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This year Torklift welcomes Jiu Jitsu World Champion Ron Boutilier to our sponsorship program. A member of Olympia-based Hammerhead Mixed Martial Arts, Boutilier became a world champion competitor. In the Male Blue Master 1 heavyweight division, Boutilier took home the gold medal at the 2018 International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World No-Gi Championships at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Boutilier, who started training in No-Gi Jiu Jitsu, which is a submission style of wrestling, in 2008 and later began studying traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2014, claimed both his semifinal and finals matches with 2-0 victories, winning each match with a single takedown to capture the world championship.

Boutilier has competed in 41 tournaments, earning such titles as NAGA Washington State Expert champion, Lockflow Absolute champion, St. Croix Valley Absolute division champion, and Grappling Industries Washington State Absolute champion, but names his gold medal at the IBJJF world championships his biggest highlight so far.

He began training under Joey Guel at Hammerhead MMA a little less than one year ago. The gym, which opened in 2015, offers training and professional instruction in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai, among other styles.

Ron is one of the strongest competitors on the Jiu Jitsu circuit – which means he needs a trailer hitch that is the strongest in the industry. We geared him up with the SuperHitch Magnum 30K receiver hitch and the highest rated receiver extension in the industry, the SuperHitch SuperTruss.

When used with weight distribution, the SuperHitch Magnum 30K frame-mounted receiver hitch is rated at 30,000 pounds and can handle a tongue weight of up to 3,000 pounds.

As the highest capacity receiver extension in the industry, the SuperHitch SuperTruss:
      -  Is designed for campers up to 12 feet and available in eight lengths from 21-60 inches
      -  Has a dual truss for added strength
      -  Features hardened reinforced hitch pin locations
      -  Uses patented, lateral-support safety chains

If you’re interested in getting a hitch for your vehicle and want to do some heavy hauling, we have your back with the SuperHitch Magnum! You can purchase it from one of our Torklift Certified Dealers. Or, visit here for more details about this truck hitch and give us a call at 800-246-8132, we’d love to help you with your next hitch.

Written by Kerstin Stokes:
As a graduate from the College of Idaho with a B.A. in both History and Art, Kerstin has found her passion for writing and marketing, and has loved every minute of working for Torklift for over 3 years. She enjoys looking up tasty recipes for baking and daydreaming about future travels.

If you are planning on doing any kind of outdoor adventure that involves you bringing extra cargo or a trailer, chances are you'll need to tow with a trailer hitch! While it may seem unapproachable, setting up and towing a trailer behind your truck is easier than it looks. But, it does require some study and set up in advance to make it as easy as possible when you’re actually towing.

During your research phase, the first thing you need to ensure is that your truck has a rating capacity of at least the max weight of the load you want to haul. Check the owner’s manual for your truck to determine the weight limits and figure out the appropriate hitch to have installed. You’ll want to make sure to stay within the manufacturer’s weight ratings or you could potentially cause major damage to your vehicle, truck and other drivers on the road.

Here are the numbers that you’ll need to know before getting set up to tow behind your truck:

• Gross trailer weight (GTW): how much the trailer weighs fully loaded. 
• Gross trailer weight (GTW): how much the trailer weighs fully loaded. 
• Tongue weight: the downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer coupler. You’ll need to know your trailer tongue weight in order to determine the best hitch for your vehicle.
• Gross combined weight rating (GCWR): The maximum weight of the trailer tow vehicle combined, this weight should never be exceeded. 
• Hitch rating: this is an incredibly important number! It’s the weight that the manufacturer has tested and determined that the hitch can handle. For example, the SuperHitch Original can handle 2,000 pounds tongue weight and tow up to 20,000 pounds.

What it basically comes down to for hitch towing is weight! Weight is the most important factor when it comes to towing. Both knowing how much weight your trailer hitch can tow and how much weight your truck, hitch and ball mount can handle. 

All hitches are not created equal. If you’re planning on towing a heavy amount, you need to make sure that your trailer hitch is up to the task. Take for example Charles Spray. He trusts the best hitch available for towing a trailer behind his fully loaded truck and camper: the SuperHitch!

