Best Tonneau Covers on a Budget: Retrax Retractable Tonneau Covers

Tonneau covers are indispensable items for individuals who routinely work as contractors, or even families who intend to do a lot of hauling of goods.  They keep your items secure on long highway rides, the prevent rain, sleet, or snow from falling upon parcels or expensive tools, and even provide security for goods that you wish to leave in the back of your truck while you’re inside a store or building.  The best Tonneau covers in my opinion are those that are functional, attractive, and won’t break the bank.  Retrax retractable Tonneau covers provide the best of both worlds as they have the benefits of both hard and soft cover Tonneaus.  The cover is fully retractable, but is in no way “flimsy” in material.  In fact, the cover is extremely strong.  We like this product here at Auto Truck Depot for this very reason.  It enables you to have a tight, slick fit and saves you money that would otherwise go to a hard cover.

All of our Tonneau covers can be installed in our service department, but I’d like to mention that Retrax Tonneau covers are actually very easy to install and are one of the few that we would recommend to “moderate” mechanically inclined to self-install.  Naturally, there are those who really don’t want to bother with self-installation so we’re always obliged to do it while you wait in our service area.  I’m just saying that you don’t have to.

Come down to the store and check them out.  You’ll see exactly what I mean.  The clamp and lock system is fairly easy to understand and you don’t have to be Hercules to snap it down nor do you have to be McGuyver to tighten it to the back of the truck.  Also, the cover itself looks very slick and tight when it’s in place.  Very attractive.  In short, if you can’t afford a hard cover paint-matched Tonneau then Retrax Retractable Tonneau Covers are your best bet.  I’ve said many times, the covers that fit both your needs and your budget are the best Tonnaeu covers for you.

Related articles

• Tonneau Cover FTW? (ask.metafilter.com)

The Benefits of Running Boards

Running boards can be a stylish accessory for your truck, but they also have several benefits that consumers may not be aware of.  When you add a pair of running boards to your truck, you are increasing its resale value.  Running boards also exist for cars, but in a large vehicle such as a heavy duty truck, they offer the added benefit of making it easier to get in and out of the vehicle.  They are mounted just under the door and serve as a step.  Many trucks are very high off the ground, and having that extra step can make owning a truck more pleasant and even possible for those who may avoid the purchase over concerns of entrance and egress.  Running boards also help the truck owner reach the top of their truck better in cases where one is tying down a load or trying to wash the top of their vehicle.  Running boards also increase stability in trucks that carry heavy payload or for off-road use by providing additional support against the pressures of load or terrain.  Running boards can also serve to protect the sides of the truck from scratches or dings as they serve as a physical barrier that prevents things from getting too close to the side of the truck.  In minor accidents, they may also act as a barrier and take the brunt of the force, preventing dings, scratches or minor body damage in a less serious encounter.  The ultimate choice of whether or not to purchase and install running boards rests with the vehicle owner.  Some will forgo the added expense, but for those who are contemplating the purchase of a set of running boards, it is important to know that the benefits go beyond mere aesthetics.

Related articles

• Best Used Pickup Trucks (answers.com)

The Tonneau Covers Truck Owners Are Flipping Out About

Tonneau covers are always in demand. Truck owners love having the ability to protect their tools and other belongings in the beds of their pickup trucks. Of course, there are lots of different types of tonneau covers; built to suit different stylistic and functional needs. Lately, we’ve been getting a lot of questions and requests for folding models, like the BAKFlip HD.

Folding Hard Top Tonneau Cover

For people who haven’t yet seen folding tonneau covers – they really are nice. For starters the folding tonneau covers are hard top covers. That means that all your tools, belongings or other gear stored away in the bed of your pickup truck will be afforded the best protection. Whether you’re concerned with keeping your cargo safe from the elements or protected from thieves, these types of truck bed covers will do the trick.

Why the BAKFlip is Popular with Truck Owners

We mentioned earlier that the BAKFlip HD was a model that has a lot of people talking. But why is this model so popular? Here are just a few, quick notes about the HD, that should explain why this cover is in demand:

    The panel frames are made with aircraft grade aluminum.
    The hinges are corrosion proof.
    These covers are finished with an attractive, yet rugged looking black coat finish.

