Make Tour Truck Stand Out With Custom Truck Decal Graphics

By Hal Lewis

Bumper stickers could say anything. You could even have them printed with your own personal slogan on them. This was a way of expressing yourself. People knew who your favorite driver was, who you voted for, what animals you loved, and anything else you could think of. The problem was for someone to see them, they would have to get pretty close. That has all changed with the truck decal graphic.

You can drive by someone and they can tell more about you just by looking at your truck decal graphics. In an instant, someone can tell if you drive a 4x4 Chevy, Ford, or Dodge. They don't even have to look at the truck, just the decal across the window. You can order backscapes which fly the American flag, look like eagle heads, or are straight camouflage. There are flames and flowers, horses and Harley's and everything in between. You can order them with your own text written on it. Your truck can become as personalized as you want with truck decal graphics.

Tailgates can be personalized as well. With these you can put wings, symbols, or lettering on the tailgate. You can even find patterns to match the other decals on the truck. There are flames, wings, racing flags, and so much more. You can make your truck your own with the addition of the truck decal graphics available.

There are decals for the truck's body also. You can add flames or dragon tails in almost any color you want. They can run bumper to bumper. You can put them on the hood to finish the look. You can order a full accent kit or just a single decal. It is all a matter of personal preference.

Pinstriping is no longer just a line or two of color running down the side of the truck. Now there are flame stripes, barbed wire, and even razor edge pinstriping. These come in over a dozen colors. You can even order them in metallic colors. You are only limited by your imagination. If you can imagine it, they will design it. Custom shops will make any decal you can present to them. Give them an idea of what you want and let the design teams come up with the rest. Or you can show them exactly what you want and it will be ready for delivery in a matter of days.

There are 3-D truck decal graphics available to really give the final touches on a good paint job. These images are fantastic. 7 foot long or more, these decals are fine vehicle artwork. Close attention to detail makes these colorful scenes pop. The three dimensional affects are awesome. Your truck will get noticed with one of these decals going down the side.

The cost of them is very reasonable. Some can be purchased for as little as $6.00. The larger, more colorful ones can range upwards to $265 or more for a pair. To give your truck a new look without the expense of a full paint job, the full body truck decal graphics are worth checking into.

Visit SignZoo.com for custom truck decal graphics that stand out as well as other vehicle graphics, and even cool - custom boat graphics. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hal_Lewis

Ford Harley Davidson F150 - More Than Just A Truck

By Allison Thompson 

The Ford F150 truck has now been in production for well over 30 years now and initially when it appeared on the scene it was more commonly referred to as the "heavy half ton" by the company. Simply because the F100 was also still in production at this time. Yet it took another 24 years before Ford finally came out with a new version and which they worked on in conjunction with another iconic vehicle company, namely Harley Davidson Motorcycles. So in 1999 the Ford Harley Davidson F150 was born.

Although this particular truck has been around for less than 10 years there are certainly many people who love the design and looks of it. But with all Ford vehicles and even those they make in collaboration with other motor vehicle companies hold true to the companies believes. But with this particular one it also takes into consideration the believes and philosophies that the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company hold dear to their heart as well. Below we take a look at the 2006 and 2007 models of this vehicle and which will be come extremely popular with both Harley Davidson and Ford enthusiasts the world over.

1. The 2006 Ford Harley Davidson F150 Supercab - A beautiful looking vehicle which provides the rough and ruggedness you expect from a Ford truck but with the added benefits of some beautiful custom detailing, such as you would see on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The exterior of the vehicle monotone but comes with a custom scalloped red paint stripe running the complete length of the vehicle which is then further accentuated by electric blue. Along with this custom paintwork on the vehicle at set intervals along the vehicles belt line you will find the Harley Davidson script.

In order to provide the vehicle with a much more menacing look and bring it into line with the kinds of looks that Harley Davidson motorcycles have. Ford have chosen to provide it with a chrome billet grille, plus the headlamps and taillights have also been blacked out. Finally they have included highly polished 22 inch forged aluminum rims to further add to its menacing looks.

2. The 2007 Ford Harley Davidson F150 Supercrew - Unlike the 2006 Supercab this particular model of F150 trucks exterior is not only available in monotone black but also in a rich amethyst color as well. Which is only one of the major differences between these two models. They both come with the 22 inch forged aluminum wheels which have been polished and a chrome grille. This vehicle also comes with both its headlights and taillights blacked out as you will soon discover all models of the Ford Harley Davidson F150 do.

The major difference between the 2006 Supercab and the 2007 Supercrew is what is under the hood. A person who purchases the 2007 model has the option of having a supercharger fitted to the Harley Davidson engine. This is normally to be found on Ford's Shelby GT500 and once fitted to this F150 will give the owner 450 break horsepower.

Along with a number of refinements to the exterior of the vehicle, Ford have made some changes to the interior of the F150 cab as well. It provides the people encased within with the feeling that they are out on the open road riding along on a Harley Davidson.

The seats (captains chairs) in the Ford Harley Davidson F150 truck are made from leather and into them has been stitched the logo which has become synonymous with one of the most iconic motorcycles the world knows. Also it has plenty of chrome trim and accessories in the cabs interior which further give it the feeling of being a custom made vehicle rather than one that has come off a production line.

For information and details regarding the Ford F150 Harley Davidson Truck visit F150 Harley.com. Also here you will find some great deals for the trucks and parts just click on this link F150 Harley Davidson Truck. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Thompson

A Truck And An Unusual Gift

By Kathy Austin

I am agriculturist and have farmland where mostly rice and wheat is grown. However, I have a passion of riding trucks. Most of my time is spent behind the wheel of the truck. Hence, I decided to go for a high quality and better truck instead of the second-hand that I have. So I decided to buy a Chevrolet Truck K model with a four wheel drive. This selection was driven by factors like reliability, styling, performance, sturdy and comfort. One more factor was very important to select a Chevrolet, was that it has a good network of service stations even in my small town. This pricy buy gives me immense satisfaction. It helps in carrying all my farming products.

I am very selective about my keychain. In a showroom I saw that there is variety of Chevrolet Truck keychains. Some of them are metal oval, chrome circle, leather silver, leather gold etc. Each of these names has prefix of "Chevy" which is very catchy. The selection is tough as each of them looks trendy and elegant. Also each one seems equally appealing. However, I decided to purchase leather silver key chain. It is very unique, durable and matches with brand image of Chevrolet truck. Also it comes with lifetime warranty against material and workmanship. It has company logo and name i.e. "Chevy Truck" mentioned on it. One can also personalize the product by engraving ones name at the back of metal part.

Let me take this opportunity to share a splendid experience of mine. During reap season, I took the vehicle on a long drive to the market place. I rented a room in a hotel to stay for the night. Unfortunately, I misplaced the keychain that I had bought. It was impossible to recollect where I had kept it. I scanned every possible corner but all my searching efforts went in vain. This added to my worry and I was very upset with myself. I received a call in my hotel room from the reception. They first enquired about my vehicle and its model. Then I was informed that someone happened to find my key chain. I went to hotel lobby to meet the person and collect my key chain. This raised few questions in my mind and one of the prominent ones was how person could know that I am the owner of key chain. I asked him. He told me that when I checked in the hotel he saw the classic key chain in my hands and he remembered it.

According to him, it is rare to see such a design in a keychain in such small town place. It is rare possession which he had seen in some automotive magazine. I now realized that despite being a simple human being, I have a unique identity which can be identified by public. Also because of my name at back of key chain he could relate easily.

Now this key chain has became a lucky charm for me. I normally carry it even when on a walk.

Kathy Austin is an internet marketer for Wholesale keychains. Check out the intricate designs of these Chevrolet Truck Keychains, they are crafted in stainless steel, metal, chrome, and leather and comes with a lifetime guarantee against flaws in the material. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Austin

Off Road Safety Tips

By Mo Shafi

Chances are if you are a Jeep owner you have been off-roading a time or two. The thrill and excitement of pushing your Jeep to its max and seeing just what it can do is something you just can't avoid. While off-roading is fun and adrenaline pumping it is still a dangerous activity.

While your Jeep is known for its off-road capabilities, its actual ability is dictated by the skill and preparation of the driver and its occupants. Proper preparation can be help you have a safe and fantastic journey. So here are a few off-road safety tips to think about before your next off-road adventure.

