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Contents

Rugged Offering

The legendary Jeep Wrangler is as capable as ever ...pg 12

Silverado The Silverado is on a high after the 2014 redesign ...pg 22

Dakar

Porsche Porsche adds the Cayenne S E-Hybrid to its lineup ...pg 30

RV-ing

We cover the 2015 Dakar Rally ...pg 32

ALSO INSIDE

Fresh Tracks---------------------------------------- 4 Feature: Ford Rogue Factory Tour--------------18 New Wheels: Toyota Highlander Hybrid -------25 New Wheels: Ram ProMaster City -------------34 New Wheels: Mazda CX-9 ----------------------36

The 2015 Keystone Carbon 22 ...pg 44

Detroit

See what’s new in the truck industry from the North American International Auto Show ...pg 20

Truck Tech

We replace the driveshafts on a Jeep Wrangler ...pg 40

New Wheels: Mitsubishi Outlander ------------37 Feature: BOLT Locks ----------------------------- 48 Gearing Up----------------------------------------50 Stuck Trucks--------------------------------------54

Feb / Mar 2015 Trucks Plus

FRESH TRACKS

Volume 8, Issue No. 1 February/March 2015 Publisher/Editor: Dean Washington

2015 AJAC Canadian Car/Truck of the Year Finalists Announced

dean@rpmcanada.ca

Associate Publisher: David Symons david@rpmcanada.ca

Managing Editor Jordan Allan jordan@rpmcanada.ca Circulation: Brenda Washington brendaw@rpmcanada.ca Copy Editor: Gerry Frechette gerryf@rpmcanada.ca Sales & Marketing Elaine Fontaine elaine@rpmcanada.ca Contributing Writers/Photographers: Jordan Allan Howard J Elmer Gerry Frechette John Harwood Russell Purcell Albert Vandervelde Benjamin Yong

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Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

Porsche Macan S

T

he AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada) Canadian Car of the Year category winners were announced recently with Porsche, Subaru, Hyundai, and Mercedes being the big winners, as each manufacturer saw two of their vehicles crowned in their respective categories. On the truck/SUV/CUV side of things, four different manufacturers took home the crown in four separate categories. The Subaru Outback 2.5i was named the Best New SUV/CUV under $35,000, and winning the Best New SUV/CUV from $35,000 to $60,000 was the Toyota Highlander. Porsche’s Macan S was crowned the Best New SUV/CUV over $60,000 and the Best New Pickup award was given to Ford’s all-new F-150. All 15 category winners are now in the running to be named the AJAC Canadian Car or Utility of the Year which will be announced at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto in February. For the complete list of winners, check out www.ajac.ca.

Possible Ford F-150 Hybrid Version Coming to Market?

Ford is reportedly working very hard in order to make a hybrid version of the popular F-150 pick-up truck happen. According to a report from Autoblog, when they spoke to Ford’s global product development chief, Raj Nair, he said the plan was to have hybrid pickups and SUVs on sale by 2020. The diesel route has been suggested before, but Nair says that with the recent drop in fuel prices, a hybrid F-150 makes more sense than diesel from a financial standpoint, but both options could be made available, all depending on customer demand. Nair states that the diesel would not require much work, as they have diesels in the portfolio. At this point, there has been no production version of a hybrid F-150, as other manufacturers have tried and didn’t see a lot of sales success. With the ever-growing demand for greener, more efficient vehicles, maybe now is the perfect time to release one.

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FRESH TRACKS Ward’s 10 Best Engines of 2015 Announced, Ram EcoDiesel Makes it Again

F-Pace features an excellent blend of style and performance and utilizes a Jaguar car-inspired exterior design with a luxury interior.

The vehicle, which will be the company’s first foray into the performance crossover segment, boasts innovative aluminum architecture

WardsAuto recently unveiled its annual Ward’s 10 Best Engines list for 2015, and the results saw two Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) engines make the list. To be eligible to make the list, an engine must be all-new or significantly re-engineered, with a base price not exceeding $60,000. The 37 nominees from this year include last year’s ten winners and 27 new entries. Each engine was scored based on power, torque, technology, fuel economy, relative competitiveness,

coupled with an advanced suspension system, which give it a sporty, lightweight feeling reminiscent of one of the sports cars in Jaguar’s lineup. All-weather and dynamic driving traction will be aided by the Instinctive All-Wheel Drive system and All-Surface Progress Control technology, to give the ultimate control in just about any conditions.

