Resources

The year 2016 marks an important occasion for Torklift. Celebrating 40 years of business, it’s important to look back and reflect on how far we’ve come, grown and changed since 1976. Often times, we release a new, never-to-be-reproduced hat design – few of which become part of our Collector’s Edition Hat Series.

With the achievement of 40 years, we wanted to make our anniversary hat designs significantly special and unique to properly celebrate the occasion. We’d like to introduce the 2016 40^th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Hat designs. These hats are made in recognition and dedication to two individuals that are both influential and inspiring to all of us at Torklift.

One Man’s Dream – Jon Kay

Jon Kay is the man that started everything that we know as Torklift.

The Torklift story starts in 1958 when Jon Kay began working at a hitch and tow shop in Tacoma, Washington. After several years of planning and accumulating equipment, he opened his own shop in Kent, Wash., in 1976 called Torklift Central Welding.

In 1990, Jon Kay became a celebrity in the RV industry when he invented Torklift True Frame-Mounted Tie Downs, the first product manufactured by Torklift and the first of its kind in the world. Another product invented by Jon Kay was the FastGun turnbuckle. The FastGun is a specially designed patented turnbuckle made to attach truck campers to trucks. The intent behind inventing it, was to make people’s lives easier. Several years after the FastGun was first created, a woman who suffered from crippling arthritis in her hands explained that she was considering no longer truck camping because she was unable to operate the old-fashion manual turnbuckles. When she learned about the FastGun turnbuckle, she was able to truck camp for many more years. Several of Torklift’s products started with the desire to help people.

Ever since he opened the doors for business, Jon began fabricating his own line of products that 40 years later are world renown.

"I had no idea when I started the little shop 37 years ago that it would grow to become what it is today. We all know who the driving force is and the gambler who brought it to this point and that is Jack Kay. This is my son and I couldn't be more proud." –Jon Kay

It started with a dream – an idea, and to this day Jon continues to create product ideas at both Torklift locations in Kent and Sumner, Washington. For the 40^th Anniversary, we dedicated two hats to our founder and prominently display his signature on the rim, as a way to honor the man who established our company.

We are all here 40 years later and over one hundred strong each one of us on the team representing our families hopes and dreams. We stand collectively represent and celebrating 40 years of business because of Jon’s dreams, passion and drive to make this company and its success a reality. Thank you Jon and we hope we make you proud!     

A Father and Legend – Todd Brown
In Loving Memory of Todd Brown, 1962-2015

We’ve chosen to dedicate a 40^th Anniversary hat design to Todd Brown, much-loved father, husband and automotive artist. He was not only the beloved father of one of our Torklift family members, but he also led an inspiring life of taking on projects that no one else would touch and relentlessly pursued his passions with purpose and intent. A concept and ideal that all of us at Torklift stand behind and are inspired by.

In fact, Todd developed the concept for all three 2016 collector edition 40^th Anniversary hats. Because of his creative thinking and attention to detail, we asked him to design the hats we have available for our 40^th Anniversary before he passed and our Sales Director, Katie Brown, finalized the concept into the actual design – a project that is dear to our hearts at Torklift.

Always willing to lend a helping hand, Todd Brown is especially well-known and famous for his unwavering devotion to his renowned work with classic cars, especially 1967-1969 Camaros. Todd started working on cars as a teen but it became a full-fledged hobby at the beginning of his marriage in 1984. Later, restoration became a full-time occupation for the classic cars he loved, and continued to restore them until his illness in 2013. He had an eye for taking rusty or incomplete cars and turning them into pieces of functional and beautiful art. His most prized possession was a 1960 Corvette. It took him 10 years to completely restore his “baby.” A perfectionist in restoring cars, he also custom fabricated parts with a detailed set of skills.

While he passed away too young in 2015, Todd Brown had a good life full of family and friends. Throughout his life, Todd knew love, had a passion for life and spread happiness to everyone he encountered. He is greatly missed. In honor of Todd Brown, we dedicate one of our 40^th Anniversary hats to his hard work, artistry, integrity and memory.

We’re Looking for a New, 2019 Design!

Do you think you have the next great hat design idea in mind? Submit your ideas to be considered for the 2019 Collector’s Edition Torklift commemorative hat.

