Travel Articles And News On Vacations

Top Towing Tips for Trouble-free Travel

Porter, Texas (PRWEB) May 22, 2007 -- Every year millions of Americans take to the roads with their trailers in tow. Whether you're towing a boat, a horse or a houseful of furniture, driving with a trailer present challenges to both the driver and the tow vehicle. Here are the top tips from hauling experts on how to keep your travel trouble free.

Be Cool
Towing season is usually during the summer months with temperatures regularly between 80 to 120 degrees. Keeping your tow vehicle's fluids cool is critical to keep the engine from overheating or worse. You may want to upgrade to a larger radiator to keep those fluids cool. The increase volume of liquid and increase fluid flow from a larger radiator is one of the most effective ways to keep you engine cool.

Engines temperatures can more easily and inexpensively be reduced by adding a coolant additive to your radiator. These products reduce engine temperatures by decreasing the surface temperature of water in the radiator. This improves heat transfer and lowers temperatures. One of the more popular coolant additives, Purple Ice, has been proven to reduce engine temperatures as much as 30 degrees.

Another easy way to keep things cool is by upgrading motor oil. Premium synthetic motor oils typically have a lower coefficient of friction and better heat transfer than conventional motor oils. This helps lower engine temperatures. For instance, in independent tests, using Royal Purple's high performance motor oil reduced engine temperatures as much as 12 percent.

Remain Level-Headed
Trailers have a tendency to load down the rear of a tow vehicle. As the vehicle rocks further back, the dynamics of the vehicle change. This means that the tow vehicle will not stop, steer, and handle as well as it does when it's not towing something. Investing in overload springs, air bags and/or a weight distributing hitch will help the tow vehicle ride level; which will translate into a safer and better ride.

Breathe Deep
During the life of your engine, thousands of cubic feet of air will pass through the engine cylinders. Dust and other material in the engine can cause excessive wear and operating problems. It's imperative that you keep air filters clean by regularly replacing them. To further enhance performance, you may want to consider upgrading to a high performance air filter or complete intake system. The relatively low cost of a high performance filter and ease of installation (about 5 minutes) makes upgrading a no-brainer. The improved air flow can help you gain the additional torque for easier towing.

Don't Go Bald or Flat
Whether towing or not, checking the condition of your tire and tires pressure is vital. Tires that are under-inflated or over-inflated may wear out prematurely or potentially blow out and cause an accident. Ideally, tire pressure should be checked every time you fill up your gas tank. By keeping your tires properly inflated, you'll also help reduce fuel consumption and increase your safety while towing. The U.S. Energy Department reports that under-inflated tires can actually increase fuel consumption by up to 6 percent. This also holds true for a trailer. Typically, trailer tires are overlooked until they dry rot, blow out and/or just go flat.

Don't Strip (a gear)
Two components that take the most abuse and are most neglected in tow vehicles are the transmission and differential. In most cases, neither is adequately cooled and both undergo extreme pressure in towing conditions. Keeping the fluids cool vital for a health tranny. The cheapest and easiest solution is upgrading fluids to high quality synthetics, For instance, Max ATF and Max Gear from Royal Purple have been proven in independent tests to reduce operating temperatures for increased transmission life. Additionally, both use Royal Purple's proprietary additive technology that provides maximum wear protection particularly in extreme situation like towing.

Another option to consider to help keep fluids cool is to replace the stock oil pan with a deep pan or larger capacity oil pan. Many of these pans are aluminum, which dissipate heat quicker than a steel factory pan. The most effective and most expensive solution is for keeping fluids cool is to invest in one of the many aftermarket transmission coolers.

Consider Hardware and Software Upgrades
Aftermarket manufacturers produce a wide variety of parts from brakes to computer chips that can dramatically improve the performance of your tow vehicle and make towing easier. Upgrading brakes with a larger rotor or better caliper will help slow or stop everything quicker. Premium brake pads that dissipate heat also improve stopping. Aftermarket exhaust systems increase exhaust flow and reduce backpressure for increased torque. And finally, engine management software that optimizes engine performance is available from a variety of manufacturers. A quick Internet search can provide a wealth of information about available performance parts from a variety of manufacturers.

