30 minutes to do the grinding. When I got through I thought: dang I should have taken before and after pics.
    We'll see what they reply with.
  • ChadHubbard's avatar
    ChadHubbard
    Explorer
    Jul 25, 2016
    Hi
    I have the same truck, only 2014. My rear tie downs interfered with the step. TorqLift informed me there was a clearance concern when I called to order. They were not list listed on the application chart at that time. I cut the rear recieved into 2 pieces and welded in a 1 1/2 - 2" drop. Works fine.

    Good luck.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,056 PostsLatest Activity: May 04, 2014