Before you Go

1. Let your friends and family know where you are going. If you are planning to off-road through a national park inform the park authorities of your route, duration and the date you will begin.
2. Understand that while you are taking your Jeep off-road, you will be without cell coverage more than you will have it. So it would be a good idea to buy a satellite radio, HF radio or a UHF radio and learn how to use them.
3. Put a good first aid kit together and make sure you know how everything works.
4. Put together a good toolkit along with basic spare parts. Regardless if you know how to use any of it, a passerby who stops to help just might.

During your Off-Road Adventure

1. Make sure that you are well rested both physically and mentally at the start of each off-roading journey.
2. Wear a pair of high quality sunglasses to cut down the glare from the sun while you're driving.
3. If it's possible, travel with another vehicle. If something happens to your vehicle you have a way to get help.
4. Don't be the sole driver. It's a good idea to share the driving responsibilities in order to cut down on driver fatigue. Take regular breaks throughout the day.
5. Make sure you know where the facilities are located such as fuel, repairs, food, water, medical facilities and accommodations.
6. When leaving towns check your mileage. If you do break down and need to call for help you will be able to tell them how far you are from the nearest town.

A good thing to keep in mind is that you may not be alone during your off-road adventure. Wherever you go there are wild animals and natural elements to the area. If it is your first time taking your Jeep off-road it is a good idea to take things slow until you get the feel for the ground beneath you. The most important thing is to have fun. Your Jeep was built for enjoyment.

If you are planning an off-road adventure make sure to check out http://www.shopjeepparts.com There you will find everything you need to make your Jeep more than just off-road ready. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mo_Shafi

2008 Big Trucks and Transport

By Michael Rad Platinum Quality Author

A truck is a great invention that has made it possible to transport diverse goods from one place to another. Ever since 1769, the trucks technology and design has evolved a lot and today, the trucks made by manufacturers such as Mercedes, Man, Iveco etc, are simply amazing. The word truck has its origins in the Greek language, the word 'trochos' designating wheels. The development of the truck as we know them today has gone through many stages starting from the steam powered fardier to the semi trailer and so on.

Today the trucks are manufactured by many brand names such as PACCAR (the DAF trucks), Man, Scania, , Iveco (made by the Fiat Group), Nissan Diesel, Renault, Sisu Auto, Mitsubishi, Mahindra and Mahindra, Chevrolet, Volkswagen and others. The top two truck manufacturers are Daimler Chrysler and Volvo. The Daimler Chrysler group sells trucks under the name of Mercedes Benz. They boast with trucks such as The current range consists of Mercedes Benz Atego, which is a light truck, the Axor, which is a mid sized truck in rigid and articulated, the Actros - a heavy duty rigid and premium articulated, the Econic, which is a low floor version of the Axor for diverse specific applications, and last but not least the Unimog, which is dedicated for special purpose applications and transport across extreme terrain.

The Mercedes Benz Unimog is an amazing truck, funny looking, having a history of over 50 years. The most recent line of Unimog trucks is the UGN series. These vehicles employ the BlueTech technology, and the U20 is the latest model, being launched at the end of 2007. The U20 has a cab over design, which is a premiere in this area. This model lacks the front hood that was characteristic for the Unimogs. This new model weighs around 7 or 8 tons and has a shortened wheelbase to 2,700 mm.

The Volvo trucks are quality Swedish vehicles that are available since 1927. the most recent models of Volvos are the Volvo FL, the Volvo FE, the Volvo FM, the Volvo 80th Anniversary FH16, the NH, the VHD, the VN, the VT 880 and the VM. The Volvo FH is a truck for heavy use and can be acquired in two versions: either the low roof or at two different height extended roof. The latest FH is the FH12, which has a cool design; the 2006 edition of the FH is the Volvo FH which has a 13 liter engine and having engine timings gears controlled from the back of the crankshaft flywheel side. All in all, trucks today are for transportation but they also present a design that will make you turn your head and they incorporate great technology and features that have surpassed greatly the very first models of trucks back in the 1800s.

Visit the author's website to learn more about:
2008 Truck models reviewed
Dodge trucks review
About commercial trucks

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Rad

Get Attention With New Personalized Wheels

By Ben Pate

Congratulations to you for making that big decision in buying a new truck. How about making this exciting event even better by customizing your truck to reflect your style? It may look good with a new coat of paint, accessories of your choice or even custom wheels to make it you're your own.

While adding custom wheels to your truck, gear alloy wheels are a possibility that you can look into. These wheels are available with multiple colors for the center and many models also feature machining along the wheels. You can do some looking around to find out which models fit the make of your truck and choose your pick from those models.

Can you not find any wheels you are interested in? Check out Helo wheels or Boss wheels. They have some very interesting models too. A quick search at your online search engine for customized wheels will bring up tons of results. You can also look at price comparisons at the same time. Just be sure to include any shipping costs when you check online prices because a low price can be a bad thing if there is a high shipping cost with it.

It is preferable to go for professional installation of your Gear Alloy wheels. The wheels will be better balanced to hold the weight of your truck than when you fit them yourself, and you won't face any problems in the future. Use this opportunity to ask the installer about the perfect tires that are right for your new wheels.

If you get the opportunity, speak to someone who has used Gear Alloy wheels, Helo wheels, or Boss wheels, to see what they think of the product. There is no better information available than from people who have used the product. If you lack these contacts who can share this with you then you can try to locate these opinions on internet forums.

Once you have finished setting up your truck, you're ready to comand the respect of anyone that you see. Now you need to make sure that you keep getting your props by keeping it clean, bringing it in for regular servicing to keep it running properly, and purchasing anti-theft precautions so that your truck never gets stolen.

After you purchase a truck you might like to give it a new look by repainting/adding new accessories and personalized wheels. One of the popular choices is fitting gear alloy wheels of different color/style. In the event of non-availability of this, on can fit Helo wheels or Boss wheels that may interest you. By looking through the World Wide Web, one can get the names of suppliers and prices. The alloy wheels have to be installed by a professional since it needs proper balancing. The installer can guide you on the choice of matching tires. Check with users/online forums regarding the performance. You will be proud of your customized truck. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Pate

Tired Truckers Pose Danger on Highways

By Lynn Fugaro 

Approximately 5,000 people are killed and nearly 150,000 are injured annually in trucking accidents on our country's highways. One in four passenger vehicle deaths in multiple-vehicle crashes involve a large truck, and large trucks are involved in multiple-vehicle fatal crashes twice as often as passenger vehicles.

When truck drivers become fatigued from excessive daily and weekly work hours, they substantially increase the risk of crashes that result in injury or death. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that approximately 750 people die each year due to fatigued commercial truck drivers and 20,000 are injured. Because of these disturbing statistics, the FMCSA has proposed a rule change regarding the number of hours a trucker can drive without taking a break to rest/sleep.

The current rule allows drivers to operate a truck or bus no more than 10 consecutive hours before resting for a minimum of 8 hours. This current rule allows drivers to spend 16 hours driving in a 24-hour period. The new rule proposes a rotating schedule of work and rest based on a 24-hour period instead of an 18 hour period, requiring longer rest periods for drivers. The new rule would require drivers to rest between 9-12 continuous hours each day.

There are advantages and disadvantages to the new ruling.

The proposed new rule promotes safety by:

· Requiring longer rest periods for truck drivers. If there is any interruption in the off-duty time of the driver by dispatchers or other personnel, the driver gets to re-start the off-duty period.
· Electric On-Board Records (EOBR) will be required in long-haul vehicles and in regional drivers. These devices are tamper-proof and can monitor actual daily and weekly driving time.
· Drivers must take 2-3 hours of breaks in addition to the required 9-12 hour off-duty period.
· Drivers are limited to a 60-hour work week. Upon reaching the maximum, drivers must have an off-duty period encompassing at least 2 successive nights.

The proposed new rule contributes to driver fatigue by:

· Allows truck drivers to operate their rigs for 12 consecutive hours which is two hours longer than the rule in place now.
· Allows for only a minimum of 32 hours off-duty rest after 5-6 days of driving.
· Allows unlimited nighttime driving without restriction.
· Does not distinguish between driving and non-driving truck work. Drivers could drive for 12 hours and then spend several hours loading or unloading during what was supposed to be their off-duty rest time.

