SOME TIPS FOR TOWING (Part 2)

In my previous blog, I have discussed some beneficial tips that you can do for towing. But if you find them insufficient, here are other tips that can help you and your vehicle for such undertaking.

1. Oh say, can you see? Make sure you have adequate mirrors to give you the visibility you need for safe RV driving and towing. If your mirrors aren’t adequate, change them. If you are towing a trailer, you should have extended side-view mirrors to see rear and side-approaching traffic.
   Rear-vision cameras may be included in your motorhome, with a monitor in the driver’s cockpit. These provide a view of the dinghy and immediate roadway in back, and help when passing or changing lanes. They are available as an after market add-on, and there are rear-vision cameras that work with towable RV applications.
2. Ready, Set, Go?: Well, maybe not yet. Another good towing tip - practice first. Before you head out on your first trip, practice driving, turning, stopping (and backing up for towable trailers) in an area away from heavy traffic. Make sure you know your roof clearance. Try out your mirrors.
1. Driving: When starting out, accelerate slowly and steadily. The addition of a trailer or dinghy adds weight and length. More weight means more time. Determine how long it takes you to accelerate and come to a stop. Allow extra time for changing lanes, stopping and passing other vehicles.

Pass on level ground with plenty of clearance. Avoid sudden moves. When turning, allow room for the towed vehicle to clear.

Get in the habit of looking ahead – a good rule of thumb is to look as far ahead as you will travel in 12 – 15 seconds. Obviously, this distance will vary depending on how fast you are going. Give adequate notice of your intentions with turn signals. If you are going to come to a stop, a few taps on the brakes might give a clue to the driver behind you. Watch traffic signals and anticipate light changes so you can stop in time.

2. Backing: For motorhomes, don’t try to back up with a dinghy attached. The key towing tip here is to avoid getting into a spot where you have to back up in the first place. Or disconnect the dinghy before backing.
   For towable trailers, back up slowly, with someone spotting near the rear of trailer to guide you. It’s a good idea to agree on a set of hand signals beforehand, so you can communicate clearly with the spotter. Move the steering wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go. Make small steering movements so you can get the hang of it. Slight steering movements result in much greater movement in the rear of the trailer.

3. Swaying in the Breeze: Hopefully not. Appropriate attention to weight limits and distribution in setting up your tow configuration will help avoid problems with sway. Sway control options are available to help with trailer sway, and a weight distributing hitch system is recommended for large towable trailers.
If you do experience trailer sway from a gust of wind, downgrade or draft from a passing truck: remember to gradually reduce speed, steady the steering wheel and only apply the trailer brakes. Do not slam on the brakes since jackknifing could occur. Do not try to steer out of a sway, increase speed or make sudden moves – it will only make things worse. Do not tow a trailer that continues to sway – determine what is wrong and correct the problem

4. No passengers: You should never have passengers traveling in a towed trailer or dinghy.
5. An Ounce of Prevention: Avoid serious problems by adopting a “checking it twice” mindset. Use towing tip checklists as handy reminders. Before long trips, make sure your maintenance is current on both the towing and towed vehicle. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance on your towing apparatus. The first time you tow, a general towing tip is to stop after 50 miles to check towing connections, tires, etc. Make regular stops to stay fresh at the wheel and during these breaks, check around the RV and tow to make sure all is well. General advice is a stop every two hours.

SAFETY TIPS FOR PARKING YOUR VEHICLE

As we drive our vehicle, the different muscles in our bodies also work. This is true as we have to turn the steering wheel, maneuver the steering rod and other actions that are necessary to safely maneuver our vehicles. For this, we find it amusing if we encounter traffic jams on the road as we can somehow rest our bodies from the movements brought by driving. To this, it is even more relaxing on our part to park our vehicle. But do you know that parking our vehicle can also bring some danger to the latter?

The danger that may inflict our vehicles especially the moment we park our vehicles is evidenced by the statistics that shows a lot of fender benders happen in the parking lot. Also, you should know any danger that will happen to your vehicle is because of your own misjudgment and sad to say; loss of common sense in trying to find a proper place for parking. Also needless to say, Stop and Yield should be common things in your vehicle when you are in a parking area as it is a private place. It is often a misconception that drivers the moment they are on a parking lot, they normally feel free and thinks about anything but driving. For instance, you are approaching a parking lot and spotting a very suitable space to park your car. However at the same time you see another driver who is obviously going to occupy your sighted spot. Of course, your first reaction is to dart forward to be the first to get the spot. You understand to what this can lead, don’t you?

