Electric Cars 101 | Consumer Reports

Electric cars are bringing some of the biggest changes the auto industry has seen in years. Consumer Reports’ expert explains why these vehicles might not be as new-fangled as you think.

Curt ShockDrop™ Technology | Comfortable, Controlled, Confident Towing

ShockDrop™ technology is a cushion hitch system designed to enhance your comfort, control and confidence when towing a trailer. It is comprised of an innovative, flexible polyurethane isolator that dynamically adapts to bumps, potholes and uneven surfaces on the road. It suppresses rattling, vibrations, jerking and jarring at the coupling point to provide you with a superior towing experience.

ShockDrop™ technology is engineered to be the next generation of towing products, offering valuable benefits for professionals and enthusiasts alike. ShockDrop™ is integrated into a growing line of CURT products, enabling a variety of lifestyles for a more enjoyable towing experience.

ShockDrop™ provides enhanced control in your driving by counteracting the effects of uneven roads. It also helps increase the driver’s control over the vehicle in events of sudden braking and combats the tendency for undesirable trailer sway. ShockDrop™ technology is also a benefit to the life of your vehicle and towing equipment. The cushion isolator reduces the strain of towing on your vehicle’s brakes and suspension system to promote longevity. Compared to other cushion hitch solutions, ShockDrop™ is lighter-weight, putting less stress on your receiver hitch.

For maximum confidence, ShockDrop™ technology is engineered for simplicity. Each product is designed to be virtually maintenance-free. The cushion isolator is thoroughly tested for thousands of cycles, and it won’t wear out like competitive solutions that use an airbag or bearings.

Safe Driving Series | Ford Trucks | Cabin Interior Checks | Episode 2

Be sure to follow these steps to keep both you and your truck safe! #SharingTheLoad #FordTrucks

Safe Driving Series | Ford Trucks | Pre-Driving Safety | Episode 1

Be sure to follow these steps to keep both you and your truck safe! #SharingTheLoad​ #FordTrucks

Old Car vs Modern Car during Crash Test / Evolution of Car Safety

The first models and designs for automobiles were created in the 15th century by none other than Leonardo da Vinci, and the state of the global auto industry has evolved significantly since. First steam, to electric, gasoline, and today’s hybrids, the evolution of safety features in cars plays an essential role in reducing the once overwhelming number of injuries and damages resulting from auto accidents. Auto manufacturers have come a long way over the history of auto safety, paving the way for improved global safety standards.

Unfortunately, as a vehicle ages, a number of factors come into play that reduce the automobiles safety, aside from mechanical wear and tear. According to statistics, a driver is 10 times as likely to suffer fatal injuries in a collision while operating a 30-year-old vehicle versus a late model. The auto industry is continually working to improve the safety of current mechanisms, as well as developing and testing new ideas for safer vehicles. Developments in driving technology and new types of airbags have been prevalent just this year.

While the ultimate safe vehicle may be a long way off, American auto manufacturers have made significant strides in improving the overall security and protection a vehicles structure provides. Over the past 3 decades, fatal accidents in the U.S. have decreased by more than 1/5, a substantial decrease demonstrating immense progress in terms of the safety features in cars.

The need to revolutionize auto safety was not fully realized until the 1950s, when the first usable airbags were developed, among other safety mechanisms. Then, in 1970, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was created. The organization still uses the same name today, and continues its role in promoting and effectively executing driving safety regulations throughout the U.S. Whether creating new policies or revising existing regulations (at the state and federal level), the NHTSA and the United States have been true catalysts in the history of car safety.

Ford Transit AWD Overland Review

We test the Ford Transit AWD on our test track, including steep climbs and descents, cross-axle terrain, and embedded rock. This vehicle relies heavily on the traction control system for forward progress. While not an off-roader, it is certainly ready for vanlife travel around the world!