“Getting ready for the Ponies in the Smokies car show in Sevierville, TN. Love your products! It runs great down the highway and that’s the important part.”

-Charles Spray

The SuperHitch comes in two different weight capacities. The SuperHitch Original heavy-duty trailer hitch is rated at 2,000 pounds tongue weight, 20,000 pounds with weight distribution and uses our patented dual receiver design (2-inch upper and 2-inch lower) to max out class five hitch maximum capacities.

To fight the blight of wimpy factory and aftermarket tow hitches the SuperHitch Magnum is also available. With weight distribution, the SuperHitch Magnum trailer hitch is rated up to 3,000 pounds tongue and 30,000 pounds towing.

Both of these trailer hitches come with hardened reinforced hitch pin locations to prevent common elongation of the hitch pin holes known as egging. When hitch pin holes are not properly reinforced, the elongated pin holes with extra space around the hitch pin leads to effects of poor handling. For example, feeling the trailer’s dramatic push forward on the tow vehicle while stopping. Gain control and avoid this with the SuperHitch 20K trailer hitch.

The SuperHitch Original and SuperHitch Magnum are built incredibly strong and can handle heavy towing within the vehicle manufacturer’s indicated maximum capacities. They are also made in the USA and are backed by our Legendary Lifetime Warranty.

The SuperTruss is an incredibly strong extension for towing when you have overhang in the bed of your truck.

Depending on the application, trucks are often used to both tow and haul at the same time, just like Charles who has a truck camper in his truck bed while towing a trailer. If the cargo in the truck bed blocks the trailer hitch receiver by crossing the threshold of the vehicles rear-end, you'll need specific towing equipment to maintain your ability to tow. The SuperHitch SuperTruss extension pairs perfectly with each model of SuperHitch to give you the ability and convenience of extending your tow hitch in the safest way possible. Take advantage of the versatility of your tow vehicle by giving it the tools it needs to go big.

For a full list of steps on how to tow a trailer you can visit our recent blog for step by step instructions on towing a trailer behind your truck. If you’re interested in purchasing our SuperHitch trailer hitch and want to upgrade like Charles, there are a couple of options available to you! You can click here to visit one of our Certified Dealers near you. You can also contact us for more information or questions at support@torklift.com or by calling 800-246-8132.

Written by Kerstin Stokes:
As a graduate from the College of Idaho with a B.A. in both History and Art, Kerstin has found her passion for writing and marketing. She enjoys looking up tasty recipes, spoiling her cat Clio and daydreaming about future travels. 

At Torklift we strive to help educate customers so they can learn everything they need to get on the road safely and have a fun time. Whether you’re a newbie wanting to buy your first hitch, or a veteran who’s had many hitches before, it’s always best to do research to find the best hitch class you need for your vehicle to fit your needs.

The hitch is one of the starting points that ensures you’ll have fun on your next adventure because it helps you bring your bike rack or tow trailers behind your vehicle for camping trips or big toys like ATVs or dirt bikes. Learn all you need to know about the different hitch classes that exist and get some ideas of what you’ll be able to tow or haul with each:

1.) Class I Hitch

Considered weight carrying hitches – Class I hitches are typically rated up to a maximum of 200 tongue weight and 2,000 pounds towing and traditionally come in a 1 ¼” receiver with few hitches available in 2” as well. Most vehicles in this hitch class include compact cars, sedans and SUVs. Class I hitches are perfect for smaller accessories or towing small trailers.

• Examples of what you can use/tow: bike rack, cargo trays, small tent camper, jet skis

2.) Class II Hitch

Class II hitches are also considered weight carrying hitches similar to Class I hitches, but have the ability to handle more weight. Typically rated around 350 pounds tongue weight and a maximum of 3,500 pounds towing, this type of hitch also traditionally comes in both 1 ¼” and 2” receiver sizes. Vehicles in this hitch class are usually sedans and SUVs.   