The new ruling has clear advantages and disadvantages. Since truck driver fatigue is a contributing factor in as many as 30-40% of all heavy truck collisions, something must clearly be done to reduce the number of tried truckers on our nation's roadways. And since the risk of a crash doubles from the 8th to the 10th hour of driving and then doubles again from the 10th to the 11th hour of driving, obviously limiting consecutive hours driving is crucial to promoting truck driving safety.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Colorado, please contact the Truck Accident Attorneys Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Fugaro

Blown Out Truck Tires Cause Catastrophic Accidents

By Lynn Fugaro 

Truck tire blowout, often caused by defective tires, is a very serious road hazard that often results in collisions with injuries and fatalities. We have all probably seen the remnants of a blown truck tire scattered across a highway, and many of us had to do some skillful maneuvering to avoid running over these "road gators" (as they are called) or to avoid them hitting our vehicles after the car in front of us has run over them.

Debris littering the highways causes over 25,000 accidents and at least 100 deaths each year in the United States and Canada. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that blown tire pieces are the number one road debris.

Importance of Proper Inflation

Studies have shown that most tire and scrap rubber debris on the roadways is caused by under-inflation of tires, which makes the tire susceptible to cuts and flats. When a truck tire comes apart, it can often cause a failure in the other tires, either from a puncture from the debris or from other tires having to carry a disproportionate share of the load, which causes overheating and tire failure.

Most tire-related truck accidents are caused by improper tire inflation. These accidents are avoidable; truckers need to maintain the proper inflation for a given tire size and load. It is not the tire, but the air inside the tire that carries the weight of the vehicle, absorbs shock and keeps the tire in its proper shape so it can perform as designed. This is the single most critical factor for getting the safest and longest life out of tires.

Tires flex when they roll, bending the tire's rubber and steel cords. The flexing generates heat, and tire wear is the result of friction created between the road's surface and the tread as the tire rolls along. Heat is a tire's worst enemy. A tire that is improperly inflated does not roll as smoothly or as easily as it was designed to roll.

When tires are over-inflated, excessive wear occurs at the center of the tread because it will bear the majority of the vehicle's weight. Over-inflated tires tend to not absorb road hazards like debris in the road and potholes, increasing the risk of sustaining a puncture or impact damage.

Safety Measures

Tire pressure should only be checked when a tire is cold (before a vehicle is driven or has been driven less than a mile). Once a vehicle has been driven, tires warm up and there is an increase in air pressure resulting in an inaccurate reading. After driving a truck, a "hot" tire can take several hours to cool down.

Tire pressure should be checked regularly, as often as once per week with a properly calibrated tire gauge. Kicking or thumping the tires is not an effective way to see if they need air. Just as you don't thump on the hood to see if you need oil, you don't thump on the tire to see if you need air.

Alignment also needs to be checked on a regular basis. A truck driver, while inspecting his truck, should be on the lookout for wheel problems and tire injuries. Rubbing your hand along the tread and sidewalls to feel for problems like flat spots, cuts, shoulder wear, bulges, sidewall damage, etc. is a good way to check for obvious problems. These simple and quick checks can help you avoid, or at least minimize the number of, catastrophic accidents.

All drivers should stop immediately once a tire problem is detected. Even continuing on to the nearest rest stop or weigh station can be disastrous. Tires driven with improper air pressure will eventually come apart, and the results can be deadly.

Maintaining proper air pressure in all tires is absolutely imperative while driving your truck across the nation's highways. Ensuring your tires are properly inflated just may save your life and the lives of those traveling beside you.

If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident in Missouri or Illinois, please visit the website of the experienced truck accident lawyers at Brown & Brown, Attorneys at Law Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Fugaro

Off-Road Tires - A Beginner's Reference

By Billy Han

Choosing the Right Off-Road Tires

Looking to buy some new off-road tires? Hold it right there. If you’re just looking to grab the biggest, most wicked-looking off-road tires available, there are a few things you should probably know before you go about doing so.

The Truth about Off-Road Truck Tires

Whether you’re sand-racing, rock-crawling, mud-plowing, or whatever other off-road activities conceivable, it’s important to understand precisely why you need a set of off-road truck tires.

A common misconception with regard to off road tires is that you need them for improved traction on rugged terrain, and naturally, the general consensus suggests that larger tires equate to more traction. While such an assumption makes sense, it is not entirely accurate.

True, the right off-road tires can provide some additional traction in off-road conditions, but there are better, more efficient ways to improve traction than simply bulking up the rubber. If traction is your primary concern, trucks parts like a traction differential (locker) with stock off-road tires is more beneficial for your rig than just adding a set of taller, more aggressive offroad tires. Or for that matter, a winch is probably a smart idea before anything else. A locker or other 4x4-related truck parts could inspire excessive boldness, causing you to get caught in some real jams and then you’ll wish that you opted for the winch instead.

The point is larger off-road tires are meant first and foremost for the purpose of raising the height and ground clearance of your rig to enable steeper ascent and descent in off-road terrain. Simply put, when driving over boulders, slogging through mud, coasting across the desert, or even just making your way through the occasional forest trail, higher ground clearance facilitates negotiating certain obstacles.

Not to downplay the traction aspect of off road tires, as a set of mud terrain bias off road tires will most definitely perform better in the mud than a set of all-season radials. Rather, improved traction is more of a secondary function that still bears importance, but should not the sole consideration when it comes to buying truck tires, as there are far better truck parts available for meeting that goal.

Are you ready for taller off-road truck tires?

Buying a set of taller off-road tires for your 4x4 is like making a marriage work; it involves sometimes drastic changes, sacrifices, and commitment, along with constant care and maintenance. On the other hand, at least you won’t have to remember anniversaries.

The first thing to keep in mind is that upgrading to taller truck tires means upgrading a number of other truck parts in your vehicle as well. Additional inches of vehicle clearance are needed for the truck tires to fit without rubbing against the vehicle fenders. Truck parts like a suspension lift, body lift, or a combination of both can provide those additional inches. For off-road purposes, a suspension lift is preferable for the increase in wheel travel ability, whereas a body lift simply allows for the fiting of larger off road tires without any off road performance enhancements.

Larger truck tires also mean that your vehicle will be working harder to tote additional weight, which can result in significant strain to your axles and shocks, and also alters the gear ratio set by the manufacturer. To compensate for these changes, new ring and pinion gears and performance shocks (many complete lift kits typically include shocks) are strongly recommended. To counteract the additional weight and loss in performance, custom intakes, exhausts, computer chips, or any other performance-enhancing truck parts are also advised.

Bias Truck Tires versus Radial Off-Road Tires

Any driver will tell you that radial truck tires have innumerable advantages over bias ply truck tires. In fact, the tire industry has almost completely abandoned manufacturing bias truck tires, save for a few exceptions. Yet despite that bias truck tires come attached with a number of disadvantages, they still have their advantages when it comes to off road conditions.

The Case for Bias Off-Road Tires

Bias off-road tires provide unmatched performance in extreme off-road situations, such as deep mud, jagged rocks, and rough trails. The tread is designed to self-clean and release mud or foreign objects much easier to assist in maintaining traction and the rubber compounds are softer to produce better grip on rough terrain. Additionally, the tire sidewalls are typically reinforced to prevent damage.

On the downside, however, the ride and wear characteristics of bias off road tires on pavement are rather poor. High speed street driving is an uncomfortable and noisy endeavor, and a set of bias ply truck tires won’t last much more than twenty to thirty thousand miles. Even for off-road situations, while low air pressure bias off road tires will deliver excellent performance, the center tread will still take a beating.

The Case for Radial Off-Road Tires

Although Bias off-road tires are ideal for the extreme off-road enthusiast, this is not to suggest that radial off-road tires aren’t effective on harsh terrain. On the contrary, the latest radial truck tires perform quite well in off-road situations, and are designed with versatility in mind to produce better road handling characteristics, even at high speeds.

While radial off road tires may not provide the same traction or performance as a set of low air pressure bias off road tires, their longevity, handling, and smooth ride on paved roads makes up for it. Radials are perfect for the weekend off-road enthusiasts who see a lot of driving time on paved roads.

