8 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Trailer Hitch
So you have a receiver hitch. Have you ever used it? Do you know how handy your trailer hitch can be even if you don’t have a trailer to haul? What do you need to get the most out of your trailer hitch?
First. let’s talk about the receiver. It’s a square hole located below your bumper. it’s called a receiver because it “receives” the stuff you stick into it. Makes sense right?
Your receiver is either 1.25 or 2 inches square. The smaller receivers are either class I or class II hitches depending on how much weight they can handle. The 2 inch receivers are class III or IV; as the class number increases so do the weight limits. For example a class I hitch can tow up to 2000 lbs. and handle up to 200 lbs. downward pressure on the actual hitch that’s called tongue weight while a class IV hitch can tow up to 10000 lbs. and handle 1000 to 1200 lbs. tongue weight.
Equally important to the trailer hitch’s weight specifications are the towing specs for your vehicle. You can find these in your owner’s manual and they should always be respected. Overloading your trailer hitch will not only risk damage to your vehicle but it will also make steering and braking more difficult making you a danger on the road.
So what can you do with your receiver hitch? Obviously you can tow a trailer. If it falls under the weight specs for your hitch and vehicle you’ll just need a ball mount and a hitch ball. The ball mount is the square metal shaft that slides into the receiver. The hitch ball mounts onto the ball mount and sticks out behind your vehicle when properly installed. You can tow cargo trailers camping trailers utility trailers just about anything that you want.
Beyond towing you can use your receiver hitch for cargo carriers bike racks boat carriers ATV ramps ski racks hitch mounted grills hitch steps and to display your personality with a custom hitch cover.
The bike racks cargo carriers and ski racks are all generally mounted to a shaft that slides into your receiver. These racks offer great convenience as they allow you to safely carry bulky and/or dirty items outside your car. Many of them fold for easier access to the rear of your vehicle and to require less storage space. Sports racks and cargo carriers are a great use for your receiver hitch.
You can also get bed extenders and hitch mounted boat racks that allow you to put one end of a ladder or canoe on top of your pickup cab and support the other end with a rack that mounts to your hitch. Similarly hitch mounted ramp supports are available to allow you to attach ramps to the back of your pickup so you can drive what ever you need to right into the bed without fear of damaging the tailgate.
A hitch mounted step is a great way to access the rear of your vehicle; they are simple to install and fold to be out of the way when you’re not using them. They often double as hitch covers which keep your receiver clean.
If you’re a tailgater you will love a hitch mounted grill. Forget hauling the mess of a charcoal grill or dealing with the small rack on a portable grill; with a hitch mounted grill you can bring the comforts of your back patio with youit’s easy and awesome. Even if you don’t go with a hitch grill you’ll want a tailgater hitch cover. It displays the logo of your favorite team and has a built in bottle opener for your convenience.
Whatever trailer accessories you choose make sure you get a hitch lock to keep your stuff safe. This handy little lock replaces the tow pin you use to keep the ball mount in your receiver hitch and will give you peace of mind as you make the most of your trailer hitch.
About the writer: Jeremy supports his favorite teams with college hitch covers and loves to load his mountain bikes on his hitch bike racks.
Yamaha Snowmobiles
Yamaha snowmobiles are not built with just one use in mind. They arent just for getting from point A to B in a snowy area. They are built to add pleasure to life. They are built so people can take their families and friends out to the countryside. They are built so that that extreme sport buff can compete in a racing competition.
Yamaha has been building snowmobiles for a while now and these snowmobiles are favorites in the racing circles. The Apex GT Yamaha snowmobile has a raised seat which increases comfort for the rider. Other advantages if having this model include good gas consumption precision control suspension electronic fuel injection and a hooked end handlebar.
The Yamaha Phazer FX is great for freestyling. Its safety features and high speed performance make it a favorite for freestyle snowmobiling. The venture snowmobile has both front and rear seating. This is great for families who just like to drive around touring and enjoying th countryside. This snowmobile has bars for the passengers to hold on to as well as a cargo hold area for the passengers to store anything they might have.
Whether looking for high performance or family friendly snowmobiles Yamaha snowmobiles might just offer you a solution to your dilemma. They are highly rated and are highly recommended. Their safety features and track record for sure helps them win more people over. Make sure you get your used parts from a reputable dealer. You dont want your new snowmobile falling apart on you.
About the writer: Peter Gitundu Researches And Reports On Snowmobiles. For More Information On Yamaha snowmobiles Visit His Site At YAMAHA SNOWMOBILES
Yamaha R15 150cc Vs. Bajaj Pulsar 220cc – Comparison
While reviewing these two bikes its quite evident that the Yamaha R15 and the Bajaj Pulsar 220 were designed for two totally different riders. The Yamaha R15 would feel like heaven in the hands of the bloke whos idea of fun is all about pushing it to the limit on the twisties and setting the quickest lap timings. Ride it at low revs through crawling city traffic and you will be disappointed. On the other hand the Bajaj Pulsar 220 would make a good everyday commuting machine and a quick competent tourer for the weekends.
My pick? Well. I see more of myself in the latter description so I am going to go with the Bajaj Pulsar 220. However if you look at the ratings the Yamaha R15 is on top more times than the Bajaj. It also seems to be much better built and should hold together longer than the Pulsar before the panels and other things start working loose. Which means that overall testwise the R15 should be our winner. However there is a proviso to this. If you arent going to ride fast enjoy the R15′s stellar handling and all if youre just going to plod to office everyday you might just find the Yamaha just a bif too committed.
Then again the Yamaha YZFR15 is Rs 18600odd more expensive than the Pulsar 220. To riders like me to whom speed and handling are paramount the Pulsar isnt even going to be on their minds after they have tested the R15. If thats who you are the varying prices shouldnt really make a difference in your decision. Yamaha R15 is for you then!
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