Nobody said towing a trailer is easy. It's tough to see what's behind you when backing up. Blind spots can be enormous. Trailers are hard to hook up on your own. Add a heavy trailer into the equation, and a truck may have a tough time steering and braking. There are crosswinds to contend with and a zillion other irritants. Fortunately, accessories are available to make towing easier, so you can get where you're going instead of stressing.
Heat kills transmissions, and few things generate more heat in a trans than towing (except, perhaps, towing through the desert in the summer). According to Flex-a-lite, a 20° drop in oil temperature will double transmission life. The company's TransLife transmission oil coolers feature an improved design with copper tubes for higher heat transfer, billet aluminum barbs for more secure hose attachment, and high-efficiency turbulators. They're now 100 percent made in the USA and range from 9000 from 26,000 GVW, including a new rail cooler and an eight-pass extreme-duty cooler. Flex-a-lite Consolidated, Dept. TTOL0212, P.O. Box 580, Milton, WA 98354; 800/851-1510; www.flex-a-lite.com.
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A tow vehicle can kick up debris--a major bummer when towing a boat, car, snowmobile, or personal watercraft on an open trailer. Roadmaster's unique Roadwing removable mud flaps provide extra protection. The Roadwing slides over the ball mount and easily secures with two set bolts. The large 24x24-in. anti-sail flaps can be trimmed to fit nearly any application. Roadwing also can be removed in seconds for storage. It features a black powdercoated finish and comes in three sizes to fit a variety of vehicles. Roadmaster, Dept. TTOL0212, 5602 NE Skyport Way, Portland, OR 97218; 800/669-9690; www.roadmasterinc.com.
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Maintaining proper air pressure in tires is critical for a tow vehicle and trailer. Fortunately, the SmarTire tire-monitoring system makes it easy. Mount the sensors/transmitters on each wheel and plug the Basic Display into a power point. The display provides a visual and audible alert when pressure in one tire reaches 22 psi, as well as a low-pressure warning at 18 psi with a light that continues flashing until adding air. The optional Full Function Display with LCD screen (shown) automatically identifies the nature and location of pressure or temperature irregularities and indicates each tire's temperature and pressure status individually. The Full Function Display also keeps track of up to 20 wheel positions, so it can monitor truck and trailer tires simultaneously. SmarTire, Dept. TTOL0212, 13151 Vanier Pl., Suite 150, Richmond, B.C., Canada V6V 2J1; 888/982-3001; www.smartire.com.
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Need help with blind spots? Bestop's extendable towing mirrors feature a super-wide view angle (9x10.2 in.) and telescope outward 4.5 in. for panoramic visibility and a commanding look down the side of the trailer. Plus, the mirrors fold flat against the doors for tight maneuvering, and they feature built-in stops so they won't hit the door or window. They're available in manual, power, and power/defrost models. Bestop, Dept. TTOL0212, 2100 W. Midway Blvd., Broomfield, CO 80020; 800/845-3567; www.bestop.com.
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If a truck gets hot when towing, an auxiliary electric fan can help keep temperatures under control. Proform offers electric fans in 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-in. sizes, which can be installed using normal hand tools. These fans push or pull air through the radiator as needed. Ditch the factory fan and run an electric fan as the primary cooling source to reduce parasitic drag on the engine. Proform Performance Parts, Dept. TTOL0212, P.O. Box 306, Roseville, MI 48066; 586/774-2500; www.proformparts.com.
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They may not be sexy, but safety cables are required by law in many states. The cables prevent trailers from breaking loose. For towing serious weight, these new Blue Ox safety cables are rated to tow 10,000 lb. They feature coiled aircraft-grade cable, heavy S-hook connectors, and a plastic coating to keep out the road grime. Blue Ox Towing Division of Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co., Dept. TTOL0212, 1 Mill Road, P.O. Box P, Pender, NE 68047; 402/385-3051; www.aemfg.com.
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Whether caused by crosswinds or traffic, it's tough to rein in a swaying vehicle. Fortunately, a sway control will improve stability and handling, making towing safer. Draw-Tite offers two styles of sway control: dual-cam (shown) and friction designs. Both work with existing Class III or IV hitch setups (but cannot be used with surge brakes). Draw-Tite also offers a weight-distributing hitch with a built-in sway control for heavy loads. Draw-Tite, Dept. TTOL0212, 40500 Van Born Rd., Canton, MI 48188; 800/521-0510; www.draw-tite.com.
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For hooking up at night, Golight offers a remote-control spotlight. Thanks to CR5 Pentabeam technology, the Golight emits a 400,000-candlepower beam. The remote allows rotation of the spotlight 370° horizontally and 120° vertically to light up anything from a garage or campsite to trailer hitch. Permanently mount the light on a truck or attach it with the magnetic base or suction cups. Three remote-control options are available: wired, wireless, and dashmount. Golight, Dept. TTOL0212, Rte. 3, Box 37B, Culbertson, NE 69024; 800/557-0098; www.golight.com.
