Towing Tips and Upgrades to Improve Your Experience

Towing is serious business for which you own a serious piece of equipment. Those of you who tow for a living are all too familiar with trailer and truck tow ratings, hitch types and what the gross cargo weight rating (GCWR) of your truck means. You also know that your rig and trailer combined can’t weigh more than this number, and why. If your towing endeavors are more of the recreational type, or you’re simply new to hauling heavy loads behind your rig, make sure you research proper towing techniques. You can also get some pointers from your heavy hauling friends to get you started on the right and safe path.

6 TIPS FOR TOWING:

01   Check the tire pressure in your trailer tires before you begin towing. Also, don’t forget the tow ring and spare on the trailer and tow rig.

02   Be sure you have a tried and tested jack and lug wrench for your trailer. Often times your car or truck tools won’t match your trailer.

03   Check your trailer lights before hitting the road, every time you plan on towing. Even if you check the trailer lights before leaving on a trip, occasionally a stick or rock will kick up and knock out a trailer lamp.

04   Always chain-up. Safety chains on a trailer are not only required, but essential should the ball connection come loose.

05   Before trailer hook-up, check the hitch ball size and be sure it matches the trailer. A 2-inch trailer coupler will fit over a 1 7/8-inch ball. However, it will come loose down the road, when you least expect it. The same goes for a 2 5/16-inch coupler filling over a 2-inch ball.

06   Remember to carry a tire chock and use it when you unhitch your trailer. A runaway trailer in the campground is embarrassing and could cause injury and/or damage.

Regardless of your towing experience, there are always a few hardware upgrades on the market to improve your towing experience. These can range from directly towing-related items like hitches and brake controls to truck and trailer upgrades such as larger anti-sway bars and bigger fuel tanks that can improve both your towing quality and your daily drive in general. We’ve compiled a selection of some of these recommended upgrades for your reference.

TOWING TIP:

Know what your accessories weigh.

When looking at towing or hauling a large load, you must take into consideration any upgrades and/or accessories to your truck or trailer. Many upgrades can increase curb weight and thus lower the overall hauling /towing capacity. An in-bed hitch may add a few hundred lbs. and a 50-gallon fuel tank, considerably more. Also, a full water tank on a camp trailer means less can be carried in the truck itself.

Remember, it all adds up in the end, so if you’ve done a lot of upgrades to your rig, take it to the local scale fully loaded and fueled to get an idea of the actual weight as outfitted. Oh, and don’t forget when weighing a trailer to fill the water tank, have your gear in it as well as any propane or gas for heaters and generators. This will give you a fair idea of how close you are to your max tow/haul weight envelope, or how far you’re out of it.

Husky TS Weight Distribution Hitch System

The Super Quiet Center Line TS weight distribution hitches feature integrated sway control from Husky Towing Products to offer an improved towing experience. The Center Line TS combines weight distribution and sway control in a strong, lightweight design that delivers outstanding performance and is said to do it with significantly less noise than competing hitches. They are also significantly lighter than similar products.

Husky Towing Products

HuskyTow.com

Load Leash for Cummins

PacBrake offers the P-67 LoadLeash Engine Brakes for owners of the 07.5-09 Dodge 6.7L Cummins. The LoadLeash works in conjunction with all the fine upgrade made by the factory to help with towing and provides an additional engine regard (slow-down) factor of about 150 horses. This results in a nearly double the braking power that the factory-installed VGT supplies.

