Forum Discussion

jmckelvy's avatar
jmckelvy
Explorer
May 10, 2015

Torklift Superhitch

I have my 2000 Jeep Cherokee set up for towing behind the camper. This worked well, with no extension required, with the Northstar 8.5 Arrow. My AF990 extends somewhat further back requiring a different approach.

After looking at lots of alternatives for extending the tow bar attach point I have decided to just go ahead and buy the Torklift Superhitch Original with a 3 foot SuperTruss. This will also require me to replace the rear Torklift tiedowns with a different part number.

Install looks relatively straightforward but will require me to remove the current tiedowns and relocate the Hellwig sway bar brackets. The new hitch will install under the existing factory hitch.

Any comments, suggestions, or pointers before I jump into this project?
Truck Campers
  • wcjeep's avatar
    wcjeep
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    Fishing the frame for bolt install isn't too bad. Follow the directions and use the correct star washers. I'm using a different swaybar. It all all eventually fits.
  • twodownzero's avatar
    twodownzero
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    If your truck has a larger than factory exhaust system or a short bed or both, the Torklift Superhitch will reduce the size of what spare tire you can carry. I carry a 285/70R17 and it is the absolute maximum; I'm pretty sure if I didn't have air bags that the tire would rub on the diff cover. It has never hit, but it's damn close, and I rotated my spare into the rotation in hopes that it will wear down some and give me a little more clearance! If your truck is a long bed, you won't have to worry about this as much, I don't think, as I believe a long bed is at least slightly longer between the rear axle and bumper, despite the fact that most of the distance is between the cab and axle.
  • wcjeep's avatar
    wcjeep
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    twodownzero wrote:
    If your truck has a larger than factory exhaust system or a short bed or both, the Torklift Superhitch will reduce the size of what spare tire you can carry. I carry a 285/70R17 and it is the absolute maximum; I'm pretty sure if I didn't have air bags that the tire would rub on the diff cover. It has never hit, but it's damn close, and I rotated my spare into the rotation in hopes that it will wear down some and give me a little more clearance! If your truck is a long bed, you won't have to worry about this as much, I don't think, as I believe a long bed is at least slightly longer between the rear axle and bumper, despite the fact that most of the distance is between the cab and axle.



    I have to air down my spare 19.5 to zero psi. Otherwise it doesn't fit. Stock tire size should have no problem. I also have onboard air via AirZenith.
  • NEOK's avatar
    NEOK
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    I agree with twodownzero that it is a tight fit to get the SuperHitch installed with the spare tire. I had to lower my spare a little to push it forward to install the hitch. After it was installed I was able to crank the spare back into place. I removed the factory hitch and the SuperHitch and SuperTruss combination works great for towing our boat.
  • Butch50's avatar
    Butch50
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    Odds are the OP has a LB truck as he now has a AF990 on it the I don't think anyone one is going to try to put on a SB, will maybe someone might.:)

    He is also running dually so that is another pretty good sign that it is a LB and most likely stock size tires.

    When I installed the Torklift Super Hitch on the 2013 3500 dually that I use to have it was tight getting the spare back up but it went and I didn't have to do anything to it.
  • jmckelvy's avatar
    jmckelvy
    Explorer
    May 10, 2015
    Butch50 wrote:
    Odds are the OP has a LB truck as he now has a AF990 on it the I don't think anyone one is going to try to put on a SB, will maybe someone might.:)

    He is also running dually so that is another pretty good sign that it is a LB and most likely stock size tires.

    When I installed the Torklift Super Hitch on the 2013 3500 dually that I use to have it was tight getting the spare back up but it went and I didn't have to do anything to it.


    Thanks for the feedback guys.

    Yes, the truck is a long bed running stock size tires.
  • FireGuard's avatar
    FireGuard
    Explorer II
    May 11, 2015
    I towed a 2000 Cherokee behind an 03 Dodge DRW with a 9'10 and 11'6 Lance using the Reese Titan hitch and appropriate extension.
    Unless your going to tow a super heavy trailer, the Reese will be more than enough hitch and will cost less. It's an easy install and leaves the stock hitch in place.
    I also used a solid 2" extension from the the factory hitch and used steel plates and bolts to attach to the Reese extension mimicking a Superhitch.
  • arto_wa's avatar
    arto_wa
    Explorer
    May 11, 2015
    FireGuard wrote:
    I also used a solid 2" extension from the the factory hitch and used steel plates and bolts to attach to the Reese extension mimicking a Superhitch.



    Instead of mimicking, I installed a Superhitch and Torklift tiedowns front & back.
    Used 4 foot SuperTruss extension was easy to find on Craigslist locally :C
  • jmckelvy's avatar
    jmckelvy
    Explorer
    May 11, 2015
    FireGuard wrote:
    I towed a 2000 Cherokee behind an 03 Dodge DRW with a 9'10 and 11'6 Lance using the Reese Titan hitch and appropriate extension.
    Unless your going to tow a super heavy trailer, the Reese will be more than enough hitch and will cost less. It's an easy install and leaves the stock hitch in place.
    I also used a solid 2" extension from the the factory hitch and used steel plates and bolts to attach to the Reese extension mimicking a Superhitch.


    I looked at the Reese Titan and a hitch from Curt as an alternative. Both of those hitches would require solving the rear camper tiedown issue. As far as I can tell my existing Torklift rear tiedowns won't work with either. Then there is the need for coming up with a proper extension and how to relocate my Hellwig swaybar brackets.

    After thinking about this for a couple of weeks I have pretty much decided to get the Torklift products for an integrated all in one solution unless someone has a better idea. It is pricey though!
  • jmckelvy's avatar
    jmckelvy
    Explorer
    May 12, 2015
    Well, I am committed now. Just ordered the Superhitch, 3 ft. Supertruss, and new rear Torklift tiedowns from Tweety's. By the way they will price match.

    Third weekend in a row with a major project.

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