Engine configurations and power numbers are not yet known at this time, but you can be sure that information will be revealed in due course before the anticipated 2016 release.

3.0L EcoDiesel V6 and noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. The two Chrysler examples on the list were the 6.2L Supercharged OHV V8 found in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, and the 3.0L Turbodiesel DOHC V6 found in the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel that has so far been met with great reviews from the truck industry. Other notable engines on the list were the 127-kW Electric motor from the BMW i3 electric car, the 1.0L Turbocharged DOHC 3-cylinder found in Ford’s Fiesta, and the Corvette Stingray’s 6.2L OHV V8.

Jaguar Introduces All-New Performance Crossover

Jaguar recently introduced an all-new performance crossover to its lineup, to go on sale sometime in 2016, called the F-Pace. The

2016 Toyota Tacoma Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

Toyota Debuts the All-New Tacoma at Detroit Auto Show

Toyota recently unveiled the all-new 2016 Tacoma at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The mid-size pickup has been completely rebuilt both inside and out, and received major upgrades for both powertrain and suspension tuning. Under the hood of the new Tacoma is either a 2.7L 4-cylinder engine or a segmentfirst 3.5L Atkinson cycle-equipped V6 which includes Toyota’s D-4S technology and features both direct and port fuel injection. Both engines are paired to a new six-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift, while the V6 engine also has the option to be mated to an also-new six-speed manual transmission. On the exterior side of things, the new truck now shares some of the Tundra’s look, with a chiseled face and hex grille. A taller, more muscular hood is also

FRESH TRACKS included in the front, as well as high technology headlights with available LED daytime running lights sitting high above the bumper. On the rear, a new locking tailgate features an integrated spoiler and an easy-lowering feature. On the inside, a plethora of available new features are found, such as Qi wireless charging, smart key with push button start, blind-spot monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic alert, and enhanced touchscreen audio, to name a few. When it hits showroom floors, the new Tacoma will be available in four grades, in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, which are SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and the top-of-the-line Limited edition.

Most Jaguars and Land Rovers to Get Diesel Engines in the Next Few Years

According to a report from Autoblog, nearly all Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, excluding the F-Type sports car, will get a diesel engine option within the next three years. Beginning this fall, the 2016 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will make a turbocharged 3.0L

Next-Gen Jeep Wrangler Possibly Getting 8-speed Automatic Transmission

Jeep Wranglers of the past have used antiquated 3-speed automatic transmissions before the current generation ushered in a 4-speed followed by a 5-speed. According to a report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and cited by Automotive News, those days are over, as Jeep plans on using its 8-speed automatic transmission on the next-generation Wrangler. The transmission is

2015 Range Rover Sport V6 diesel engine available that puts out 254 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque, while producing impressive fuel economy numbers of 8.4L/100 km on the highway. Joining the Range Rovers will be the 2016 Jaguar XE sedan and F-Pace crossover, both of which will see a 2.0L turbodiesel 4-cylinder engine option be made available with reported fuel economy numbers of 5.9L/100 km on the highway.

Although gasoline prices have taken a huge drop lately here in North America, the same Autoblog report suggests that JLR (Jaguar-Land Rover) expects about 20 percent of its customers to opt for the more efficient diesel engines despite diesel being the more expensive fuel at the moment.

already seen on a large number of vehicles throughout the Chrysler lineup like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Durango, and Chrysler 300. According to the report, the company plans on using that transmission on all rear-wheel drive vehicles except for the HD Rams and SRT Viper. The Automotive News report suggests that they wanted to put the transmission into the current Wrangler, but it simply wouldn’t fit.

GMC Canyon Nightfall Edition Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

GMC Introduces Nightfall Edition of 2015 Canyon Mid-Size Pickup

GMC recently unveiled the 2015 Canyon Nightfall edition, which is a stylized, blacked-out edition of the midsize truck that blends a dramatic appearance with popular features and accessories. The special edition will be offered on SLE crew cab models for both 2WD and 4WD in an Onyx Black colour. In addition to the standard equipment that comes on an SLE trim model, the Nightfall adds a black grille, black assist steps, spray-in bedliner, 18-inch aluminum wheels, polished

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exhaust tip, automatic climate control and remote start. The appearance of the Nightfall edition reflects customer preferences, as 40 percent of the initial orders for the Canyon included at least one selection from the list of added features of the new edition. Some additional standard content on the special-edition Canyon is a rear-vision camera, eight-inch diagonal colour touch radio, two USB ports, and SiriusXM satellite radio.