PacBrake

PacBrake.com

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller

If you have electric trailer brakes, you will need a trailer brake controller. The Prodigy P2 brake controller from Tekonsha is one of the most sophisticated brake controllers on the market today. If offers a tri-axis accelerometer for optimum trailer operation. The unit works with electric over hydraulic brake systems, and is designed with reverse battery protection for both vehicle and breakaway. Features include multiple mounting options, a digital display, self-adjusting and quick disconnect features plus a continual diagnostics check. The built-in ‘”Boost” feature allows users to apply more initial trailer braking power when towing heavier trailers. This is a proportional electric brake control for up to four braking axles and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Cequent Performance Products Group

CequentGroup.com

Drop-In Fifth Wheel Hitch

Reese now offers their new drop-in 20K Fifth Wheel hitch for Ram 2500 HD and 3500 HD trucks with the OE tow package (factory-installed OE rail system). The Reese hitch is rated for a max of 20,000 lbs. and has a 5,000-lb pin weight rating. It also features the Reese Elite Series fifth wheel hitch head. This head incorporates a forged, single-piece, self-latching jaw that wraps around the king pin to ensure proper connection. It’s designed to offer superior jaw to king pin contact for maximum security and minimum rattle. The hitch has a limited lifetime warranty.

Cequent Performance Products Group

CequentGroup.com

Hellwig Big Wig Sway Bars

To improve your towing experience, and even your unloaded drive, Hellwig offers their Big Wig line of sway bars. Seen here is their new unit for the four-coil rear suspension Ram truck, starting with the 2013 model year. This bar is made from 1 1/4-inch solid chromoly steel and is designed specifically for the heavy hauler. It complements the new Ram coil-sprung rear suspension and features a three-hole adjustable design. This allows for it to be tuned to match the specific load and driving style of the customer. Hellwig offers a lifetime guarantee on all metal components.

Hellwig Products Company, Inc.

HellwigProducts.com

Towing Coupler Pin Lock

Securing your trailer is important. A determined thief can whisk your trailer and load in no time even when hooked to your rig. One point of vulnerability is your ball coupler. The security solution is a BOLT Coupler Pin Lock. The weatherproof lock fits couplers from ½-inch to 3 3/8-inch and is adjustable in increments of 1/8-inch allowing for a snug fit in any size. The lock is designed to slide easily along the stainless steel pin and is engineered with no exposed shackle, helping further deter theft. It features a plate tumbler sidebar to prevent picking and bumping and its stainless steel lock shutter helps keep out dirt and moisture. The Coupler Pin Lock features a patented one-key lock technology, which streamlines travel by enabling the lock to be permanently programmed to the vehicle’s ignition key—that means the driver can use a single key no matter how many BOLT locks are in play.

STRATTEC Security Corporation

BoltLock.com

Twin Bed Tanks for Fuel and More

Titan Tanks now offers a dual in-bed tank for those that need to carry either fuel or other liquids. The 90-gallon L-shaped Liquid Transfer Tank and the 100-gallon Rectangular Liquid Transfer Tank are ideal for those needing to transport combustible and nonflammable liquids in a safe and secure manner. The 90-gallon L-shaped Tank is loaded with features and is available in three different configurations. It’s constructed of durable, military-grade, cross-linked polyethylene and is corrosion proof, made with no welds and features two baffles (the 100-gallon tank has three baffles). Both can handle pumping rates up to 50 gallons per minute. The L-shaped tank can be paired with a 9-cubic foot aluminum utility box available in Bright or Black Diamond Aluminum.

Titan Fuel Tanks

TitanFuelTanks.com

Dual-Disc Towing Clutch

Valair offers a dual-disc clutch for use in Dodge/Ram and Ford trucks with manual transmissions. This clutch is said to offer smooth engagement and holding capabilities up to 550 hp/1,100 lb-ft while maintaining a stock-like pedal feel and drivability. It’s touted as a quiet clutch, in spite of the dual discs, thanks to a using a strap-driven floater plate. Features include a spring hub design, premium brass woven facings, billet floater plate and 3,800-lb diaphragm pressure plate. An HD roller pilot bearing and hardware for installation are included.

Valair Performance Clutches

ValairInc.com

Pacbrake PRXB Exhaust Brakes

Available for Dodge, Ford and GM diesel trucks, Pacbrake’s PRXB exhaust brakes provide stronger braking power, improved stopping distances and the greatest speed reductions of any exhaust brake available. The units feature an industry exclusive, true variable orifice that’s said to provide a near constant backpressure throughout the entire RPM range. PRXB stands for “pressure regulated exhaust brake” and is a patented design. The PRXB is controlled by a “master” on/off switch that allows you to use it as needed and turn it off as required for noise-restricted areas.

