Top 3 Stressors on You and Your Truck

Have you ever watched the TV show Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel? One of the oldest and most popular television shows on Discovery, the television series tests validity of rumors and myths by applying scientific method. With their experiments, the ultimate truth is exposed and common myths are debunked.

In an effort to reveal the capabilities of Torklift International StableLoad suspension upgrade we too, turned to science. In our own version of Mythbusters, we conducted a series of tests to address an important question:

Do suspension upgrades actually work?                 
We loaded a 2015 Ford F150 truck with 2,800 pounds to simulate significant payload. For an in-depth assessment, the loaded Ford truck is tested through the top three stressors to your vehicle that replicate common handling issues.

What are the three stressors on you and your truck? 

1. Side-to-side sway = Large pot hole                                   
2. Porpoising (front-to-back motion) = Speed Bump    
3. Body roll = Cornering                                                                 

All of these movements create stress on your vehicle and the driver. These three handling issues cause stress because if the vehicle doesn’t have the proper suspension to support its payload, the driver is more likely to lose control of the vehicle.

To measure degrees of movement, an inclinometer was mounted to the Ford F-150 truck. The inclinometer measures horizontal and vertical tilt.

The Ford truck was driven through the course to uncover the best and most effective suspension upgrade for your vehicle. To set a baseline, we recorded measurements of the factory suspension with no suspension upgrades.  Second, we installed airbags at 100-psi air pressure. Finally, we put the StableLoad suspension stabilizeruspension stabilizer to the test.
 
The results may surprise you.
 
Take a look:

The outcome of our test relied on science to prove StableLoads as the clear winner. Torklift’s version of Mythbusters showed that suspension upgrades actually do work, and that StableLoads have the greatest affect on handling characteristics of a vehicle when it comes to side-to-side sway, porpoising and body roll. If you often use your truck to haul or tow heavy payload, the StableLoads should be the first suspension modification to consider.

What makes StableLoads so effective? It’s simple.

By pre-activating the strength within factory leaf spring suspension, the StableLoads tap into the overload leaf springs for extra support when towing or hauling heavy payload like a truck camper, fifth wheel, or any type of trailer.

The use of precision laser-crafted wedge plates that fill the space between the factory leaf spring pack and overload leaf spring triggers support from the vehicle’s suspension. The power of the factory suspension is initiated and put to maximum use.

Applicable to any truck, van, SUV or small commercial vehicles with factory overload leaf springs, the StableLoads are the only suspension modification that quickly turn on and off based on your preference. If you use your vehicle as a daily driver, simply switch off the lower quick-disconnect StableLoads and enjoy its smooth factory ride.

StableLoads are also easy to install and most applications bolt on without any need for drilling. In the rare case your vehicle does not have the half-inch hole pre-drilled by the vehicle manufacturer, don’t stress. Our engineers have designed the StableLoad Drill Tool to help. Using specialty cobalt drill bits and a household cordless drill, each leaf spring can be drilled in less than 37 seconds. Learn about our complimentary drill tool rental program here. Call our Tech Support team at 800-246-8132 if you have questions about drilling overload leaf springs.

In conclusion, the results of the StableLoad Test provided significant insight as to how suspension upgrades can help your vehicle handle payload more effectively and reduce the top three stressors on your truck.

In comparison to airbags, the StableLoads performed 30 percent better when it comes to side-to-side sway, front-to-back motion or porpoising is reduced by 20 percent, and body roll showed 10 percent improvement.

By using the inclinometer to measure and analyze vehicle movement, science proves that suspension upgrades greatly impact vehicle handling.

Click here to learn more about the StableLoad Suspension Stabilizer.