Work Truck Towing Upgrades and New Products

While it’s true your work truck came from the factory with towing in mind, that doesn’t mean there aren’t products in the aftermarket to make your towing experience even better. In addition to adding more power to your truck, don’t forget to upgrade your vehicle’s other systems, such as the transmission, brakes, suspension, or cooling. If you are an avid tower, the parts in this guide will help your rig tow more safely, improve its overall capability, and make pulling a load a more enjoyable experience.   |   Autometer Gauges Watch Out

The best way to avoid the failure of your drivetrain is by knowing exactly how it’s operating. Auto Meter has a full lineup of gauges that can keep you in touch with your project, like the Factory Match series, which is designed to go with the interior of the fourth-generation Ram trucks. In addition to the conventional EGT, boost, and transmission temperature gauges, Auto Meter gauges can also monitor vital diesel-specific parameters such as fuel rail pressure.

Auto Meter
(866) 248-6356 • www.autometer.com

  |   Ats Diesel Turbo ReSpool

Based in Arvada, Colorado (which is more than a mile high), the crew at ATS Diesel knows how vital airflow is to the performance of a diesel engine. The legendary—and affordable—Aurora 3000 turbo is designed to greatly improve the performance of your truck, and it’s safe to use on a stock engine. By upgrading to an ATS Aurora 3000, you will see quicker spool-up, which means less lag, more useable torque, and less stress on the engine, along with more miles per gallon.

ATS Diesel
(866) 209-3695 • www.atsdiesel.com

  |   Centerforce Clutch Hold Tight

Centerforce knows people who love diesels also love manual transmissions. By adding one of the company’s high-performance clutches to your truck, you can increase efficiency and holding power, without sacrificing driveability. Rejuvenate your old diesel or improve your current hand-shaker by replacing your worn-out factory clutch with a Centerforce clutch.

Centerforce
(928) 771-8422 • www.centerforce.com

  |   Deezee Louvered Tailgate Breezy

The Louvered Flow-Thru tailgate by DeeZee gives your fifth-wheel hitch room to roam, thanks to a removable plastic centersection. In addition to improving airflow, the lightweight aluminum tailgate can improve the functionality, efficiency, and appearance of your truck. The Louvered Flow-Thru uses a bolt locking system that can accept the factory key, has a damped tailgate assist for smooth operation, and is made right here in the U.S.A., in Des Moines, Iowa.

DeeZee
(800) 779-2102 • www.deezee.com

  |   Dieselsite Wicked Wheel Spin up

The Wicked Wheel 2 is a machined-billet compressor wheel upgrade that can perk up your diesel by maximizing the performance of the stock turbo. The team at DieselSite tests multiple wheel configurations, blade numbers, pitch changes, and other parameters to get the best results out of each OEM turbo housing, and they even make the WW2 for aftermarket turbos. After upgrading to the Wicked Wheel 2, you’ll experience reduced EGT, quicker spooling, and increased performance across the board.

DieselSite, Inc.
(888) 414-3457 • www.dieselsite.com

  |   Banks Power Speedbrake Down Speed

Stopping is even more important than starting when you’re towing a heavy trailer, and the Banks SpeedBrake can maximize your truck’s braking capabilities. It uses a programmer that can automatically operate the gear selection of the transmission, control and lock up your torque converter, and infinitely alter the vane position on your turbo for maximum engine braking. The SpeedBrake has been tested to cut downhill speed by almost 80 percent without you even having to touch the brake pedal, keeping your rig and trailer under control.

Banks Power
(800) 510-5042 • www.bankspower.com/ss6

  |   Draw Tite Quick Hitch Quick Hitch

The Hide-A-Goose hitch by Draw-Tite can handle a 30,000-pound GVWR but takes just 60 minutes to install. The gooseneck setup ships complete in one box and is a “no rail” system to make the installation quick and easy. The Hide-A-Goose comes with a 2 5⁄16-inch, high-strength, chrome-plated ball that has the release in the head instead of the wheelwell, while a magnetic cover protects the ball hole when it’s not in use.

Draw-Tite
www.draw-tite.com

  |   Edge Evolution Cts Tuner Look Out

The Edge Evolution CTS is more than just a programmer; it also acts as the display for a backup camera to keep an eye on your trailer. The 4.3-inch color screen can display gauges for dozens of available parameters, and it can be used to read and clear engine trouble codes. The Evolution CTS provides tunes for multiple power levels for performance, towing, or fuel economy, and it can record data and display alerts based on the rpm, mph, or EGT.

