Notices
All Things Towing Conventional, 5th Wheel, Toy Hauler, Flatbed, Gooseneck, Electrical/Brakes/etc.

Stableloads

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 29, 2022 | 08:38 AM
  #16  
chadstickpoindexter's Avatar
chadstickpoindexter
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 3
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 5,864
Likes: 3,503
From: Uh oh, CA
Like MKrenn above, Torklift sent a set of these to me as part of an evaluation program earlier this year. It is the latest model that doesn't require drilling all the way through the leaf spring, but you do have to make 3 "dimples"... IIRC the instructions said they needed to be either 1/8" or 1/4" deep... I can't remember for sure, but I went about 1/4" deep on each one (so not really much less drilling... just more spaced out...) Anyway, I went to a Home Depot and picked up a $6 Milwaukee metal drilling bit and used my M12 Fuel Hammer Drill with a 6 amp battery. I set it to a low speed and did not use any oil... I was expecting to wear the drill out, but turns out, it was really pretty easy. My drill and drill bit made quick work of it! The hardest part for me was making sure each set of holes was spaced correctly and in the correct spot (and why I would prefer to just drill a single hole all the way through).


The "dimpled" holes, courtesy of Milwaukee M12 power!

Stable load installed. (I still had to tighten the nuts down though.)

Installed and engaged. Notice the red Milwaukee drill laying under the truck. Also, I ended up swapping to 2 plates on each StableLoad as 1 is just barely not enough.
 
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2022 | 08:47 AM
  #17  
MKrenn's Avatar
MKrenn
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 570
From: Black Hills of SD
Hey Chad, I actually took my truck to a shop where they had all the correct tools. I had a battery drill, but, feared it wasn't big enough. Shop charged me $150. Not bad at all. I recently rotated them out and now back on stock config. Love these things....
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 09:18 AM
  #18  
CarterKraft's Avatar
CarterKraft
More Turbo
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 699
Likes: 37
From: DFW
Originally Posted by MKrenn
I just installed model A7312S on my SD. These do not require drilling all the way though the bottom OL spring. You just need to drill a pilot whole. They came with tethers that will hold on to them in case they come loose. Torklift was kind enough to send me these as part of the customer trial program. I plan to test them this weekend. The vendor that installed them did a nice job, but, advised that they are tight and will require the body to be lifted a little to remove them. The OM advises that you can use a 3/8" drive ratchet & extension to turn them in and out if they are stuck. I plan to leave them in place for now and see how much it affects my ride when I'm empty.

It looks like this driver front bracket is on the reverse of the instructions.
Do you foresee any problems with fouling the parking brake cable etc.?

My father in law put his on the correct way where the plates swing out to the inside of the truck (per the instructions) and that just seems foolish to have to get on the ground to implement.
I plan on putting mine on like yours.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 10:58 AM
  #19  
MKrenn's Avatar
MKrenn
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 570
From: Black Hills of SD
Originally Posted by CarterKraft
It looks like this driver front bracket is on the reverse of the instructions.
Do you foresee any problems with fouling the parking brake cable etc.?

My father in law put his on the correct way where the plates swing out to the inside of the truck (per the instructions) and that just seems foolish to have to get on the ground to implement.
I plan on putting mine on like yours.
I didn't install these. I had a shop do it. The kit came with a parking break relocation bracket. So no issues with that. Much easier to move them when they are outside...
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 12:29 PM
  #20  
CarterKraft's Avatar
CarterKraft
More Turbo
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 699
Likes: 37
From: DFW
Ah ok thanks for explaining that.
I will try and get those updated instructions.
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2022 | 09:57 AM
  #21  
MKrenn's Avatar
MKrenn
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 570
From: Black Hills of SD
Originally Posted by CarterKraft
Ah ok thanks for explaining that.
I will try and get those updated instructions.
If you call or email Torklift, they can send them to you.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2022 | 06:42 PM
  #22  
seventyseven250's Avatar
seventyseven250
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 727
From: Calgary Canada
Anyone have feedback for the StableLoads on their half-ton truck? Considering them for my F150. Don't tow anywhere near the limit, but should help feel more planted.
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2023 | 03:57 PM
  #23  
IADiver's Avatar
IADiver
More Turbo
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 607
Likes: 377
I got mine installed. They work as advertised. I ended up with 1 shim in the front of the springs and 2 in the back. It is amazing how much axle wrap these 6.7's have, I can tell the difference with the Stable Loads, no axle wrap. With them engaged and empty, the ride is a little firmer but not terrible. If I were to go on a long trip unloaded I would swing them out, but for short drives I leave them in so I am not constantly engaging and disengaging when I pull my trailers.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 5, 2023 | 11:44 AM
  #24  
River Wild's Avatar
River Wild
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 384
From: Oregon
Originally Posted by MKrenn
I just installed model A7312S on my SD. These do not require drilling all the way though the bottom OL spring. You just need to drill a pilot whole. They came with tethers that will hold on to them in case they come loose. Torklift was kind enough to send me these as part of the customer trial program. I plan to test them this weekend. The vendor that installed them did a nice job, but, advised that they are tight and will require the body to be lifted a little to remove them. The OM advises that you can use a 3/8" drive ratchet & extension to turn them in and out if they are stuck. I plan to leave them in place for now and see how much it affects my ride when I'm empty.
I have these "No Drill" Stableloads as well. I installed them myself in a leisurely couple of hours. I've had airbags in the past and didn't want to go that route this time. These seemed like the way to go and didn't have to drill all the way through the spring. I left them engaged for a few days but ride was a bit harsher so I disengaged them. With a floor jack/block and jacking on the hitch, it takes only a couple minutes to turn them in or out. No a big deal. Haven't had a load big enough to put them to work yet however. Top notch quality as usual.



