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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.

“Go find the Mountain Man.”  That term was used to describe Casey Cotter, our lead engineer, and master behind so many of Torklift’s innovations.

He’s the real deal, and can be found on weekends out in nature thinking up brilliant ideas to make camping easy and possible for people like me.

Where he could “MacGuyver” an instant wiring fix to keep the batteries charged all night, I need a plug in harness and hopefully a switch labeled boldly off and on.

Where I think it would be genius to use duct tape for an easy fix.  He can engineer real lab tested performance solutions to everyday camping needs and problems.

Where he could survive on the land for days, I panic if all the fixin’s for s’mores aren’t in the cooler.

Where he could have made Eagle Scout, I quit the Brownie troop when I learned it wasn’t all about the chocolatey treat.

Where he could tell you if your GAWR is in line with your GVWR and your GCVWR is within your GTWR and GVWR, and your TW better not be over 10% of your GTW and you’re gonna need WD.  I would say,  “That’s a big RV.”

Casey can directly answer the, “call of the wild,” where my call needs operator assistance and sometimes goes to voice mail.

I can learn a lot from Casey Cotter.

Oh no, he is wearing his camouflage hat again, I think he sees me coming for some more advice.

Casey’s Torklift invention of choice: StableLoads suspension upgrade

Do you ever get that feeling while towing or hauling when your mental brakes kick in and the weight of your truck is not stopping with you?  Those teeth clenching, heart racing, toe-curling seconds can seem like minutes.

I looked up the word for this affliction and it’s called agoraphobia.  It’s the phobia of losing control, of not being able to stop.  In an extreme case, it’s the fear of leaving the house entirely, but we’ll leave that to a trained psychotherapist to treat.

There is good news when this prognosis pertains to you and your truck’s suspension.

“Big Red” gets all the cool stuff, and I have been amazed with the control while driving this F-350 with StableLoads on and a fully loaded camper and trailer.  I was taught how to easily disengage the units myself when I’m not towing, so the ride is not affected at all for daily driving.

The engineers here tell me they help with the forward surge I was feeling and improve the truck’s handling while loaded by pre-activating the factory overload spring.  They work alone or in conjunction with air bags as they do two different things.

In fact, to level with air bags when carrying a heavy load means taking the majority of the weight off the factory suspension.  The weight is then carried on an area roughly the size of two footballs.  By bypassing the factory suspension, you can actually experience an increase in unsafe handling such as bucking, sway, and body roll.

Tame your beast and save yourself an expensive trip to the therapist.

StableLoads are the lowest cost, most effective and highest return suspension modification on the market.

http://www.torklift.com/products/stableload.php

The F-350 seat adjusted: Check. 

The squiggle indicator off: Check.

 No explosion upon starting the engine and the Everest parts are off: Check.  Phew!  I think I can do this.

 The rest of the test drive went smoothly. Really!

 I was impressed by the handling of the truck, especially with such a big camper.  I felt no lack of power going up steep hills, good stopping distance and it handled well over rough, un-even roads and railroad tracks.

 I am used to driving a stiff suspension little car.  It is nice to feel high and mighty on the road.  It feels like I’m going places, making it big, and climbing the corporate ladder even if that ladder looks more like a tree…, I’m loving it.

http://www.torklift.com/products/stableload.php