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Repainting a trailer to avoid rust? Irritated by trailer rattling? Try Perma-Tech's spray-on bedliner. The permanent coating forms a watertight/airtight barrier against rust and corrosion. It also cushions cargo, prevents leaks, and acts as a sound dampener to reduce squeaks and rattles. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors. Perma-Tech, Dept. TTOL0212, 23100 Miles Road, Cleveland, OH 44128; 888/88-LINER; www.perma-tech.com.
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Wish for eyes in back of your trailer? The Right Connection's Rear Guard backup system consists of a waterproof camera that mounts on the rear of a truck or trailer, as well as a rearview mirror with a 2.5-in. color LCD video monitor mounted inside. The spring-loaded rearview mirror clips over the standard factory mirror, and the built-in monitor has two inputs, one for the Rear Guard and the other for a DVD, video, TV, or navigation-system signal. If you already have a video monitor that's visible from the driver's seat, order the camera system without the mirror/monitor. The Right Connection Electronics, Dept. TTOL0212, 22745 Old Canal Road, Yorba Linda, CA 92887; 800/429-6200; www.trc12volt.com.
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Air Lift 1000 air-spring kits for coil-spring rear suspensions on many popular SUVs provide 1000 lb of leveling capability and help reduce roll, sway, and bottoming out. The nice thing about air springs is they're adjustable. This allows the driver to inflate the air springs to return the vehicle to its correct height. When the load is removed, the air springs can be deflated to the correct minimum pressure. Air Lift 1000 kits are available for front coil springs to help support snow plows, winches, and other heavy accessories. Air Lift, Dept. TTOL0212, P.O. Box 80167, Lansing, MI 48908; 800/248-0892; www.airliftcompany.com.
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Tow a fifth-wheel trailer and need a lot of secure storage space? Replace dualie beds with the Highwayman USA tow body from Highway Products. The lightweight diamond-plate and smooth aluminum tow body includes a 25,000-lb fifth-wheel hitch. The Highwayman USA also features a plethora of lighted storage boxes with flex mats to prevent items from sliding inside. The long options list includes a tiara or cab protector, running boards, load lights, an extra 60-gal diesel tank, custom colors, an air-ride hitch, and a rear air-suspension system. Highway Products, Dept. TTOL0212, 7905 Agate Road, White City, OR 97503; 800/TOOL-BOX; www.800toolbox.com.
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Ever smacked your shin on the ball mount? Ever backed into something because you forgot the hitch was sticking out? Even if you like a tidy look on the back of a truck--or hate hunting for the hitch ball and ball mount--you'll appreciate the Magnum Hitch from Quick Draw Hitching Systems. This double-ball hitch rotates out of the way, turning a clean, attractive face to the world. Plus, the hitch offers 18 different height settings, from an 8-in. drop to an 8-in. rise. The Magnum Hitch is available in corrosion-resistant finishes, including chrome and black powdercoat. It has a Class IV rating (up to 10,000-lb GVWR), and it's made in the USA. Quick Draw Hitching Systems, Dept. TTOL0212, 1325 W. Industrial Circle, P.O. Box 3100, Springville, UT 84663; 866/Best-Hitch; www.besthitch.com.
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Need more clutch? Centerforce now offers its high-performance Dual Friction clutches for a variety of trucks. These clutches offer up to 90 percent more holding capacity while retaining stock pedal feel. Centerforce Clutches, Dept. TTOL0212, 2266 Crosswind Drive, Prescott, AZ 86301; 800/932-5882; www.centerforce.com.
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It's dangerous to run out of brakes on a downgrade or winding road. Fortunately, for Fords, GMs, and Dodge diesel pickups or SUVs, stopping power can be increased with Gale Banks Engineering's Banks Brake. The exhaust brake enhances deceleration and braking safety and prolongs brake life. The company's SmartLock option raises transmission line pressure and locks the torque converter while the Banks Brake is engaged to improve braking functions, reduce slippage, and lower transmission temperatures. The Banks Brake also improves performance when not braking, and it comes on smoothly without any backpressure spike on engagement. Gale Banks Engineering, Dept. TTOL0212, 546 Duggan Ave., Azusa, CA 91702; 800/438-7693; www.bankspower.com.
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There's a stylish alternative to the look of a basic black hitch: trailer hitches and ball mounts color-matched to a truck's paint. Curt Manufacturing currently offers Class I through V hitches that match factory paint on a variety of pickups and SUVs. Plus, the company has matching ball mounts and hitch plugs. The mounts are available in 2-, 4-, and 6-in. drops. Curt Manufacturing, Dept. TTOL0212, 6208 Industrial Dr., Eau Claire, WI 54701; 877/CURT-MFG; www.curtmfg.com.
