Installation Disclaimer: This blog is intended as a general reference only. It may not include every step, tool, torque specification, or vehicle-specific detail needed for your installation. Always refer to the official installation instructions included with your product for the complete procedure, required tools, torque values, safety information, and fitment details.
When you're hauling a truck camper and need to tow a trailer, standard hitch extensions simply won't cut it. The Torklift SuperTruss Extension is engineered specifically for heavy-duty applications, offering industry-leading capacity and a unique dual-tube truss design that sets it apart from conventional single-tube extensions.
What Makes the SuperTruss Extension Different
The SuperTruss Extension is designed to work exclusively with Torklift's SuperHitch towing series. It's available in eight different lengths, ranging from 21 inches to 60 inches, with weight capacities up to 14,000 pounds. This isn't your typical hitch extension. The dual-tube truss configuration provides superior strength and stability compared to single-tube designs that struggle to handle the loads required for heavier rigs.
Measuring for the Right Extension Length
Before ordering your SuperTruss Extension, proper measurement is critical. Here's how to determine the correct length:
Measure from the center of your truck bumper (where the receiver is located) straight back to the face of your camper bumper. For example, if the measurement came out to 38 inches, the closest available SuperTruss Extension was 36 inches.
It's actually preferable to go slightly shorter than your measurement. This positions the extension slightly behind the camper bumper, ensuring that if you use a factory swing step, it won't interfere with the SuperTruss Extension.
Step-by-Step Installation Process
Installing the Lower Compression Tube
Start by inserting the lower compression tube into the lower receiver on your SuperHitch. Line up the pin hole, insert the pin, and secure it with the clip. This forms the foundation of your truss system.
Installing the Upper Receiver
The upper receiver requires an additional component when working with certain SuperHitch models. If you're using the SuperHitch Magnum, which features a larger 2.5-inch receiver opening, you'll need to use the receiver adapter (also called a receiver reducer).
Install the reducer sleeve on the receiver at the end of the SuperTruss upper receiver. Then slide the assembly into the upper receiver on the truck, line up the pin hole, insert the pin, and secure with the clip.
The Torklift Advantage: Hardened Reinforced Hitch Pins
You'll notice that Torklift SuperHitch trailer hitches feature hardened reinforced hitch pins. This is exclusive to Torklift and addresses a critical wear point that affects both factory and aftermarket hitches.
Without hardened reinforced pins, the constant stopping and starting action causes the pin to wear against the receiver material. Over time, this wears out the hitch entirely, requiring replacement. With Torklift's hardened reinforced pins, this wear is eliminated, protecting your investment.
Installing the Collars and Shim Plates
The collar system is what transforms two separate tubes into a unified truss structure. Here's the installation sequence:
- Slide the first collar all the way up against the chain plate on the SuperTruss receiver
- Install the second collar between the first collar and the face of the receiver on the SuperHitch
- Install the shim plates on the collars
The shim plates serve an important purpose. Since the upper tube is 2.5 inches and the lower tube is 2 inches, the shim plates take up the gap between these different-sized tubes.
Why Collars Matter for Capacity
Without the collars, the upper and lower tubes would operate independently of each other. When the collars are torqued down to proper specification, they bind the two tubes together into a truss configuration, dramatically increasing the extension's load capacity.
This is why the SuperTruss can handle the highest capacities in the industry. Most hitch extensions use a single tube design, which simply cannot handle the loads necessary when hauling heavier rigs. Single-tube extensions lack the stability that the truss design provides.
Understanding SuperTruss Weight Capacities
The SuperTruss Extension offers impressive capacity ratings, though these vary by extension length. Here are the maximum capacities:
Overall Maximum Capacity:*
- 14,000 lbs pull with weight distribution
- 1,400 lbs tongue weight with weight distribution
- 7,500 lbs pull with weight carrying
- 750 lbs tongue weight with weight carrying
36-Inch Extension Specific Capacity:*
- 12,000 lbs pull with weight distribution
- 1,200 lbs tongue weight with weight distribution
- 6,500 lbs weight carrying
- 650 lbs tongue weight with weight carrying
Different extension lengths have different capacity ratings, so always verify the specifications for your particular length.
*Weight ratings when in use with SuperHitch Original 20K or SuperHitch Magnum 30K. Must be used with weight distribution to achieve maximum capacity.
Installing the Safety Chains
The safety chain system on the SuperTruss Extension serves a dual purpose. These chains function both as safety chains (attaching the truss extension back to the SuperHitch) and as lateral support chains that provide additional support in an A-frame configuration.
Safety Chain Installation Steps
Attaching the Bow Shackles:
- Insert the bow shackle into the eye on the turnbuckle
- Position the turnbuckles on the outside where they're easiest to adjust
- Snug down the bow shackle
- Take the other bow shackle on the end of the chain and line it up with the hole on the outside of the SuperHitch
- Insert the bow shackle shank from the top (not the bottom)
Installing the shank from the top is a critical safety feature. In the unlikely event that something comes loose, the bow shackle will never come apart because the shank is inserted from above.
Tightening the Assembly:
Once the bow shackles are in place and snug, tighten the safety chain assembly. Tighten the turnbuckles as tight as you can get them by hand. Do not insert any tools into the turnbuckle to tighten it further, as this will over-tighten the assembly.
The final step is securing the jam nuts. Bring the jam nuts on your turnbuckle down against the turnbuckle body. This prevents the turnbuckles from loosening during use. Snug these up with a wrench, and you're done.