However, you’ll find it very easy to be safe at the parking area. This is because the only thing that you should be aware of is everything that moves around your vehicle. It is also important for you to drive slowly at such area and watch the cars the move diagonally across the lot. Furthermore, it is important for you to note that places normally situated away from the building where there are fewer cars will give you the following advantages:

* Your car’s doors will be more protected from dins;

* Your car will not be hidden between other cars and less likely to be robbed or vandalized;

* You will be able to find a spot faster which will save your time;

Also it is important for to be aware of some negative points:

* Do not park your cars at secluded areas especially at night;

* The area where you park your car must be well lit;

* Always make sure that your car is safely locked;

* Do not leave you valuable things visible in the car;

* Before getting into your car you should always check your back seat;

* Before getting into your car, look around to be aware of suspicious people walking by;

* If something seems wrong inside your car sound the horn to draw attention;

* Keep in mind the pillar number where you’ve parked you vehicle. This will help you to find your car at the parking lot easily;

* If it is dark at the parking lot or something seems wrong ask a security guard to go with you to your car.

So, following these tips and information will allow you to leave your car in a parking lot without hesitations. You can even have your peace of mind thinking that your car will be safe. But as additional recommendation, it is also advantageous to equip your car with some safety components such as reliable locks, alarm and others that can assure your vehicle’s security when parked.

WHAT IS A SELF-LEVELLING SUSPENSION?

Of course you know what a suspension system does in your vehicle. It is the most important automotive system in your vehicle especially if thee latter travels on an off road condition. But do you know that such system has great role to perform when your vehicle tows another vehicle. This is because such automotive system keeps your unit on level when it tows a heavy load. Self-leveling is another beneficial technology for your vehicle’s suspension as it adjusts the height of your vehicle’s rear axle for better driving dynamics and safety.

When towing another vehicle or even a heavy luggage, your vehicle’s tail tends to sink downward. The self-leveling suspension counters such problem as it inflates pneumatic cylinders that are integrated in the rear axle assembly of your vehicle. This will result for the chassis to be lifted higher. On the other hand, pneumatic pressure is maintained by auxiliary compressors which are electrically operated. These compressors are run independently of the engine and can be individually adjusted if needed such as when carrying an uneven load.

For this kind of suspension, a steady chassis is in your vehicle which is essential to your vehicle’s dynamic handling. Also, uneven tire wear is reduced in your vehicle when towing. Furthermore, oncoming drivers cannot be blinded by the upwardly-tilted headlight beam with this suspension technology in your vehicle.

YOUR VEHICLE’S WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION

Your vehicle weighs more or less a hundred kilos. That’s big enough for you to push your vehicle especially in times of engine aberration. Such weight is realized through the combined weight of different components that are in its specification. For this, your vehicle has equal distribution of components for it to be balance and for it not to tilt on one side especially when it runs. Such proportionate distribution of weight is particularly beneficial when your vehicle runs along sharp curves on the road.

Your vehicle’s weight is not only made real by those components that are in your vehicle as one of the major contributors to such aspect of your vehicle is its axle. For this, there should be an ideal weight distribution between its front and rear axles for your vehicle’s superbly agile.

The ideal weight of your vehicle is made possible through the intelligent use of light weight components as well as innovative production processes. Through such things, your vehicle’s minimum weight can be kept at its minimum level while maintaining an ideal weight distribution. To this, it means a lot if your vehicle has its front and rear axles that are made of aluminum or its front portion made of light but strong metal. Also, it would be much better if your vehicle’s engine components are also made of aluminum or alloy that contains magnesium and other carbon fibre composites to further enhance its power to weight ratio.

Having such attributes in your vehicle will surely decrease the latter’s weight. This would mean increase in your vehicle’s agility and safety. With this weight reduction scheme, your vehicle’s structure can be adapted to optimize its axle load with little overhang at its front, engine and transmission that can be positioned as far back as possible. This will follow the ideal weight distribution for all vehicles stating that weight must be concentrated at its centre of gravity.

There are many benefits why your vehicle should have balance weight distribution such as greater agility, neutral self steering behavior and outstanding traction. But having the ideal weight distribution in your vehicle also requires you to have first the Dynamic Stability Control for your vehicle to remain stable and controllable even under extreme situations.

With this automotive weight technology, driving your vehicle can be more pleasurable and safe.