Sizing

Tire sizing can be a tricky thing, mostly because the size of off road tires you have in mind is dependent upon a number of factors. The most obvious question is first whether your vehicle is capable of handling the size of off-road tires that you want, and if not, what modifications do you need to make in order for the off-road tires to fit? Unfortunately, there aren’t any universal, all-authoritative guides available to simplify the process, since customization and modification is vehicle-specific. Your best bet for getting a better idea of your vehicle’s specifications is to contact the manufacturer. This will give you a general sense for what your vehicle is capable of so that you don’t exceed its limits, or that you have the right parts installed in case you do.

In terms of choosing the right lift kit, accessories, and knowing what modifications to make, factory service manuals, off-road magazines, internet message boards, manufacturer’s guides, and a number of other resources are available to assist you.

Choosing the Right Type of Tires

Before plunging headfirst into the sea of off road truck tires and coming out with the meanest, most intimidating monsters you can find, you have to at least know what type of monsters will best suit your off road needs. First and foremost, you need to ask yourself a few questions. What type of off-road activities will you be doing the most? How much on-road and off-road driving will you do? What qualities in particular are you most concerned with -- durability, performance, traction, appearance, or ride quality? How much are you willing to spend? Taking some time to consider these important questions can help to narrow down what type of off-road tires are best for you.

All Season Tires

All season truck tires usually have no business going off-road, as their composition and tread designs are not built to handle beatings from off-road conditions. They do, however, provide long-lasting tread that excels on wet or dry paved roads and offers tremendous longevity. Most stock vehicles come equipped with all season tires. For vehicle enthusiasts adding larger truck tires just for show, all-season truck tires are likely the most efficient way to go. Granted, you won’t get that aggressive look that’s quite popular as of late, but that may be a small price to pay for truck tires that will last you tens of thousands of miles longer than more aggressive truck tires.

All Terrain Off-Road Tires

Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to all terrain off road tires, which typically makes them a jack of all trades but a master of none. As a result, a broad range of all terrain truck tires are available, based on whether a tire’s focus is on or off road performance. Typically, all terrain truck tires are built with off-road standards in mind and then are modified in certain areas to improve street performance. The end result is truck tires that can handle everyday driving, as well as some light to moderate off-road conditions. For the most extreme off-road performance, all terrains won’t perform as well as specialized off-road tires, but on the road, they offer peerless longevity, even wear, and excellent durability.

Extreme (Rock Crawling/Mud Terrain/Sand/Deep Snow) Truck Tires

Designed for extreme off-road conditions and little else, rock crawling and mud terrain truck tires employ aggressive tread designs that extend to the sidewalls, giant lugs with deep voids, and reinforced sidewall construction to create tires that will grip any surface and remain durable in the process. Extreme terrain off road tires typically carry many of the same features, and consequently many mud terrain tires make excellent rock crawling tires, and vice versa. Extreme terrain off road tires come in either radial or bias ply, but do their job best in a low air pressure bias ply, which allows the tread to conform to surfaces for increased traction. Yet despite that extreme terrain off road tires are composed of durable, cut and puncture resistant compounds, they usually do not produce very much mileage when driven on the street, particularly at high speeds. In addition, due to the wild tread designs and huge lugs, extreme terrain tires can cause a bumpy ride and are quite noisy on the road.

Need More Help?

Getting new off-road tires can be a complicated process if you don’t know how to go about doing so. It is strongly recommended that you do some research and take advantage of the many available resources before making a purchase. Yet in the end, if you still have doubts, by far the best way to determine the right off-road tires and modifications for your vehicle is to consult an experienced and knowledgeable person who has a vehicle similar to yours, and has customized it in a similar manner to what you want to do. Not only can such a person suggest the correct products, but also likely has experience with installation and general drivability.

Billy Han lives in La Palma, CA and currently works as a Web Copywriter for TransAmerican Auto Parts. Transamerican Auto Parts is a leading retailer in offroad tires wheels, lift kits, suspension, and other truck parts and accessories, and has over 40 years of experience with off-road tires Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Han

Rubber Wheel Chocks

By Sarah Freeland 

If you are in the market for high quality wheel chocks, you should consider rubber wheel chocks. Wheel chocks made of rubber have many advantages over chocks made of other materials. When you are shopping for wheel chocks, it is important to know what to look for. Buying the right chock for your specific work conditions will ensure safety at all times. Let us help you choose a great rubber wheel chock.

One of the things to look for when shopping for rubber wheel chocks is high quality materials. Many rubber chocks are laminated, which ensures they will last longer. Other chocks are made of nylon as well as rubber, enhancing the grip traction on a wide variety of surfaces. Another way to get a great grip is to shop for cord reinforced rubber wheel chocks. These materials will give you the best grip possible.

Another thing to look for when shopping for rubber wheel chocks is design. Some chocks offer a curved surface, which fits more snug on the tires and ensures a solid and safe grip. If you are looking for a rubber chock that is easy to use, you should take a look at chocks with handles and easy grips. These chocks make placement quick and easy. Or perhaps you are looking for a rubber chock that will offer the very best fit. In this case you should consider purchasing molded rubber wheel chocks. These chocks provide the most traction between tires with molded designs gripping the tires and surface simultaneously.

Finally, when shopping for rubber wheel chocks, you should be sure you are purchasing a chock that has been designed with guaranteed tested safety engineering. The manufacturer or retailer of the chock should be able to provide you will comprehensive safety testing information. If they refuse to do so, you should consider buying your wheel chocks elsewhere. Your safety and the safety of your employees is simply not worth the risk.

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Aluminum Wheel Chocks

By Sarah Freeland 

Wheel chocks are essential in the trucking business. You simply can't do without high-quality wheel chocks if you want to ensure safety. One of the choices you have when it comes to wheel chocks is aluminum wheel chocks. Aluminum wheel chocks are a great option for many reasons. Read on to find out if this is the kind of wheel chock you should purchase.

One of the reasons to purchase aluminum wheel chocks is the road conditions. Many aluminum wheel chocks are specially made to grip the road in less than perfect conditions. If you need to hold a truck in place in mud, sand, or ice, aluminum and steel chocks are the best choice. These chocks often come with steel teeth built right in to grip the ground tightly. The ground you drive on determines a lot when it comes to wheel chocks.

Another reason to choose aluminum wheel chocks is for the extra features. Aluminum chocks often have handles and grips, making them a lot easier to use. Another feature of some aluminum wheel chocks is the slope chock. These chocks are made for super heavy requirements because the tire rests on the slope rather than against it. And heavy bottom cleats on these slope chocks ensure you'll have a tight gripping on any surface.

If you are looking for a lightweight chock, aluminum wheel chocks are for you. Aluminum is a very strong metal, but it isn’t heavy like some other materials. Lightweight aluminum chocks are ideal for anyone without maximum body strength. A set of lightweight aluminum chocks with handles and specially designed grips means you won't ever have trouble placing your wheel chocks again.

Looking for dock boards, wheel chocks, loading dock ramps and other trucking and loading equipment? Dock Boards Online provides an informative way to shop for trucking, shipping, docking and loading equipment online. Resources and information on dock boards, dock bumpers, loading docks and other equipment and accessories. Electric tractors can be used in just about any setting from residential properties to commercial properties. The type of electric tractor that you buy is going to depend on several factors. These factors include: how much you have to spend, what you need to use it for and how much land you need to work. Manufacturers of electric tractors, mowers and farm equipment include John Deere, Kubota and GE. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland

Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels - Which Ones are Right for You?

By Billy Han

Contrary to what you might believe, while they may be the most stylized of all truck and Jeep parts, wheels aren't all about adding glitz and shine. In fact, choosing wheels deserves lengthy consideration, as the right set of wheels can provide additional performance benefits that make buying them not just a stylistic decision, but a smart one as well. Particularly with regard to off-road oriented Jeeps, choosing the optimum set of Jeep wheels can be as important an item to consider as many other Jeep parts.

