Auto Parts and Systems

Auto parts and systems are the building blocks that come together to make automobiles function. Understanding how auto parts work together to form automotive systems allows drivers to confidently discuss automotive problems with their mechanics.

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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

When it comes to grease caps, you really don't have a choice. If you use them, your wheel bearings continue to work. If you don't, your wheel bearings fail. But what are grease caps, anyway?

By Scott C. Benjamin

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With the seemingly endless amount of stuff children require when traveling, a family car can get awfully cramped. Cargo carriers can offer some much-needed space.

By Josh Clark

A number of accessories can attach to a tow vehicle's rear-mount receiver. But just imagine how useful some of those accessories might be at the front end of a pickup truck, SUV or recreational vehicle.

By Scott C. Benjamin

There are many different types of vehicles that fall under the umbrella term recreational vehicle. Some of them hitch to your car, while others stand on their own. So how do you know which hitch to pick and which to ditch?

By Jessika Toothman

Whether it's a gigantic RV or a herd of draft horses, if you're looking to do some major towing, you need the right equipment. This not only includes a serious pickup truck and a sturdy trailer, but a hardcore hitch as well. Enter the goosenec

By Jessika Toothman

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Most people who've driven a trailer have experienced at least a few heart-pounding moments when the trailer started to sway and they worried they might lose control of the vehicles. A weight distribution system can help.

By Jessika Toothman

If you're planning to tow a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you should learn how to do it safely and without damaging the towed vehicle's transmission or other components. So what are your options?

By Scott C. Benjamin

If you're planning to tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle, you should learn how to do it safely and without damaging the towed vehicle's transmission. Good thing you have a few options available.

By Scott C. Benjamin

Enclosed areas can get a little stale or even musty -- that trailer in your driveway is no exception. Trailer roof venting provides improved airflow when you're parked or while you're cruising down the highway.

By Scott C. Benjamin

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Towing a trailer seems like a pretty straightforward task. But unless you're paying attention to some simple safety rules, you may be in for a rough time.

By Jonathan Strickland

The harder your vehicle's engine works, the hotter it gets. If you're towing, your transmission is working harder, too. What can you do to prevent it from overheating?

By John Fuller

When you tow a payload, you need to keep an eye on what's going on around you. What's the best way to use your mirrors when you tow?

By John Fuller

On the surface, towing seems simple. But if you're not careful, your load can get out of control, causing a serious accident. What should you know before you tow?

By Jonathan Strickland

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Pickup trucks come in all sorts of sizes and options -- big ones, small ones, short ones and tall ones. Understanding all the choices and lingo can be confusing. So what does half-ton truck really mean?

By Jane McGrath

Some weights associated with towing are fairly complex, but not every weight connected with towing is hard to calculate. In fact, some are remarkably straightforward -- gross trailer weight (GTW) is a good example.

By Scott C. Benjamin

If you've never had the experience of towing a trailer, then you probably don't know what tongue weight is. Sure, it may sound funny — but to someone hitching up a heavy load, it's very serious.

By Scott C. Benjamin

Now it's your turn in the driver's seat to tow a boat, trailer or even another car. Suddenly, towing doesn't seem so simple, and you're worried about jackknifing. So how can you avoid it?

By Jane McGrath

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Like carrying added baggage, towing burns extra fuel. But maybe there's no other way to get the job done, or you just really need that getaway to the lake. Can you go green?

By Jane McGrath

Do you know your vehicle's gross axle weight rating? That's all right -- not many people do. But if you're planning to tow a trailer, it's a good idea to learn your vehicle's GAWR.

By Scott C. Benjamin

If you ever plan to tow a trailer, it's a good idea to know the tow vehicle's gross combination weight rating. If you don't learn it, you could be in for some serious repair bills.

By Scott C. Benjamin

It's relatively simple to determine when you've added a little too much weight to your car, truck or SUV. But what if you were loading something much bigger -- perhaps a massive recreational vehicle?

By Scott C. Benjamin

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One of the most difficult things to do while towing a vehicle is to back up. In fact, you should avoid it if possible. So why is it so tough?

By Jonathan Strickland

While some people are lucky enough to have lakefront or oceanfront property, the rest of the boating community are typically stuck transporting their boats -- often for many miles -- which usually means wheeling out the trailer and hitting the road.

By Jessika Toothman