The Single Ball Mount Advantage
One of the most practical benefits of the SuperTruss design is that you don't need two ball mounts or constant height adjustments. Here's how it works:
The SuperTruss utilizes two different tubes, giving you an upper receiver and a lower receiver. The upper receiver on the SuperTruss is where you tow from when the camper is on the truck.
When your camper is loaded, the truck drops slightly in the rear. You set your ball mount in the upper receiver and level your trailer to the proper height.
When you remove the camper and the SuperTruss Extension, your truck rises back up in the rear. Here's the clever part: you can move your ball mount to the lower receiver on your SuperHitch, which sits approximately 4 inches lower than the upper receiver on the SuperTruss.
Because the truck rises when the camper is removed, the ball height on the lower receiver ends up being approximately the same as the ball height on the upper receiver when the extension is installed. This eliminates the need for two ball mounts or constant height adjustments that plague single-tube extension systems.
Wiring Harness Options
After installing your SuperTruss Extension, you'll need to address the wiring. Torklift offers three harness options to suit different needs:
Basic Two-Way Pigtail (SuperTruss Extension Harness)
This is the standard harness for the SuperTruss Extension. It features a male seven-pin plug that connects to the factory seven-pin connector on the back of your truck. The harness runs alongside the SuperTruss Extension and bolts onto the plug bracket.
The plug bracket is included exclusively with the SuperTruss Extension. No other hitch extensions on the market include this feature.
Wired Truck-to-Camper Harness
This two-way harness also features a male plug that connects to the seven-pin connector on the back of the truck. The female plug can be positioned in two ways:
- Laid on the bed between the camper and the bed wall toward the front of the truck bed, then plugged into the camper
- For a more permanent installation, routed underneath the truck, tied off to the factory wiring harness, run up through the bed, and plugged into the camper
This provides a no-splice solution for wiring your truck to your camper.
Three-Way Connector
The most comprehensive option combines the truss extension harness with the truck camper wiring harness, accomplishing both towing and camper wiring in one system.
The male plug connects to the seven-pin connector on the back of the truck. The long 10-foot harness can run either up inside the bed or underneath the bed. The shorter seven-pin female connector runs alongside the SuperTruss Extension and bolts onto the plug bracket.
Product Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Available Lengths | 8 options: 21" to 60" |
| Maximum Capacity (Weight Distribution) | Up to 14,000 lbs |
| Maximum Tongue Weight (Weight Distribution) | Up to 1,400 lbs |
| Weight Carrying Capacity | Up to 7,500 lbs |
| Weight Carrying Tongue Weight | Up to 750 lbs |
| Compatibility | SuperHitch Towing Series exclusively |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Why the Truss Design Matters
The engineering behind the SuperTruss Extension is what enables its exceptional performance. Single-tube extensions are fundamentally limited in their load-handling capability. They lack the structural stability required for heavy-duty applications.
The truss configuration, created by the dual-tube design and collar system, distributes forces more effectively. This allows the SuperTruss to achieve capacities that single-tube designs simply cannot match. When you're hauling a heavy truck camper and towing a substantial trailer, this engineering difference translates directly to safety and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lengths does the SuperTruss Extension come in?
The SuperTruss Extension is available in eight different lengths, ranging from 21 inches to 60 inches.
What is the weight capacity of the SuperTruss Extension?
Maximum capacity is up to 14,000 lbs pull with 1,400 lbs tongue weight using weight distribution. With weight carrying, it's rated for 7,500 lbs pull and 750 lbs tongue weight. Note that specific capacities vary by extension length.
Can I use the SuperTruss Extension with any hitch?
No. The SuperTruss Extension is designed to work exclusively with the Torklift SuperHitch towing series.
Do I need to buy a separate plug bracket?
No. The plug bracket is included with the SuperTruss Extension. This is an exclusive feature not found on other hitch extensions.
Why should I choose a length slightly shorter than my measurement?
Choosing a slightly shorter extension positions it behind your camper bumper, preventing interference with factory swing steps or other accessories.
Do I need two ball mounts with the SuperTruss system?
No. The dual-receiver design allows you to use the same ball mount in either the upper receiver (with camper and extension) or lower receiver (without camper and extension), as the height difference compensates for the truck's height change when the camper is removed.
What's the difference between the upper and lower receivers?
The upper receiver is approximately 4 inches higher than the lower receiver. This height difference allows you to maintain consistent ball height whether you're towing with or without the camper installed.
How tight should I tighten the turnbuckles on the safety chains?
Tighten the turnbuckles as tight as you can get them by hand only. Do not use tools to tighten them further, as this will over-tighten the assembly.
What warranty does the SuperTruss Extension carry?
The SuperTruss Extension is covered by Torklift's lifetime warranty.
Do I need the M96 receiver adapter?
You'll need the M96 receiver adapter (receiver reducer) when using the SuperTruss Extension with the SuperHitch Magnum, which has a larger 2.5-inch receiver opening.
What's the purpose of the shim plates on the collars?
The shim plates fill the gap between the 2.5-inch upper tube and the 2-inch lower compression tube, ensuring the collar system properly binds the tubes together into a truss configuration.
Can I install the SuperTruss Extension with the camper already on the truck?
Yes. In fact, having the truck on a hoist with the camper already installed can make the installation easier, as it allows you to work underneath more comfortably.
For more information, visit torklift.com or contact Torklift's live tech support at 1-800-246-8132.