It's Time To Get Your Tire Inspection Rolling

It's the season for getting our vehicles in gear for 2006. Let's begin with the only part of your car or truck that actually touches the highway-your tires.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure-and tire failure can lead to accidents.

Be your own crew chief and follow these simple guidelines from the NHTSA and other experts: Take a peek at your tires: Visually inspect your tires on a regular basis. Consumer Reports says consult a professional if you see cracks or cuts on the sidewalls. If you see bulges or blisters, which signal potential weak spots that could lead to tire failure, replace the tire at once.
Under pressure: A tire doesn't have to be punctured to lose air. Tires naturally lose air over time. Check the pressure in all your tires -even the spare-at least once a month with a tire gauge.
 How much air?: Tires should be inflated to the psi, or pounds per square inch, recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer.
 Time matters: The best time for checking pressure is when a tire is "cold"-at least three hours after the vehicle has been driven. Even if you only drive your car around the block, the tire still needs to rest for three hours to get an accurate reading.
Tread test: Make sure your tires have the proper amount of tread. Many tires have tread wear indicator bars molded into the tread. If you can see a solid bar of rubber across the width of the tread, it's time to buy new tires.
 Rotation, rotation, rotation: Most manufacturers recommend rotating tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. However, some four-wheel- drive vehicles require rotation even sooner, such as every 4,000 miles. Always check your owner's manual.

According to Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage, "One of the best precautions is proper tire maintenance, which keeps your vehicle humming during the often hazardous road conditions."


Get your tires and accessories at Hitch Anything

A Look at Car Transport Trailers

If you are moving a standard passenger car and want to investigate different car transport trailer options there are many possibilities in today’s auto shipping industry offered to the discerning customer. Open carrier transport is the most popular and least expensive type of auto shipping.

In most cases, your car will be transported on an eight or 10-car hauler, the same type of trucks used to deliver new cars. These trucks are 75-80 feet long and almost 14 feet high. They can be difficult to maneuver and are limited to major roads that are free of low hanging trees and low clearance bridges. Make sure you keep this in mind when directing the truck to the pick-up location. If you want to make sure that your car stays clean, and avoids all highway wear and tear, then have your car transported in an enclosed car transport trailer.

Enclosed trailers protect your car from all road hazards and weather for the duration of the trip. Due to the premium equipment and service provided with enclosed car trailers, it is usually the most expensive option in auto shipping. The following features are often available at an additional cost: lift gates for safe horizontal loading, ramp gates for long wheelbase vehicles, and winches for inoperable vehicles.

This car transport trailer option is excellent for costly or exotic cars. Some other popular enclosed trailer options for secure car transport are: six-car enclosed trailers, four-car enclosed trailers, and two-car non-stacking enclosed trailers. Multi-car or enclosed transport sometimes can't be used due to height and width issues. Be sure to check the specs of the trailer and the size of your car.

Some drivers prefer to transport their own vehicle. It is best to learn from a trained professional some of the nuances of moving cars. When you buy or rent a trailer ask for basic driving instructions and transport hints. There are some car transport trailer companies that will custom build your own trailer the way you want it. This option will depend on your budget and your specific needs.

When choosing the proper car transport trailer for your car, discuss the length and weight of your car with the car trailer company to ensure it is within legal load specifications. More over if you are renting or buying, look for companies with large inventories and factory stock so you can avoid waiting for the trailer that you want.

Finding the appropriate car transport trailer to fit your specific needs and budget should be an easy task providing that you know you budget limitations, special travel requirements for your car, and length of trip. In today’s market there are literally hundreds of car transport trailer options out there, and you can count on finding the right one for you in no time at all.


Hitch Anything has all your trailer parts and accessory needs covered

Learn About Towing Services And Roadside Assistance

When you purchase a new car you may get a roadside assistance package included but if you have a used car you typically won’t have roadside assistance and the benefits it provides, such as towing services. Not to worry, there are many companies offering memberships that will give you peace of mind.

Parts do wear out over time. That’s why one of the biggest concerns a driver has is the fear of a breakdown that will require towing. As we all know these events always occur at the most inopportune time or when we don’t have the extra cash to cover a towing bill. By becoming a member of one of the many auto clubs that offer services, you’ll have peace of mind that when disaster strikes you’ll be covered.

AAA, or American Automobile Association, has divisions throughout all of North America. For a nominal yearly fee you’ll be provided with all kinds of services for you and your vehicle. You’ll have full roadside assistance. Whether you run out of gas, lock your keys in the car, get a flat tire, or break down, you’ll be covered. Planning a trip? If you need maps AAA will provide them. And if you’re thinking about taking a vacation to a sunny tropical destination, AAA has full travel services and can offer you some great prices.