Pacbrake

Pacbrake.com

Dodge Ram 2500 Big Wig Air Suspension

Hellwig now offers a version of their rear air assist suspension for the 2014 and up, Ram 2500 trucks with rear coil springs. This kit adds 5,600 lbs. of level load capability and works in conjunctions with the factory rear coils. Hellwig claim a “largest in class” for the air bag size and state that these bags support the same weight as most other 2500 air bag kits for ¾-ton trucks, but do so with 30-40 percent less air pressure. Lower air pressure means a softer ride and less jacking of the rear end, especially when unloaded, meaning less fatigue for driver and passengers. The Big Wig air bags mount outboard of the factory coil springs and are a direct bolt-on kit, requiring no drilling to install. This air suspension system will help stabilize the load when towing or hauling heavy loads and the kit fits both diesel and gas model trucks.

Hellwig Products Company, Inc.

HellwigProducts.com

One Key Receiver Hitch Lock

BOLT Receiver Locks feature the company’s patented one-key lock technology that’s designed to permanently program the lock to the specific vehicle’s ignition key. The Receiver Locks are plated with a cast zinc cylinder and case for superior corrosion resistance. They feature a durable, stainless steel pin; a rugged cover jacket and automotive-grade lock shutter to keep out weather and debris; and a six-plate tumbler sidebar that prevents picking and bumping.

STRATTEC Security Corporation

BoltLock.com

Load Support for Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

Air Lift now offers owners of the new Ram 1500 EcoDiesel new load support solutions for heavy hauling and towing support. Air Lift has engineered two heavy-duty towing options featuring application-specific brackets and air springs. Air Lift’s adjustable air spring kits ensure that weight is properly distributed to all four tires to maximize vehicle stability, safety and comfort. Working with the existing suspension, air springs improve braking and steering, eliminate squat and sway, and maintain ideal ride height. The LoadLifter 5000 and LoadLifter 5000 ULTIMATE are designed to provide additional support for the new five-link coil rear suspension system of the two-wheel and four-wheel drive Ram 1500 models. This new kits fits all Ram 1500 trucksfrom 2009-2015.

Performance Trailer Winch

Safe loading of a trailer is as important as how you tow it. One of the most difficult tasks is often rolling heavy items such as sled puller or race-only drag truck onto or into your trailer, especially when they’re not running. Superwinch offers the new GEN III S series of performance trailer winches that are the solution to your trailer loading issues. These winches offer a controlled way to load and unload your heavy rig. The new trailer winches feature a winch line, rather than a winch rope. Winch line is high-tech synthetic that’s stronger than steel cable and safer to use too. It’s also lighter in weight and lasts longer than steel cable. Two models are available: the S5500WR, a 5,500-lb rated unit and the S7500, a 7,500-lb rated unit.

Superwinch

SuperWinch.com

Tank and Toolbox Combo

The fuel tank and toolbox combo from Transfer Flow is a great accessory for any truck. These come in 30-, 40- and 50-gallon capacities for both gas and diesel rigs. When you need to carry gear securely and have extra fuel capacity for the long haul, these units are a great upgrade for the truck owner. The Transfer Flow tank features all-metal construction.

Transfer Flow, Inc.

TransferFlow.com

More Towing Power

Hypertech now offers the Max Energy 2.0 in a 50-state version. Perfect for towing and daily driving, the Max Energy 2.0 optimizes engine tuning for maximum horsepower, torque and performance. New features include the ability to reprogram the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) threshold when using larger than stock tires, a larger backlit LCD screen for easy navigation, plus quick, simplified installation, tuning and feature changes. Increased fuel economy, with users reporting 2-4 mpg gains, is another feature of the Max Energy 2.0. DW

Hypertech

HyperTech.com