Factors to be Wary of When Choosing Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels:

When choosing a set of truck or Jeep wheels, the first recognition that one needs to make is just how vital they are to a vehicle. The type of wheels chosen can have a direct, significant impact upon ride quality, handling, and safety, and oftentimes prove to be just as crucial as many other essential truck and Jeep parts. Moreover, picking the right wheels and taking proper care of them are crucial factors in maintaining optimum performance, and of course, keeping up that slick look. It is important to remember that wheels are providing stability for an entire vehicle. They are directly connected to the axle, brakes, and suspension system. Should a single wheel falter, this could be disastrous for other components in your vehicle.

Corrosion:

Ideally, when it comes to having polished, shiny Jeep and truck wheels, it is very important to keep them that way as much as possible. Wheel corrosion should be taken seriously, not only because of the effects on appearance, but for harmful and potentially unsafe consequences as well.

There are numerous types of corrosion that can damage or otherwise deteriorate Jeep and truck wheels. Rust can eat away at some wheel metals, causing disfiguration and stability breakage. Corroding brakes can also leak onto the wheel itself, leading to further corrosion. Additionally, brake dust that accumulates on wheels can permanently stain or tarnish certain wheel metals when combined with heat buildup during everyday driving. Finally, for the off-road enthusiasts, rocks, dirt, and sand can scratch sparkling chromes, and sometimes even become entrenched in wheels made of more porous metals, leading to further corrosion.

Granted, significant corrosion that results in considerable wheel damage is a rarity; however, this is not to suggest that regular upkeep and cleaning of your wheels can be outright neglected.

Bending/Breakage:

Bending and breakage are irregular occurrences provided that you exercise caution when driving, but this is not to suggest that they are factors to be taken lightly. Especially for off-road enthusiasts who tackle some of the toughest terrains using low air pressure crawling, wheel bending or breakage can ruin any off-road outing, as driving on one frayed truck wheel or dented Jeep wheel can damage an entire suspension system. Rough driving on bumpy roads or extended driving over potholes or speed bumps can also lead to wheel damage, particularly if air pressure is low, or if the suspension system is not sufficient.

Sizing:

Essentially, the job of the wheels on your vehicle are to work with the suspension system to keep as much of the tires in contact with the road, particularly during turns and braking. A set of quality truck wheels can mean the difference between a tire catching the road on a rainy day, or spinning out of control on a patch of pebbles on the highway. In order to ensure optimum tire contact, it is important to take truck wheel sizing into major consideration.

There are three aspects to wheel sizing that work together with the suspension design: wheel offset, aspect ratio, and tire width. Offset refers to the distance from the very center of the wheel to the mounting surface of the wheel disc at the hub. Wheel offset can be positive, negative or zero. A "0" offset means that the mounting surface of the wheel is in the center of the wheel. This measurement is very important in positioning the tire. This also allows for adequate dual spacing.

Aspect ratio is the ratio between the width of the tire and the height of its side wall. A tire specified as "205/60/15," for example, has a width of 205mm and 60% aspect ratio. The "15" refers to the size of the tire to which the wheel is fitted. Typically, tires with lower aspect ratio than what is required will wear them out easily, and ride quality will deteriorate; although, this could also result to more precision in turning. Some people consider using wider wheels to give a vehicle a racer look, but while is it true that wider wheels and tires can give a vehicle a sportier appearance, they can also ruin your driving satisfaction. This is because the weight of the vehicle would not be evenly spread over the wheel and tire width. Resistance is also increased, thus you wheels and tires could wear out fast, and gas mileage could be significantly reduced.

Wider wheels are sometimes required to adequately support larger and wider tires. This provides increased traction in a variety of different terrains such as sand and mud. Vehicles with larger wheels and tires also make less of an impact in the terrain opposed to a vehicle with narrow wheels that cuts into the terrain creating ruts and erosion.

Types of Custom Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels:

Custom truck wheels are available in three compositions and a seemingly endless number of styles. Each composition has its advantages and disadvantages, and it's a good idea to take each into consideration to help determine which type of wheel is right for you.

Steel Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels:

Steel wheels employ solid construction and heavy-duty materials to reap certain benefits. The stamped construction of steel truck wheels provides a more consistent composition that you can't get out of cast and machined alloys. The end result is that steel wheels are typically more uniform, and therefore, less prone to warping or wobbling. There are not as many styles of steel wheels to choose from, but they are typically less expensive in comparison to cast wheels. This makes steel wheels an excellent option for off-road enthusiasts who are looking for a set of truck or Jeep wheels that are durable enough to handle off-road terrain, yet inexpensive enough to easily replace in the event of wheel damage. On the downside, steel wheels are heavier than alloys, which may slightly reduce performance and decrease gas mileage.

In Brief - Advantages of Steel Wheels:

Heavy Duty Durability

While slightly heavier than alloy wheels, steel wheels are also more durable. Additionally, steel is more malleable than aluminum, preventing chipping or breakage due to impact.

Consistent Composition

The stamped construction of steel wheels helps them to be more uniform and symmetrical, increasing structural integrity and reducing the likelihood of wobbling.

Longevity

Steel wheels are less porous than aluminum wheels, allowing better resistance against dirt, sand, and brake depletion.

Value

Steel wheels are a great, inexpensive option that can take a beating when going off-road.

Forged Alloy Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels:

Aluminum forging utilizes heat and extreme pressure to create dense and strong wheels that are durable, yet still remain lightweight. Although forged aluminum wheels are slightly more expensive than other wheels, this is because no expense is spared with regard to tooling, development, equipment, and manufacturing, and the results show in the quality of these truck wheels. Aluminum alloys make the perfect culmination of lightweight composition, creative spoke design, and protection against the elements for a lasting shine. For maximum durability and reliability in an alloy wheel, forged aluminum wheels have no equal.

In Brief - Advantages of Forged Alloy Wheels:

Extreme Heat Forgery

Forged alloy wheels are subjected to extreme heat during the construction process, allowing the aluminum compounds to meld, creating dense and durable wheels.

Lightweight

Advanced aluminum alloy compounds are lighter than steel wheels.

Excellent Value

In general, forged alloy wheels tend to be slightly more expensive than their cast aluminum counterparts; however, in terms of durability, weight, performance, design, and overall quality, forged alloy wheels are the best overall value, giving you the most bang for your buck.

Cast Alloy Wheels:

Cast-molded alloy wheels are a reliable option that provides many performance benefits for on and off road drivers. Using aluminum compounds combined with low-pressure casting, the end result is Jeep wheels and truck wheels that are lightweight and durable. The porous metal compound of cast alloy wheels helps to dissipate heat during excessive brake application, and also provides a rust-resistant, easy-to-clean shine. The malleable nature of cast alloy Jeep and truck wheels also allows more creative freedom to craft some of the most vicious designs available. On the downside, cast alloy aluminum tends to be more porous, which may lead to various forms of corrosion, but this can typically be avoided with regular cleaning and care.

In Brief - Advantages of Cast Alloy Wheels:

Low-Pressure Casting

Cast alloy wheels employ low-pressure casting techniques for increased malleability. This allows alloys to be more flexible, therefore granting manufacturers a certain level of metallurgic creativity.

Porous Metal Compound

The aluminum alloy of cast wheels is more porous, which allows better airflow through the wheels to help cool down heated brakes.

Rust-Resistant Shine

Cast aluminum alloy wheels are rust-resistant, easy to clean, and produce a consistent, long-lasting shine.

Don't Forget the Lug Nuts:

They may be small, but lug nuts are crucial truck and Jeep parts that many people overlook when upgrading to custom wheels. The impact of lug nuts on wheel safety, security and durability just may surprise you. Here are some reasons why when upgrading to custom wheels, new lug nuts are near-essential truck and Jeep parts that ensure the utmost performance:

Style:

Lug nuts are the essential cherry-on-top that style enthusiasts are quick to overlook. Attention to detail is important when it comes to the appearance of your vehicle, and nothing complements a new set of wheels and tires like custom lug nuts. OEM lug nuts are bland, and can appear glaringly dull in contrast to the polished shine of new wheels. Particularly on aging stock wheels, the lug nuts may be significantly worn or warped, or the grooves may be stripped. Chrome and alloy lug nuts are quite commonplace and many styles are available to go with any wheels and tires.

