The most common piece of advice that is given to new RV owners is to go out to a parking lot and practice backing up around cones. That is good and all but HOW should you setup the cones??? The maneuvers in this video are setup to teach control of the trailer, and build confidence in the driver. The best drivers are confident and relaxed. This link shows diagrams of how to setup each maneuver. Yes these are the same backing maneuvers used to test CDL drivers. If new truck drivers can parallel park a semi truck, YOU can parallel park an RV. http://bigrigcareer.com/cdl-skills-te...
11/30/22
How to back up an RV / Trailer "tail swing"
The most common piece of advice that is given to new RV owners is to go out to a parking lot and practice backing up around cones. That is good and all but HOW should you setup the cones??? The maneuvers in this video are setup to teach control of the trailer, and build confidence in the driver. The best drivers are confident and relaxed. This link shows diagrams of how to setup each maneuver. Yes these are the same backing maneuvers used to test CDL drivers. If new truck drivers can parallel park a semi truck, YOU can parallel park an RV. http://bigrigcareer.com/cdl-skills-te...
11/28/22
SecureLatch™ Auto-Locking Pintle Hitch | Innovative Features & Benefits
The SecureLatch™ pintle hitch series is engineered to streamline the trailer hookup process, featuring an auto-locking design. Each ball and pintle combination and pintle hook comes with an auto-locking mechanism to couple the trailer latch without manual coupling required.
Just Strike. Drop. Auto-lock!
As you back up to the lunette ring, the built-in striker plate helps center and align the towing connection. Then, lower the lunette ring down onto the pintle hitch. The auto-locking lever will automatically engage the primary coupling latch. Simply insert the secondary safety pin, and you’re ready to tow!
SecureLatch™ pintle hitch products are available in a receiver-mount or adjustable pintle mount style. We offer pintle hooks, ball and pintle combinations, pintle mounts and adjustable lunette rings.
11/27/22
Weight Distribution Hitches Explained - How They Work, Why You Need One
Today we delve into the black magic that is the weight distributing hitch, also called "load leveling hitch" or "weight distribution hitch." This is the ultimate trifecta of poorly understood, infrequently used, and absolutely essential...
11/25/22
10 Things Everyone Should Know About Tires
By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist
You probably know tires are made of rubber — but how much more do you know? Here’s a run-through of some important tire-related terminology:
1) Aspect ratio
This technical-sounding term refers to the relationship between the width of a tire and the height of the tire’s sidewall. High-performance “low profile” tires have “low aspect ratios” — meaning their sidewalls are short relative to their width. This provides extra stiffness and thus better high-speed handling and grip — but also tends to result in a firmer (and sometimes, harsh) ride. “Taller” tires tend to provide a smoother ride and better traction in snow.
2) Contact Patch
As your tires rotate, only a portion of the total tread is actually in contact with the ground at any given moment. This is known as the contact patch. Think of it as your tire’s “footprint.” Sport/performance-type tires are characterized by their wider footprint — more tread is in contact with the ground — which provides extra grip, especially during hard acceleration on dry pavement and during high-speed cornering.
3) Treadwear indicators
These are narrow bands built into the tread during manufacturing that begin to show when only 1/16 of the tire’s tread remains. Also called wear bars, treadwear indicators are there to provide an obvious visual warning that it’s time to shop for new tires.
4) Speed ratings
An alpha-numeric symbol you’ll find on your tire’s sidewall that tells you the maximum sustained speed the tire is capable of safely handling. An H-rated tire, for example, is built to be safe for continuous operation at speeds up to 130 mph. Most current model year family-type cars have S (112 mph) or T (118 mph) speed ratings. High performance cars often have tires with a V (149 mph) or ZR (in excess of 149 mph) speed rating. A few ultra-performance cars have W (168 mph) and even Y (186 mph) speed-rated tires.
5) Maximum cold inflation load limit
This refers to the maximum load that can be carried in a given vehicle with a given type of tires — and the maximum air pressure needed to support that load. In your vehicle’s owner’s manual, you should be able to find the recommended cold inflation load limit. It’s important not to exceed the load limit (or over or under-inflate the tires) as this can lead to stability/handling problems and even tire failure. Always check tire pressure “cold.” Driving creates friction which creates heat; as the tires warm up, the air inside expands, increasing the pressure. Measuring air pressure after driving can give a false reading; you may actually be driving around on under-inflated tires.
