towing

To “bed-in” a winch means to ensure the cable is properly wound around the winch drum. Why is that important? If your cable or rope isn’t wound correctly, the part of the cable under the most tension can bury into the cable that’s already wound around the drum. Off-roaders call this “bird nesting,” and it

Q: I need to buy some new tie-downs for my race trailer. What are some rules or guidelines that should be followed when purchasing tie-downs? How about tips for proper installation? Anything else I need to know before I hit the road to the first race of the year? A: First and foremost, your tie-down straps must be

It’s time to hit the highway for a little summer adventure. Our getaways often include four-wheeling on new and distant trails, and that means towing our Jeep behind a motorhome or some other tow vehicle. When it comes to choosing a towing method, you’ve got a few choices: flatbed trailers ($2,500+), tow dollies ($1,000+), and tow bars ($125). Obviously, the

The kids are out of school and racing season is in full swing. Whether you’re RVing across the country, trailering boats or off-road vehicles to your natural playground of choice, or hauling your race car to and from the track, towing season has officially arrived. It seems obvious enough, but effective side view mirrors are

Watch this Summit Racing Quick Flicks video for an easy-to-understand explanation of common towing terms and abbreviations you should know to tow safely and effectively. You will learn important tow rating terms such as: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) which is the maximum tow rating of your specific make and model of vehicle, which includes

They make towing possible. From a utility standpoint, they may be the most useful and important truck accessory available. Hitches. That all-important link connecting your truck and trailer. The hitch is the unsung hero of racing weekends at the track, boating weekends at the lake, start-up lawn care companies, travelling show car owners, and the

[portfolio_slideshow id=43349] Whether it’s to haul a new project car home or protect a show car from the elements, one of the handiest pieces of equipment a gearhead can own is a car trailer. That said, a car trailer is only handy if it’s in tip-top shape and ready to roll at a moment’s notice.

C.V. Westover, MD Q: My 1991 GMC Sonoma pickup has a 4.3L TBI engine, a 700-R4 transmission, and a 3.42:1 rear end. The truck’s GVWR is 4,995 pounds. How does this figure affect my overall towing capacity? Also, can you recommend a hitch for my rig? A: The GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is the total weight

Installing a trailer brake controller is a piece of cake on a truck or SUV already equipped with a towing package. It’s usually as simple as plugging a wiring harness into your vehicle. It’s a little more complicated on vehicles without towing packages because you have to splice the wiring yourself, but it’s a simple-enough

You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we waited until Tuesday to talk about the differences inertia-based and time-based brake controllers. M.G. Charlotte, NC Q: I am looking for a good, reliable brake controller for my trailer. Can you provide me with some information about