• Examples of what you can use/tow: bike rack, small campers, jet skis, boats

3.) Class III Hitch

Class III hitches are what you normally see on small trucks, SUVs and larger sedans. These hitches tend to be rated at around 500/600 pounds tongue weight and up to a maximum of 5,000 pounds towing and normally come in 2” receivers. There are adapters available where you can convert your 2” to a 1 ¼” receiver, but we would suggest getting the receiver size you need so you don’t have to use the adapters while hauling heavier loads.

Another fun fact about this class of trailer hitches is that you can start using weight distribution to help even out the load you are towing, prevent sag around the tongue of the trailer and be able to tow more weight. Not all hitches available are rated for both weight carrying and weight distributing, so this is where your research will come in handy, especially if you plan on hauling heavier trailers and are going to need weight distribution.

• Examples of what you can use/tow: medium sized campers, jet skis, utility trailers, boats, bike rack, cargo trays and more

4.) Class IV Hitch

Have a large truck and a beefy looking hitch? You probably have a Class IV hitch. These hitches are typically rated around 1,000/1,200 pounds tongue weight and a maximum of 12,000 pounds towing. They come in 2” receivers, but there are some 2.5” receivers available. Class IV hitches are where you start getting into the heavier towing and will most likely need weight distribution for what you’re planning to pull.

• Examples of what you can use/tow: trailers, large boats, toy haulers, small travel trailers, utility trailers

5.) Class V Hitch

The highest class available for hitches (well, kind of – we’ll explain more below) made for large SUVs, pickup trucks and vans. These hitches are typically rated around 1,200/1,700 pounds tongue weight and 20,000 pounds towing, and come in 2” and 2.5” receivers. Class V hitches are where you are doing the heaviest towing, will need weight distribution and most likely sway control to help make your towing experience more enjoyable and easier to drive down the road.

• Examples of what you can use/tow: large trailers, equipment haulers, multi-car trailers, large boats, toy haulers, large travel trailers, utility trailer

o To the right is a photo of the SuperHitch Original 20K – rated at 2,000 pounds tongue and 20,000 pounds towing with weight distribution. This is a great example of a Class V hitch that is strong enough to tow heavy duty items – especially with its dual truss design that adds strength and stability

6.) Beyond Class V Hitch

Now that it’s 2018, trucks are getting more heavy duty and are manufactured with greater strength to tow and haul heavier trailers and RVs. Hitches must keep up with demand. Recently, there are hitches coming out with a 21,000 pound tow rating from the factory which is the highest that many companies go on ratings.

But, there is another hitch available that is the only one if its kind. Not as expensive as a custom hitch of the same weight rating, there is a bolt-on hitch that comes ready to install. This is the SuperHitch Magnum. This hitch is rated at 3,000 pounds tongue and 30,000 pounds towing with weight distribution. Which means that when it comes to towing with this hitch, the only limit is how much your truck can handle!

Also made with a patented dual receiver design, the SuperHitch Magnum is the strongest and safest hitch available that will literally exceed all your towing needs.

If you’re interested in getting a hitch for your vehicle and want to do some heavy hauling, we have your back with the SuperHitch Original and SuperHitch Magnum! You can purchase it from one of our Torklift Certified Dealers. Or, visit here for more details about this truck hitch and give us a call at 800-246-8132, we’d love to help you with your next hitch.

Written by Kerstin Stokes:
As a graduate from the College of Idaho with a B.A. in both History and Art, Kerstin has found her passion for writing and marketing, and has loved every minute of working for Torklift for over 2 years. She enjoys looking up tasty recipes for baking and daydreaming about future travels. 

Luckily 2017 is starting to look like a good year – it’s getting warmer outside and camping season is coming soon. If you’ve recently purchased a 2017 Ford truck, 2017 Dodge RAM truck, or 2017 Chevy truck – you’re in luck! We are working to complete our 2017 tie down applications and other product fitments, with new fits released weekly!