6) Load index
This number corresponds to the load carrying capacity of the tire. The higher the number, the higher the load it can safely handle. As an example, a tire with a load index of 89 can safely handle 1,279 pounds — while a tire with a load rating of 100 can safely handle as much as 1,764 pounds. It’s important to stick with tires that have at least the same load rating as the tires that came originally with the vehicle — especially if it’s a truck used to haul heavy loads or pull a trailer. It’s ok to go with a tire that has a higher load rating than the original tires; just be careful to avoid tires with a lower load rating than specified for your vehicle, even if they are less expensive. Saving a few bucks on tires is not worth risking an accident caused by tire failure.
7) Radial vs. bias-ply tire
Bias-ply tires have their underlying plies laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread; radials have their plies laid at 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread. That’s the technical difference. The reason radial tires are dominant today is that they help improve fuel efficiency and handling; they also tend to dissipate heat better than bias-ply tires. No modern passenger cars come with bias-ply tires these days and their use is generally not recommended. (Exceptions might include older/antique vehicles that originally came equipped with bias-ply tires. Some RVs also used bias-ply tires, etc.) It is very important never to mix radial and bias-ply tires; dangerously erratic handling may result.
8) LT and MS tires
These designations indicate “Light Truck” and “Mud/Snow” — and are commonly found on tires fitted to SUVs and pick-ups. LT-rated tires are more general purpose, built primarily for on-road use — while MS-rated tires typically have more aggressive “knobby” tread patterns designed for better off-road traction.
9) Temporary Use Only
Many modern cars come with so-called “space-saver” tires which are smaller and lighter than a standard or full-size spare tire. They are designed to leave more room in the trunk and be easier for the average person to handle when a roadside tire change becomes necessary. However, they are not designed to be used for extended (or high-speed) driving. Your car will probably not handle (or stop) as well while the Space Saver tire is on – and you should keep your speed under 55 mph and avoid driving on the tire beyond what’s absolutely necessary to find a tire repair shop where you can have your damaged tire repaired or replaced.
10) Treadwear, Traction and Temperature ratings
Each tire has three separate ratings for Treadwear, Traction and Temperature.
Traction ratings run from AA to A to B and C — with C being the lowest on the scale. The ratings represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement under controlled testing conducted by the government. C-rated tires are marginal and should be avoided. Never buy a tire with a Traction rating that isn’t at least equal to the minimum rating specified by the manufacturer of your vehicle.
Temperature ratings from A to B to C — with C being the minimum allowable for any passenger car tire. The ratings correspond to a given tire’s ability to dissipate heat under load; tires with lower ratings are more prone to heat-induced failure, especially if driven at high speeds (or when overloaded). As with Traction ratings, never buy a tire with a Temperature rating that’s less than specified for your vehicle.
Treadwear ratings differ from Traction and Temperature ratings in that they aren’t a measure of a tire’s built-in safety margin. Instead, these ratings — represented by a three digit number — give you an idea of the expected useful life of the tire according to government testing. A tire with a Treadwear rating of 150, for example, can be expected to last about 1.5 times as long as a tire with a Treadwear rating of 100. These are just guides, however. Your tires may last longer (or not) depending on such factors as how you drive, whether you maintain proper inflation pressure and rotate the tires per recommendations — and so on.
Comments?
11/23/22
11/18/22
Ford Pro Reveals New 2023 Ford Transit Trail Van | Ford Pro
Upfit-ready adventure vehicle designed for van-life on and off the road.
About Ford Pro: Ford Pro™ is a productivity accelerator designed to drive business forward, delivering solutions to commercial customers of all sizes. We offer the right tools, software and services designed to keep your business on track and your crews on the road.
Ford Pro reveals new 2023 Ford Transit Trail van | Ford Pro https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyPg...
11/16/22
CURT CrossWing™ Lightweight 5th Wheel Hitch | Features & Benefits
The CrossWing™ 5th wheel hitch #16600 by CURT gives you the best of both worlds by packing extraordinary strength into one lightweight hitch. With the main body weight of only 60 pounds, it is 65% lighter than most traditional 5th wheel hitches while still offering a 20,000 lb. weight capacity, so strength and muscle are not sacrificed.
Its patent-pending ShockDrop technology provides a smoother towing experience by reducing jerking and jarring, and its structure allows fore, aft and lateral head articulation when connecting on uneven terrain, so you can be comfortable and confident in your ride no matter what type of rugged roads you encounter.