Good Sam is another auto and RV club that offers excellent services to its members. It’s a camping club, motor home club, and RV club all combined into one. For under $80 a year you get a full year of roadside assistance for your RV, and all the cars, vans, and trucks in your household. You get a full year of emergency towing services, lockout services, and trip interruption services as well as emergency medical referral services.

Drivershield costs under $70 a year and offers a 24 hour toll free hotline for emergency towing, roadside assistance, and locksmith. It also offers a lifetime collision repair warranty that’s good from coast to coast as well as 50% off at thousands of motels, hotels, and dining locations across the country.

If you ride motorcycle and want the same type of protection for your bike as you have for your car, Bros Club Cycle Services is worth exploring. For less than $100 you will get a two year membership which will give you 24 hour a day 365 day a year emergency roadside protection, which includes a network of more than 40,000 flat bed service providers across the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada. You’ll get towing services, flat tire assistance, dead battery assistance, and you can even purchase your motorcycle insurance at a discount. You also get some great discounts at motels, hotels, dining locations, and parts providers.

It’s a given. At some point in your travels you are going to require towing services. So why not consider a membership in one of the many national auto club programs that will give you peace of mind?
Hitch Anything

It Is Time to Ship Your Car

You may have changed residences from Chicago to California. That sure is a long way off and driving your car could prove to be quite a long road trip. Maybe it is time that you have your car shipped to your new place instead of taking that long drive.

It is best that you first decide when would be the best time to move your car. That way, you can actually plan ahead and make your car ready for shipment. When you have already decided when the shipping would take place, it is time to call several moving companies. Inform them about the type and kind of car that you are moving. Also, inform them the specific locations of the move – from where you are moving your car to the place where your car will be shipped. Also give them the data on the date when you plan to do the shipping.

List down your choices of moving companies. To be safe, check these companies out with the Better Business Bureau. You surely would like to have your vehicle shipped and handled by a good and trusted company. From there, you can make your choice of company.

Call up your choice company and inquire about the kind of insurance coverage that the company has with regards to shipments. Also ask if there is a deductible. Ask for their insurance policy carefully even if they might be written in fine print then ask for a copy so you could also review them over yourself at home.

On the day that you will be moving your vehicle, be alert. Check if the mover will be filling out a bill of lading. This includes a report of the condition of your car before loading. Read the whole report. Before you sign it, make sure that you agree with the report. Then, ask about the pick up dates and times as well as the delivery time. Any promises of the date and time should be given in writing as well as any conditions if these are not met. All your personal belongings should be removed from your car. Remember that these items are not covered by the carrier’s insurance.

Upon delivery, check your car and note any problems.
Loading Ramps

Jeep Commander: Stuck in a Sales Rut

Just months after its much publicized release, the 7 passenger Jeep Commander is a major disappointment for Daimler Chrysler to the point where it has become an albatross around the automaker’s neck. Stung with bloated inventories in excess of 100 days – an industry killer – the Commander is now commanding discounts of over $5000 per vehicle. What went wrong? Plenty, especially if you read what the pundits and prognosticators have to say about the new Jeep.

No vehicle introduction should be problematic however, as for the Jeep Commander this model has fallen well short of sales goals. There are many reasons why the Commander may be failing to live up to expectations including:

High Fuel Prices – Gasoline pushing past $2.50 per gallon cannot help any SUV. With the Commander’s three thirsty engine choices, the price at the pump can be painful. Yet, the even bigger Chevrolet Tahoe is selling well despite high fuel prices.

Dated Styling – Jeep mentions the Commander’s “heritage exterior design” as one of the chief draws for the vehicle. Take one look at the Commander, and the styling cues of the 1984 Jeep Cherokee quickly come to mind. While some vehicles successfully incorporate “the look” of an earlier model without copying the style, the Commander looks awfully like the earlier Cherokee, only stretched out. Personally, I find the style to be dated and awkward.

Cramped Interior – Put the Commander up against the next biggest Jeep, the Gran Cherokee, and you will see that the interior space is just about the same. This is bad because the Commander comes equipped with a third row of seats so there should be more room. Many have complained that only two small children could fit in the last row which, incidentally, does not completely fold into the floor like the “stow ‘n go” feature on the DCX minivans.

Overpriced – Fully loaded Commanders are retailing for well over $40,000. While this price range can be expected for the likes of a Yukon, Tahoe, or Expedition, it can’t for the Commander. Of course, the Commander is bigger than the Gran Cherokee which is priced just under $40,000. However, if you put the two models side by side, many would say that the Gran Cherokee is the better of the two.

