Torklift International has married their proven FastGun technology with the Wobble Stopper camper stabilizer to create an all-new product; the FastGun Wobble Stopper.
Sometimes I think the Torklift International team sits around a big table and spitballs combinations and variations of their current products, just to see if something sticks.
I can imagine the meeting:
“Dirt Fortress! No, that won’t work.”
“How about Extended Gaslock!”
“Sounds painful. How about Power Talons!”
“Or Magnum Load! Or Glow Destroyer! I think we’re getting somewhere.”
“Wait, I know. FastGun Wobble Stoppers!”
“I love it! But what is it?”
Okay, I kid. Torklift International is nothing if not clever at coming up with product names that get our attention. After all, who could forget last Spring’s Lock and Load? If it wasn’t a product, I’d want to see it in the theater.
So exactly what is the FastGun Wobble Stopper? Most of us know the original Wobble Stopper, a product that debuted about fourteen years ago to combat sway in demounted truck campers. Most of us also know Torklift International’s FastGun turnbuckles. Is this one of those magic chocolate and peanut butter combinations, or has the Torklift team finally mixed one too many? There’s only one way to find out.
We talked to Jack Kay, President of Torklift International about the new FastGun Wobble Stopper, with Gas. Just kidding.
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TCM: Torklift International debuted the original Wobble Stopper around 2001. Give us a quick refresh of what this product is, and how it came to be.
Jack: Torklift International is fortunate to be located near the original town of Boeing Company. We are surrounded by all types of engineers and different aircraft part manufacturers.
The Wobble Stopper product was originally designed by a Boeing engineer who also happened to be an avid truck camper. When the engineer would unload his camper, he noticed a considerable amount of motion inside the unit. This motion got him thinking about the forces involved and what those forces could be doing to his camper frame and jacks. All of these parts were moving, and fatiguing.
From that point, he began testing different devices to stop the camper motion. During that research, he developed a product he called the Wobble Stopper.
As a loyal and avid Torklift fan, he brought the product to us for production and bringing the Wobble Stopper to market, which we did.
TCM: How has the Wobble Stopper evolved over the years?
Jack: In 2011, we refreshed the Wobble Stopper. First, we moved away from using corrosive materials and switched to aircraft grade aluminum and stainless steel. We then simplified the Wobble Stopper design and made it easier to use ergonomically.
Above: The FastGun Wobble Stopper
TCM: How is the new FastGun Wobble Stopper an improved version of the Wobble Stopper product?
Jack: Over the past few years, we have developed a line of security products including the PowerArmor, Lock and Load, and Fortress GasLock. The FastGun Wobble Stopper adds a security feature to the Wobble Stopper product helping to prevent truck camper theft.
The FastGun Wobble Stopper locks into position between the camper jack legs and the lower front corners of the truck camper. With the FastGun Wobble Stopper installed and locked, it would be impossible to get a pickup truck underneath the camper. The FastGun blocks the truck’s loading path.
The new FastGun Wobble Stopper design comes with two keyed-alike FastGun locks. This means both locks use the same key, for simplicity and convenience.
All of the fasteners used to install the FastGun Wobble Stoppers are tamper-proof and use a one-way, tighten-only, design. Regular hand tools are not going to remove a locked the FastGun Wobble Stopper system.
It’s all about theft deterrence. When a would-be thief sees a set of locked FastGun Wobble Stoppers, he will probably move along.
In addition, the FastGun Wobble Stopper protects your camper frame and jacks from potential damage. The FastGun lever-action mechanism makes the Wobble Stopper much easier to install and use. An owner can engage and disengage the FastGun Wobble Stopper in less than thirty seconds.
TCM: Does the FastGun Wobble Stopper actually work better than the original Wobble Stopper?
Jack: The actual ability to eliminate movement in the camper is comparable between the standard Wobble Stopper and the new FastGun Wobble Stopper. Where you gain on the new design is ease of use, and the theft deterrent security feature.
Above: FastGun Wobble Stopper, Round Jack Application
Above: FastGun Wobble Stopper, Square Jack Application
TCM: Is the FastGun Wobble Stopper compatible with all truck campers and camper jack types?
Jack: Yes, it is. There are two different part numbers, one for square jacks and one for round jacks. In our testing, we found there was a 90% reduction of movement in the truck camper with the Wobble Stopper engaged.