Venco Venturo Industries, LLC Electric-Hydraulic Cranes - Work Truck Show

ET6K ELECTRIC-HYDRAULIC CRANE Max. Capacity 2,000 lb - Crane Rating 6,000 ft-lb - Max. Reach 10 ft Min. Truck Size Needed (GVWR) Class 2 (8,000 lb) The Venturo ET6K service crane is a 6,000 ft.-lbs. crane with 2,000 lb. lifting capacity featuring electric winch, power rotation and hydraulic boom elevation with a single, manual extension up to 10 ft. ET12KXP ELECTRIC-HYDRAULIC CRANE Max. Capacity 3,500 lb, Crane Rating 12,000 ft-lb, Max. Reach 16 ft Min. Truck Size Needed (GVWR) Class 2 (8,800 lbs GVWR) With a 12,000 FT-LB rating and a 3,500 LB maximum capacity, the ET12KXP can be installed on trucks with a minimum Class 2 (8,800 lbs GVWR). The ET12KXP features proportional control, single-stage full-hydraulic extension and a one-piece hexagonal boom for increased strength. This new crane features a 9′ – 16′ reach. ET12K(X) ELECTRIC-HYDRAULIC CRANE Max. Capacity 3,500 lb - Crane Rating 12,000 ft-lb - Max. Reach 15 ft Min. Truck Size Needed (GVWR) Class 2 (8,800 lb) The Venturo ET12KX service crane is a versatile application that is neither too large or too small for a majority of lifting jobs. This crane has been utilized heavily in municipal/public works industry lifting anything from service equipment to fire hydrants throughout the United States. With a 12,000 FT-LB rating and a 3,500 LB maximum capacity, the ET12KX can be installed on trucks with a minimum 8,800 GVWR. The ET12K(X) comes in two configurations; the ET12K offers two-stage manual boom extension, and the ET12KX offers single-stage hydraulic extension with a secondary manual boom extension.

Farming Electrified with Sonoma County Winegrowers | Ford Pro

Farms in the most sustainable county in the United States are collaborating with #FordPro to help them work smarter, not harder with our full suite of productivity solutions.

Introducing the 2023 Ford F-150® Heritage Edition | F-150 | Ford

We’re marking the 75th anniversary of F-Series with the 2023 F-150 Heritage Edition, a modern take on the iconic two-tone pickup. Coming this fall.

Truck U - Load'N'Go Powerbody Work Truck

Truck U on the SPEED Channel hosts Matt Steele and Bruno Massel demonstrate the Load'N'Go Powerbody slip-on work truck tool box from Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies. The work truck industries original full size steel pickup truck utility - service body.

Electric Urban Fleet Vehicles Show Promise

The commercial EV van and truck startup Electric Last Mile Solutions, Inc. (ELMS) reached a financial milestone June 28 as its shares of its common stock and warrants started trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the new ticker symbols “ELMS” and “ELMSW”, respectively.

The company formally completed its business combination with Forum Merger III Corporation (“Forum” or “Forum III”), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), that it announced in December 2020. Forum shareholders approved the combination at a special meeting held on June 24, 2021.

In an interview with Charged Fleet June 28, ELMS CEO and co-founder Jim Taylor said the company won’t be able to release a projected amount of capital to be raised through shareholder training until it files a Super 8K with the SEC four days later. The total number of outstanding shares also will not be available until the form is filed.

Source: https://www.chargedfleet.com/10146398/elms-opens-on-nasdaq-as-its-electric-urban-fleet-vehicles-show-promise

Drivetrains 101 | Consumer Reports

A car’s drivetrain is how you get power from the engine to the wheels. Consumer Reports’ expert explains the difference between front-wheel, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel, and four-wheel drive. Check out https://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez

When to Replace Your Tires | Consumer Reports

The lifespan of a tire can range anywhere from 25,000 miles to 100,000 miles. The experts at CR show you how to check your tires so you’ll know exactly when to replace them.

