How To Find Your Truck's Towing Capacity

It may seem like a simple thing, but it's extremely important to know your truck's maximum towing capacity. I wish I could tell you there's a hard and fast answer to the question, but it varies not only with your year, make, and model but also by engine size, gear to axle ratios, and even your transmission. If you don't observe your vehicle's limitations, you may end up operating beyond the design limits which can accelerate vehicle wear, or even cause damage or breaking of components while you're on the road.

Check Your Owner's Manual

As with many things, the first step is always to check the Owner's Manual. When something gets as technically complicated as a truck, and puts as much on the line as towing a trailer does, you want to make sure you do it right to start.

Check the Manufacturer's Website

If the information can't be found in your manual, or proves to be too confusing and muddled, try checking your manufacturer's website. Often important technical details about your make and model will be listed there. If you're looking into buying a new vehicle, it may be a good idea to find the information beforehand to make sure the vehicle you're buying can handle what you need to do.

Call Your Local Dealer

If you are still having trouble, or you just want to be 100% sure, contact your local dealer. They will often have all of that information readily available, even for older vehicles. Make sure you have your VIN number handy. 

You can also check other online sources for corroboration or firsthand information as well. Just remember to double check any information gathered from a third-party source with at least one other source. The link below has pdf copies of Trailer Life magazine issues. Find your vehicle to get all kinds of information, including tow ratings and much more.

http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/ 

Stay tuned for a future blog post on best towing practices, and details on Tongue Weight and more.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca 

Rundown: B&W Turnover Gooseneck Hitch

The B&W Turnover Gooseneck Hitch has got to be one of the most innovative, in-bed trailer hitches on the market. In this post, I will outline the details of the hitch so you can decide for yourself if this is the product for you.

What is the Turnover Gooseneck Hitch?

The groundbreaking feature of the Turnover Gooseneck Hitch is that the only portion of this heavy duty product that takes up space in your truck bed is the hitch itself. The durable, powder coated mounting frame bolts to existing holes in your trucks frame underneath the bed with no drilling or weldingf. The only alteration that needs to be made is a 4 inch hole cut into the base of your bed. Once done, the hitch's frame sits up against the underside of your truck bed, and the solid, one-piece machined receiver socket is then accessible. The 2 5/16" ball comes through that hole to allow hooking up your trailer. Installation is made as simple as possible, and people often feel comfortable enough to get in and do it themselves. If not, let our professionals get it installed and ready to go for you!

When you need to haul a trailer, your hitch is there and ready to go, but you can still pack your truck bed full of other gear. The ball is secured to the hitch frame with a 5/8" steel locking pin that goes straight through the ball, ensuring security and safety of your hitch, truck, and trailer.

Not hauling a trailer today? Simply pull the release spring out and give it a 1/8" turn to lock it open, then pull out the ball, turn it over. The Ball drops straight into the receiver socket, leaving a completely flat surface where the hitch used to be. You can then replace the lock spring, securing the ball. No more hitch balls bouncing around in the back of your truck, and full truck bed access in seconds!

If you'd like more technical information on this product, take a look at the Owner's Manual.

Accessories

I wouldn't be able to call this the most innovative in-bed truck hitch if it weren't versatile, and it most definitely is. B&W has thought of nearly everything when it comes to accessory capabilities for the Turnover. 

That includes ball upgrades to a 3" or even a high rise ball to make sure that your new hitch is compatible with anything your truck can haul. That includes the more uncommon hitch types, like inverted ball hitch inserts, Kingpin inserts, and even eyelet inserts for extra tie down positions. Did you lose your hitch ball? 

Had to remove it for some reason? You can even get a socket plug that will just leave you with a flat truck bed; and yes, they sell replacement 2 5/16" balls as well. But what if you've got more than one trailer? Maybe you've got one trailer that uses a gooseneck, and another that uses a fifth wheel. Well don't worry, B&W has thought of that too. If you have a Turnover Gooseneck Hitch installed, you've already got the mounting plate ready to receive B&W's Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch. Stay tuned for an upcoming Rundown with more details on the fifth wheel accessory.

Maintenance

One of the great things about this set up is that it requires almost no maintenance. With the frame tucked away inside your truck's frame, raised off the ground and also covered from the elements, the frame should last the lifetime of your truck. The powder coated finish provides another barrier against premature wear, and B&W offers a limited lifetime warranty in case something happens.

The most important part of maintaining your B&W Turnaround is greasing the post corners with lithium grease as needed. The time frame will vary depending on the amount of use and other environmental factors, so keep an eye on the hitch to make sure it doesn't seize.

