Disappointed with Fastgun Handle

[Crumm]

Just received my new Fastguns and upon opening the package I noticed they have a cheap looking straight handle rather than the lever rifle looking handle. The box they are in as well as most the litature I have read show the fancy rifle handle but not the ones I got. I checked the website and sure enough they state "actual product handle may vary". This seems ridiculous to me. Why show you one thing and send you another?? I really like the look of the lever rifle handle but I guess that isn't what they sell.

While I am on a rant I might as well share the rest of my Torklift disappointment.

1. Powder coating on super hitch and frame mounted tie-downs is pathetic. Got very chipped up in shipping and seems much thinner than a coat of rattle can paint.

2. The holes in the frame rail of my 2015 SuperDuty where the stock reciever was mounted are like 3/4". The superhitch mounts with 1/2" bolts using rectangular washers on top. The washers pulled down into the holes when I torqued the bolts and if I towed heavy like this it would probably pull the washer right through the hole. Haven't decided my fix but I will probably ream the superhitch holes out to 5/8" and then build a top plate with 5/8" holes that will sandwich the frame rail.

3. The slide in tubes on the frame mounted tie downs are very sloppy. When the fastguns are tight they don't slop around but without the camper on they must be removed or they flop around and rattle. Why not use tube that slips in with a little closer tolerance? While on the subject why not use a tube with a little thicker wall?

Previous truck had happijac which wasn't perfect but I am no more impressed with the Torklift. Everyone seems to talk very highly about the Torklifts but I am now questioning why??

On a side note why do the tie downs extend front and back from the tubes which causes them to twist the tube while pulling up? Why not use the hole in the center for a direct pull?

[bcbouy]

got my new fastguns yesterday from atlas.i was expecting the new style but got the old lever style.maybe because they're white and not all that popular of a colour?

[_DJ_1]

wnjj wrote:
I'm glad I have the old style. From the pictures they appear to have a significantly longer handle which means less effort.

X2

They need to change the name from Fast Guns to Clubs!!

[-Kevin]

I will comment on the powder coating. It all sucks. I haven't seen any powder coated product with a zinc rich primer base like it should be done. If they got through the process of shot blasting the metal for prep then why not use thermo-set plastic? cost is my guess.

[HarmsWay]

I was wondering about the handles. My dealer used the new style on the back and the old on the front. Took me a month to notice.

[NEOK]

I'm glad you chose to contact Torklift customer service. I have found Torklift to have ex excellent products and customer service. In the six years we have used their products we have been very pleased with their performance. Enjoy your camper.

[Bedlam]

You can rotate the handle position 90 degrees by using a quick link between the camper and turnbuckle. They should have been included with your FastGuns.

[wnjj]

AnEv942 wrote:

Crumm wrote:

deltabravo wrote:

AnEv942 wrote:
... Most try to grasp the handle instead of sticking fingers thru the holes. .

LOL...
I guess I didn't ever think there were people that would do that.... makes sense why the design changed - to protect people from their own stupidity.

I agree that people need to be protected from their stupidity but now it's time to change the packaging and literature to protect me from my ........

Well I ... I uh meant... I mean Ive heard.... or I read somewhere- :R
...but it does smart..
The only reason I can think of why the old design still shown is because of the uniqueness- not justification but from a sales prospective trying to keep an association link to the 'original' fastgun. (without actually supplying). Wonder IF the old handle can still be ordered?

Thats odd. I just went to get pictures showing the 2 handle styles..the banner changed since yesterday...(edit...they do listen!)
http://www.torklift.com/index.php/products/turnbuckles/original-fastguns
top new/bottom old style

I'm glad I have the old style. From the pictures they appear to have a significantly longer handle which means less effort. Also, my rear tie-down handles would take out the tail light lens if I wasn't able to easily and securely hold them back when releasing them.

[AnEv942]

Nice! Ive got loop envy...that would be slick.

I may look at my hitch- if I were to use the reuse upper plates and bolts I could get rid of a yard decoration that I dont need.

[JumboJet]

My Fastguns are a few years old but I would trade for a set of the new open style.

I guess the appeal to the name Fastguns was the association with the Winchester and Marlin styled guns. Or maybe:

Video

[Crumm]

AnEv942 wrote:

Be some work on a rainy day..but could end up with the winchester style and benefits of newer handle..

Be interested in 'improvements' on your hitch.

For the hitch I am just going to take a reamer and make the 1/2" holes 5/8" and then make a top plate out of 1/4" flat bar with 5/8" holes in it to sandwich the truck frame in. Grade 8 5/8" bolts of course.

Good idea on building some handles. I could be the only one with "Big Loop" handles like I have on my 45-70.

[AnEv942]

Ya know if Jay unsuccessful, and you had time to kill and really wanted to the older style are cut out of SST bar and welded to the handle mech.

Be some work on a rainy day..but could end up with the winchester style and benefits of newer handle..

Be interested in 'improvements' on your hitch.

[Bedlam]

Depending where you buy your FastGuns, you may still get the older handles. Once the stock gets into the distribution channels, it depends how fast the retailer turns over inventory. I got the older model handles on the short range FastGuns when I replaced my long range models. Since I was familiar with the older handles, I am fine without the newer style. As far as I know, the model number did not change when they changed the design (which may put off some buyers) - Maybe TL should suffix their part numbers if there is a revision?

[hedge]

personally I like the new style handles better... but of course I have the old style.

I bought my superhitch used so I didn't get the bolt kit. I built backing plates with some 1/4" flat stock and used the oem Ford bolts and backers with the encased nuts.

I have two supertruss extensions, an older 18" and I recently bought a 36" one. The paint is definitely not as good on the new one, it actually flaked off of the tie plate when I put it together. Maybe a bad batch of powder coating... not sure.

I'm still happy with the products, just my observations.

[Crumm]

AnEv942 wrote:
Wonder IF the old handle can still be ordered?

Thats odd. I just went to get pictures showing the 2 handle styles..the banner changed since yesterday...
http://www.torklift.com/index.php/products/turnbuckles/original-fastguns
top new/bottom old style

They no longer manufacture the old style so no you can't order them but you may be able to find a old style set at a RV suplier with old stock. Jay is looking for a set for me.

The banner just changed after my phone conversation with Torklift. They listen to the customer and agreed that they should show what the sell not what they use to sell.