Warranty registration includes a free hat or keychain. Hats can be purchased for $15. Call 800.246.8132 to place an order.

Submit Idea

Limited Edition 2017 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2020 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2021 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 1989 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2001 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2004 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2006 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2011 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2012 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2013 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2013 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2014 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2014 Torklift Hat

Limited Edition 2014 Torklift Hat

40th Anniversary Limited Edition 2016 Torklift Hat

40th Anniversary Limited Edition 2016 Torklift Hat

40th Anniversary Limited Edition 2016 Torklift Hat

Design Your Own Hat using template below

Meet The Team

Dealer Resources Group

Bob Barber

Bob accepted an offer to become DRG's Southeast Division General Manager in February, 2005. Bob has many years of experience in the market he serves, as a distributor sales representative for Coast for over eight years, and with Arrow for the three years before joining DRG. Prior to that, Bob also owned and operated a dealership in Clearwater, Florida and served as parts manager for several major RV Dealers, including Lazy Days. With a strong history of success, and exceptional knowledge of all aspects of the business, Bob has been a great addition for our current and future vendors, and a highly valued member of the DRG sales team. In 2007, Bob's commitment to the firm was rewarded by becoming the second sales associate to be made a partner through DRG's Partnership Program. In 2008, Bob was promoted to V.P. of Sales for DRG.

George Bilbo

George became a DRG sales associate in early 2010 and lives with his family in Columbia, Mississippi. He has several years of industry experience, most recently as a dealer sales representative for Arrow Distributing, where he worked out of their branch in Louisiana. He now covers the same territory for DRG that he previously covered for Arrow. His long relationships with the dealers in his area have allowed him to easily make the transition to his new duties with DRG. We’re very pleased that George decided to join us and are very confident that he will be an important part of our future growth.

Bill Eckhoff

Bill began his DRG career in January of 2007 after serving as a Regional Manager at Pulliam Industries for several years. As Regional Sales Manager for our Midwest Division, Bill has proven himself to be a valuable asset for DRG, its customers, and supplier companies. His prior industry experience and familiarity with the customers he serves, along with his product knowledge and sales abilities, have made Bill an important addition to the DRG Sales Team.

Andy Mikesell

Andy became General Manager of DRG's Midwest Division in February of 2006 after several years as a Regional Sales Manager for Firestone's Industrial Products Division. His "Key Account" experience with Firestone, and the fact that his new DRG territory included many of the accounts he had worked with for several years, allowed Andy to have an immediate positive impact on the sales in his new territory. His work ethic, product knowledge, and previous "big company" training, have made Andy a key member of DRG's Sales and Management team.

J.D. Overstreet

J.D. joined DRG in the fall of 2009 and was recently promoted to the position of Regional Sales Manager for our Central Midwest territory and moved to Hannibal, Missouri. J.D. brings many years of experience to his new position and has worked in the parts departments of several large dealerships, has held sales positions with RV Parts Distribution companies, and owned and operated an RV Dealership in Clearwater, Florida. His background and sales ability have allowed J.D. to provide an immediate positive impact for our Vendor Partners.

Mike Perry

Mike joined the DRG Sales Team in July of 2013. With many years of RV experience at both the Dealer and Distributor levels, Mike joined the DRG sales team as a knowledgeable RV Industry veteran. He had excellent relationships with the Dealers in his territory since he had been working with them for several years as a sales representative for NTP in the same territory he now covers for DRG. Working for NTP also provided him a great understanding of virtually all our Vendor’s product lines & programs, which allowed Mike to become a very important addition to the DRG Sales Staff from day one of joining the firm.

Susan Russell

Susan joined the DRG Sales Team in April of 2014. With many years of RV experience as a territory sales representative for Stag/Parkway, Susan joined the DRG sales team as a knowledgeable RV Industry veteran. She has long standing relationships with the Dealers in her territory, as Susan was the “go to” person for their business needs for the past several years. With excellent knowledge of all the DRG product lines through her work with Stag, Susan has been able to easily transition to her new duties as a DRG Sales Manager for our Florida territory.