If Your Hitch Seizes

Do not use heat. Temperature changes can alter the temper of the metal and impact the durability of your hitch. Start by soaking it with penetrating oil for a few days. If that doesn't loosen it enough to easily pull it out, try lightly tapping the ball with a hammer. Do not hit hard, as this can cause damage to the ball, or decrease its durability. If you still can't remove it, you may have to remove the center section from your truck and have the insert pressed out.

The B&W Turnover Hitch is one of the most versatile hitches on the market. With a wide range of accessories, you can use the frame mounted hitch to haul anything that your truck can carry. With such a low footprint in your bed, you can still fill your truck with all kinds of gear, whether you're towing your trailer or not! To find out more, or to order your Turnover Gooseneck Hitch today, visit our website, give us a call or email, or come visit our Calgary location.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca 

What's so Great About the CURT Spyder Gooseneck Hitch - On Sale Now

Summer is just around the corner, which means it's time to start pulling out your trailer, checking it and prepping it for the next camping season. Or maybe it's time to buy a new trailer. Regardless of your situation, when towing a trailer, you want to make sure that you have the best security for yourself, your toys, and others on the road around you. The CURT Spyder Gooseneck Hitch is a versatile, durable fifth wheel hitch that mounts to any standard fifth wheel base rail set, and it's on sale now for 21% off!

This trailer hitch style has the unique ability of being able to connect to both fifth wheel and gooseneck style trailer hitches, meaning you can pull both trailers with the same pickup. Held in place by 4 secure pin and clip attachment points, the hitch can be removed in mere minutes, giving you full truck bed access for hauling cargo when you need it, and where you need it. It's low profile designed means even when towing, you can still back your bed with other cargo too!

With an impressive gross load of 25,000 lbs., a tongue weight load of 6,250 lbs., and a 2 5/16" trailer ball, you'll be hard pressed to find a trailer, gooseneck or fifth wheel, that this hitch can't haul, including livestock trailers, chopper boxes, gravity boxes, flatbeds, and much more. Finished with a carbide black powder-coating, the Spyder Gooseneck Hitch is scratch resistant, rust resistant, UV resistant, and looks sharp.You won't find a more durable, long lasting hitch anywhere.

For more information, or to order your Spyder today, get in touch or visit our Calgary location.

Auto Truck Depot

107, 42 Ave SW, Calgary Alberta

Toll Free: 1-855-253-4330

Local: 403-253-4330

info@autotruckdepot.ca

www.autotruckdepot.ca 

Looking to Carry Large Loads with Ease?

Are you planning a big move, one in which you have to transport all of your goods to your new home? Or maybe you want to go on a camping trip with all your gear in tow. Whatever the reason, if you’re going to be hauling a large load, then you might want to consider purchasing a Gooseneck hitch. These hitches, which are available from Auto Truck Depot, can tackle even the toughest loads with ease. In fact, they can handle cargo loads of up to 25,000 pounds! The secret is that these super-strong hitches attach to the truck bed, rather than to the fragile back of the truck.

Don’t think that a Gooseneck hitch has to take over your truck’s sleek design either. While the hitch will be visible when it’s in use, you can put it out of sight and out of mind when you don’t need it. In fact, there are many different designs of this particular hitch so you can control the visibility of the model you choose. Some designs can be turned over when not in use, while others fold out of sight. No matter which model you choose, rest assured that when you’re ready to use your hitch, getting it visible and ready to go is simple!

Do make sure, however, that you have your hitch installed correctly and carefully. While some people do tackle the job on their own, it’s in your best interest to let a professional handle it. After all, you’re relying on the hitch to carry a large and presumably important load, so you want to make every effort to ensure that it’s secure.

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The Benefits of the Double-Lock Gooseneck Hitch

There's no doubt about it – many people opt for a gooseneck hitch when they want superior safety and durability for their towing needs. We communicate with plenty of people who want the best hitches for their trailers. Time and time again, people with a need for serious security, safety and towing capacity opt to get the Double-Lock Gooseneck Hitch for their trucks.

But what is it about this particular hitch that makes it so popular? Here are just a few of the benefits of this popular gooseneck hitch:

    The removable trailer ball. When you're not hauling your trailer, you'll probably still want access to your truck bed. And trailer balls can quite simply get in the way. When you're not using this trailer hitch to haul, you can easily remove the ball for full access to your truck bed.
    No welding is required. To install many of the better hitches, you'll need to do some serious welding. This gooseneck hitch, though, does not require any welding at all.
    Superior security. There's nothing more important than your trailer and cargo being safe and secure. The Double-Lock Gooseneck Hitch offers superior double-locking which gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your trailer is as secure as possible.

It's easy to see why so many friends and customers of Auto Truck Depot choose these Curt trailer hitches. We've always respected the superior craftsmanship and construction of Curt's products, and this gooseneck is a perfect example of both. They are high quality, durable and easy to use. And when you're not using this Curt hitch, you it's still possible to have easy, full access to your truck bed.

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