No More Bruised Shins: Protecting Your Shins with Essential Trailer Gear,Everyone has experienced it – accidentally bumping into the ball mount and ending up with a painful bruise on the shin. Minimize the impact by equipping your ball mount with a ShinShield protective rubber cushion. This cushion is designed to curve downward, effectively preventing contact with both the sides of the ball mount and the ball stud.
Bungee Tie-Downs: Streamlining Trailer Security,To secure the contents within the trailer, we employ ratcheting tie-down straps. The trailer features tie loops on each side, providing ideal attachment points. However, when attempting to hook the first tie-down to a loop, it often slips off before we can reach the other side, resembling a scene from “The Three Stooges.Recently, we discovered a solution known as Hook-Tight, a product designed to hold straps and bungees in place during the securing process. Hook-Tight can be acquired from select home centers or purchased online in packs of four. Its effectiveness makes it a worthwhile investment.
The Top Trailer Hitch Camera: iBall Trailer Hitch Camera,Even with assistance from a spotter, aligning a trailer can be a cumbersome task. For those seeking to simplify this process, the iBall trailer hitch camera presents an excellent solution. The monitoring unit conveniently plugs into the truck’s power port, commonly known as the cigarette lighter. Moreover, the camera comes with a magnet, allowing for secure attachment to either the truck or the trailer. In our testing, we opted to affix it to the top of the tailgate, providing a comprehensive overhead view.
Aluminum Trailer Jack for Tandem Wheels: EZ Jack,For trailers featuring tandem wheels, the wedge-shaped aluminum EZ Jack (available at Cabelas) proves to be an excellent choice. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to utilize it effectively,Begin by loosening the lug nuts on the flat tire.Insert the EZ Jack beneath the inflated front tire, then pull the entire trailer forward (or position it on the back wheel and drive in reverse if the front tire is flat).Secure the opposite side with chocks.Proceed to replace the tires.Afterwards, stow the lightweight EZ Jack in your truck, and you’re all set to continue your journey.
Emergency Trailer Lighting Solutions,If you own a trailer, encountering issues with taillights is a common occurrence. To prepare for such situations, it’s advisable to keep a battery-powered bicycle taillight in your vehicle. In the event of a taillight failure, securely attach the bike light to your trailer. This will serve as a temporary alert for vehicles following you (and ideally deter any potential attention from law enforcement). However, it’s essential not to consider this a permanent fix. It’s crucial to promptly address and rectify the taillight problem.Bonus tip: Ensure you have a spare tire and a wrench suitable for the lug nuts on your trailer wheels. Do not assume that your truck’s lug wrench will fit.
Enhanced Trailer Accessibility,Facilitating the loading and unloading of tools and materials from a truck bed, the HitchMate Truck Step proves to be an invaluable tool. Easily insert it into any standard 2-inch trailer hitch receiver and secure it with the lock pin. Release the spring-loaded retainer knob and extend the bar fully, reaching a length of 23-1/2 inches. This strategic positioning places the step precisely where you require it—right at the end of your open tailgate. Once you’ve completed your task, simply flip up the step, retract the retaining pin, and neatly stow the entire unit under your truck bed for future use.
Removing a Stubborn Ball Mount,Dealing with a rusted ball mount on your trailer hitch requires a strategic approach rather than brute force. Acquire a can of CRC Freeze Off penetrating spray, an air chisel, and a hammer bit to execute the following procedure:
- Begin by applying CRC Freeze Off spray into the hitch receiver’s opening. This penetrating fluid chills the metal, inducing contraction and aiding in breaking the rust seal.
- Utilize the air chisel with the hammer bit to dislodge the rusted components. The air hammer effectively breaks up the rust, facilitates the spread of the penetrant, and ultimately releases the ball mount.
- Once the ball mount is freed, gently tap it out with a hammer. If you intend to reuse the rusted mount, consider applying a coat of rust converter or waterproof marine grease for protection.
High-Strength Steel Trailer Locks,Trailer thieves easily bypass standard coupler “latch locks,” finding them no challenge as they can be effortlessly cut with small bolt cutters. For genuine protection, opt for a coupler lock that poses a significant challenge to potential thieves. One exemplary choice is the Trimax Universal Coupler Lock. Simply insert the ball into the coupler and slide on the U-bracket. Unless a thief has the time and tools to unbolt the entire coupler and install a new one, your trailer remains securely protected.
Preventing Trailer Theft,For those with high-value trailers, enhancing security with an additional layer of protection is a wise move. Consider employing a “boot” style lock alongside the standard coupler lock. Various styles are available, but a recommended model is the Trimax TCL75 Wheel Chock Lock. Not only does it provide a formidable lock, but it also acts as a wheel chock to prevent the trailer from moving. Simply slide it onto the wheel and engage the lock cylinder.