Ram Reveals the Off-Road-Inspired Ram 1500 Rebel STRONGER TOUGHER MORE DURABLE

Ram recently introduced the 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel to the public, which brings an off-road inspired design to the full-size pickup. The exterior of the special edition features a new blacked-out grille with a prominent RAM badge that sits above a black off-road front bumper incorporating a silver skid plate, new front tow hooks, and LED fog lamps. The Rebel will be

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available in five different colour options and features 17-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in standard 33-inch tires to provide capability and rugged looks. The interior of the Rebel has been tweaked also, and features an all-black instrument panel, and high-durability technical grain vinyl seats with fabric inserts embossed with the Toyo tire tread pattern, just to name a few. On the performance side of things, off-road capability obviously gets a boost with a 1.0-inch raised ride height, as well as Bilstein front and rear shocks and a softer rear stabilizer bar. The aforementioned 33inch tires are the Toyo Open Country A/T tires which perform well under any circumstances. Available powertrains for the new model include the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and the 5.7L HEMI V8, both of which are paired to a class-exclusive 8-speed automatic transmission.

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The 2015 Polaris RZR Mint 400 will return to the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas Nevada, from Wednesday, March 11th through Sunday March 15th. The Mint 400 will feature three days of pre-race festivities in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, followed by the most challenging and thrilling off-road race on the planet. Over one thousand of the world’s top off-road championship competitors will do battle in twenty different classes of vehicles across the brutal and unforgiving Mint 400 race course, in front of thousands of spectators and race fans.

Crowds in excess of fortythousand are expected to attend the festivities on Fremont Street East as well as The Mint 400 race – which are free to attend. Starting in 1967, The Mint 400 is the premier off-road race in world, boasting the largest field of competitors, and the most comprehensive national television coverage of any off-road race on the planet. Part of the Best In The Desert Championship, last years record-setting Mint 400 had 330 race teams, and set two new class entry records including fifty-two UTV’s and fifty-five unlimited Trick Truck.

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Iconic Wrangler

2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Story and images by Russell Purcell

F

ew car companies can claim to have iconic models, but Chrysler’s Jeep division can easily make that claim with its now legendary Jeep Wrangler sport utility offering.

rugged enough to tackle whatever you may throw its way when the pavement comes to an end, the Sahara has been designed to ride a little softer and display improved handling on city streets and during highway travel.

The Wrangler offers consumers a capable five-passenger all-terrain vehicle that can be quickly converted into a wind in your hair beach cruiser simply by removing the top. It is this versatility that has made Wrangler models a huge success, and to this day, the model has no rival that can match its dual personality.

There are two wheelbases and seven models of Wrangler available for 2015. The subject of this review is the Wrangler Unlimited

Sahara which lays smack in the middle of the Wrangler lineup, and is one of the most popular models on the showroom floor.

You should note that the Sahara has been designed and equipped to perform daily duty as a versatile family vehicle, but it isn’t as rugged and hard-edged as more aggressive models like the company’s rock-crawling Wrangler Rubicon. While more than 12 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara has been designed to perform well in hostile environments and treacherous conditions, so it does warrant a Trail Rated badge, a mark of distinction that Jeep applies to those models that will stand the test when the going gets rough. Part of the appeal that draws many Canadian consumers to purchase a capable vehicle like a Wrangler is the fact that it instills an image of ruggedness and adventure on the person sitting behind the wheel, even if they never plan to venture off-road. In this day and age, image really is everything.

Stepping into a Jeep showroom, you will notice that the Jeep Wrangler Sahara is available in either short wheelbase or four-door form. The stretched model is referred to as the Unlimited, and since its debut almost a decade ago, consumers have favoured it over the traditional version due to its greater versatility with regards to transporting both passengers and cargo.

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While not an opulent place, the Wrangler Sahara’s interior design is pretty snazzy, although utilitarian in nature. Heated bucket seats wrapped in durable leather proved supportive, and a similarly finished leather-wrapped steering wheel helped dress things up a bit. There is plenty of room to stretch out, as all seating positions offer enough space for adult heads, hips, and limbs.