Don't Forget to Brush
Following good maintenance procedure is a lot like brushing your teeth. Failure to do either can cause a lot of pain and unnecessary expense.     You should give your tow vehicle and trailer a good once over before towing. Checking all of the fluid levels, the air filter and regularly replace the fuel filter will keep the vital components clean and clear of debris. Cleaning windows and mirrors will reduce glare and make the trip a safer and easier for you and your eyes. It's also a good time to considering add trailer mirrors which dramatically improve rear-view visibility. And don't forget to check your trailer's brake fluid, electrical wiring and tires. Make sure the lights work properly and everything is in working order.

Each of these seven tips will improve your towing experience and help insure a trouble- free ride. For best results, take the advice of the experts and follow-up on all of them.

###

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

Travel Secrets Revealed by Top Vacation Rental Company in Orlando
Global Resort Homes Spills the Secrets of Off-Season Orlando Travel

What Travel Agents Won't Talk About Can Save You 50% to 70% on All Vacations
Are you planning your next trip? Do you want to save more money and have more fun? You may stop by a travel center and ask for a quote. And then, you walk by another travel agent and ask for another quote.

Online Travel Companies Join Forces Inspiring Travelers with Exciting Vacation Ideas & Travel Deals
Dunhill Vacations Inc. a leading travel internet marketing company, and SoGoNow.com, the rapidly growing and award-winning online travel magazine, have announced a strategic alliance to help travelers research, plan and purchase their next vacation.

Central Holidays Helps Stretch Travel Dollars on Vacations to Europe
Central Holidays is helping stretch travel dollars in Europe with a full array of inclusive motorcoach escorted tours and cruise packages that are designed to save travelers time and money. The Company offers dozens of Motorcoach Escorted Tour and Cruise options throughout Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Greece and the Mediterranean! In fact, Central Holidays provides the largest selection of cruise packages in Italy, Greece and throughout the Mediterranean than any other specialty operator. Central Holidays' Escorted Tour programs will save travelers 20-40 percent off the price of traveling the same itinerary on their own. Also included is a list of some of the ways Central Holidays Escorted Tours stretch travelers' dollars and offer...

How to choose Best Travel Agents for Your Vacation
Travel agents are not considering as often as in the past due to the beginning of the Internet. However, they are still a great resource of information and provide you with an entire range of services, which will make your trip, run easily, as well as save you time, problem, and cash. Here is the process you should follow when choosing a travel agent.

Tourism Travel Guide - How To Plan A Group Vacation
Ever feel like you need a vacation? At the same time, do you feel you don't have enough time with the friends you care about the most? A friends getaway is the perfect solution to both problems. A vacation with friends lets you enjoy your time off and allows you to spend time with the people you never have enough time for.

Vacation Lodging and Travel Lodging in Orlando Florida near Disney World
Travel Lodging: Location Is KeyYou have already decided to come to one of the most beloved vacation spots anywhere, Central Florida. Now, you are left to decide what fabulous restaurants you want to dine at and what area attractions you want to visit.

Travel-Hungry Consumers Use Value-Added Vacation Packages And Discounts To Make Great Vacations Possible
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Resorts Announce Value-Added Packages

Travel Tips For Your Cycling Vacations In Italy
In this article we present common sense tips you can employ to ensure that you have a fun and safe vacation in Italy.

Adventure Travel Fused with Wellness: A Fresh Take on a Unique Costa Rica Vacation
Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge in Costa Rica created a yoga & massage residence program of world-class yoga instructors & massage therapists, in order to offer guests a fusion of wellness programs with Nicuesa's signature Rainforest Multisport Adventure vacation experience.

Travel Europe – How to Travel Europe on a Cheap Budget
We all want to travel Europe on a cheap budget these days.Budget and discount price airlines have sprung up in almost every European country in the last few years – all of them fighting furiously with each other to offer the best value cheap airfare deals.

Discount Air Carriers And Discount Air Travel Transforming The Air Travel Industry
Why the Discount Carriers are Winning

Vacation Holiday In Japan Travel Guide
Thinking of a holiday vacation in exotic Asia but does not know where to go? This travel guide article introduces you to Japan, the country in which you can find buzzing cities where you can shop and party till the wee small hours of the morning or if you prefer, visit Japan's almost nature perfect countryside and marvel at its awesome natural beauty.

Virgin Vacations Offers United Kingdom and Europe Winter Travel Deals
Virgin Vacations offers extensive winter vacation deals to the UK and Europe with 6 Night London packages from $749 per person.