Today's pickups and SUVs come well prepared from the manufacturer to meet the everyday needs of owners. But the addition of a few well-chosen aftermarket parts and accessories can take your truck's functional performance to a new level.
When it comes to towing, the right products for the specific towing task will make life on the road safer, friendlier, and much more convenient. Here are a few of the newest items that will do just that.
| Auto RideAir Ride Technologies' bolt-on AirBar system ($1400) for 2004 F-150s is designed to maintain the factory load-carrying capabilities while lowering the ride height and improving ride quality and handling. The kit is a bolt-on four-link air-ride system that replaces the leaf-spring rear suspension. Air Ride Technologies; 812/482-2932.www.ridetech.com
| Set And ForgetCruise control for air springs is how Air Lift Company describes its SureSet Load Controller System for monitoring and adjusting air pressure. SureSet is a digital electronic air-management system that features an automatic set-point memory that remembers and automatically maintains the driver-selected air pressure. Air Lift Company; 800/248-0892.www.airliftcompany.com
| Soft RideTrailerSaver's TS3 air-ride hitch ($1825) absorbs the shock from the truck to the trailer and vice versa, providing each a smoother ride. It fits the typical slotted fifth-wheel rails in 3/4- and one-ton trucks, has a hitch capacity of up to 5000 pounds of pin weight, and will handle up to a 22,000-pound trailer. TrailerSaver; 270/779-9182.www.trailersaver.com
| Odyssey ControlValley Industries' Odyssey Brake Control ($129) uses double-axis accelerometer technology that continually adjusts (self-leveling) for varying road terrain changes and senses the vehicle's rate of deceleration. Valley Industries; 800/344-3112.www.valleyindustries.com
| Mag MountDamaged flat-four trailer connectors are a common problem for tow vehicles. The Mag-Flat ($10) from Hopkins Manufacturing solves that dilemma; it has a magnetic bracket that holds the connector wires securely to any metal surface, keeping the connector out of harm's way. Hopkins Manufacturing; 800/835-0129.www.hopkinsmfg.com
| Hands FreeProParts' new cell-phone/cup holder ($64) for 1999-2001 Ford Super Duty trucks and 1994-2004 Dodge trucks is perfect for long drives. Form-fitted for the center console, it holds cellphones and larger cups with relative ease. It's the perfect no-spill solution for those on the go. ProParts; 301/595-5767.www.propods.com
| Brake DownThe latest Prodigy v3C electric trailer brake control ($149) from Tekonsha detects the tow vehicle's rate of deceleration and applies proportional braking to the trailer. The new controller constantly adjusts to varying terrains, works proportionally in reverse, and has a boost feature for more initial braking power when towing loaded trailers. Tekonsha; 800/STOP-YOU (786-7968).www.tekonsha.com
| Air ControlThe new RidePro e (from $1099) control system from Air Ride Technologies fits all air suspensions and has a "ride height on start" feature that will raise the vehicle to ride height on initial startup or allow you to do it manually. Also available as a fully automated leveling system. Air Ride; 812/482-2932.www.ridetech.com
| Power VisionPower Vision, manufacturers of the first electrically extending towing mirrors, have added turn signals to its newest models. The new mirrors ($569 and up) electrically adjust six ways. Each mirror extends up to five inches, giving a tip-to-tip measurement between 109 and 112 inches, depending on the vehicle. Power Vision; 800/337-2557.www.powervisionmirrors.com
| Fast WireWiring a Tekonsha Prodigy brake control in a vehicle equipped with a factory tow package that includes a seven-way trailer connector is now a quick, easy installation with its OEM-style wiring harness ($12-$15). Pick the one for your truck, plug and go. Tekonsha; 800/STOP-YOU (786-7968).www.tekonsha.com
| Flaps Down Sport Guard is a heavy-duty mud-flap system ($170-$190) from Blue Ox that protects towed vehicles from damage caused by rocks, tar, mud, slush, and other road debris. Sport Guard is lightweight, easily removable, and easy to store. Fits pickups and dualies with a two-inch ball mount. Blue Ox; 888/425-5382.www.blueox.us
| Backup BallsOne Fast Hitch makes connecting the tow ball to the trailer couple easy from the driver's seat, with a pair of brightly colored plastic balls attached to magnetic-base telescoping antennae-like rods. The OFH system ($27) works with any truck/SUV and trailer combination. One Fast Hitch; 888/ONE-HOOK (663-4665).www.onefasthitch.com
| Fast GunThe new Fast Gun spring-loaded turnbuckles ($180) from TorkLift are great news for sportsmen because they apply perfect spring tension to a slide-in camper's sensitive anchor points with a single pull of the lever. Simply pull down, click in the safety pins or optional trigger locks, and you're ready to go. TorkLift; 800/246-8132.www.torklift.com
| Fuel MinderThis new vehicle fuel-system monitor, TRA X II-FMS ($250), from Transfer Flow, Inc., displays useful information on a dash-mounted LCD. Distance to empty, hours to empty, trip cost, and average cost per gallon are just a few of many items shown at the touch of a button. Transfer Flow, Inc.; 800/442-0056.www.transferflow.com
| Wide ViewSave time and energy hitching the trailer to the couple with this monster convex mirror from WriteWright called the Hitch Up Mirror ($125; less on Web site). Bracket and flexible tube mounts mirror easily to trailer tongue jack. Stores in compact tote bag. WriteWright; 866/327-9843.www.travel-trailer.biz
| Longer LifeToo much heat and too little lubrication are tow-vehicle killers. A great way to increase lubrication and decrease heat is with Mag-Hytec's new 5R110 transmission cover for the 6.0-liter Power Stroke. The aluminum cover increases capacity by eight quarts and drops temperatures 30 degrees. Mag-Hytec; 818/786-8325.www.Mag-Hytec.com
| Cargo PackThe Reese DPS (Durable Portable Storage) is an evolution in cargo management. The system ($529) is a versatile and modular cargo platform that plugs into a standard two-inch receiver. The Cargo Tray is for large, bulky items or materials, while the DPS Bumper Pack is for those things you want concealed or protected from the elements. Reese; 734/656-0300.www.reeseprod.com
| Glow PlugsHopkins Manufacturing has a new twist on the basic seven-way plug-in adapters ($25)--they glow in the dark. Actually, they light up when plugged in to your truck's taillight circuit, making those night connections easy. Hopkins Manufacturing; 800/835-0129.www.hopkinsmfg.com
| Eye PodsWhen towing, it's always good to have a few extra gauges to keep an eye on critical pressures. ProParts' ABS gauge pods ($28-$79, depending on application) hold single and double gauges securely to the A-pillar for easy viewing and installation. ProParts; 301/595-5767.www.propods.com
| Quick FixFlat-four connector damaged? The Quick-Fix Flat ($7.50) from Hopkins Manufacturing allows you to cut the old connector off and attach a new one in seconds. Internal compression splices hold wires securely in place. Hopkins Manufacturing; 800/835-0129.www.hopkinsmfg.com