The Wrangler Sahara features a long list of standard equipment, but Jeep offers many options allowing customers to equip their rig to best suit their individual needs. One of the most popular options is to replace the standard black roof with a body-coloured Freedom Top with deep tint windows. Fitting one of these to the Wrangler gives the vehicle a huge visual impact and makes the Jeep look more refined overall.

I found that stepping up and into a Wrangler can be a chore, and I am 6’2� tall! I must admit that I was pleased to see that this test unit had been fitted with side-mounted tube steps.

Once behind the wheel, you immediately notice that the seating position is more of a perch than that in a traditional automobile,

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FEB / Mar 2015

Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to the dash layout. The compact gauge cluster is comprised of traditional instrument dials, and most switchgear and controls are within easy reach of the driver. Heavy-duty tread-pattern slush mats will prove popular during the dreary winter months, while also keeping water and grime away from your pant legs.

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bit of bounce when the brakes are applied in short order, or you encounter large road irregularities.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning, heated power side mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated controls, height-adjustable driver seat, cruise control, and a full suite of safety nannies to keep you out of trouble (including Electronic Stability Control with Hill Start Assist, Traction Control, Electronic Roll Mitigation and Trailer Sway Control).

Under the hood, the Wrangler derives its motivation from Chrysler’s award-winning Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 engine which produces 285 horsepower and 260 pounds-feet of torque across a relatively broad power band. The vehicle comes fitted with a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment, but a five-speed automatic transmission is available as a low-cost option. Jeep throws Hill Descent Control in as a no-cost bonus for buyers choosing the automatic upgrade.

Acceleration is impressive for a vehicle of this type and size, and handling is also respectable. The Wrangler tracks straight and true and exhibits very little body roll. Overall, the ride is comfortable under most driving conditions, but the presence of heavy duty springs and gas-charged shock absorbers can promote a

16 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

The Wrangler’s surefootedness comes from Jeep’s CommandTrac four-wheel drive system which features a part-time, twospeed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. This system has proven durable and reliable and should keep you out of trouble when the going gets tough or slippery.

With a new level of refinement and improved amenities, the venerable Jeep Wrangler should continue to be a strong seller in the Canadian marketplace.

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FEATURE Facing a possible shutdown in 2004, the company funnelled $2 billion into a complete overhaul of the site that involved the changes necessary to convert from sports car to truck production, the launch of the tour, implementation of sustainable manufacturing technologies and even the a 10.4-acre garden dubbed the “living roof.” The plant was recently renovated again to prepare for the production of the brand new aluminum 2015 Ford F-150, which involved the installation of 500 additional robots in the body shop and dirt detection and automated painting systems.

Ford Rouge Factory Tour

As interesting as the films were, I was looking forward to the behind-the-scenes part of the tour where guests are able to walk along a catwalk above the actual factory floor. Parts of F-150s, in all colours, moved along the nearly seven-kilometre assembly line where employees inspected, installed and tightened things. At one section, they crawled inside the cab, and during another, they hovered alongside, door in hand.

Story and photos by Benjamin Yong

T

he first words that popped into my mind when sitting in the Art of Manufacturing Theatre at the Ford Rouge Factory Tour was “high-tech” — during the performance, a 3-D scale model of Ford’s new F-150 rose from the floor, and mechanical arms moved around it while lasers and lights shone from every direction.

Some interesting facts learned about the new F-150 during the tour: it features 11 available class-exclusives like a 360-degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stored in the pickup bed, LED headlamps and taillamps, sideview mirror spotlights and a remote tailgate release, to name a few. Nearly 700 pounds have been shaved off thanks to its aluminum platform; and the truck is more fuel efficient than ever before, in particular those equipped with the new 2.7-litre EcoBoost engine.

I experienced this during my mid-December trip to the Rouge in Dearborn, MI, also known as FordTown USA. What really surprised me was when I found out that just a few dozen metres away, actual trucks were being put together, and that the facility is actually nearly 100 years old.

Originally constructed by Henry Ford in the early 20th century, the factory became an industrial marvel where “ore came in on one side and a car out the other,” said Bruce Hettle, executive director of global manufacturing engineering at Ford.

“The Rouge is the absolute centre and heart of the Ford Motor Company,” said Hettle during a brief presentation before a film on the building’s history was shown. In it, a narrator talks about the 100,000 workers that were once employed during the peak of the 1930s, the devastating effects of the ensuing Great Depression on operations, and the vehicles that were built there, including the long run of the Ford Mustang from 1964 to 2004.