EXPERIENCE WHAT A CHINESE ENGINE IS MADE OF

Perhaps you have your Chevrolet Equinox which you have for the past years. And it indeed performs well on the road. Well, you may have the original Equinox but its time for you to experience how it is to be installed with a Chinese new V6 engine. As reported in the New York Times, these units made from China will be marked by General Motors in the North American auto market.

The Chinese Equinox has an engine capable of producing 185 horsepower. According to the GM, such engine will not be only powerful but it is also quiet and makes the vehicle run on the road smoothly. The General Motor also claims that the new 2008 Chevy Equinox would be far more than its competitors with the said engine.

You can say that General Motors only experiments with this vehicle but it also worth giving a try. Who knows you can be satisfied with its performance.

YOUR VEHICLE’S CLIMATE COMFORT SYSTEM

Admit it or not, your riding comfort does not only depend on one thing as it is realized by the concerted effort of different attributes that your vehicle has. Among the things that gives you much pleasure when riding your vehicle is the smooth ride which you can experience even when your vehicle travels on an off road condition. Another is your feeling of being safe as it provides you much peace of mind. But of all these, the situation in your vehicle’s passenger cabin counts a lot to satisfy your craving for a comfortable ride. To this end, you can see no vehicles nowadays running on the road without their air conditioning system.

It is a reality that your vehicle’s air conditioning system does a lot for you to be satisfied with your stay inside your vehicle during your trip. But let us also admit that the effects off Global Warming continuously to worsen. And for this, we may find our vehicle’s air conditioning system to be insufficient to carry out our needs for a cool stay in our car. That is why it is really a great advantage for your vehicle to have the Climate Comfort System.

Perhaps, you may think that the Climate Control System is an additional automotive system that you can have in your vehicle but it is best to refer it as a new technology that can be employed into your vehicle’s air conditioning system. It assures your riding comfort through better air quality, a steady temperature regardless of the weather condition and of course clear and condensation-free windows and windscreen in your vehicle.

The Climate Control System in your vehicle operates with the Automatic Air Recirculation that noticeably delivers better air quality your vehicle’s cabin. This is done as this system recognizes pollutants and contaminants contained in the air from the outside of your vehicle. Upon recognition of such pollutants and contaminants, the said system also removes such things from the air through a micro filter. And if the concentration level of pollutants and contaminants exceed the maximum level, the Climate Control System also automatically closes off the air intake and temporarily recirculates the air inside the cabin.

Another important component of the Climate Control System is the condensation sensor which ensures that the windows of your vehicle will not become misted even if the humidity level increases. In addition to such sensor, a solar sensor also measures the intensity and the angle of sun rays thus allowing the system to automatically adjust the performance of your vehicle’s air conditioning system to ensure that a steady temperature is maintained.

With the Climate Control System in your vehicle, riding the latter will not be the same again. This is because you and your passengers can now enjoy a steady cabin temperature, a clear view on the windows and excellent air quality at all times.

So its time for you not to worry about your riding comfort as it is guaranteed and further enhance by the Climate Control System in your vehicle.

THE DIGITAL MOTOR ELECTRONICS

The engine is perhaps the most complicated part of your vehicle to understand. Well, this should not surprise you as such automotive component controls almost the all the operations of your vehicle. But as you are the owner and perhaps the driver of your vehicle, you ought not to know all the operations of your vehicle as they are made digital with the Digital Motor Electronics.

The Digital Motor Electronics offers a comprehensive management system of your vehicle’s engine. It controls all the aspects or the engine’s operation to ensure optimum reliability, maximum performance and the lowest possible fuel consumption and emission. This is done through evaluation of key data by a microprocessor and is eventually translated into commands intended for the fuel injection and ignition systems.

The DME operates in your vehicle as it receives a thousand separate items of data input per second that includes engine speed, air intake volume, air temperature and density, coolant temperature, throttle position, accelerator position and vehicle speed.

DME looks after the electrical power system too, with sensors measuring the charge and condition of the battery as well as current electrical power consumption. By maintaining optimum battery charge levels and thus avoiding flat batteries, it prevents damage to the battery and guarantees maximum battery life, thereby helping to ensure the engine always starts readily.

With the Digital Motor Electronics, you don’t have to worry about the processes that are taking place in your vehicle’s engine as they are perfected by your vehicle itself. You do not have to think about the things that the DME encompasses.

So for your vehicle’s optimum performance, have the Digital Management Electronics in your vehicle. This will certainly lessen the things you have to think for your vehicle. Plus, with this technology in your vehicle you are assured of great performance from your vehicle.