General Maintenance:

Whether you're the weekend off-road enthusiast who alternates tires frequently, or even the everyday driver who's prompt with tire rotations, lug nuts can corrode and wear out over time. Loose, frayed lugs can result in instability, or rusted lugs might be irremovable in case of a flat. Lug nuts are in close association with the brakes and wheels, and corroding lug nuts may aversely affect your brake system, or damage chrome wheels.

Security:

Unfortunately, theft of your wheels and tires is as easy for thieves as changing a few spares. For this reason, lockable lug nuts can provide just enough added security to prevent you from becoming a victim. Heavy duty locking mechanisms make lug nuts difficult to remove, which can be the difference between a thief disregarding your vehicle and instead going after a far less painstaking vehicle without wheel locks. Spline drive lug nuts are also beneficial for added security, as they require a special tool to remove them (typically included in a set of spline drive lug nuts).

Lughole Sizing:

Lughole sizing can be a tricky endeavor if you're not sure how to do it properly. All tire and wheel shops have a special tool that they can place over the rim holes that tell them the pattern. Since this tool costs over $20 and you won't use it very often, you can check you own hole pattern if you have a simple tape measure.

Most lug holes are 1/2", 9/16" or 5/8". Most trucks and SUVs of 1/2 ton size or less will come with the half-inch size. If you're upgrading to a slightly larger tire size, chances are that the stock lug studs will handle the job nicely. However, if you're going to some really big tires, you might have to upgrade the stud size to handle the increased loads. Check with the after market wheel and tire manufacturer for their recommendations.

When measuring, be sure that your tape is located dead center on the hole (or on one edge with the five-hole pattern) for accuracy. It's very hard to tell small differences, but 1/4 inch can make a big difference. For example, the largest rim size you can get with a 5-on-4 and 1/4" wheel pattern is a 14 inch rim. But there are numerous 15 inch rims available in 5-on-4 and 1/2" patterns, so you can see how critical an accurate measurement is.

If the rim is still on the vehicle, it's often hard to get that accurate measurement. One simple trick is to take a sheet of paper and press it down firmly on the studs you need to measure then measure the marks on the paper.

Another trick is to take some stiff wire - a coat hanger will do fine - and bend the wire into a wide "U" shape, using the ends of them to act like calipers.

The very best method is to actually take the wheels off the vehicle, lay them flat on the ground, and measure the holes carefully, while looking straight down.

In Summation:

While the stylistic aspect of purchasing new Jeep or truck wheels is often the primary consideration, it's important to not overlook factors pertaining to performance. One should be wary of paying proper attention to upkeep and selection before choosing a set of wheels, as the wrong decision can significantly affect your vehicle as well as your safety. Knowing the differences between steel, forged, and cast wheels, as well as correct procedures for sizing, maintenance, and mounting are all crucial factors in getting the most out of your truck and Jeep wheels.

Billy Han currently resides in La Palma, CA, and works as a Copywriter for Transamerican Auto Parts. ransamerican Auto Parts is a leading aftermarket supplier for of truck parts and jeep accessories, including truck and jeep wheels, lift kits, suspension, wincges, tires, bumpers, performance parts, and more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Han

The Popularity of Wheel & Tire Packages

By Todd Hebert

Back in the day it was the in thing to buy a new set of polished aluminum Cragars for your muscle car to dress it up. If you didn’t own a muscle car then you settled for a fancy set of wire wheel covers or hubcaps. Those days are long gone by. The new trend is dressing your ride with a wheel & tire package. Wheel & tire packages have become very popular. With all of the new sizes coming out on vehicles today the aftermarket wheel industry must streamline to the best of there ability the most common size wheels that people want. Take sport compact cars for example. 17 inch wheel and tire packages are very popular for such cars as the Honda civic, Honda prelude, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Mitzubishi Eclipse, Ford Focus and many others. Getting popular by the day is 18 inch wheel and tire packages and 20 inch Wheel & tire packages for the same style of car. The Wheel & tire package craze does not stop at Sport compact cars.

The SUV and truck market is Booming with the Dub market, The most popular in the truck market is 20 inch truck packages and 22 inch truck Wheel & tire packages . Although some of these vehicles have a stock option for 20 and 22 inch Wheel & tire packages most people like to be unique and pick out there own. There are however the extreme Gotta have it type of people that are going even bigger. 24 inch Wheel & tire packages are becoming more popular as is 26 inch Wheel & tire packages and now the new craze is 30 inch Wheel & tire packages and just released 32 inch Wheel & tire packages . Some of the more popular vehicle for putting on truck wheel & tire packages are the Ford F-150 , Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram and the Cadillac Escalade. However the wheel & tire packages are available for almost every make of truck such as the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan titan, Nissan Pathfinder and sport Utility vehicles such as the Ford Escape .

Todd Hebert http://www.barretire.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_Hebert

Simple Technology Devices to Prevent Truckers From Falling Asleep at the Wheel

By L. Winslow 

One really tragic and needless occurrence that we can surely do away with in our Nation is accidents by truck driver's who fall asleep at the wheel. So the Online Think Tank set out to investigate this problem and look at some research. The actual problem is not as common as you might think and the mass media hysteria over the issues is completely blown out of proportion.

Yet that did not deter the T-5 Group (The Trucking Think Tank Team) a division of the Online Think Tank from looking into how we can prevent these deaths and accidents on our Highways. One interesting invention that the T-5 Group ran across to solve this problem was a simple device that the Driver could wear on their heads around their ears.

The question is would he or she actually wear it? If the driver starts to tilt their head the buzzer goes off and wakes them up. Not a bad solution, yet it might give the person a heart attack when it does go off. These devices are not on the market as of yet, but probably will be soon. It is a relatively low tech solution to a very serious problem.

The Welkin Nap-Zapper or Self-Defense Unti-Drowsy Alarm perhaps could save lives and be sold at truck stops like Pilot, Flying J, Petro and TA. Although the T-5 Group does not specifically endorse products, it appears these little units might be worthy of mention until better technology can be integrated into the Future Trucks.

The real answer of course is not to get behind the wheel if you are tired, fatigued or drowsy, as this puts yourself and everyone around you in unnecessary jeopardy. A more comprehensive plan needs to be in place rather than incessant band-aids of this real challenge. We need more truck highway adjacent or rest stop parking in the United States and Canada. Until that happens we will continue to see unfortunate accidents, which drive up insurance costs in the industry and kill motorists and our drivers.

L. Winslow is a Transportation and Economic Advisor to the Online Think Tank, a Futurist and retired entrepreneur. Currently he is planning a bicycle ride across the US to raise money for charity and is sponsored by http://www.Calling-Plans.com and all the proceeds will go to various charities who sign up. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L._Winslow

The Future of Truck Tires

By L. Winslow 

No one can deny that one of the most problematic issues or pieces of equipment for Modern Day Trucks are the tires. In fact something really needs to be done. All too often the Truckers suffer from breakdowns due to blow outs, stuck on the side of the road for hours - sometimes in very dangerous places too.

"One major problem with trucks are the tires!"

Indeed this was one of the opening statements as our Online Think Tank discussed how best to solve the challenges of tires in the trucking industry. It is known that tires are not a serious consideration in trucking. Certainly they are a huge factor. Dr. Nathalie Fiset explains the problem of blow-out truck tires causing flying debris on the highway;

"Hence, so often you have to steer on the highway to avoid a tire truck that had exploded because they are made of recycled material. The other problem is the pollution these cause. If you can create a truck tire that would not leave dangerous debris on the road and would be 100% biodegradable, you would be my hero!"

Indeed and since everyone wants to be a hero our T-5 Group (The Truck Think Tank Team) took this as a challenge. Much of our conversation originally centered how to make tires better and what material to use to make them stronger. It was conceived that making tires out of carbon nano-tubes was feasible and they would not ever be totally ruined, as they could be repaired through frequency manipulation and the carbon nano-tubes would re-align.

In fact it was thought that, they would do that automatically upon being pierced, but by what? What could make it through Carbon Nano-Tubes? A bullet perhaps or Spikes from driving out the wrong way from a paid parking lot? Maybe that might be impossible too.

But if it did happen then the carbon nano-tubes would re-configure most likely. Oh well there goes the re-tread industry and no more old tires filling up junk yards or becoming perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes or catching on fire and burning for all eternity. Unfortunately, there is a big problem to all this? And that is the tires would then be stronger than the roads themselves.