Newest Fits Available Now:
• 2017 Ford F-150 short bed 
• 2017 Chevy 3500 long bed

Tie Downs and SuperHitch installed on the 2017 Ford F350

Newest Fits Available Now:
• 2017 Ford F-150 long bed 
• 2017 Dodge RAM 1500 long bed
• 2017 Dodge RAM 1500 short bed

There are fits available in steel applications as well as light weight military-grade aluminum Talon tie downs. Among other 2017 applications are SuperHitch, StableLoad suspension stabilizers, and HiddenPower auxiliary battery trays. Applications for 2017 Toyota and Nissan trucks are currently underway.

All Torklift tie downs, SuperHitch, StableLoad and HiddenPower products are proudly made in the USA and come with a Legendary Lifetime Warranty. Here are the top features of each of the products we’ve updated for 2017 fitments:

SuperHitch and tie downs installed on a 2017 Dodge RAM 3500

Talon Tie Downs Features:

• Rust free corrosion protection for life† 
• Finishing Kit included 
• Available for best-selling applications 
• Tie down receiver tube and tie down insert are each 100% military grade aluminum 
• Ultra-light weight 
• Fast, no-drill installations 
†For more details, call us at 1-800-246-8132

Frame-Mounted Tie Down Features:

• Dramatic improvement with vehicle handling and stability and is the safest way to haul a truck camper (Prevents vehicle sway and camper movement in all directions) 
• Avoid bed and bumper damage by attaching to the strongest part of the truck: the frame 
• Maintain the value of your truck and prevent rust and bed damage by avoiding drilling into your truck bed or bumper 
• Provides safety, security and stability while on the road 
• The only truck camper tie down that mounts using independent tie down points that bolt directly to the truck frame

SuperHitch Original 20K Features:

• SuperHitch frame mounted receiver rated up to 20,000 lbs. with weight distribution (17,000 weight carrying) in either the upper or lower receivers (When used without SuperTruss extension.) 
• Extension towing capacity up to 12,000 lbs. with 48” SuperTruss receiver extension† 
• Hardened reinforced hitch pin locations 
† 12,000 lb. pulling capacity, 1,200 tongue wt. achieved only when used with weight distribution type system. See Dealer for details, Weight carrying capacity on 48” extension, 6,000 lb. pull, 600 lb. tongue wt. Consult your vehicle owner's manual for specific towing capacity. Your truck and trailer weight cannot exceed your vehicle manufacturers towing, cargo, or GCVWR.

HiddenPower Features:

• Add additional batteries under your truck bed that are always charged up 
• Avoid wasting fuel and leaving your truck engine running while using electrical accessories such as lights, stereos, computer, etc.  
• Power your accessories without turning your truck engine on by having them directly wired into the extra battery 
• No-drill frame mounted with quick disconnect feature for battery service 
• Kept constantly charged and RVing-ready by your RV and truck’s charging system

StableLoad Suspension Upgrade Features:

• Dramatically improves safety, handling, body roll and porpoising while towing and hauling 
• Ability to turn on and off in seconds* 
• Universal fit for all vehicles with factory installed upper or lower overloads 
• Quad contact design complements the vehicle’s specially engineered suspension that automotive manufacturers have invested millions of dollars designing, while all other rear suspension products reduce contact to only two points 

Wherever your next adventure takes you —no matter the severity of the terrain or weather conditions — Torklift products will help keep you safe and help you focus on one of the most fun aspects of a trip: the journey to get to your destination! If you’re looking for a 2017 Dodge RAM hitch, a 2017 Ford hitch, truck camper tie downs, an under vehicle battery mount, affordable suspension upgrade, or tie downs for 2017 GMC trucks, we have you covered!

To find frame-mounted tie down or SuperHitch fitments for your 2017 truck, learn more by searching through our automated application guide or give us a call at 800-246-8132.

Written by Kerstin Stokes:
As a graduate from the College of Idaho with a B.A. in both History and Art, Kerstin has found her passion for writing and marketing. She enjoys looking up tasty recipes for baking and daydreaming about future travels. 

