Torklift’s new demo rig showcases how the FastGun Apex is now an inboard or outboard capable turnbuckle. Their demo rig is also the most tied-down setup we’ve ever seen. Jack Kay, President, and Kyler Morrison, National Sales Manager, give us the backstory and reveal what’s new for 2027.
Parked at the front of the Soaring Eagle booth at the Elkhart RV Open House was the most securely mounted truck camper of all time. Torklift’s Ford F-350 and Soaring Eagle Aquila had both inboard and outboard tie-down systems installed, with eight FastGun Apex turnbuckles holding everything together. Short of a direct hit from a meteor, this truck and camper were inseparable.
Of course, this double-duty setup is for demonstration purposes. The Aquila can accommodate both inboard and outboard tie-downs, giving Torklift a way to show both options on the same rig. Seeing both systems side by side sparks an obvious question. If you had the option to choose inboard or outboard, which one is right for the way you travel?
The outboard setup raised another question. Originally developed for the tight spaces of Torklift’s inboard Apex system, the FastGun Apex turnbuckles connected both inboard and outboard tie-downs on the demo rig. With the Original FastGun turnbuckles already a time-tested choice for outboard applications, why would someone choose Apex instead?
Torklift’s demo rig also showcased a new jack bracket tie-down point, tailgate-mounted GlowSteps, and an easier Lower StableLoad installation. We arrived counting turnbuckles and left with enough questions to keep Torklift tied up on the phone.
To get the full story, we spoke with Jack Kay, President, and Kyler Morrison, National Sales Manager at Torklift International.
Torklift International 2027 demo rig with a Soaring Eagle Aquila at the Elkhart RV Open House
Congratulations on the 50th anniversary of Torklift International. What does that milestone mean to you and your team?
Jack: The first fifty years were Torklift’s first chapter. We honor and respect that history, and we learned a tremendous amount. But that chapter is now on the shelf. June 1st, we began chapter two, the next fifty years of Torklift.
Most companies would be looking back at fifty years. You’re starting the clock over. What’s behind that approach?
Jack: Have you ever heard of an adhocracy? It’s a flexible way of running a company that lets you respond quickly to changing needs and new opportunities. You adapt to new challenges, look for opportunities, and question what you’re doing and why.
We have 180 employees, two campuses, and significant investments in real estate and machinery. We don’t want to be stuck in our ways. We want fresh ideas coming forward from every team.
Look at the FastGun Apex, for example. Why develop a new turnbuckle when the Original FastGun is already successful? Everything is open to question, even a product that’s been an industry standard for decades.
Some Torklift team members embraced our new beginning immediately. Others needed a little time to turn the corner. But we’ve come together, and this is who we are now. It’s exciting to see fresh energy throughout the company.
Adhocracy is new to us, but we like the thinking behind it. Let’s talk about your demo rig displayed at the Elkhart RV Open House. Why install both inboard and outboard tie-down systems on one camper?
Kyler: It’s purely for demonstration purposes. When we meet dealers or potential customers, we don’t assume they already know how a camper connects to a truck or which tie-downs and turnbuckles are appropriate for a particular combination.
Torklift demo truck outfitted with inboard and outboard tie-downs
Displaying both systems lets us explain how each works and identify which setup fits a specific truck, camper, and intended use case.
The Soaring Eagle Aquila can be mounted to a truck with either inboard or outboard tie-downs. Both systems mount to the truck’s frame. The difference is whether the camper connects to anchor points inside or outside of the truck bed.
When the Apex system was announced in July of 2024, it brought frame-mounted tie-down points to internally mounted truck campers. What has the response been from manufacturers and owners?
Kyler: Feedback on the Apex Internal Tie-Down and Turnbuckle system has been very positive. Truck camper owners, especially those who use their truck off-road, are glad to have an option for frame-mounted inboard tie-downs.
Torklift demo rig with Apex Internal Tie-Down and Turnbuckle system
Several truck camper manufacturers have even adapted their designs to better accommodate our Apex system. That speaks volumes about how it performs and how widely it has been adopted by truck camper owners.
Jack: Inboard tie-downs aren’t new, and neither is overlanding. We used to call it four-wheeling, and truck campers have always been part of it.
What’s changed is the popularity of that market and the number of manufacturers entering it. More off-road-focused campers are using inboard tie-downs, which has increased demand for a frame-mounted system.
Torklift ApexAnchor tie-down payload anchor
To properly mount a truck camper, you need to connect to the truck’s chassis. Whether you’re on a trail or a road full of potholes, you want the truck and camper tightly secured and moving together.
Why would a truck camper owner choose inboard tie-downs over outboard tie-downs, or vice versa?
Kyler: If somebody is doing more extreme off-roading and wants to get down tighter trails, an inboard system may be a better fit because the tie-downs aren’t extending outside the camper.
Someone taking their camper on and off frequently may find an outboard system to be more convenient because it’s easier to access. That can be a factor, especially for somebody who’s camping on weekends versus someone who leaves their camper mounted full-time.