Jim Stark

A founding partner of DRG, Jim began his RV career with Valley Industries, a towing products company located in Lodi, California. Jim left Valley to join Faulkner Mfg. Company as its Director of Marketing and, after four years with Faulkner, switched to the distribution side of the business by going to work for Mohawk Trailer Supply in Schenectady, NY. When Mohawk was sold to The Coast Distribution System in 1990, Jim was transferred to Tampa and became V.P. and Gen. Mgr. of Coast's Tampa distribution center. In 1994, Jim was promoted to Senior V.P. of Sales and moved to Coast's San Jose, California headquarters. In 1999, Jim returned to the Tampa area and joined forces with David Jones to form DRG.

Garry Weaver

DRG's first sales associate, joined the company in 2000 after over 10 years sales experience with Stag/Parkway's Leesburg, Florida branch as an outside sales representative. In 2002, Garry was promoted to General Manager of DRG's Texas Division and relocated to the Austin, Texas area. In 2006, Garry's efforts on behalf of the firm were again rewarded when he was made a partner in DRG through our newly instituted Partnership Program. He has worked closely with the area distributors and their sales people and has developed an excellent following with the RV dealers throughout the territory. Garry is also an active member of the T.R.V.A. and has served as a member of the organizations Board of Directors. He now serves DRG as V.P. and General Manager of our Texas Division.

George Yontosh

George agreed to join DRG in October of 2007 as a Regional Sales Manager for our Northeast Division, after successfully running his own Rep firm for over five years. George's firm, which also served the RV Aftermarket, wasn't his first experience in the RV Industry. Prior to starting his Rep company, George worked for StagParkway as a dealer sales representative for over eight years and served as the Parts Manager of a major dealership before that. Working with the same dealers, W.D. sales people, and distributors he has worked with for over thirteen years, has allowed George to make an immediate impact for DRG and its Suppliers. George's experience, product knowledge, and reputation in the Industry, allowed for an easy and positive transition to his new duties with DRG.

Foster & Associates

Dan Cloutier

Dan Cloutier has been involved in the Automotive Aftermarket industry for over 30 years. Dan started his professional Sales and Marketing career with one of the largest manufacturer agencies as a Territory Sales Manager for 13 years. He then worked for a national chemical company as a Regional Sales Director and National Sales Director. Dan takes pride in his first class customer service, and remarkable relationships he has built with his customers over the years.

Dan is bilingual, and therefore is right at home with all of our customers, whether they are French or English speaking.

Brent Foster

As a West Coast enthusiast, one can often find Brent enjoying the outdoors at any number of sea to sky activities, or perched on his porch barbequing for the family. His healthy approach to a work life balance helps to keep his mind clear and his tactics calculated.

With an education in Operations Management from BCIT, and an impressive history in sales and marketing, Brent has been an instrumental part in Foster & Associates successes. Coupled with that, his membership with the American Production and Inventory Control Society has him tuned into industry market trends – one of many reasons he is called upon in the industry.

Brent’s forward thinking methods and proven track record has clients asking for him by name, and he is well recognized by reputation.

Sean Foster

Once a West Coast champion of corporate account acquisitions, Sean now calls his Calgary transplant location – home. His education in Business Management has catapulted him through his career history within the telecommunications industry, along with corporate account management, and marketing initiatives respectively.

In 1999 Sean joined D. Foster & Associates, lending to them his “top of the class” tactics and business know-how, intertwined with his fearless leadership qualities. Sean is sure to leave no task unturned and no challenge unresolved.

With Calgary as his backdrop, Sean and his family enjoy the great outdoors skiing, snowboarding and camping. Sean, is proud of the ironclad relationships he has built in Alberta and its neighboring provincial borders. Celebrating a plethora of professional representations, Sean continues to strive to be the best he can be to him, his customers and nanufacturing partners.

Tom Woinoski

Tom Woinoski is a Sales and Marketing professional who brings over 25 years of Sales experience in Automotive / Power Sports / Commercial Vehicle / Off Highway OEM and Aftermarket segments. For the past 25 years, Tom has worked with Fortune 500 Companies in Sales Management and Account Management roles. Tom has made a tremendous impact for Foster & Associates in Ontario and is a welcomed addition to the TEAM.

Tom was born and resides in Ontario. During his off time Tom enjoys golfing and trips to Northern Ontario.

