TorkLift Super Hitch install

[RAPID RICK]

I installed a Tork Lift Super Hitch on a customer's

'03 dually last saturday & man what a PITA. I had to pull the rear bumper off,cut the crossmember that the factory hitch is welded to out (you can't just take it off because the bumper bolts to the hitch brackets) & then you use 4 existing frame holes & drill 3 more holes in each side & fishwire the bolts in. Not supposed to drill holes in top or bottom of frame (or anywhere for that matter)

so the boss ask him to sign a liability release form to cover our butt if something goes wrong. I guess time will tell if drilling the frame will be a problem. I don't think it will we'll see. The rear crossmember tube is . 250 wall tubing so the factory hitch shoud be pretty stout.



Rick

 

[wcjp]

Was the drilling required per Torklift? I wonder how the stock bumper would fair in a crash with the extra reinforcement? Specifically, I'm thinking of crush zones.

 

[RAPID RICK]

Yes the holes were drilled as per instructions that came with the hitch. There would be no differance in the bumper strenth because it is bolted to the orignal bracket.



Rick

 

[JWhitcomb]

Geeze, did they change the frame that much. I installed one in my '01 and it was straight foreward. It did take most of a day because I was on my back in the driveway and that thing is heavy.

 

[RAPID RICK]

Yes the frame is completely different. The '03 frame is a tube frame instead of a channel. The tube frame is stronger but it is a lot harder to mount anything to cause you're not supposed to drill any holes. Today at work we recieved a 5th wheel mounting bracket made by Hidden Hitch that clamps to the frame with U-bolts. One plate & 2 U-bolts for each side. I'm cuorious to see how easy the install goes.



Rick

 

[JWhitcomb]

Saw one of the turnover ball installs on tv, very slick but I'll bet it is costly.