Find out more about this BAKFlip Tonneau Cover

If you’d like to check out this tonneau cover for yourself – just to see if it would be a good fit for your pickup truck – stop by Auto Truck Depot or take a look at our website, www.autotruckdepot.ca, to find out more about this tonneau cover.

Related articles

• What does bed-liner protect you from (wiki.answers.com)

Worry-Free Trailer Hitch Installation

Any time someone gets to the point where they are considering the installation of a new truck accessory, like a trailer hitch, it’s easy to get a little nervous. After all, proper installation is a big deal, and everyone wants to make sure that they get their trailer hitches installed correctly. We help people with trailer hitch installation every day, and can help to put any worries that people typically have about an installation to rest.

Here are some of the common questions we hear about trailer hitch installation:

    Can I do the installation myself? This is a valid question, as there are plenty of folks out there with the skills it takes to properly install a new trailer hitch. If you have experience with doing auto work and don’t feel apprehensive about installing your new hitch, you should be fine. However, even if you feel okay about doing it, but just don’t have the time in your schedule, you can always contact us at Auto Truck Depot to get your hitch professionally installed.

    Won’t a new hitch damage my vehicle? There are some trailer hitches that require a bit more work to get installed. Some of these installations can be a bit invasive, but our team of professional installation experts knows how to get today’s best trailer hitches installed, while protecting your vehicle from any damage. Some hitches don’t require any invasive work at all, but many people still choose to let our team handle them, just to make sure that these hitches get installed correctly.

If you feel unsure about trailer hitch installation, or simply don’t have the time to be bothered with doing your own installation, feel free to stop by Auto Truck Depot, or look us up on the web at www.autotruckdepot.ca to find out more about purchasing a new trailer hitch and getting it installed.

Protect Your Hitch with a Trailer Hitch Cover

It's easy to think about the bare necessities when it comes to your vehicles towing needs. For example, some people get their trailer decked out with all the latest safety gear and extras, but never think about other, important trailer hitch accessories. One accessory that discriminating vehicle owners really enjoy putting on their vehicles is a nice trailer hitch cover. But why should anyone put much thought into purchasing trailer hitch covers?

First – The Practical Aspect

Purchasing a nice hitch is usually something that truck owners don't take lightly. A lot of thought goes into choosing the perfect hitch. Now why would you put in all the time, effort and money of choosing the hitch that's best for your towing needs and leave it unprotected. A good cover will protect your hitch from dirt, debris and grime. No one wants to spend money on a vehicle accessory, only to have it ruined and looking terrible. A trailer hitch cover will keep your investment protected and looking good.

Second – The Fun Aspect

It's just plain fun to choose a good cover for your trailer hitch. Unlike buying some other, more basic trailer hitch accessories, you can actually go a little wild if you want to when choosing your cover. There are covers with sports team logos on them, different colored covers and even LED lighted covers that will really impress anyone who is driving behind you on the open road. It's fun to spend time looking at and choosing the type of cover that really reflects your personality or interests.

Now you have a very practical reason, and a very fun reason to choose a hitch cover for your vehicle. If you want to see some of the fun, protective models that we have in stock, stop by and see us at Auto Truck Depot.

Related articles

• Your Guide To Towing - Know Earlier than You Tow (tfollowers.com)

Why Bother With a Weight Distribution Hitch?

Being in the auto and truck accessory industry, we get the opportunity to talk to people about a wide range of topics. Of course, hauling and hitches are two topics that we never get tired of. It's important for people to choose the right hitches, no matter what kind of trailer they will be towing. There are some folks, though, who haven't thought about much more than simple towing capacity; when load stability is every bit as important.

Keeping Trailers Stable on the Road

A good weight distribution hitch, like the popular selling Round Bar Style Weight Distributing System, works to keep your trailer stable while you're on the road. If you've ever had to haul a trailer without a weight distribution hitch, you know how scary, and potentially dangerous it can be. As a driver, you have to maintain total control over your vehicle. And when a trailer is not optimally stabilized, by having the weight properly distributed, bad control is to be expected.

