From performance chips for all makes and models to air suspension kits, from high end exhaust systems, super-fancy rims, super-busy spinners, to the snazziest and most high tech audio systems, you don’t have to be a world famous hip hop performer or sports figure to be pretty heavily involved in the latest of aftermarket upgrades. (We admit, however, that it’s true that having the wealth of a Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, or a Michael Jordan would not hurt.) The fact of the matter is that upgrades of all types are an increasing temptation for gearheads as they survey the ever growing panoply of high end equipment.

At the other end of the scale, however, the automotive aftermarket is also growing because of the need of more and more consumers to save money. The success of the United States automotive industry notwithstanding, the American consumer, for the most part, is more stretched than ever. Many of us are hanging on to cars for far longer than we might have in the past.

For these folks, aftermarket air suspension kits are not so much an element of trying to pimp out our ride, but simply one aspect of allowing our car to operate as well as possible for as long as possible. Similarly, performance chips designed to improve gas mileage are obviously not so much a matter of conspicuous consumption as a judicious move to save declining natural resources, reduce dangerously harmful greenhouse gases, and also save money. The same may go for improved exhaust systems and countless other improvements.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having a little bit of fun with our cars, and there’s nothing wrong with the popularity of spinners, fancy hubcaps, high end rims and superb audio systems. There’s also absolutely nothing wrong, and a lot that is good, about the growing use of satellite and web-based automotive devices such as GPS, which help us get where we are going faster and more efficiently. That saves on emotional stress as well as on gasoline use and emissions. It’s impossible to find anything wrong with that. Yes, car dollies are just one exciting aspect of the aftermarket auto parts . Be it upgraded air suspension kits, HID lights, or the fanciest in automotive bling, it’s a worldwide industry that we’re happy to say is very much here to stay.

Beyond the way they look on the out side, it is possible to purchase superior headlight systems, such as xenon HID lights that can give you a much bigger viewable area when you are driving in the dark. Experts say that ultimately it is our lack of ability to perform well in darkness that contributes to a high mortality rate during these dark hours. Having the addition of these incredible lights, in comparison to standard halogen, is enough to potentially save not only your life, but those around you.

You can also add on air suspension to give your self an incredibly smooth ride. This is done by removing the standard coil suspension and adding in special air bags that are controlled by both an air compressor, and a computer. In making this switch you are capable of controlling each tire independently and the result is a completely smooth ride, regardless of what the road is like.

The ultimate in car accessories is the performance chip, which is a device that takes over your engine control unit and forces it to change all system settings to your will. This in turn has made it possible for some drivers to get much better horsepower, better gas mileage, and even cleaner emissions, depending on how it is set up. No matter if you are simply wanting a car cover, car dolly, or you are seeking out to install a professional sound system, the options are now truly unlimited.

Understanding your vehicle’s towing capacity before began towing is very essential. You are expected to create an unsafe driving situation, if you exceed the manufacturer’s driving capacity, and will probably cause serious damages to the engine, transmission, rear axle, brakes and wheel bearings, in addition, you will void the manufacturer’s warranty.

If you are going to purchase a new vehicle, take into consideration that AWD and $WD vehicles have a lower towing capability compared to 2WD vehicle. Pickup trucks with extra-cab and crew cab designs also tend to have lower towing capacity than comparable standard cab designs. It is worth researching towing capacity of a vehicle before you decide to buy it. You’d better buy a vehicle with a much larger towing capacity than you plan to use.

Checking Your Vehicle’s Owner’s Manual

The best mean to define the towing capacity of a vehicle is to read the vehicle’s owner’s manual and compare the data with the certification plate on the driver’s door sill. The manual of the owner provides thorough instructions and limitations, and tips for safe towing, too.

For instance, the Ford Crown Victoria 2000 year model owner’s manual includes the following statement:

TRAILER TOWING

Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing vehicle. Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least3,200 km(2,000 miles). Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine, transmission, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components carefully after towing. Your loaded trailer should weigh no more than907 kg(2,000 lbs.).

Many safety considerations exist to properly towing a trailer or caravan starting with vehicle towing capacity and ranging through equalizer hitches to properly and legally connecting the safety chains.

According to theUnited States, more than 65,000 crashes involving passenger vehicles towing trailers occurred in2004 intheUS, jumping nearly 20 percent from the previous year.

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1. Work with a car dolly plan. You can easily buy them off eBay or other online stores for a nominal fee. If you search online, plans with specific measurements are also available. You should remember that not every vehicle is built in the same way as a dolly and so you should consult someone with expertise in this area before taking up a plan.
2. Firstly, you need to assemble the axle. You can get it from any nearby salvage yard, and could cost around $50 if you remove it by yourself. One of the best options for a cheap but reliable axle is obtaining it from any models post-1990s of the Dodge Caravan, though you can explore other vehicles which have similar designs and a better offer. After having freed it from the vehicle by removing the nuts, ‘U’ bolts and shock bolts, not to mention the brake lines, you can remove the axle. You will then need to cut the axle into two at the midpoint of the leaf spring mounts, using a saw with a sharp blade. After that, a sprinkler pipe or Black pipe may be inserted into the axle, which should be sufficiently thick to provide support. Henceforth, weld the ends of the pipe to the axle parts.
3. The second matter of importance is the cradle assembly. Use sturdy angle steel and put one piece of angle steel at a fixed distance from both sides of the cradle. Place two pieces of angle steel into the ‘boxes’ made. Align the cradle assembly with the axle so that the centre of the tire corresponds to the centre of the cradle. The cradle should then be tack welded into place.
4. Depending on the dimensions of this incomplete car dolly, take a piece of box tubing and tack weld the piece underneath the centre of cradle, fitting against the axle. Weld securely any meeting points with cradle and axle. This is the tongue assembly, which is then bolted or welded with a trailer coupler consisting of overlapping pieces of steel welded together.
5. Ramps are then prepared by attaching (using cartridge bolts) angle steel pieces to one end of each of the two identical planks.
6. You will also need tie-down straps to hold the car. Fenders (may or may not be needed) and lights are required to complete the whole outlook of your car dolly. These items should come with complete user manuals.

Remember to take your car dolly on test-drive before you use it extensively. The vehicle on the move should be driven extremely slowly to see if the dolly can support the towed car. Also, consult a professional on the matter so that your dolly can be customized to your needs and you take all necessary safety precautions.

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