Therefore all the roads would need a few layers of carbon nano-tubes to protect them from the super strong tires. On T-5 Group member noted that the roads could be negatively charged and take the CO2 out of the air and grab the carbon and use through ion-attraction add it to the roadway as additional surface.

A road that re-paves itself and as funny as this sounds the theory does hold up and it is possible by applying just a few simple tricks of chemistry and physics. So you keep on trucking and we will keep on thinking and we hope to meet you on the road ahead.

L. Winslow is a Transportation, Technology and Economic Advisor to the Online Think Tank, a Futurist and retired entrepreneur. Currently he is planning a bicycle ride across the US to raise money for charity and is sponsored by http://www.Calling-Plans.com and all the proceeds will go to various charities who sign up. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L._Winslow

Light Up the Night or Blind Jerks On The Road With Auxiliary Lights

By Andrew Bernhardt 

A set of gnarly off-road lights is just about the final piece to your customization puzzle. You can get a pair of performance lights for the factory openings in your bumper, or line up a bank of lamps for extreme power. They come in all sizes—from less than 3” in diameter to beastly 6” housings—for making whatever kind of statement you want. And, with the wide array of makers out there, you can fit a set into just about any budget.

Also, off-road lights like the ones made by PIAA, KC and Hella come in more patterns than sheer brightness. You can pick a long, narrow beam pattern for distance, known as a “driving light.” On the opposite end of the lighting spectrum, “flood lights” sacrifice distance for a massive spread. To cut through nasty weather, a wide and low-intensity “fog light” beam adds to your overall visibility. But, most light buyers stick with the tried-and-true “off-road light” pattern, with awesome brightness and outstanding range.

There are also a variety of bulb options. Most off-road and other auxiliary lights are powered by high-efficiency halogen lights. That’s why most modest light setups can be run off your current battery, with no need for an upgrade. Also, if you have some serious scratch to spend on lights, you can opt for HIDs—incredibly low draw for such clean lighting power. Bulbs for most off road lights are easy to replace, and available at big department or home stores. You may want a set of light covers or light grilles with those new lamps, though. A tossed rock can easily put an unprotected lamp out of commission.

Off-road and other vehicle auxiliary lights usually spark a few common questions. “Why do I need such extreme lighting power on my rig?” The answer is, of course, that your fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun sets. You can keep on chuggin’ through the mud, rocks or dunes well past sundown, or use your lights to set a course through nasty weather. Or, heck, you can even keep your local pickup basketball game playing late. “Isn’t a set of lights extremely hard to wire?” It’s not as hard as you might think, especially with the plug-and-play harnesses provided with most light kits. You could be fired-up in less than an hour. “Would Marty McFly’s or Walker’s truck have been as cool without lights?” No. Absolutely not.

When you need more toughness and utility on your truck, pick from big brands like PIAA lights, KC lights or Hella lights, and see a world of difference. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Bernhardt

Tonight's Main Event - K&N Cold Air Intakes vs AEM Cold Air Intakes

By Andrew Bernhardt 

Welcome to the air intake battle royale, where we force K&N Intakes and AEM Intakes to fight to the death…or at least until we have a clear winner holding the title of “Best intake for your auto.” At face value, there are some similarities between these two fighters—both pack incredible pipes with the testing and training an intake needs to be a champion. We suspect the subtle differences are where the fight will be won; expect neither to be knocked out but rather jabbed into a bloody, stumbling, slurred submission.

In the black, red and orange corner we have K&N, the taller, heavier, more established fighter of the two. Sure, they’ve been slugging it out with other contenders for more than 30 years, much like an aged and grizzled fighter like Evander Holyfield. But, unlike Holyfield, K&N is sharper than ever, still packs quite a wallop, has their ears intact, and nobody is begging them to quit for their own good. K&N’s advantage comes from not only being the undisputed champion intake, but also from being the brand that practically invented the sport.

AEM struts in as the challenger; a slimmer, faster, younger fighter sporting flashy red and yellow trunks. Buoyed by newer technology and plenty of support in the sport compact realm, AEM’s plan is to take the lumbering K&N with speed, quickness and quality punches. This challenger firmly believes they’re ushering in a new era of intake performance, design and maintenance.

The bell rings, and the two intake brands dance toward each other. They come together, and K&N lands a nice two-punch combination to the nose and jaw, thanks to their intake tubes. Their crosslink material tubes, available on the vaunted FIPK 57 Series and 63 Series Air Charger intakes, keep the incoming volumes of air much cooler than the metal tubes used with every AEM. Not to mention the price—crosslink plastic tubing helps a kit cost less. But, AEM relies on its smooth footwork to land a stinging gut shot, thanks to the dressy look of their pipes, which are slightly nicer in terms of engine compartment looks even when pitted against K&N’s 69 and 77 Series.

AEM also rallies to run K&N into the corner with Brute Force, their brawny truck and SUV intake that’s gaining street cred by the minute. But, K&N escapes damage by striking AEM with their 69 series—an unlikely point on the card for the veteran. Though AEM has the sport compact high ground, most of the 69 Series is able to be configured as a short ram intake or a cold air intake drawing from the wheel well. Then K&N drills AEM in the eye with filter technology, setting off suffocating swelling. K&N’s cotton-gauze with oil filtration system uses its time-tested formula and 1,000,000-mile warranty to land a big blow over AEM’s struggling bid to equal cotton-gauze performance with an oil-less filter.

Round and round they go, trading jabs and the occasional slug that re-engages the crowd to this clash of now-tiring titans. As the 12th and final round passes with many a fist thrown but few landed, the judges must go to the scorecard. Though AEM takes rounds judged on compact performance and looks under the hood, K&N wins the battle by decision with an extra 4hp on the dyno for the F-150 with a 5.4L V8, which happened to be the judges’ trucks. The cooler crosslink tube (which also costs less) helped put K&N over the top of AEM here, making it the current undisputed belt holder for intake performance. But, AEM will likely return soon with some new moves in its quest for the title.

When you need to pick a cold air intake vying for the title, go with a champion like the K&N Cold Air Intake, or a smart, up-and-coming contender like the AEM Cold Air Intake. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Bernhardt

Modern Tuning Makes Maximizing Performance Much Faster

By Andrew Bernhardt 

Chances are you’ve seen the Saturday afternoon show geared toward squeezing every droplet of power out of a 50s or 60s classic. You know—the one hosted by two middle-aged guys, one with a toupee that may as well have “this is a toupee” painted on it. They spend the entire half-hour show with a bunch of time-lapsed shots taken of them tearing the engine apart to put in highly-specialized, insanely expensive parts. Once the project’s done, they fire-up the dyno and laud the 3hp gain they received for about 4 hours of total work. If you’re like me, that’s not exactly how you want to spend a weekend, all for 3hp that you may not even notice with your rear-o-meter.

Fortunately, you’re probably also driving a computer-controlled vehicle, like most of the ones sold for the last 25 years or so. That makes tuning much easier, because a set of programming determines the way your engine performs. Replace the programming with a set geared toward performance, and you have near-instant power gains. Don’t get me wrong—there’s a lot to be said for the virtues of a computer-free classic that you have full control over. But, when it comes to getting more power in just a few minutes time without ripping your hands to shreds or spending thousands on obscure parts, a computer-controlled vehicle has a distinct advantage.

How can you make these changes in minutes? With a power programmer or performance chip, like the ones made by Hypertech or Diablosport. These programmers are built to hold performance settings tested by experienced pros for your specific engine. All you have to do is plug it into the OBD-II port beneath your steering column. With simple yes or no commands, you can adjust how you want your engine to perform, upload the new programming, and you’re ready to rock with 25hp or more extra. The maximum time this will take to complete: just 10 minutes.

Many drivers who want the extra power are leery of this tuning method. “How can so much power be had so fast, when the TV pros spend hours to get few gains?” they ask. The answer is that automakers down-tune their cars for the masses. Engines are setup to work the same for you, the budding performance enthusiast, as they are for the elderly, who like to travel half the speed limit or through the occasional farmer’s market. You aren’t the average driver, and performance programmers aren’t average settings. It’s a perfect match for you; it’s not a perfect match for your mother.