Edge Products
(888) 360-3343 • www.edgeproducts.com

  |   Efilive Tuner The Matrix

You don’t need a laptop to delve deep into the complex programming of your diesel engine and transmission. Thanks to the folks at EFILive, the FlashScan V2 allows you to customize just about any operation that’s controlled by the powertrain control modules, along with scanning and data logging. There are versions for ’01 to ’10 GM and ’06 to ’09 Ram trucks, or you can buy one that has tuning for both Duramax and Cummins trucks built in.

EFILive
www.efilive.com

  |   Mts Company Fuel Tank Fill ’Er Up

Upgrade from your factory fuel tank by adding a lightweight 40-gallon fuel tank from MTS Company. These tanks are made from ¼-inch-thick cross-linked polyethylene with no seams and can handle temperatures beyond 150 degrees or 160 degrees below zero. MTS Company fuel tanks are made in the USA, will never rust, and come with a five-year warranty.

MTS Company
(800) 522-1622 • www.mtscompany.com

  |   Husky Brute Super Foot Put Your Foot Down

If you’re tired of stacking wood blocks under you trailer jack or concerned that your jack is not on solid footing, the Husky Brute Super Foot was designed for you. It’s a retractable jack extension that increases trailer jack tube reach by 7 inches to reduce the cranking needed for setup and hitching. The Super Foot comes with a two-year warranty, and the large footplate features plenty of surface area to spread out the weight, giving it a 6,500-pound capacity.

Husky Towing Products
(877) 544-4449 • www.huskytow.com

  |   Turbo Heatshield Keep the Heat

You can lower your underhood temperatures and improve the performance of your turbo with this low-profile Stealth Turbo Heat Shield by Heatshield Products. By keeping heat where it belongs (inside your turbo), you will experience reduced lag, less chatter, and even increased boost. Along with multiple turbo shield models, Heatshield Products also offers thermal exhaust wraps, heat shields for wiring, and six types of sound insulation.

Heatshield Products
(800) 750-3978 • www.heatshieldproducts.com

  |   Mag Hytec Diff Cover Deep Dish

Towing can put a heavy strain on your differentials and transmission, so Mag-Hytec makes covers and pans to help keep those parts from overheating. By increasing the fluid capacity and using large cooling fins, these upgrades will keep your gears and other parts at temperatures where they are more likely to survive extreme use. Mag-Hytec parts are made with A356-T6 aluminum, are powdercoated in black, have magnetic drain plugs to catch debris, and come with a lifetime warranty.

Mag-Hytec
(818) 786-8325 • www.mag-hytec.com

  |   Maradyne Electric Fan Air Supply

By adding a high-performance Maradyne electric fan—or two—you can increase the performance of your diesel by freeing the engine from the stock mechanical fan. The Champion series of fans has a reversible S-blade design that allows them to push or pull, and the blades—along with all the plastic—are made from glass-filled nylon, with no polypropylene in the mix. A single Maradyne Champion Series 16-inch fan can move 2,170 cubic feet of air per minute using a 225-watt motor that’s completely sealed from dirt and water in a housing that carries an IP68 rating.

Maradyne High Performance Fans
(800) 403-7953 x656 • www.maradynehp.com

  |   Snow Performance Injection Kit Stay Frosty

By injecting water-methanol into your diesel engine with the Comp-One system by Snow Performance, you can add horsepower and decrease EGT by up to 300 degrees. Along with providing multiple engine tunes, the system includes a programmer that can clear trouble codes, log data, and show performance with a “virtual dragstrip.” The Snow Performance Comp-One is safe to use with DPF-equipped trucks and comes with a 7-gallon water-methanol reservoir.

Snow Performance
(866) 365-2762 • www.snowperformance.net

  |   Ppe Dual Fueler Fully Fueled

The Dual Fueler system by PPE is a way to be sure your engine gets enough fuel when you need it the most. The kit adds a second, high-pressure Bosch CP3 injection pump that works in conjunction with the stock CP3, along with a controller to guarantee your engine has access to all the fuel it needs. The PPE Dual Fueler has a fail-safe feature built in to switch all pumping duties to the working pump, if one should fail. PPE says the system is capable of supporting engines producing up to 2,000 hp.