The CrossWing™ also features a reinforced head connection point that provides exceptional strength, along with a unique coupling system that eliminates guesswork by offering a visible contact surface.
Features and benefits of the CURT CrossWing™ lightweight 5th wheel hitch:
- Premium steel construction offers robust 20,000-lb. capacity
- Features patent-pending ShockDrop technology to reduce jerking and jarring
- Reinforced head connection point for superior strength and peace of mind
- Easy, one-person installation and removal (fits industry-standard rails)
- 65% lighter than most traditional 5th wheel hitches (main body weighs 60 lbs.)
- Unique coupling system eliminates guesswork by offering visible contact surface
- Head channel guides kingpin into place for easier hookup
- Allows fore, aft and lateral head articulation when connecting on uneven terrain
- Easy-to-reach release handle for ergonomic operation
- Three points of height adjustment from 16-3/8" to 20-3/8"
- Coupling point offset 5" rearward for added turning clearance
- Premium, carbide textured black finish for lasting rust resistance
- High-grade steel design for added strength vs. aluminum
- Tested for safety in accordance with SAE J2638
11/15/22
Tongue Weight Safety Demonstration
Proper trailer tongue weight improves the vehicle and trailer towing experience by improving performance. Not enough tongue weight or force on the hitch/tow ball causes an increase in trailer sway from side to side, making it difficult to control. Conversely, too much tongue weight or force on the hitch/tow ball could overload the rear tires of the towing vehicle, pushing the rear end of the vehicle around. This could also negatively affect the vehicle handling. Performance is impaired as you might not be able to go around corners and curves properly, and your vehicle may not stop quickly enough when you press the brake pedal.
11/13/22
WARN VR EVO Winches
We take a closer look at the complete lineup of WARN VR EVO winches, the new standard in standard-duty.
• Available in 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000 lb. capacities with synthetic or steel rope.
• IP68 waterproof.
• Two-in-one wired/wireless controller. Best-in-class performance.
• Limited lifetime (mechanical), 7 year (electrical) warranty (North America)
11/11/22
Why Ford Dominates The Market For Police Vehicles
There are about 12,000 police departments patrolling jurisdictions across the United States. More than half of police vehicles driving through neighborhoods and cities are Fords. The second-largest U.S. automaker in terms of sales is also the biggest purveyor of police vehicles. In 2018, Ford's share of police vehicle sales in the U.S. was 63 percent thanks to its immensely successful Police Interceptor lineup.
11/08/22
SAFE STEPS Road Safety: Seatbelts
We all have a role in road safety! So follow these SAFE STEPS to play your part and help save lives.
- Wear your seatbelt - - Ensure all passengers wear seatbelts - - Safely secure children in car seats -
11/07/22
F-150 Lightning Live Reveal | F-150 | Ford
The truck that’s been innovating on behalf of Americans for more than a century is now electrified.
11/05/22
F-150 Lightning: Towing With Confidence | F-150 | Ford
The all-new Ford F-150 Lightning boasts the Built Ford Tough brawn to tow up to an available 10,000 pounds with its 775 lb.-ft. of electric torque*, but it’s the truck’s brains that will give customers the range information they need to tow long distances**. Ford equipped the electric pickup with smart technologies to more accurately calculate remaining vehicle range using real time conditions so customers can tow with greater confidence – and the more it’s used, the more accurate it gets.
*Torque calculated via peak performance of the electric motors at peak battery power. Your results may vary.
**Max towing on XLT and LARIAT models with available extended-range battery and Max Trailer Tow Pkg. Max towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories and number of passengers. Towing and torque are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously.
Learn more about the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning here: https://ford.to/3KnD9so
11/03/22
All-New Ford F-Series Super Duty® Debut | Ford
The next level of Built Ford Tough, the All-New Ford F-Series Super Duty® truck. This one is for the builders.
11/01/22
F-150 Lightning: Cold Testing the Lightning in Alaska | F-150 | Ford
We took the Ford F-150® Lightning™ to Delta Junction, Alaska for testing in the brutal cold. Eleven Ford Engineers put the F-150 Lightning through the paces for 14 days straight. Watch to see how the Lightning stood up to the challenge.
Learn more about the Ford F-150 Lightning here: https://ford.to/3hzCSqg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)