Trailer hitch extension arms for rear tie-downs

silverbullet555 wrote:
I spent all summer looking for a torklift hitch for my truck. Saw a **** ton of them come up for sale for Fords, and a fair number of dodges. Very few for Chevys. I did find a super truss for it. Finally bought the superhitch on sale for blackfriday at torkliftcentral.com. Arrived 3 days later, well packaged. I have not installed it yet, but that will allow us to tow our boat in the summer and a small trailer of goats during hunting season. Expensive, but the only way I could feel right about it.

See, this solution works for those that are looking for a solution that is not their own and don’t understand the design and mechanics behind it.
That’s all cool, I just appreciate you stating it it this way rather than some who pretend otherwise are wrong for not doing the same thing.

Oh btw, you can tow a decent size trailer on just a drawbar extension with your setup.
Been doing it for years,with a lower rated hitch than yours.

burningman wrote:
I still think ALL long hitch extensions are crazy. Regardless of how strong they are the physics don’t change. You’re still putting the hitch point way out behind the truck.
I quit using them 20 years ago. I stretched my trailer tongues instead.
No matter how you slice it, it’s better and safer to get the hitch as close to the rear axle as possible.

It tows straighter down the highway, greatly reduces stresses on the hitch, and it pays off that time you need to hit the brakes on a curve in the rain with a heavy trailer on.

Thanks for bringing back this thread. However, don’t believe that just because it’s your preferred method of modification, that it is the best in all scenarios.
I understand the differences both mechanically and practically, and do see the advantages to your choice.
Lose the pride of authorship and think about all the scenarios where what you do would not be the best solution.
Hint, there’s many.

Kayteg1 wrote:

ticki2 wrote:

I fail to see the correlation between your statement and the topic . Torklift makes both products and rates both products .
Perhaps if you apply your rough calculations to your HVAC problem you can make it come out better for you .

Seems you don't know how the business operate.
When they have $40 tubing as competitor to multi-hundreds dollars stinger, where will they make bigger profit?
Funny part, the big tubbing has huge side force ratings, so side chains are not needed, yet they added them like they did on sideway skinny stinger.

Ticky2, you know kaytegs right, here. About the 3” tube thing. however off base that someone like the OP could see it as a possibility to adapt the hitch from a new truck to an older truck. Like a lot of members here, doesn’t read the crowd very well sometimes.
Although,Some people like him understand more than corporate marketing teams put forth to sell their products to people.
It’s ok if you don’t understand and likely the safe route if you don’t. However don’t be gullible enough to believe everything you read and put blind trust in marketing.

Lwiddis wrote:
You plan to tow 16000 to 17000 pounds? That puts your hitch weight at about 2300 pounds. Should be ok.

Oh boy, how drunk were you when you you interpreted ^That out of the OPs first post.
And as you’re a card carrying member of the weight police, I’ll say extremely inebriated at the time of posting.

About the camper tie down extensions, I simply welded some 1 1/2” square tube to the ends of my hitch and drilled a hole through each outer end.
My rear tiedowns are just some pieces of 1 1/4” square tube that slides in and pins on, with a big eye bolt at the outer ends.
Simple, easy, cheap and strong.

I still think ALL long hitch extensions are crazy. Regardless of how strong they are the physics don’t change. You’re still putting the hitch point way out behind the truck.
I quit using them 20 years ago. I stretched my trailer tongues instead.
No matter how you slice it, it’s better and safer to get the hitch as close to the rear axle as possible.

It tows straighter down the highway, greatly reduces stresses on the hitch, and it pays off that time you need to hit the brakes on a curve in the rain with a heavy trailer on.

ticki2 wrote:

I fail to see the correlation between your statement and the topic . Torklift makes both products and rates both products .
Perhaps if you apply your rough calculations to your HVAC problem you can make it come out better for you .

Seems you don't know how the business operate.
When they have $40 tubing as competitor to multi-hundreds dollars stinger, where will they make bigger profit?
Funny part, the big tubbing has huge side force ratings, so side chains are not needed, yet they added them like they did on sideway skinny stinger.

Kayteg1 wrote:

ticki2 wrote:


Well that is interesting . Torklift has a product called the cannon for Ford's 3" receiver , which is what you describe you built with 3" tube . It is rated as half of what their supertruss is rated .

I have the same situation with HVAC in Las Vegas.
No business will advertise energy-saving $1000 evaporative coolers, but will gladly sell you ga$$$ guzzling AC system for $15,000

I fail to see the correlation between your statement and the topic . Torklift makes both products and rates both products .
Perhaps if you apply your rough calculations to your HVAC problem you can make it come out better for you .

I spent all summer looking for a torklift hitch for my truck. Saw a **** ton of them come up for sale for Fords, and a fair number of dodges. Very few for Chevys. I did find a super truss for it. Finally bought the superhitch on sale for blackfriday at torkliftcentral.com. Arrived 3 days later, well packaged. I have not installed it yet, but that will allow us to tow our boat in the summer and a small trailer of goats during hunting season. Expensive, but the only way I could feel right about it.

ticki2 wrote:


Well that is interesting . Torklift has a product called the cannon for Ford's 3" receiver , which is what you describe you built with 3" tube . It is rated as half of what their supertruss is rated .

I have the same situation with HVAC in Las Vegas.
No business will advertise energy-saving $1000 evaporative coolers, but will gladly sell you ga$$$ guzzling AC system for $15,000