The Torklift FastGun is quick and easy to install. What used to take several minutes to install with the old turnbuckle systems now takes only a few seconds with the FastGun. No tools are needed to assemble the FastGun nor are any tools required to install it. The FastGuns come with a sticker to identify where each was used so you don’t have to manually adjust the length each time they are used. The quick disconnect feature also makes the task of leveling your camper at your campsite a snap by allowing the use of your electric jacks to level your camper while the camper is still on the truck. This avoids the hassle of using leveling blocks under your tires. The quick disconnect feature also comes in handy at the gas station in the event that the driver side front turnbuckle is blocking access to your fill door.
An important feature and benefit of the FastGun is the built-in spring-loaded mechanism. The problem with the older turnbuckle systems is that they had no “give” in them. A pothole or bump at high speed could bend or damage a tie-down or yank the eye-bolt from the frame of the camper. I’ve known truck camper owners who have experienced such mishaps, and the damage isn’t pretty, especially when the damage occurs to the truck camper’s frame. In contrast with these older, archaic systems, the FastGun’s spring-loaded mechanism has enough give to respond to most external forces encountered on the road, yet provide enough strength to keep the camper secure even during a rollover accident. It’s a fine balance that Torklift has successfully been able to achieve.
What have I learned after over a dozen trips and nearly two years of FastGun use? First, getting the correct amount of tension can be a bit of a challenge at first. Over tightening and under-tightening the FastGuns can both create problems. Too much tension can result in damage to either your Fastguns or your rig while too little can allow your camper to shift around in your truck bed while you’re on the road. Fortunately, the FastGuns have a patented, built-in feature called the tension indicator to help get things right. This indicator is nothing more than a rubber “O” ring that you cinch up to the bottom of the FastGun’s housing before locking the lever down. A gap of 1/4 inch between the “O” ring and housing after clamping the lever down indicates the correct amount of tension.