Torklift FastGun Apex turnbuckles used with outboard tie-downs
Both systems accomplish the same basic goal of securing the camper to the truck’s frame. The right choice depends on the camper, truck, and owner preference.
Torklift FastGun Apex tension indicator
Jack: The FastGun Apex was originally designed for the inboard Apex tie-down system, but it works just as well in an outboard application. Its compact design puts the spring-tension indicator at the top, providing quick confirmation that the turnbuckle is properly tensioned.
You can also make tension adjustments by rotating the barrel while both hooks remain connected to their anchor points. With the Original FastGun, you have to disconnect the turnbuckle to make those adjustments. Apex lets you adjust it in place and check the indicator to confirm the tension.
Kyler: At rallies, one of the most common questions I get is, “Can you check my turnbuckles and make sure I’m set up properly?” I walk owners through engaging the springs and checking the tension indicator so they understand what to look for.
The indicator on the FastGun Apex provides a clear visual reference for proper spring tension. You’re not relying on feel or guessing if you’re too tight or too loose.
We want truck camper owners enjoying the view through the windshield in front of them, not worrying about what’s happening between their truck and camper behind them. Knowing everything is connected and adjusted correctly gives owners that peace of mind.
Does the FastGun Apex have the same load capacity as the Original FastGun?
Jack: Yes. You can expect the same load capacity and performance from both systems.
The FastGun Apex wasn’t developed because the Original FastGun needed to be stronger. The Original is already an excellent, proven turnbuckle. The improvements are in the design, manufacturing, adjustment, and overall user experience.
Were there significant manufacturing changes required to develop the FastGun Apex?
Jack: Absolutely. We’ve made a major investment in machinery and development for the Apex tie-down and turnbuckle systems. This wasn’t a matter of taking machines we already had and putting them to work. We went out and sourced machinery specifically to manufacture the designs we created.
The Torklift demo rig also featured a new Jack Bracket Tie-Down Point. What led you to develop this product?
Kyler: Customer demand. We get calls from owners who buy a camper designed for inboard tie-downs but want to keep using the outboard tie-down system already installed on their truck.
The Jack Bracket Tie-Down Point provides an outboard anchor point on the camper, giving those owners a way to connect their existing system.
Torklift’s new Jack Bracket Tie-Down Point
Some owners simply prefer an outboard setup. They’ve used it for years, they’re comfortable with it, and they want that option when choosing a new camper.
Your demo truck featured the Tailgater and GlowSteps for accessing the camper. How does that system work, and why choose it over an integrated factory tailgate step?
Kyler: The Tailgater mounts the GlowSteps to the truck’s tailgate, providing sturdy camper access for the Aquila and other campers designed to travel with the tailgate closed.
Torklift Tailgater mount with GlowSteps in the stowed position
Because the GlowSteps reach the ground, they provide a solid foundation instead of the diving-board effect you can experience with a suspended tailgate step. The GlowStep’s adjustable legs provide stable footing on uneven terrain and, as the name suggests, the glow strips glow in the dark.
Jack: Consider the number of steps, too. An integrated tailgate step might give you one or two. If you’re a spring chicken, that might be fine. If you’re like me, you appreciate having just seven and a half inches between steps, especially after repeatedly climbing in and out of the camper.
What does installing the Tailgater involve, and which trucks will it fit?
Kyler: We designed the Tailgater to have a universal mounting pattern that accommodates most tailgates. Depending on the application, you may have to use threaded rivets to install the mounting bracket. We have installation videos available online to walk customers through it.
We recently installed Torklift’s Upper StableLoads in our garage, and the bolt-on installation required no drilling. You mentioned that the Lower StableLoads now have an easier installation process. What’s changed?
Kyler: The big improvement with the Lower StableLoad installation is that you no longer have to drill a hole all the way through the lower overload spring. With the new kit, you only need to drill a small dimple in the spring’s surface for the set bolts to seat into.
Torklift International’s Upper and Lower StableLoads
That means much less drilling into hardened steel, making the installation easier for owners tackling the job at home.
Do the new FastGun Apex turnbuckles and Jack Bracket Tie-Down Points come with Torklift’s lifetime warranty?
Jack: Absolutely. They both carry Torklift’s Legendary Lifetime Warranty.
How does the adhocracy philosophy influence the way Torklift approaches new products?
Jack: Things are changing rapidly. Internationally, locally, and across pretty much everything you can think of, big shifts are happening.
Change can be part of your power instead of something that creates stress. If you approach it that way, you can surf that wave all the way in.
For Torklift, the next fifty years are about respecting the company’s history while continuing to challenge what’s possible. With new tie-down systems, refined turnbuckles, and more products in development, the company’s next chapter is already underway.
What does that mean for Torklift in 2027? Are there any new truck camper products you can tell us about?
Jack: We have some really cool things we’re working on that we can’t talk about yet. When we’re ready to roll them out, we’ll make sure Truck Camper Magazine is the first to know.
For more information about Torklift International, visit their website at torklift.com. Request more information about Torklift products here.