The Round Bar Style Weight Distributing System is popular with people who haul trailers because it is easy to adjust. It has simple to use adjustment blocks that allow for fast, low-effort ball mount angle adjustments. With this system installed on your trailer, you never have to worry about constantly shifting weight on the trailer forcing your vehicle out of control.

Like you, we always consider safety to be the most important aspect of being on the road. And since a weight distribution hitch makes hauling a trailer a safer, more enjoyable experience, we always recommend them to our friends and customers. If you regularly tow a trailer, and haven't felt as in control of it as you should, contact us at Auto Truck Depot to find out more about these types of hitch assemblies.

Related articles

• The Car Coach: Proper towing (charlotte.news14.com)

Receiver Hitches for RV Owners

There's nothing like the freedom of hitting the open road in an RV. Of course, for longer trips, it's usually a wise decision to haul a car, to have something smaller to drive around in at your destination locations. However, you can't simply chain up a car to your RV and expect good results. It takes properly installed receiver hitches to allow RV owners to safely haul their cars or SUVs during long road trips.

What is a receiver hitch?

Without going too much into the complexities of trailer and vehicle hitches, a receiver hitch is one that attaches directly to the frame of the towing vehicle. And since the hitch is installed in such a secure manner, it is capable of giving RV owners the hauling capacity they need to safely tow their cars.

What to Look for in a Receiver Hitch

At Auto Truck Depot, we regularly work with all types of folks who need receiver hitches – from RV owners to people who haul livestock. Here are the key features we tell people to look for:

    Hitches with a one-piece design for easier installations.
    Hitches that can be custom fit to different types of vehicles.
    Hitches with enough towing capacity to handle your towing needs.

Of course, we also tell people to purchase the best looking hitches, as you don't want a hitch that's going to detract from your vehicle's appearance. Contact us at Auto Truck Depot, or check out our website at www.autotruckdepot.ca, if you have any questions about the right type of receiver hitch for your vehicle. And if you need your hitch professionally installed, we can certainly have our professional technicians install your hitch for you.

Related articles

• More RV and Camping Safety Tips (rvingiseasyatlerchrv.com)

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.

Related articles

• How much weight can your dodge 3500 carry with a 20000 gooseneck trailer. (wiki.answers.com)

Finding a Versatile Fifth Wheel Hitch

When you have a fifth wheel to haul around for trips or business purposes, it's important to find a reliable fifth wheel hitch. After all, without a hitch, there's no way of getting that cool fifth wheel from Point A to Point B. And since safety is such a key issue, we always tell people to buy a better hitch than they think they'll need, in terms of playing it safe. There is another key feature that sets the good fifth wheel hitches apart from the not-so-good – versatility. You may not think in terms of buying a hitch that's versatile, but it's more important than some people think.

What Do You Mean – Versatility?

Before we start talking about a fifth wheel hitch being versatile, and finding out which company makes the most versatile, high quality hitches for 5th wheels, let's slow down a bit and explain why versatility is so important.

Some people will be installing a hitch either across the bed or along the bed of their trucks. A versatile hit, like the Hijacker 5th Wheel Hitch, can be attached to either type of set up. And that's why Hijacker is considered the most versatile type of 5th wheel hitch. They know that people will use varied means of installation, so they make hitches that can be easily installed either way, so people don't have to decide on which method is the best.

Plus, the Hijacker 5th Wheel Hitch products are also upgradeable in terms of weight – from 16,000 pounds to 21,000 pounds. That gives these hitches the edge when it comes to versatility.

Of course, if all this is sounding like too much to consider, you can contact us at Auto Truck Depot, or at our website AutoTruckDepot.ca, and one of our experienced staff members can help you to make sense out of which type of hitch to choose for your fifth wheel hauling needs.

Related articles

• Toilet that hooks to your car hitch (timesunion.com)

The Right Trailer Hitch Classes: How Do You Choose?