Some drivers worry about warranty when they’re considering a performance programmer. Not only to the companies that make programmers take safety into account with their settings, they often give you ways to return to stock settings for service visits at the dealership. And, as with all performance mods, you’re protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a federal law that basically states that your vehicle’s warranty can’t be voided by mods unless the mods can be proven as the source of trouble. In other words, there’s no reason to wait—the true potential is waiting to be unlocked, and you can do it without breaking a sweat.

Maximize your ride with performance chips, available from time-tested brands like a Hypertech programmer and Diablosport. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Bernhardt

My Boycott Against French Products Starts With Snails But Ends With Tonneau Covers

By Andrew Bernhardt 

In order for everyone to understand where I’m coming from on this issue, I’ll need to delve into the storied history between the US and France. Back in 1914, World War I landed smack dab in the center of Europe, and France bit off a little more than she could chew. Turns out, for all their gusto, those cheese-eating generals couldn’t tell the difference between an Ottoman and a couch. So guess what happened? In came the American cavalry and saved their derrieres. Fast forward to 1939, and another major conflict erupted in the heart of Europe. Basically, it was the same players, same terrain, and same outcome. France got booted out of their own country, and the US had to come over and clean up the mess, again. Why do I bring this up? Simple. We’ve saved that ungrateful country so many times that they have no right to question our international doings. Our Greatest Generation didn’t die face down on the beaches of Normandy 60 years ago for France’s freedom to ignore our every command, no matter how absurd or wimsical.

So me and the rest of the boys down at our local Elk’s Lodge decided to take action. We started listening to this political wonk out of Levittown by the name of O’Reilly. According to his logic, the best way to fight back would be with our pocketbooks. He told us to stop buying French imports, and that’s exactly what we did. Wine? Only from California. Cheese? Better be from Wisconsin. Heartburn medicine? No Nexium for me, thank you very much.

Now, to be perfectly honest, it’s been a struggle. I haven’t had a decent flute of Champaign in nearly 2 years. And don’t even get me started on foie gras. I’m about one lackluster round of hors d’oeuvres away from force-feeding my own goose for even a single cracker’s worth of that pate. But I think all our sacrifice is really paying off because old Jacques up in the Elysee Palace is running away from reelection with his tail between his legs. That one goes out to the Gipper.

Unfortunately, this major victory is really going to the heads of some of the more power hungry boys in our Lodge. They want to expand the boycott to anything that even sounds remotely French. I can understand nixing baguettes from the grocery list and steering clear of cherries jubilee at restaurants. But I need my hair palmade. And after doing some online research, I learned that I really need a tonneau cover.

You see, I have to drive my truck for work, and the cost of gas keeps skyrocketing. I was nosing around on Google to see if I could find something to improve my fuel economy, and that’s when I stumbled across some articles about tonneau covers. Basically, they cover up your pickup’s box, which stops wind turbulence and cuts your drag. Long story short, you can save some serious dough at the pump with one of these. And there are a ton of companies all competing with each other, so the quality is top notch. I was giving serious consideration to Truxedo and Extang, but I finally went with a Pace Edwards retractable tonneau. I still catch hell down at the Lodge, but I don’t care. The cover was made in the USA, and I’m not going to hold it against the company that these miracle truck accessories sound like they came from Nice. C’est la vie.

After researching, the Undercover Tonneau, Extang, and Pace Edwards tonneaus impressed me the most. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Bernhardt

Preparing Your Truck For Summer

By Rich Marsiglia

As summer starts up people will start getting into their cars and trucks. But it is the season which has to be checked out. Summer would also mean that temperatures would be reaching beyond a limit which is something you should think on. The heat would be terrible that would remain the same for the entire season. As the temperatures go high and you have to travel long, it is very important to prepare your truck for summer. This makes your vehicle the perfect one to be for safe traveling. If any problem results and you get up stuck in the side of a busy road or a parking lot then it could be unsafe and could even lead to lots of tensions and confusion.

For the preparation of your truck for summer, it is very important to check the negative effects of heat and other problems in your vehicle. For keeping you and your loved ones safe in summer it is very important to check all these and especially the battery. It is considered to be important as the heavy electrical loads such as game systems, video equipments and the stereo systems could kill the battery along with the extremely hot temperature. This would in turn lead to putting you in terrible danger.

There are several things to be remembered for preparing your truck for summer. The first is to check your battery as the summer heat can be a danger. The connection between the posts and cables should be kept clean. Check the fluid levels always by opening the battery caps, but always wear eye protection. http://tonocover.com/ has all that is required for the automotive needs and it also offers free shipping on most of the products.

The coolant levels and the other fluids are to be checked often. For preparing your truck for summer it is very important to replace the antifreeze annually and the cooling system should be checked always. Other than all these it is very important to check out the engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission fluids and also the windshield washer solvent.

The hoses and belts should always be examined as the heat could result in leaks and damage. The electrical system, power steering and the air conditioning should be checked often. A loose belt or a damaged belt could lead to overheating of the engine. The varieties of truck accessories in the website http://tonocover.com/ are simply magnificent and attractive and are also available at low prices.

The gas as well as the performance mileage should be maximized. Thus the preparations of your truck for summer would be complete. Along with it always make it sure that the tires are inflated and if it is not, then it may seem like driving with parking breaks and above all it could also cost more than driving with inflated tires. The air filters are also to be checked always as it leads to burning of gas for the particular amount of air and also leads to gas wastage. This also results in losing engine power. The gas mileage could be improved by replacing the clogged air filter. It is also proved that the improvement could be about ten percent.

Rich Marsiglia, author for http://tonocover.com You can find more on truck accessories tonneau covers. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rich_Marsiglia

Dodge Dakota And Ram Pickup Trucks Wasted Space And Sound

By Dennis Estelle

Dodge Dakota and Ram Pickup Trucks -All that Wasted Space

Let’s face it, your Dodge Dakota or Ram Regular, Extended or Quad Cab has wasted space under or behind the rear seats. If you are like me, you stare at that empty space every time you get into your truck. Then you hesitate throwing anything under or behind the seat because it makes your pickup look messy. The challenge is keeping the interior of the Dodge Pickup looking as great as the exterior.

Great Looks but Lousy Sound
All Dakota and Ram pickup truck owners discover this very quickly. They have a desire for Great Sounding Stereo but really do not want to hack up their new truck. The OEM radio might offer a CD Player but the quality of the sound isn’t anywhere near what you expect.

Wasted Space and Lousy Sound System
So you have this huge volume of space under the back seat or behind the seat in the case of the regular cab. Your quad cab is crying out for someone to fill that area under the back seat. You are quickly tired of the weak sounding stereo system that came with the Dodge Pickup.
Put that Space to Good Use
Fortunately there are a few ways to handle this now, all depending on your budget and your specific model Dodge Dakota or Ram pickup truck. You can upgrade both the sound and appearance or your new truck with one purchase. Nothing adds great sound quality like the deep bass only provided by a good size subwoofer.
There are custom boxes available in a variety of colors to match the interior of your particular vehicle and so you don't have to compromise its cosmetic integrity. This is especially nice for those who lease their vehicles and want to enjoy added bass without the added hassle of messy installations. Custom Subwoofer Enclosures
The material used in these custom enclosures is a high density polyethylene resin, which is resilient enough to transform into various shapes, yet rigid enough to avoid flexing. It also has enough density to dampen any resonance. Some models even come with amplifiers installed within the unit.
Problem Solved
So you solve several problems at once. You keep your amplifier and subwoofer out of sight of nosey people since the installed enclosure looks like it is part of the original vehicle. Plus you manage to use all that wasted dead space. MTX and Q Logic are probably the two best known manufacturers of these products. Of course various model years have different applications. You'll find them available for Dodge Dakota regular cab, extended cab and quad cab pickup trucks. They are also available for Dodge Ram series of full size pickup trucks. No excuses, its time to upgrade that new Dodge Truck.

Dennis Estelle is owner of http://www.topdodgetrucks.com Everything associated with Dodge Ram and Dakota regular cab, extended cab and quad cab pickup trucks from accessories, upgrades and "How To" books. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Estelle