The Shepherd Company

Over 60 years ago Ken Shepherd created the “Kenneth L. Shepherd Company” with the idea of providing exceptional sales and service for the automotive aftermarket to the Rocky Mountain region. Ken’s goal was to create a business concept that served the manufacturing sector as well as the dealer/jobber using “push through” and “pull through” selling. Back then the core of our business was primarily serving the automotive aftermarket and providing an avenue for the manufacturer to place their products into the automotive jobbers inventory and onto their store shelves. It was our mission to foster those relationships and keep those channels of supply and demand open and active for all parties involved.

Throughout the last 60 + years the marketplace has rapidly evolved, transformed and morphed into many specialized segments and The Shepherd Company has adapted right alongside. In 1989 they became a corporation with headquarters in Denver, Colorado, went through multiple expansions, added new territories, new accounts and additional sales associates. Today they have the ability to cover the entire United States (via a strategic partner), however, their core business still services Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The one constant throughout their evolution has been their dedication to their founder’s ideals of providing exceptional sales and service, representing themselves and their suppliers in a professional manner and fostering long term relationships with their business partners

Van Dyke Enterprises

Jerry VanDyke began his career in the RV industry in 1976. He started VanDyke Enterprises in 1993, representing one RV manufacturer in California. Jerry works with OEM accounts, manufacturers. Vandyke Enterprises continues to grow by adding more RV manufacturers and experienced reps to train dealers and distributors on products and sales.

The first rep to join VanDyke Enterprises in 2002 was Marv Flak bringing over 30 years of RV business experience to the company. Richard Jackson joined the company in 2008 adding another 30 years of RV business experience to the team.

Marv and Richard rep manufacturer's product lines calling on dealers and distributors regularly. Marv covers Southern California, Southern Nevada and Arizona. Richard covers Northern California and Northern Nevada. Jerry, Marv and Richard cover California, Arizona and Nevada focusing on dealers and distributors, providing training they need to be successful.

The key to growth with VanDyke Enterprises is providing constant training at the OEM, dealer and distributor levels.

Terms and Conditions apply to retail sales made through Torklift.com only. Our 30-Day Money Back Guarantee covers every product ordered from Torklift.com. You have 30 days to return any item from the day you receive the item. Please call (844) 232-4325 to obtain Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA ) number before returning any merchandise. Please clearly mark the RMA number on your return label and attach to the outside of the box. Any product returned must be in like new condition, never installed and contain everything it came with. All items returned must include the original packaging, and a copy of the original sales invoice. All returns are subject to 15% restocking fee. Any merchandise returned without original packaging and manuals, or merchandise that has been used, and is not in like new condition will incur up to a 50% restock fee. We do not accept merchandise returns after the item has been installed. All special order items are Non Refundable. Shipping and handling is non refundable.

Purchases made through distribution and dealers must be returned to the distributor or dealer that the purchase was made. This policy only applies to retail sales made through Torklift.com.

Although we do our best to get accurate images of the products we sell, the pictures on our website may not be an exact image of the product being sold. Please use the product description when making a buying decision. If you are going by the picture and want to return the product because the picture was not an exact representation of the product, 15% restock fee will apply and the freight will not be refunded. If the item you are returning was shipped free and the item is returned for a refund, we will charge you the original shipping amount Torklift paid to get it to you when we do the refund.

For more information on our terms and conditions visit our privacy policy page or contact us.

We here at Torklift International are committed to protecting the privacy of our website visitors and have enacted this privacy policy to better define to you our practices.

This policy covers torkliftcentral.com, but does NOT cover any third party sites we may link to that we have no control over.

This privacy policy sets out how Torklift International uses and protects any information that you give Torklift International when you use this website. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement. Torklift International may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes.

WHAT WE COLLECT

With your consent, we may collect the following information from orders, forms and surveys:

• Your name
• Contact information including email address
• Demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
• Other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers

We do NOT:

Share or disclose this information with other websites or companies
Have access to any information on your other browsing habits

Without your permission, we do NOT:

Collect personally identifiable information like your name, IP address or any other information that singles you out from our other users in an identifiably distinct manner without your explicit consent.

We utilize a tool known as Google Analaytics on our website to collect, compile and display anonymized, statistical information about our users to us to help better serve you.