Not many people know it, but we have released a SuperHitch for the Ford Excursion. While our other Ford SuperHitches are more popular, there is a rising demand for a better hitch for the Excursion. Torklift rose to the occasion and created an Excursion hitch which is part of the SuperHitch Outlaw series. Recently, Ford-Trucks Forum user ExxWhy shared his experience installing the SuperHitch on his 2000 Ford Excursion.

Rated for Excellence
One of the main reasons why ExxWhy purchased the SuperHitch was because his OEM hitch had a low tow rating. He needed something much stronger for towing with an Excursion and here’s what he had to say:

“Torklift recently came out with a version of their SuperHitch 20K receiver for our Excursions. It's substantially beefier than the factory piece and I think for those of you who tow HEAVY stuff, it's a must have. My 2000 [Excursion hitch] was only rated to 1,000 lbs tongue weight and my trailer is a bit over 1,400. The later years with the larger bolts are still only rated to 1,250. This [SuperHitch 20k] is rated for 2,000 lbs with weight distribution, or 1,700 lbs without!” -ExxWhy

With the SuperHitch hitch receiver, you have all the strength you need to allow you to tow at your vehicle’s  weight ratings. It has weight ratings for towing at 20,000 pounds with weight distribution and 17,000 pounds without weight distribution. Also, this 2000 Ford Excursion hitch is completely bolt on so there is no drilling required into the frame of your Excursion. “Bolt up the new 3-piece unit and put all the other pieces back. The tank is a tighter fit to get past the hitch, but otherwise it all works together nicely,” said ExxWhy. More great features of this trailer hitch are that it has a double receiver and has hardened reinforced hitch pin locations to prevent hole elongation known as egging. There’s also an extension for towing available for the SuperHitch called the SuperTruss which gives you extra length for towing if you have an overhang on your truck.

Overall, ExxWhy is happy with his new Ford Excursion hitch replacement, the SuperHitch. Here’s what his final thoughts were on this Ford Excursion Class V hitch:

“The overall fit and finish of the hitch is excellent. No drilling required and the hardware is top quality grade 8 stuff. All in all, I am happy with it so far. I plan to take advantage of the extra [receiver] to adapt a bike rack to hang a couple bikes over the hitch.” -ExxWhy

Features of the SuperHitch include:
• SuperHitch frame mounted receiver rated up to 2,000 lbs tongue weight and 20,000 lbs. with weight distribution (17,000 weight carrying) in either the upper or lower receivers (When used without SuperTruss extension.)
• Extension towing capacity up to 12,000 lbs. with 48” SuperTruss receiver extension†
• Hardened reinforced hitch pin locations
•Both the SuperHitch frame mount receiver and the SuperTruss receiver extensions use industry standard 2” x 2” ballmounts
•Specific Torklift tie down fits are available for the SuperHitch Outlaw Series 
• Legendary Lifetime Warranty
• Proudly made in the USA

† 12,000 lb. pulling capacity, 1,200 tongue wt. achieved only when used with weight distribution type system. See Dealer for details, Weight carrying capacity on 48” extension, 6,000 lb. pull, 600 lb. tongue wt. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for specific towing capacity. Your truck and trailer weight cannot exceed your vehicle manufacturers towing, cargo, or GCVWR.

“A little follow up after using the SuperHitch for a lil 3700-mile road trip. I LOVE IT!  It's a well-engineered product that I will never have to think much about or wonder if it will break going over the next set of RR tracks. As I already mentioned, if you are towing with tongue weights over 1200 lbs, you really should think about getting one. I hate to think about the consequences of the hitch breaking with a 10,000 lb trailer following along at 60 MPH!” - ExxWhy

If you are interested in towing a trailer with your 2000 Excursion and are wanting a higher towing capacity, then look no further that the SuperHitch. Learn more about the SuperHitch or to purchase, click here to find a dealer near you.

Written by Kerstin Stokes:
As a graduate from the College of Idaho with a B.A. in both History and Art, Kerstin has found her passion for writing and marketing. She enjoys looking up tasty recipes for baking and daydreaming about future travels.