So, will Daimler Chrysler actually discontinue the Commander? That isn’t likely. Instead, look for big rebates to remain in place and production to be permanently cut back. For the long term, DCX will need to give some serious consideration as to whether the Commander will remain part of the Jeep line up. In my opinion, if it does, it needs to be seriously overhauled in order to compete in today’s marketplace.

In all, the Commander is a costly mistake for the automaker. During these times of strong and aggressive competition, the Commander is a misstep that cannot be ignored by DaimlerChrysler. Goodness knows the Commander is being ignored by Jeep faithful who are spurning the model altogether.

Get your Jeep parts here!

Propelling In Wheelchair Lift Ramps

Chair chair lift wheel answers to convenient propelling on ramps of many sizes, structure, adaptability to pathways, sidewalks, car or van lifts may either be manual, or electric wheelchairs.

The modern-day architectural designs of public buildings, like Social Security Institutes (for junior retirees or senior pensioners), malls, hospitals, banks and corporate buildings lay out spaces for special lifting of chairs for disabled people. Buildings of lesser significance or smaller ones may not have all these settings in pathways, but lifters of all kinds could be logged in privately during travels of the incapacitated, chairlifts selections to go places of choice.

On the other hand, the handicap in domestic confines may use "built-in lifts" providing minimum adjustments aimed at stretching out high objects inside the house, in congested home occupants, traffic-free access.

Sole manipulative built-in gadget operations, without anyone's assistance subjects the chair user to chair lift itself, using the manual turn-on capabilities, keeping stress away from the handicaps.

Wheelchair Lift, a Factor to Rebuild a Spirit

Make canvassing a serious matter. It is in reshaping of the impaired psychological make-up of the disabled in subject that you are concerned with. Your open mind to give your wheelchair beneficiary revived re-development of devaluated self-esteem due to any injury resulting to his present predicament will "do" or "die" all remaining spirit.

It makes sense choosing the best equipments that usher comfort, accessibility, and convenience in future travels. Your doing so, helping him to recuperate lessened sense of being unproductive, may even land him other opportunities of getting a job.

Canvassing from Various Types of Chair Lifters

A wide range of vehicle requirements in Lift Ramps of uncompetitive quality is a selection from: (1) Portable Ramps' - categories are the Rollup, Single fold, and the Tri-fold.

a. Rollup - made for wheelchairs and scooters. Sub-classifies the Rollup 3 - A 30" wide driving force, in full-width single-track design, in ramp weight of 6 lbs. and weight capacity of 600 lbs.; and the Rollup 5 - A usable size of 5' x 30" x 3," Ramp weight is 29 lbs and weight capacity of 600 lbs.

b. Single fold - Designed as suitcase for easy access and transport, included in all travel luggage, for scooter, wheelchairs, and electric chairs. Sub-classified into 10 available different folding categories; from ramp weight from 11 lbs to 31 lbs, and weight capacity of 725 lbs.

c. Tri-fold - Used in scooter and wheelchairs. It is a portable and compact design in 3-fods that makes it unique among all other ramps. Available in 13 sub-category classifications of different size ramp weight of 20 to 30 lbs, and weight capacity of 700 lbs.
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Boat Towing

Boat towing or trailering across the United States is subject to different state laws as far as maximum speeds, trailer equipment requirements, trailer dimensions, brakes, insurance, and accessories such as reflectors are concerned. A separate permit for boat towing in each state is also required.

Most Americans live within a 100 miles of boatable waterways, and boat trailering is something of a national craze. Statistics show that the easiest boats to tow on a regular basis measure within twenty-five feet in length, since these allow for easier maneuvering on highways. Boat-towing vehicles and trailers differ quite a bit from other kinds because of the unique shape and dimensions of these crafts.

There is a mind-boggling array of towable boats available on the market today. These include air boats, fishing boats, bow riders, canoes, cuddy cabins, day sailers, deck boats, sailing dinghies, flats boats, jet boats, inflatable boats, and a host of others.

If one isn’t an expert, it is important to follow a trailering-safety checklist while towing.  The checklist should include guidelines to loading, leveling, driving, unloading, and launching. Probably one of the most common and dreaded hazards that all boat towers face is compromised tightness of the nuts on the trailer wheels. These tend to loosen with distance covered. Wheel maintenance in all its aspects should be a primary concern of every boat trailer owner.

As with most other kinds of towing, each state has its own set of trailering laws that will prescribe limits to weight, speed, and minimum equipment. These are strictly enforced, and it is wise to be prepared for all eventualities.

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