 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2023 | 02:49 PM
  #25  
seventyseven250's Avatar
seventyseven250
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 727
From: Calgary Canada
Am I insane, or does the idea above with using some plastic wedges (felling wedges or similar) look like absolute total genius? Seems to me that it replicates the action of the stable loads for 1/10th of the price. I've been trying really hard to think of why it might not be a good idea, and I haven't come up with anything yet.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2023 | 04:47 PM
  #26  
MKrenn's Avatar
MKrenn
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 570
From: Black Hills of SD
Originally Posted by River Wild
I have these "No Drill" Stableloads as well. I installed them myself in a leisurely couple of hours. I've had airbags in the past and didn't want to go that route this time. These seemed like the way to go and didn't have to drill all the way through the spring. I left them engaged for a few days but ride was a bit harsher so I disengaged them. With a floor jack/block and jacking on the hitch, it takes only a couple minutes to turn them in or out. No a big deal. Haven't had a load big enough to put them to work yet however. Top notch quality as usual.
Yeah agreed. I use 2 shims front & back when I pull the 5er. It takes me less than 10 mins to engage/disengage and I do not have to put a jack under the hitch (even with all 3 wedges). I haven't scaled the truck yet, but, plan to this spring. I'm guessing my hitch weight is +/- 3500 lbs. I had air bags on my 2021 F-350 and could never get the truck to ride like I wanted. Too little air - still too much squat. Too much air - too bouncy so I put on Bilstien shocks and that helped some. I like these a lot more than bags. Hope this helps.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2023 | 06:11 AM
  #27  
IADiver's Avatar
IADiver
More Turbo
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 607
Likes: 377
Originally Posted by seventyseven250
Am I insane, or does the idea above with using some plastic wedges (felling wedges or similar) look like absolute total genius? Seems to me that it replicates the action of the stable loads for 1/10th of the price. I've been trying really hard to think of why it might not be a good idea, and I haven't come up with anything yet.
My only concern would be keeping them in place. Stainless steel hose clamps are not very sturdy, they can wear pretty quick with friction.
 
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2023 | 11:11 AM
  #28  
seventyseven250's Avatar
seventyseven250
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 727
From: Calgary Canada
Yeah, I see your point. I'm not "that kind" of engineer, but I'm trying to think of a simple way to use the locating hole in the lower spring to hold things in place. Without of course, welding a steel shim into that location.
 
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2023 | 12:17 PM
  #29  
CarterKraft's Avatar
CarterKraft
More Turbo
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 699
Likes: 37
From: DFW
Originally Posted by seventyseven250
Am I insane, or does the idea above with using some plastic wedges (felling wedges or similar) look like absolute total genius? Seems to me that it replicates the action of the stable loads for 1/10th of the price. I've been trying really hard to think of why it might not be a good idea, and I haven't come up with anything yet.
If you can get them to stay in there...
I tried it, even glued rubber to the wedges to add some traction.

I left My house and before I got to Santa Rosa NM on the way to Silverton I had lost 3 of the 4...

I have a idea for a system that would use cables on each side to hold the "shoe" on the end of the overload but I don't have a need to develop it.


 
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2023 | 12:29 PM
  #30  
CarterKraft's Avatar
CarterKraft
More Turbo
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 699
Likes: 37
From: DFW
Not sure how I feel about this but I did buy something similar off ebay.
https://smile.amazon.com/A7310-Quick...ustomerReviews

I thought I was buying some ones that they bought and didn't use/want/etc. but when they came in they were obviously not genuine Torklift.

I pondered it for awhile and finally said F it, I am not going to pay the extra $282 to get the genuine article.

Installation went so-soo. There isn't enough 1/2" washers to properly shim the wedges, I had washers so no big deal.
There are ZERO instructions with mine off ebay.
Mag drill and a carbide annular cutter made quick work of the drilling, it took about 5 minutes to drill each spring with securing the drill, clearing the chips and lubricating the bit.

Overall it was a success and I don't forsee any issues. with them.
I haven't tested them yet but I will try and remember to report back.





 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:02 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE