Toyota's Tundra Exhibits Technical Excellence
June 2010 — As little as five years ago, shopping for a truck that could tow 10,000 pounds meant looking at three-quarter-ton and one-ton models with diesel engines and dual rear wheels. Oh, how things have changed.
Toyota's 2010 Tundra CrewMax 4x4 pulls 10,100 pounds, yet is still livable as a daily driver. For the full story and lots of photos, click here.
Lock Your Fire Extinguisher in Place
July 11, 2010 — Your father always told you to keep a fire extinguisher in your tow vehicle, but one that is just rolling around on the floor can be dangerous in a collision or during evasive maneuvers. With a new bracket from Mac's Custom Tie Downs, you can keep an extinguisher on board that won't become a deadly projectile.
CNC machined from a single pice of aluminum and fitted with all stainless hardware, the brackets look trick in any interior. Simply pull the pin to remove the extinguisher for use. The brackets are available with floor-mounting for $129.95 or tube-mounting for cars and trucks with roll bars or cages for $149.95.
For more information, visit www.macscustomtiedowns.com.
Shoulder the Load with Hitch Helper
July 7, 2010 — A heavy trailer can have detrimental effects on your tow vehicle’s braking and handling. Lots of tongue weight also can lead to a nonlevel connection, which can have you dragging your tongue jack over uneven surfaces, and possibly damaging the foot.
A simple product that can help alleviate the problem is the Hitch Helper from ACC Towing Products in Longboat Key, Fla. Hitch Helper adds a wheel beneath the coupler connection to help support the tongue of the trailer and take some of the load off the rear springs of your tow vehicle. Available in single- and dual-wheel versions, Hitch Helper sells for $795 and $1,295 respectively.
You also can choose from a number of options and features, such as shock absorbers, torsion bar suspension, and an air ride system on heavier duty models. It’s even available in stainless steel so boaters can back it into saltwater without worrying about corrosion.
For more information, call 813-767-4357, or visit www.acctowing.com.
Volkswagen's TDI Diesel is The Little Engine That Can
May 2010 — The Touareg TDI presents perhaps one of the greatest compromises between a daily driver and a capable tow vehicle. We sampled one for a week, pulling trailers and running daily errands.
For the full story and towing evaluation on Volkswagen's Touareg TDI, click here.
Featherlite Debuts New “Mod Pod” Model 1609
June 10, 2010 — As popular as trucks and SUVs are, not everyone wants one. But those same people would like to be able to haul around their bikes, ATVs, kayaks and camping gear. For that demographic, Featherlite Trailers has introduced its “Mod Pod” model 1609, a versatile new utility trailer you can pull behind virtually any vehicle.
“The new size of the Mod Pod gives trailer owners more cargo space,” Randy Lewis, Featherlite’s National Sales Manager, said. “More space equals more options when hauling cargo. That puts Mod Pod owners ahead of the curve.”
Available in 8- and 10-foot lengths, and 4- and 5-foot heights, respectively, the Mod Pod also features a pop-up lid to make loading and unloading a snap.
Weighing just 1,200 pounds and starting at $6,437 for the 10-footer, the Mod Pod also can be equipped with a variety options, such as a front gravel guard, floor tie downs, a luggage rack, a tool box, an enclosed tire carrier and even a full palette of colors.
For more information, call 800-800-1230 or visit www.fthr.com.
What You Need When Towing with a VW or Audi SUV
June 3, 2010 — The 2010 Touareg we tested a few weeks back had an OEM connector we had not seen before. It had seven terminals and was round, but it was smaller than the regular RV-style seven-blade round connector that is so common. You’ll need an adapter.
We ended up getting one from an Audi dealership in the San Fernando Valley, so we’re sure the Audi Q5 and Q7 SUVs come with this same style of connector. Retail price for part number ZVW 808 007 was $37.44.
It was odd that it came in a Valley Towing Products box. We checked Valley’s Web site, but couldn’t find it among its electrical products. So if you have a VW or an Audi SUV and are scratching your head at the connector, you can get one at the dealer.
Featherlite Introduces New Multipurpose Gooseneck Trailer
May 17, 2010 — Featherlite has debuted the 3112, a gooseneck version of its bumper-pull 3110. Designed for use not only by car enthusiasts, but also landscapers, farmers and contractors, the 3112 is available in 20-, 24-, 26- and 30-foot lengths and measures a permit-free 8 feet 6 inches wide.
