Torklift tiedowns

One thing I would point out is if you put a cargo basket on the back you might want more support than you need to pull a vehicle, I carry a generator on mine sometimes.

I had time and found a used Superhitch on CL, cost me $250 and I just bought 1.5" square tubing and used that for the rear tie downs after I drilled holes, painted them up, And bolted a couple of inches of chain on the outside to hook onto the turnbuckles.

Because my old truck (in sig and totaled) had a skirting around the bottom of the body I had to get specific torklift tie downs for the front.

Replacement truck didn't have the skirting but you can change the attitude on the mounts and it works on both styles.

Good Luck with the project,

Bill

GeoBoy wrote:
Why are the stabilizer chains in the middle of the extension?

The chains are at the end of the extension, just behind the receiver pin. Between the stabilized extension and the ball is the Ready Brake I spoke of. The Ready Brake moves and can not be stabilized without defeating it's operational ability.


Here is an animation of what it does;



The Ready Brake is a supplemental tow brake used when dinghy or flat towing a vehicle so your towed vehicle can assist with stopping which is a requirement in most States and Provinces. The Ready Brake will connect to any brand tow bar with a 2 inch receiver or ball hitch connection. Ready Brake uses the towed vehicle weight and it's momentum that pushes against the tow vehicle while braking to pull the towed vehicle brake pedal down. The harder you brake, the harder Ready Brake pulls the pedal for proportional braking. A shock and spring inside the Ready Brake will keep the brake from being applied while traveling down steep grades. No electronics or electricity are required to use the Ready Brake and after the initial install all that is required to connect or disconnect is a single cable that hangs over the tow bar.

Why are the stabilizer chains in the middle of the extension?

Thanks for info...Real nice set up!

I got lucky with my torklift rear tiedowns;
Started without the superhitch. Later, found a superhitch with the tiedowns and a 42" supertruss on craigslist for $500 total. That included all 4 tiedowns. I sold my original tie downs for $200 for all 4 and offset the upgrade. Total out-of-pocket was $300.

Wayne is right;
You do NOT need the Torklift hitch/Supertruss to flat tow. There is just zero tongue weight and it's not needed. I realized this when I met up with Wayne and we spent a couple days going over mine and his set-up for flat towing.

Instead of a 42" supertruss, I now have a 18" extension and a Ready Brake with the receiver ball mount on the end. It just clears my camper's bumper step and tows great. I did weld on tabs for the turn buckles and use those on the 18" extension just to keep the slop under control. My ball is 39" from the end of the truck receiver.
I thought about sticking a second 18" extension in the top hole and strapping it to the existing extension ala SuperTruss-style, and so I tried it. It's just not necessary and adds more weight and drama than is needed. Photos to demonstrate;









Wayne and I hooked up tow vehicles and put the extension we assembled for Wayne's through it's paces; everything from speed bumps to railroad tracks, full lock-to-lock turns, hard braking, evasive maneuvers, etc with cameras to see the action from the cab of the truck and also first eye view from riding in the bed while the other drove. This thing is solid.

I know it's expensive to get the hitch and tie downs but you won't regret it once you as start towing. The Superhitch and SuperTruss make a great combination with a truck camper.

billyray50 wrote:
Thanks all. I am looking at no shorter than 10 foot TC now that I bought a DRW.

Then I'd go with the Superhitch from the beginning.

Do it now and be done with it.
That way when the right deal comes along on the TC you want you can jump on it w/both feet and not chance losing the deal for lack of tie down equipment.
I was lucky, the seller was willing to wait 2 weeks till I was able to get the truck set up to haul the camper before we made the 300 mile trip to pick it up. Of course, $10K earnest money helped a lot there too!!
TorkLift all the way!

Yes the rear tie-downs are different depending on what hitch you have. If you buy tiedowns for the factory hitch you will need to buy a new set when you upgrade the hitch.

Thanks all. I am looking at no shorter than 10 foot TC now that I bought a DRW.