Tricked-Out Tow
No matter how jam-packed your towing vehicle is with options from the dealer, there are always a few extras to beef it up and maximize its towing potential.
March 1, 2003
Boaters often take as much pride in their tow vehicle and trailer as they do their boat.
Which is why there is an entire industry devoted to producing after-market products just for you.
Think of the following pages as window-shopping as you check out some of the more interesting
specialty items. #1 - Hypertech Power Programmer III
Want to put your tow vehicle on steroids? The Power Programmer III ($435) from Hypertech
will give you the muscle you need. This computerized unit plugs into your vehicle's diagnostic port
and permits you to reprogram your engine control unit for maximum horse-power and torque by
optimizing the air/fuel ratio and timing advantages offered from high-octane fuel. It automatically
corrects your speedometer/odometer if you change tire size or axle ratio, and lets you adjust the
rev limiter, top-speed limiter and transmission shift firmness and shift points ... or go back to
the stock setup any time. Available for select Ford, GM and Daimler Chysler cars and trucks. (901)
382-8888,
www.hypertech-inc.com. #2 - Luverne
Energy-Absorbing Receiver Hitch
Luverne has a hitch with two outstanding characteristics: (1) It has four neoprene cushions
to absorb shock and thereby reduce wear and tear on the tow vehicle's transmission and U-joints;
and (2) The receiver tube telescopes 7 inches and has a right and left pivotal swing of 24 inches,
which makes one-person hookups easier and quicker. The hitch is made from zinc-electroplated steel
and comes with a 12,000-pound towing capacity (10,000-pounds weight carrying). Prices start at $413
for the hitch and $107 for the necessary bracket. (800) 533-5328,
www.luvernetruck.com. #3 - Power
Vision Mirrors
Pulling a trailer greatly inhibits rear vision, and stock mirrors often don't extend far
enough to do an adequate job. Power Vision's electronically extendible six-way mirror solves that
problem. The aerodynamic unit replaces the stock mirror with little modification and extends up to
5 inches with the push of a button inside the cab. Extend them when towing and retract them for a
normal non-towing application. They also feature breakaway mounting so they fold in on impact.
Available heated or unheated, the price starts at $439. (800) 337-2557,
www.powervisionmirrors.com. #4
- Equal-i-zer
It's nerve-wracking to have an unruly trailer that sways and bounces down the road, or one
that puts so much weight on the tow vehicle's back axle that it lifts the front, resulting in
squirrely steering. The Equal-i-zer sway-control/weight-distributing hitch minimizes those
problems. It reduces trailer sway through a friction system built directly into a patented hitch
head. Compatible with "pole tongue" or "A-frame" trailers equipped with either electric or surge
brakes, the Equal-i-zer transfers tongue weight evenly to all axles and keeps the tow vehicle and
trailer level. It is available in three weight classifications ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 pounds,
comes with a lifetime warranty, and costs around $530. (800) 478-5578,
www.equalizerhitch.com. #5 - Air
Lift
Vehicles designed for heavy towing have stiff, beefy suspensions and are usually
characterized by a rougher ride. Air Lift puts some of the comfort back into towing via an
auxiliary air-spring system, while at the same time increasing vehicle stability and leveling the
load. The increased spring support prevents bottoming out on rough roads and dips, and also helps
reduce side-to-side sway. An Outback Special kit is for rear coil spring suspensions, providing up
to 1,000 pounds of leveling support to the rear of trucks and SUVs. An onboard compressor system,
complete with low-pressure sensors, allows you to con-veniently adjust air levels from inside the
cab without having to worry about dropping below minimum pressure. Kits are also available for
leaf-spring suspensions. The Outback Special costs around $180. (800) 248-0892,
www.airliftcompany.com. #6 - Muth
Signal Mirrors
Towing a boat and trailer creates a bigger blind spot than normal. To help alleviate
potential danger, Muth offers replacement Signal Mirrors that activate a high-intensity flashing
arrow to alert other traffic of your intentions every time you flick on the turning signal. Another
safety feature is the LED lamps, which light up faster than conventional tail lights, resulting in
an extra 17 feet of reaction distance for a vehicle traveling at 65 mph. The mirrors are available
in heated and unheated versions. For vehicles that can't adapt to the Signal Mirror, Muth offers
convex Wide Angle Signal Mirrors, which perform the same function, but attach to the existing side
mirrors. The price of a standard Signal Mirror is about $220. (800) 844-6616,
www.muthco.com. #7 - Draw-Tite Automatic
Transmission Cooler
Industry statistics reveal that 90 percent of the 13 million transmissions that fail each
year are due to overheating. Draw-Tite's automatic transmission cooler can help prevent you from
being the next victim. The unit is basically a supplemental radiator that helps cool your vehicle's
transmission fluid. It features an aluminum inner turbulator that swirls oil continuously to
provide maximum contact with cooling surfaces, thereby better dissipating the heat. It also has a
louvered-fin design for more effective cooling. Coolers are available to fit most applications and
come in standard- and high-performance versions. A top-of-the-line, high-performance unit for
vehicles towing more than 5,000 pounds costs about $120. (800) 521-0510,
www.draw-tite.com. #8 - Rostra Obstacle
Sensing System
Having eyes in the back of our head might be nice, but having "eyes" in the back of our tow
vehicle or trailer is even better when you're in the driver's seat. According to a recent survey
conducted by a major insurance company, 27 percent of all automobile accidents occur while the
vehicle is in reverse. The ROSS Obstacle Sensing System uses microwave radar technology to sense
the presence of objects behind the vehicle and alerts the driver through both audio and visual
means. Unlike other systems that rely on mirrors, cameras, ultrasonic or infrared waves to alert
the driver, the ROSS system utilizes microwaves that prove accurate even under adverse conditions
such as fog, snow, hard rain, sleet, extreme heat, sunlight or dirt/mud. And unlike ultrasonic
systems that only have about a six-foot range, the ROSS system transmits
a microwave signal covering up to 12 feet behind the vehicle. Rostra also has an enhanced
version of the ROSS, specifically designed for vehicles that tow trailers up to 40 feet long. A
convenient adapter allows the driver to switch either the trailer or tow vehicle system on or off,
enabling drivers to alternate between systems. The price is about $500 installed. (800) 782-3379,
www.rostra.com.