“Featherlite’s new Model 3112 is designed to be extremely versatile, easy-to-tow and full of great features and options,” said Featherlite national sales manager Randy Lewis. “Plus, Featherlite’s aluminum trailer construction gives owners unmatched durability and performance that can last for many years of hauling.”
The 3112 comes with a pair of 7-foot-long ramps that pull out from beneath the back of the trailer. The new model also comes fitted with stainless-steel swivel D-ring tie downs for securing cargo and vehicles, removable fenders with stainless latches and a skid-resistant extruded aluminum floor panel.
For owner convenience, the 3112 features LED lights and a lower loading height. Options include a full-width, fold-up rear ramp, aluminum tool box, a winch with remote control and recessed tire storage. The 24-footer also is available with Featherlite’s power lift tilt package, which raises and lowers the forward legs electrically.
Base MSRP is $12,104. For more information, call Featherlite Trailers at 800-800-1230, visit your local dealer or go to www.fthr.com/tnews.
Motorcycles Stay Put with Straps from M&R Products
May 7, 2010 — Whether you are taking dirt bikes to the trails, sport bikes to the track or towing a Harley to Daytona for Bike Week, one notion is constant: they need to stay put.
M&R Products offers a couple of different sets of tie-down straps to do just that. The first is the Power Four Pack, a 2-inch-wide strap set that includes a pair of cam-lock tie straps and a pair of ratcheting straps. Strap lengths are 5.5 feet and they are available in black, red, blue, yellow and silver. The kit sells for $61.
M&R also offers a deluxe kit for $72, which includes the same straps and color choices as the Power Four Pack, but also comes with Soft Touch protectors, which are essentially 6-inch straps with loops at both ends to eliminate metal-to-metal contact. The loops also are fitted with M&R’s fleece sleeves for even greater paint protection.
For more information, visit www.mrproducts.com.
Mac’s Custom Tie Downs Offers New Chain Extension Kit
May 5, 2010 — Sometimes trailers don’t have the ideal configuration for tying down a car, and you end up with tie straps that are tweaked or aren’t pulling straight from the car to the tie-down point. This happens more often than you might think, particularly with rental equipment trailers that are designed for carrying everything—but not any one thing. The kit also is great for people who find themselves carrying lots of different kinds of loads.
To solve this problem, Mac’s Custom Tie Downs now offers new chain extensions, which let users connect straps to angle iron or stake pockets that might not line up perfectly. The kits comes with four ratchet straps with chain extensions, four 24-inch axle straps, and four wrap straps with Mac’s blue duffle bag for convenient storage. The kit price also qualifies it for free ground shipping anywhere in the lower 48 United States.
Retail price is $209.95. For more information, visit www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/322/UltraPacks/?r=CCChainEnd
Dodge's New Heavy Duty Ram 3500 Tows With Authority While Coddling its Passengers With a Surprisingly Supple Ride
April 28, 2010 — We spent a week with Dodge's 2010 Heavy Duty Ram Crew Cab dually, pulling trailers, picking up kids and grabbing groceries. The verdict? Like all long-bed duallies, it can be a challenge to park, but it's liveable as a daily driver and incredible as a tow vehicle.
Read the whole story and access photos of the new Heavy Duty Ram here.
GMC Announces New Denali HD for 2011
April 15, 2010 — For the first time since the advent of the Denali models, GMC has announced it will offer the luxury trim level in its HD line of Sierras. Starting at $45,865, the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD will begin arriving at dealerships in June.
“The all-new 2011 Sierra Denali HD blends capability with premium features and styling,” said GMC product marketing director Lisa Hutchinson in a news release. “With its powerful, best-in-class diesel engine, the new Sierra HD models have increased towing and hauling capabilities, a key consideration for people who use them for work or for recreation, such as towing a large boat or trailer.”
Pricing for the Duramax diesel engine and Allison transmission remains unchanged from 2010 models, at $8,395, despite an increase in fuel economy ratings, quietness, performance and emissions.
The new HD’s also boast an increased towing capability of up to 20,000 pounds and payload up to 6,335 pounds. Capacity improvements stem from an all-new fully boxed, high-strength steel frame. The new Sierra HD also offers such systems as trailer sway control, a “smart” exhaust brake and hill-start assist.
For more information, visit www.gmc.com.