TCM: Does the FastGun Wobble Stopper adjust only for fit, or does this adjustment also increase or decrease the amount of camper movement the product addresses?
Jack: FastGun Wobble Stoppers are adjusted like our FastGun turnbuckles. Once the initial adjustment is set, you can leave it the way it is.
FastGun Wobble Stoppers are not designed to have varying tension. It’s designed to create a leverage point that operates in triangulation with the fixed point of the jack leg. Keeping it under tension makes it so the camper does not move.
Any time you have movement in an unloaded camper, you are going to have a multiplication of the loads in varying degrees and angles. This can lead to camper jack failures, and significant frame wear. Our Wobble Stopper products minimize this movement and protect your jacks and camper frame.
TCM: Is the FastGun Wobble Stopper designed to be left installed on a demounted truck camper rig over the winter and/or during extended storage?
Jack: Absolutely! It can be left on year-round. The aircraft aluminum and stainless steel are not going to mind the weather. The product is overbuilt for the loads it needs to control. Of course you do need to follow what the camper manufacturers and jack manufacturers say about keeping their products maintained.
Above: A plasma cutter creates the FastGun Wobble Stopper jack brackets at Torklift International
TCM: Why not make the new FastGun Wobble Stopper 100% aluminum, like the Torklift International Talon tie-down system?
Jack: There are some different operations that take place with the FastGun turnbuckle that don’t lend itself to a 100% aluminum design. The weight difference would also be negligible. I know ounces count for a truck camper rig, but it would not be a huge weight savings like it is for the Talon tie-downs.
The FastGun Wobble Stopper comes with care instructions like all of our products. For long term maintenance, a mild lubricant, like WD40, can be applied on the threaded part of the FastGun mechanism. We also recommend keeping the product clean of road debris and polishing the stainless parts, as needed. The FastGun Wobble Stopper is designed for all weather environments.
TCM: Is the FastGun Wobble Stopper designed to be a dealer or consumer installed product?
Jack: If you have a cordless screwdriver and set of wrenches, the FastGun Wobble Stopper is a do-it-yourself install. A lot of people will want to have it professionally installed so it’s done per the manufacturer’s specifications. Some people are mechanically inclined, but time is more important than the installation.
TCM: How long should the installation take?
Jack: About thirty minutes. There are two mounting brackets that attach to the forward-facing lower corner of the truck camper. These mounting brackets come with pre-applied sealant, and get screwed into the forward-facing lower corner positions. The fasteners are in the FastGun Wobble Stopper kit.
Next, clamps are affixed to the camper jacks. Once those are installed, adjustments are made to get the proper tension. It’s a very simple installation.
TCM: Does the FastGun Wobble Stopper come with Torklift International’s Lifetime Warranty?
Jack: Yes, the FastGun Wobble Stopper does carry the legendary Torklift International Lifetime Warranty.
Above: The body of the Fastgun Wobble Stopper being welded
TCM: Are FastGun Wobble Stoppers 100% made in the USA by Torklift International?
Jack: Yes, FastGun Wobble Stoppers are 100% made in the USA, here in beautiful downtown Sumner, Washington.
TCM: When will the FastGun Wobble Stopper be available?
Jack: It’s available now.
Above: Boxes of FastGun Wobble Stoppers ready to be shipped
TCM: What is the MSRP?
Jack: The MSRP for the FastGun Wobble Stopper is $294.18, locks included.
TCM: How does a customer determine which type of Wobble Stopper they should order?
Jack: Take a look at the Torklift International website. There are two different part numbers for the FastGun Wobble Stopper, one for square jacks and one for round jacks.
TCM: Will the original Wobble Stopper continue to be available?
Jack: Yes, the original Wobble Stopper still be available.
TCM: What do the FastGun Wobble Stoppers weigh?
Jack: The FastGun Wobble Stopper weighs eight pounds per set.
The FastGun Wobble Stopper offers peace of mind for the person who has made a significant investment in their truck camper, both in dollars and in the lifestyle. We want you to be able to protect your investment. We believe it will be another well received product from Torklift International. We’re excited about it.
For more information on the FastGun Wobble Stopper, visit Torklift International’s website at www.torklift.com.