Questions on Torklift tiedowns

[a_flyfisher]

I have a 2011 Ford F-350 dually, and am thinking of getting the Torklift Talon tiedowns and Fastgun turnbuckles to use with a new Northern Lite camper that I have just ordered.

Will there be any issues with that tie down system clearing the wheel wells on my truck?

Also, on the Torklift website, there is a cautionray statement to the effect that if you plan on doing any towing - which I will be doing - that this could effect the type of tie downs you will need. But that's all they say, without going into farther explanation.

I am just planning to tow a 300# driftboat, or my Polaris Ranger side by side which would be around 2000#, and figured all I would need is an extension on my tow bar and a longer wire harness for the plugs. Is this right, or am I missing some thing?

[Ranger_Tim]

Lower Stableloads are easy to flip out of the way when not in use. All it requires is a jack and a socket wrench. I use a floor jack under my rear hitch to lift the truck just enough to pivot the wedge. The product install can be tough if you don't get the drill kit from them to drill the leaf spring -- it is hard stuff! My leaves had one hole existing and the other ends had to be drilled. The device made it simple and the return to Torklift was just as easy.

The upper Stableloads are easy to uninstall but I find myself leaving them in even though the ride is definitely stiffer. Mine barely engage with no load so a bit bumpy unloaded. I could always just unbolt and remove them but I'm lazy. Some folks shape them and tune them to a custom fit. I may do that eventually.

If you are to be using the truck a lot without the camper perhaps airbags would be better. Airbags do give you the ability to choose infinite levels of lift. I didn't want the load as unsprung, so I chose the Stableloads. Very happy with them. They work great for firewood hauling too.

[Buzzcut1]

I have all three. My airbags can be run at zero psi. I only use them when towing the horse trailer to level the rig. Unloaded you can pull a pin and swing the lower stable loads out of the way but I never bother to. The upper stable loads only touch the leafs when the truck is carrying a load.

[a_flyfisher]

Thanks for all of your replies.

I see now that at least a couple of you have upper and lower Stabel Loads on your trucks, as well as air bags in some cases.

Is this something I should consider getting put on my truck - which is as I said - a 2011 F-350 dually?

I am thinking that my Northern Lite, and gear, etc. will probably come in, loaded for a trip at somewhere around 4000-4500#?

Lastly, do the Stable Loads interfere with the truck's suspension if you use it much without having the camper on it? That's something I will be doing regularly.

[Ranger_Tim]

I tow a light trailer and use a Curt 18 inch extension I got at Walmart for less than $40 and it works great. The Torklift stuff was easy to install and I use the chain-type hold downs to save money. They work fine. The trailer actually improves my handling!

[a_flyfisher]

Thanks, NorCal. If a picture is worth a thousand words, your pictures are worth a million!
That makes me feel a whole lot more comfortable with the direction I'm heading in.

[Buzzcut1]

Here are the talons on my 2011 F350 dually

[a_flyfisher]

AnEv942 wrote:
Torklifts cautionary statement has to do with hitch tiedowns are installed on. Most truck use xxxx part# with factory hitch, and a different part # with Torklift hitch.

Meaning buying tiedowns to fit your stock setup-if down the road you decide to upgrade hitch you would need to also replace rear tiedowns.

That makes sense. Thank you.

[AnEv942]

Torklifts cautionary statement has to do with hitch tiedowns are installed on. Most truck use xxxx part# with factory hitch, and a different part # with Torklift hitch.

Meaning buying tiedowns to fit your stock setup-if down the road you decide to upgrade hitch you would need to also replace rear tiedowns.

[Bedlam]

Your towing loads are light enough for a Class V receiver with extension and no WDH. If you already have one the rear tie down model must mach up to the receiver. If you don't have a Class V now, you can future-proof your towing by getting a Torklift SuperHitch with matching tie downs which has capacities of 12K lbs when using their extensions and a WDH.

[a_flyfisher]

K Mac wrote:
How much of an ext. are you going to need ? You didn't say what NL your getting. If you go with a TL hitch ( 3 Diff. Models) you shouldn't have any problems. Call TL, they'll be able to tell you exactly what you need.. Best cust. service support out there.

I am getting the 10'2" cd special edition NL model. (I have no idea what the "cd" means.) I hadn't thought of getting a Torklift hitch, but I might look into them. Hadn't thought I would need any kind of weight distributing hitch with sway control, since I never needed it for what I'd be towing before, but then again maybe the situation would be different by the time you extend the hitch a ways farther behind the truck's normal receiver position. I don't know.

[K_Mac]

How much of an ext. are you going to need ? You didn't say what NL your getting. If you go with a TL hitch ( 3 Diff. Models) you shouldn't have any problems. Call TL, they'll be able to tell you exactly what you need.. Best cust. service support out there.

[WNYBob]

I believe that some hitches interfere with the attachment points of the torklifts.
, especially their super-hitch. Posts here state that they have very helpful support.