Ford’s New 2011 Super Duty Diesels Pull Clean and Strong
April 13, 2010 — Power- ed by the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine, the forthcoming 2011 Super Duty pickups average 18 percent better fuel economy, can tow up to 26,400 pounds of trailer, and can carry 6,520 pounds of payload.
"The 2011 Super Duty is not only the most powerful, most capable and fuel-efficient heavy-duty pickup truck on the road, it performs the tough jobs with even more efficiency than ever before," said Doug Scott, Ford’s truck group marketing manager.
The increase in towing capacity and payload is as much a function of Ford’s new diesel engine as it is of the all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission. The new transmission is 25 pounds lighter than those of competitive models and features a higher stabilized operating temperature, which reduces fluid viscosity, decreases parasitic losses and, ultimately, uses less fuel.
The new B20 biodiesel-compatible engine’s catalyst heats the exhaust to 250 degrees Celsius, which oxidizes hydrocarbons into water and carbon dioxide. The NOx emissions are converted to water and inert nitrogen and doused with diesel exhaust fluid (67.5 percent water; 32.5 percent urea). The exhaust is then run through a particulate filter to scrub away soot. When full, the particulate filter is heated to 600 degrees Celsius to burn off the soot
"Having this diesel designed in-house at Ford meant we were able to work on optimizations and refinements right from the start," said Tim Ogilvie, Ford’s vehicle energy supervisor. "We're able to deliver to customers a more refined, more fuel-efficient Super Duty, with class-leading torque and horsepower and the class-leading capability they demand."
For more information, visit www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/superduty/features/
Featherlite Debuts New Lazer Livestock Trailers
April 7, 2010 — It isn’t easy to make a good looking livestock trailer, but Featherlite hasdone it with its new Lazer line. More than just a pretty face, the Lazers also boast some practical construction features.
For example, the side panels are welded to the inside of the trailer’s structural side posts, which makes the interior far easier to clean because there are no crevices to trap, well, what livestock often leaves behind.
A gooseneck design, the Lazer is available in 20-, 24- and 28-foot lengths. It has twin 7,000-pound rubber torsion axles with electric brakes and an interior height of 6 feet 6 inches, a full-swing stock gate and a lockable rear slider. The jack features a removable handle and all the clearance and stop/turn lamps are maintenance-free LEDs. Because it’s a Featherlite, it’s lightweight. Your horses should be so lucky.
For more information, visit www.fthr.com.
BMW Introduces New X5
March 25, 2010 — BMW North America launched the latest version of its X5 SAV (sport activity vehicle) at its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, N.C.
The 2011 X5 features an entirely new range of gasoline and diesel engines for higher performance, greater fuel economy and up to 10 percent lower emissions. Many of the models now come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Yes, eight speeds. They also have been upgraded with new transfer cases, front and rear differentials and driveshafts.
Visually, the new X5 gets redesigned front and rear fascias, fenders, headlights and taillamps.
“This adaptation significantly enhances the presence of the new X5, making it look fresher and more elegant,” said Bobby Hitt, department manager for corporate affairs, BMW Manufacturing Co.
The new X5 also features such safety features as lane departure warning and active cruise control with a “stop and go” function, which ensures that it maintains the selected distance from the vehicle ahead. The system can slow the car down and even bring it to a complete stop, without the driver having to depress the brake pedal.
Early news releases had no towing capacity listed, but the previous generation X5 was rated at 6,000 pounds.
For more information, visit www.bmwusanews.com.
How Well Does the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Perform With a Trailer in tow? OnlineTowingGuide.com Does a Complete Test and Evaluation
March 15, 2010 — The new 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie looks great, but it also makes one competent tow vehicle and a luxurious people mover. You can read the whole story and access photos and videos of the new Ram here.
A Word About Camper Shells and GVWR
March 17, 2010 — Did you know that when you add a camper shell to your pickup, you reduce its cargo carrying capacity?
It’s true. We just added a Snugtop camper shell to our tow vehicle, which reminded us that the truck is now carrying more weight over the bed than when it left the factory. We can feel the difference between how it drives now and how it did before we added the top.
For example, let’s say your truck has a cargo capacity of 1,500 pounds. When you add a camper shell that weighs—for the sake of simplicity—500 pounds, you have reduced the amount of weight you can carry to 1,000 pounds. As far as the truck knows, it’s already carrying a third of what it is rated for. The key is to find out what the camper shell weighs, then deduct that figure from your truck's rated cargo capacity to determine what you can safely carry. Just something to be aware of when loading your tow vehicle this summer.
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