Auto Parts and Systems

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

Even if you see the world through rose-colored glasses, it's best to be prepared for the worst. If your towing setup fails, towing safety cables can prevent disasters on the road.

By Jennifer Horton

There's no scarier feeling than getting stuck behind a massive boat being towed by a puny truck. So what happens if the weight is too much for the truck to bear?

By Jennifer Horton

A sweet boat with a showroom shine can be the consummate status symbol. Now you're dashing off to your maiden voyage. But what boat towing regulations should you know first?

By Jane McGrath

If you've seen one state's trailer towing regulations, you've seen 'em all, right? Just ask that guy with out-of-state license plates on his trailer -- who just got pulled over by the highway patrolman.

By Jane McGrath

You've got the perfect idea for your next family vacation: Cop a camper, load it up and hit the open road. But could there be more to it than just hitching your rig?

By Jane McGrath

Just like you need extra energy to carry a backpack loaded with textbooks, your car requires extra fuel to tow heavy cargo. So how will this weight affect you at the pumps?

By Jennifer Horton

The loading ramp is a real-world version of that old friend from high school science class, the inclined plane. Like that old friend, it makes lifting things easier. A loading ramp helps you move heavy objects from the ground into a trailer bed.

By Christopher Lampton

If road tripping were an Olympic sport, you'd be a gold medalist. You've got your CDs, your maps and an iron stomach to withstand diner food. The only kink in your plan? You're pulling a trailer.

By Molly Edmonds

The concept strikes terror in the heart of anyone who's tried it. With all of the things that can possibly be hit in the world, backing up a vehicle alone can be nerve-wracking. Adding a trailer only adds to the stress.

By Josh Clark

You know those little wedges you can use to keep your car's tire from rolling? They're called wheel chocks, and they could save your life. It may seem like pretty boring stuff, but they actually are pretty interesting little ramps.

By Josh Clark

The wheel gets all the glory. But as far as your trailer's concerned, the wheel would be nothing without the trailer wheel hub. This behind-the-scenes device facilitates the wheel's spinning motion.

By Cristen Conger

Imagine getting dressed with only a handheld mirror to aid you. That's about as futile as towing a large trailer with a mirror that shows just half your load! Towing mirrors are an essential part of any towing experience.

By Cristen Conger

Whether you want to train for the Tour de France or pedal across a beach at sunrise, you may need a bike rack to fulfill that desire. Which one is the best for you, Lance Armstrong?

By Robert Lamb

Whether you want to broadcast your allegiance to your favorite sports team or just keep your hitch tube from collecting debris, hitch covers are the answer. Now you just have to decide which one.

By Robert Lamb

Trailer bearings do you and your payload a world of good. They provide a smooth ride and prevent friction from doing its dirty work. Do you know how to install these key components?

By Robert Lamb

Payload is simple; it's anything you're carrying or towing. Knowing how much weight your vehicle can tow isn't so simple. Pay attention -- towing too much weight invites disaster.

By John Fuller

This towing capacity chart displays vehicles' towing capacities by make, model and year. Knowing your vehicle's towing capacity is essential to towing safety, plus it can keep you from damaging your vehicle with the burden an overweight load.

There are several examples of drawbar pull in front of us each day -- you just need to know what you're looking for in order to spot it. But what exactly is drawbar pull, anyway?

By Scott C. Benjamin

Towing has many hazards, but probably the scariest is a breakaway trailer. What happens if your trailer disconnects? Will it stop before it hits something?

By John Fuller

When you step on the brake pedal, you know your tow vehicle is going to stop. But what's going to stop that heavy payload you're towing behind you?

By John Fuller

Controlling a towed payload can be difficult, but towing steering stabilizers can help your towing experience take a turn for the better.

By John Fuller