Towing

You're driving in a downpour when you roll into a muddy ditch and your trailer hitch is too weak to pull your car out. Hitch hooks and anchors, however, can haul large items easily.

By Patrick E. George

Unlike most car jacks, hitch jacks make it possible to hoist large items over the trailer hitch for towing. They can be unsafe if used improperly, so make sure you know what you're towing before you use one.

By Patrick E. George

Trailer balls and switch balls are mounted on your receiver hitch's ball mount, coupling the trailer to your towing vehicle and bearing the load of your trailer's weight.

By Patrick E. George

Have you ever followed a tractor-trailer over a bridge and worried the bridge would break? What you're tailing is an overweight load, and you're right to be concerned about the damage it's doing.

By Charles W. Bryant

When you're towing your boat, you'll want the other drivers to see your turn signal when you veer down Lake Road. So get those taillights on your trailer working.

By Charles W. Bryant

You can be forgiven if you've never noticed the axle spring seats in your trailer. They're small, inconspicuous and are usually hidden beneath the axle. But the job they do in maintaining your trailer's alignment is necessary.

By Christopher Lampton

The right hitch accessories can make or break a towing experience. What do experienced drivers rely on to keep their tow vehicles and trailers free of, you know, hitches?

By William Harris

It's hard to drive across the country towing thousands of pounds while cars are whizzing past you at breakneck speed. These 10 towing accessories may turn a harrowing ride into the trip of a lifetime.

By Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

Have you ever seen an "oversize load" sign ahead of you in traffic? Here's what you need to know about how oversize loads work and regulations.

By Charles W. Bryant

The worst feeling while towing your car on vacation is to realize the transmission has died. Towing lube pumps can prevent this disaster with another means of transmission lubrication.

By Jessika Toothman

You can't trust your trailer and all the stuff in it to a simple padlock.You need something better-suited for the job. But what's so different about towing locks?

By John Fuller

Sightseeing in your RV is a great way to spend a vacation. But when you step on the brakes, what's going to stop that car you're towing behind you?

By John Fuller

Sometimes a vehicle may get so stuck you can't tow it out easily. Your vehicle's tow hooks may be the key. But isn't that dangerous? How do you use them safely?

By John Fuller

Some people prefer sleeping in tents when they go camping. Others take the amenities of home with them. But towing a camper can be a challenge, if you aren't careful.

By Jonathan Strickland

How do racing teams get their fancy cars to the track? They use fancy trailers, that's how. Some even have their own showers, kitchens and bathrooms.

By Jonathan Strickland

Malfunctioning turn signals on your trailer may cause an accident. Wiring can be a real headache --what's the best way to track down the source of an electrical problem?

By Jonathan Strickland

As much as you love your motorcycle, you occasionally may want to tow it rather than ride it to get the bike from point A to point B. That's why you should pay attention to motorcycle towing safety.

By Robert Lamb

Whether you're moving your belongings cross-country or just want to get your prized Harley-Davidson to the bike show in one piece, you may need a motorcycle towing trailer. Do you know what your options are?

By Robert Lamb

The problem a lot of RV owners have is when they get off the open road and into a more populated area. That's why many enthusiasts tow an extra car behind their RV, and they're hitching them up with self-aligning car-mounted tow bars.

By Jamie Page Deaton

Most of us have used a dolly at some point when packing up and moving out. These two-wheeled wonders also come in the larger, vehicular variety for towing.

By Jessika Toothman

The next time you have to pull over with a flat tire, a jam-packed trunk and no spare in sight, you'll be wishing you read this article.

By Robert Lamb

Most people don't go around thinking about towing winches, or winches at all, but if you ever need one, you'll be glad one is around. A winch is a mechanism that winds wire around a drum while keeping a steady tension on it.

By Jamie Page Deaton

Unless you're bouncing over the pitted plains of Africa on safari, chances are you like your ride to be smooth. Enter suspension bolts, the unsung heroes of vehicles everywhere.

By Robert Lamb

Fall brings a bite to the air, some crunch to the leaves -- and a new crop of college kids to the dorms. When it comes to lugging that futon, should you pay for a truck or some manpower?

By Molly Edmonds

Tires and wheels are vital components of any trailer. Without these essential parts, you're just dragging stuff behind your truck. But don't confuse them with the ones you might buy for your car.

By Robert Lamb