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It's not easy to see what's behind a trailer when backing up. The Rostra Obstacle Sensing System (ROSS) will indicate obstacles within 12 ft of the rear of the trailer. The ROSS uses microwave technology to sense the closest obstacle, regardless of its size. The system warns via a series of audible beeps that increase in intensity, plus an in-vehicle LED display that changes from green to yellow to red as objects draw closer. The ROSS performs well in all weather and light conditions, and ROSS sensors are not harmed by water, so they can be installed on a boat trailer. Rostra Precision Controls, Dept. TTOL0212, 2519 Dana Dr., Laurinburg, NC 28352; 800/782-3379; www.rostra.com.
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The last thing you want is to see your trailer passing ahead of you. Should a trailer come loose from a tow vehicle, this breakaway kit from Putnam Hitch Products will automatically apply the trailer brakes. It's an essential component for any towing setup in which the trailer has a braking system. Putnam Hitch Products, Dept. TTOL0212, 211 Industrial Ave., P.O. Box 39, Bronson, MI 49028; 800/336-4271; www.putnamhitch.com.
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High transmission temperatures can wreak havoc on internal components and drastically reduce the life of trans fluid. High fluid temperatures also can be responsible for seals hardening, plates slipping, and clutches burning out. In trucks with a lockup torque converter, a rapid increase in trans temp may mean the converter is slipping. When the converter is not locked up, look for a reading of 30° to 50° less than the water temperature. To keep track of trans temps, Auto Meter offers several different styles of electric and mechanical gauges. Auto Meter Products, Dept. TTOL0212, 413 W. Elm St., Sycamore, IL 60178; 815/895-8141; www.autometer.com.
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A trailer-brake controller adjusts the amount of braking done by the trailer. The Impulse time-based brake controller from Hopkins Manufacturing offers a digital display and is reported to be easier to use than most units on the market. It can operate two, four, and six brake systems and offers short-proof capabilities. Hopkins' exclusive setup takes advantage of the factory connector of many vehicles under the dash, so the installation time can be cut from the usual two hours to about 10 minutes. Hopkins Manufacturing, Dept. TTOL0212, 428 Peyton, Emporia, KS 66801; 800/524-1458; www.hopkinsmfg.com.
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Eliminate blind spots and make sure drivers on either side of a truck or trailer know when you're turning or changing lanes. Schefenacker's new telescopic trailer tow mirror combines aerodynamic styling with a large, adjustable spotter lens and optional LED turn signals. The mirrors extend further than most, plus they're available with interchangeable covers. Schefenacker Vision Systems Australia, Dept. TTOL0212, Sherriffs Road, Lonsdale, Adelaide, SA 5160, Australia; +61-88-301-7777; www.schefenacker.com.
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Hitch ball mounts and couplers tend to rust over time, making a truck and trailer less appealing. To solve this problem, Highland Group Industries has introduced a unique, high-tech finish for ball mounts and couplers that offer lifetime protection against rust and corrosion. The AdvanTech finish is not just scratch-resistant, it's self-repairing. Highland Group Industries' AdvanTech ball mounts are available in a range of sizes and styles with Class II and III ratings, and the couplers are available in various sizes in Class I and II ratings. Highland Group Industries, Dept. TTOL0212, 31200 Solon Road #1, Solon, OH 44139; 800/234-6992; www.highlandusa.com.
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If ball-mount clunking is annoying when towing or using a hitch-mount accessory, the Silent Hitch Pin will soothe nerves. It takes movement and travel out of the connection between the vehicle, towing system, and whatever's in tow to eliminate noise and vibration. The Silent Hitch Pin uses a spring-backed 5/8-in. nut that's inserted inside the ball mount and aligned with the ball-mount's pinhole. The mount is then inserted into the 2-in. receiver, and when the threaded Silent Hitch Pin engages the spring nut, the ball mount is squeezed against the receiver wall. The Silent Hitch Pin also has a grooved end that accommodates most existing ball-mount locks. Valley Industries, Dept. TTOL0212, P.O. Box 850, Lodi, CA 95240; 209/368-8881; www.valleyindustries.com.
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It's not easy hooking up a trailer when no one is around to guide it into position. That's why Hidden Hitch has designed the Hitch Docker/Bumper Guard. It helps align a trailer and tow vehicle, while protecting a truck from an "oops" while backing up. The Hitch Docker attaches to any ball mount; just remove the hitch ball and reinstall it through the high-quality steel Hitch Docker. Hidden Hitch of America, Dept. TTOL0212, 25215 Dequindre, Madison Heights, MI 48071; 877/869-6787; www.hiddenhitch.com.
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