PPE
(714) 985-4825 • www.pacificp.com

  |   Pacbrake Engine Brake Stopping Power

Get up to 50 percent more engine braking power over your stock exhaust brake with the P-67 LoadLeash Engine Brake system by Pacbrake for the Cummins 6.7L. It fits on top of the cylinder head and has an aluminum body fitted with electronic and hydraulic parts that alter the intake and exhaust in conjunction with the turbo. The computer-controlled actions are turned on with the flip of a switch, then the P-67 seamlessly increases brake horsepower and deceleration, which shortens braking distances and saves wear on your wheel-mounted service brakes.

Pacbrake
(800) 663-0096 • www.pacbrake.com

  |   Tekonsha Trailer Brake Controller Stop It

Designed to be compact, easy to read, and easy to understand, The Tekonsha P3 is a proportional trailer brake controller that has a memory to hold settings for up to five different trailers. It has an LCD display that’s designed to be easy to read and easy to understand, with multiple color options to match your interior lighting, and a flashing red alert if the tow brakes ever fail. The P3 can handle trailers with up to four axles and has settings for both electric and hydraulic trailer brakes.

Tekonsha
www.tekonsha.com

  |   Amigo Pro Series Cargo Carrier Pack It In

The Amigo by ProSeries is designed to ride on a hitch- mounted cargo carrier so you can free up the bed of your truck for a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch, or your ATVs. The bag has rigid sides for organized packing and the zippers are covered with Velcro flaps to keep road grime out of the bag. The ProSeries Amigo is water-resistant and has straps to keep the bag securely attached to the hitch.

ProSeries
www.proseriestowing.com

  |   Titan Fuel Tank For the Long Haul

You can extend your diesel towing excursions by adding a lightweight, 60-gallon Titan fuel tank to your bed. The tanks are made with heavy-duty cross-linked polyethylene, are biodiesel compatible, and designed to be easy to install. Titan fuel tanks come with a 5-year warranty, and the company’s Super Series can hold enough extra fuel to extend your towing by more than 500 miles beyond what the stock fuel tank can provide.

Titan Fuel Tanks
(800) 728-4982 • www.titanfueltanks.com

  |   Bolt Hitch Lock Keep It All

The Bolt lineup of trailer locks allows you to secure your trailer, spare tire, and toolbox with your factory ignition key. The locks are plated with zinc to resist corrosion and are matched to your factory key the first time the cylinder is turned. Bolt offers receiver locks to fit trailers with hitches up to Class V, and the company also has padlocks that will match your factory key.

Bolt
(877) 251-8798 • www.boltlock.com

  |   American Force Wheel Forged Strong

Improve the appearance of your 8- or 10-lug truck with stylish, forged aluminum wheels by American Force. The rims are made with 6061 aluminum and are available in sizes ranging from 19.5 all the way up to a massive 26 inches. Along with increased load ratings, most models are available with a mirror finish or a black powdercoat to match the look of your diesel tow rig.

American Force Wheels
(786) 345-6301 • www.americanforcewheels.com

  |   Mac Tie Down Test Safety First

Protect yourself and your gear with Mac’s Custom Tie-Down straps that keep your cargo from moving around while you are towing. Whether you need to secure a fullsize off-road rig, motorcycle, or an ATV, Mac’s provides every type of ratchet strap, soft loop, wheel grab strap, axle strap, or bridle you’ll need to keep your cargo in place. The company has been providing high-quality tie downs for 20 years and also developed its own VersaTie Tracks and Connectors that give your pickup bed numerous sturdy locations to connect tie downs.

Mac’s Custom Tie-Downs
(800) 666-1586 • www.macscustomtiedowns.com

  |   Ts Performance Power Play Stack the Deck

The TS Performance MP-8 Power Play module is a great add-on for your tow rig because it’s able to increase your capability without raising EGT, while improving your fuel economy by 2 to 4 mpg. The plug-and-play setup makes installation easy, and the electronics are designed to leave absolutely no fingerprint on the factory engine computer. On its own, the MP-8 by TS Performance can add up to 100 hp to your truck, and it’s designed to be stackable with other engine tuning devices.

TS Performance
(270) 746-9999 • www.tsperformance.com