We may look at the following information:

• How long you stay on our site
• Which pages you spend the most or least amount of time on
• What type of computer, phone or tablet you're using
• Other, related bits of data

WHAT WE DO WITH THE INFORMATION WE GATHER

We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons:

• By using some of the data we collect, we're able to offer products that align with what you're looking for
• Knowing what types of computers and screen sizes are visiting us allows us to develop pages that cater to you
• We may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided. Note: If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.
• This information provides invaluable insights to where we should grow, allowing us to bring you a better experience overall.

SECURITY

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

HOW WE USE COOKIES

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer's hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about web page traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.

Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website, by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us. You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

CONTROLLING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposesif you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us at support@torklift.com.

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998. A small fee will be payable. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please write to 322 Central Ave. N. Kent, WA 98032.

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible, at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

We also utilize additional cookies furnished by Google Analytics. For an up to date list of these cookies and how they are used by the Google Analytics services, please view their documentation.

We are in strict compliance with Google Analytics Terms of Service.

Torklift International manufactures the toughest and most versatile receiver hitches in the industry with tongue weight ratings up to 3,000 pounds and towing capacities up to 30,000 pounds. To ensure the best quality, American-made SuperHitch Outlaw Series hitches, our engineering team strength tests all our hitches with SolidWorks engineering software and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to meet and exceed SAE J684 standards. Our hitches are also physically tested at our factory and also tested and certified at independent third party professional laboratories. On several occurrences, our hitch designs were so tough they actually broke the testing equipment, reaching limits far beyond our recommended towing and tongue weight capacities.* Modifications had to be made to the testing equipment to handle the increased capacities afforded by the SuperHitch Outlaw Series.

Because our SuperHitch Outlaw Series is made in the US, it has become America’s most wanted hitch with its Legendary Lifetime Warranty. As a hitch manufacturer since 1976, we know of no better way to instill customer confidence.

All SuperHitch Outlaw Series hitches, extensions, weight distribution and accessories are built right here in Sumner, Wash., at our 50,000 square foot facility.

*Do not exceed the towing and tongue weight capacities on your Torklift International hitch.

Finite Element Analysis of the SuperHitch OutLaw Series 

Torklift International Engineering

• Custom designed and USA manufactured trailer hitches since 1976
• Our engineering team includes mechanical and design engineers utilizing strength testing with SolidWorks engineering software Finite Element Analysis (FEA), to meet and exceed SAE J684 standard
• 50,000 square foot manufacturing factory highlighting state of the art, CNC and automated systems including full R&D development center and tow system installation retail facility
• 7,200 sq. ft. state of the art automated chain driven powder coat facility
• 3D printer and 3D scanner capability to quickly produce accurate, quality and affordable research and development models
• Legendary Lifetime Warranty

Vehicles are originally built with four-point suspension

Vehicles are designed at their respective factories with a four-point suspension system. Two points of suspension are located on each of their two rear leaf springs. Each end of the leaf spring is a point of control. Using suspension enhancements such as airbags, diminish the factory four-point suspension and often reduce it creating the opposite effect of a four-point suspension control.

Using shocks and/or a sway bar may enhance your vehicle’s stability/suspension yet they only add minimal control due to their two points of control. The StableLoads patented four-point control system gives you full control of your vehicle.

Your vehicle’s factory engineers invest millions of dollars to ensure a four-point suspension system because it provides a needed compromise between your ride quality while your driving and towing/hauling and also the ride quality while driving unloaded.

StableLoad works with factory suspension

StableLoad is the only suspension upgrade that provides four points of suspension to work with your factory suspension. StableLoad pre-engages the factory suspension preparing the vehicle in advance for the load caused by towing and hauling. It does this by eliminating the gap between the upper and lower leaf springs which means the truck does not have to drop by a few inches due to whatever it is towing or hauling. By maintaining the four-points of contact, the suspension is being used at its fullest potential.

Why choose StableLoad over Airbags?

Airbags provide two points of contact on your factory suspension as opposed to the original four points. Airbags take the weight of the towing or hauling load off the factory suspension and essentially redistributes it onto two balloons causing a teeter-tottering effect. With airbags, the weight can shift back and forth causing your factory suspension to become disengaged.

Benefit of working with your suspension instead of against it

Trucks are expensive. You pay a lot to have a comfortable ride and when you load your truck down, you lose that comfortable ride. StableLoad engages your suspension sooner to give you a comfortable ride while dramatically reducing side-to-side sway, body roll and porpoising.