Finding the right trailer hitch classes is not at all as difficult as it might seem when you first decide to purchase a new trailer hitch. Like anything else, it just takes a bit of information to decide on the type of trailer hitch that you should purchase for your vehicle. At Auto Truck Depot, we know how important it is to make the right decision about the class of trailer hitch that you buy, and we help our customers with this decision every day.

Here are a few things that you'll want to keep in mind to choose the right trailer hitch class:

    First check your vehicle's manual. More often than not, you'll find distinct information about the class of hitch that you should use for your vehicle. While this information won't provide all the information you need, it will get you started on the right path.
    Second think about what you plan to haul. If you only want to occasionally haul a bicycle trailer, your needs are going to be far different than someone who needs to haul around a trailer loaded down with heavy machinery.

These are the two basics to keep in mind when deciding on trailer hitch classes for your unique needs. Generally speaking, smaller cars will usually get by on a Class 1 hitch, light duty SUVs can usually do okay with a Class2, and larger pickup trucks and SUVs will opt for a Class 3 hitch. Again, though, what you will be hauling figures into the equation, and it's always better to go a bit higher than you think you'll need, as you may decide to latch on a bigger trailer in the near future.

Related articles

• The Car Coach: Proper towing (charlotte.news14.com)

Who Makes the Best Trailer Hitches?

When you deal with truck accessories every day, it's only natural to hear a lot of talk about trailer hitches. After all, we all know the importance of tough, dependable hitches for hauling trailers and other equipment. We probably answer more questions about Draw-Tite hitches, as their products are generally recognized as being the best on the market.

Why Are They Such Popular Hitches?

Of course, saying that a particular brand of hitch is good is one thing, but what is it about Draw-Tite hitches that make them so good? Here are a few of the things that we like about this brand of top quality trailer hitches:

    Quality & Precision. When people purchase hitches from Draw-Tite, they always comment about the overall quality of these products. This company uses high-tech, computer aided design and some serious product testing to ensure that every one of their hitches is precisely made and able to stand up to serious work demands.
    Solid Construction. This might tie in to the last point, but the solid construction of hitches made by Draw-Tite is simply impressive. As you know, a hitch that can't pull around serious weight just isn't worth your money. Draw-Tite's most popular hitches are all solid all-welded products that are made to stand up to the toughest hauling demands.

These are just a few of the reasons that we always chime in about the great hitches from Draw-Tite when people ask us about the best trailer hitches. We do carry other brands too, but for our money it's hard to go wrong with a Draw-Tite. They put safety, durability and all-around quality first, and this focus shows in all of their high-end hitches.

Related articles

• Hitch Critters (funniestgadgets.com)

The Benefits of Professional Brake Controllers Installation

The safe operation of vehicles is of utmost importance to all of us. And we talk to lots of people every day who are even more concerned with safety on the road, as they have to haul around trailers. As you know, trailers can easily jack-knife if they aren't equipped with high quality brake controllers. Some people avoid using these all-important safety devices, simply because they're not sure about the intricacies of brake controllers installation.

And it is important that brake controllers are properly installed, as they can mean the difference between a bad accident and avoiding a wreck completely. That's why we always recommend that people, especially people who are uncertain about the proper installation of their brake controllers, turn to us for professional brake controllers installation.

Here are just a few of the benefits of a professional brake controller installation:

    It saves time. Since most people are pressed for time, the idea of taking the time to install a new controller is just too much. People can save that time and use it for other tasks when they have us professionally install their controllers.
    It gets the job done right. This is probably the key benefit of a professional brake controller installation. When people choose to let our experienced staff install their brake controllers, they know that all the detail work is done correctly, to allow for safe stopping of their trailers.

Of course, some people do prefer to do their own brake controller installations, and that's fine. But if you are pressed for time, or simply want a professional on the job to make sure it's done right – feel free to talk to us at Auto Truck Depot to schedule your brake controller installation.

Related articles

• Your Guide To Towing - Know Earlier than You Tow (tfollowers.com)