Building the Ultimate Work Truck | A Guide for Contractors and Equipment Suppliers

A good work truck shouldn’t just be reliable transportation—It needs to be a toolbox, a mobile office, a hauler, and more… Here’s a complete guide to building a work truck that works as hard as you do. Work Truck Job Requirements When it comes to the different work truck functions, here are some questions to get you started… Passengers. How many people will you have to fit? Some trucks offer a way to easily reconfigure the interior to accommodate more people or more cargo. Load. How much weight do you need to haul? If you regularly haul heavy equipment to job sites, you may want a truck with a high towing capacity. Tools. What kinds of tools do you need to keep handy in the truck? You’ll want a way to organize and secure them and may want to consider aftermarket accessories as well—But more about this later. Distance. How far do you travel each day? If you’re clocking in some heavy miles, a hybrid or all-electric work truck could save you some dough. Terrain. What kind of terrain will you travel on? You may not need an all-wheel-drive (AWD) if you’re just driving on regular pavement. Truck Size You want to be comfortable! One indication that the truck may not be the right size for you is your need to move the seat to maximum positions—For example, do you need to move all the way up and forward in order to see over the wheel? Or will you want to lower the seat and recline it in order to avoid hitting your head? Don’t judge a truck by a photo, alone—You’ll want to take a seat inside the real thing! Truck Hauling and Towing If you regularly move equipment and other heavy items, we recommend getting the highest rated towing capacity that you can afford. For some, sacrificing interior space for a longer truck bed will suit their hauling needs. It is not necessary to buy a work truck large enough to tow items that you rarely have to transport. In the event you have a super heavy load, you can always just lease a larger truck. Truck Wheels You’ll want the type of wheels that can handle the terrain you are most likely to encounter on a regular basis. Some like the look of oversized tires, but it can be harder to get into a truck that is high off the ground. You can be dazzled by expensive rims, but you’re going to work, not a truck show. These are opportunities to save money to buy more practical accessories. Truck Safety Airbags are standard these days, but some newer work trucks include some impressive safety features, including braking when a living being is detected in front of you or warning you if you start to drift into another lane. And backup cameras are getting more sophisticated with guides to help you back into spaces and warning signals when you’re getting too close to a wall. Tools There are several ways to organize your tools. Here are just a few options: Decked offers a unique drawer system that doesn’t take away your bed space. Bedslide makes it easy to slide your tools and equipment out from your truck. Weather Guard has their line of Pack Rat pull out storage in various sizes. Ram offers the Rambox Cargo Management System on some models. It has locked storage that lines the bed of the truck.

How V8 Engines Work - A Simple Explanation

V8 engines operates under the same basic principles as any other gasoline four-stroke engine. First the piston pulls in air and fuel as it moves downward, then it compresses that air and fuel as the piston moves upward. A spark plug fires, igniting the air/fuel mixture and forcing the piston downward. Finally the piston pushes out the exhaust gases on its way back up, before for the cycle repeats itself.

In a V8 engine, this cycle is happening in 8 different cylinders, at different times. Instead of multiple cylinders firing at the same time, you want them to be spread out so that power delivery is smooth. For this Chevy V8, the firing or is 1, 8, 7, 2, 6, 5, 4, 3. With 8 cylinders, there is a cylinder firing for every 90 degrees of the crankshaft rotating, which means at any point in time, there are two cylinders on the power stroke.

With regards to the valvetrain, the intake air comes from the top of the engine, and into the sides of the cylinder head. The exhaust flows to the sides of the engine, exiting the exhaust valves from the cylinder head. In this LS3 model, there is a single intake valve and a single exhaust valve, though it’s also common to see engines with two intake valves and two exhaust valves. The larger valve is the intake valve, and the smaller valve is the exhaust valve.

The pushrod valvetrain gets its name from the metal pushrods which activate the rocker arms which open up the valves. The camshaft, located in the center of the V, has lobes on it which push the push rods up, opening the appropriate valves. For a full explanation of V8 engines, check out the video!

New 5th Wheel Toolbox Review (Brute) - RV Transporting

In this video I review a Brute 5th wheel toolbox from Dan's Hitch in Elkhart, IN. I talk through my previous experience with toolboxes and then get into showing off the toolbox setup (5:30​). Everyone has their own way of organizing a toolbox but I briefly share how I will have mine organized according to my needs.This Brute 5th wheel toolbox is made in the USA (Michigan) and I'm extremely happy with my purchase. Dans-Hitch.com Dan's Service Center 111 Alt Drive Elkhart, IN 46514 574.262.4638