18 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

The Ford Rouge Factory Tour opens Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, visit www.thehenryford. org/rouge/thetour.aspx.

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Truckmania at NAIAS 2015 Story and photos by Benjamin Yong

A

ccording to the automotive lunar calendar, it must be the Year of the Truck, because there was an awful lot of amazing news in that particular segment to come out of this year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. This was particularly the case with the Asian manufacturers, with Toyota, Nissan and even Hyundai getting in the mix, although the domestics held their own. Read on.

Ford Dearborn’s favourite manufacturer actually kicked off the show by having its redesigned F-150 receiving the North American Truck of the Year award. Following that up was an announcement of the new highperformance F-150 Raptor. It’s now more than 500 pounds lighter, runs a 3.5-litre EcoBoost engine — with more horsepower and torque than the current V8 — mated to a 10-speed transmission, and larger FOX Racing Shox with more suspension travel. On sale fall of 2016.

Ram 1500 Rebel The Titan will be assembled in Mississippi, and the motors will come from Indiana and Tennessee. Doesn’t get more US of A than that.

Hyundai The Korean car company stunned audiences when models pulled the covers off the Santa Cruz concept, a part-truck/part-crossover vehicle intended to appeal to the growing Millennial automobile-buying demographic. How do they do that? With bright yellow Brembo brakes, a short bed that can be expanded, an environmentally friendly 2.0-litre turbodiesel powertrain and all-wheel drive for winter mountain excursions.

Toyota Calling itself the “king of the hill,” Toyota’s new Tacoma is off-road focused with features like an automatic limited slip and locking rear differential, hill start assist control, active traction control and even crawl control 2016 Toyota Tacoma

Nissan AMERICAN TITAN. That simple name was embossed on the press kits for the 2016 Titan XD that was unveiled, a full-size pickup that Nissan says was created for American buyers. Both a V6 and a Cummins 5.0litre V8 with 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque will be available, along with various cab configurations to be introduced at a later date. that allows the computer to modulate acceleration and braking so all the driver has to do is steer. It’s even got a GoPro mount built right into the rearview mirror to capture all the muddy fun.

2016 Nissan Titan XD 20 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

RAM The folks from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had arguably the most elaborate truck presentation: the 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel appeared vertically from behind the stage before descending down in front of the audience.

“The exterior is the first clue the Rebel offers something different,” said brand president and CEO Bob Hegbloom. It certainly looks unique with a big blacked-out grill and headlights, black fender arches and black RAM lettering across the tailgate. A V6 and a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 are offered, and the Rebel has an air suspension system with a factory one-inch lift.

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A Steady Progression

2015 Chevrolet Silverado

Story and photos by Albert Vandervelde

T

o say the last generation Silverado/Sierra trucks from GM were getting long in the tooth is an understatement, this coming from a long-time Chevy fan. While the truck platform is excellent, the other full-size truck manufacturers long ago left the interior styling of the GM trucks in the dust.

Along comes the 2015 GM trucks and all is forgiven. Let’s face it, you can’t reinvent the world when it comes to pickup trucks; there is a cab and a box of prerequisite size, based on what people typically carry. This means a 4x8 sheet of plywood needs to fit between the wheelwells in the box. However, more and more people are using half-ton trucks as their primary vehicle. Yes, they are harder on gas (but getting better all the time), and the new generation of light-duty trucks ride excellent, haul up to six people and all the cargo you can muster for that trip to the dump, hardware store, or a long trip to your favourite vacation spot pulling a trailer with ease, and the new GM trucks handle all with aplomb.

went a makeover inside and out, and new engine choices such as the 4.3-litre V6 should not be confused with the 4.3 from years past; it is all-new and sports 285 horsepower @ 5,300 rpm, and 305 lb-ft of torque @ 3,900 rpm. Other options in the GM lineup include a 355-hp 5.3 V8 and a 420-hp 6.2 V8.

The MAX Trailering Package, available on Double Cab and Crew Cab models, enables the Silverado to tow up to a class-leading 12,000 pounds, and includes increased Rear Gross Axle Weight The 2015 Silverado 1500 has undergone subtle but distinctive body changes for the new generation full-size truck.

Larger grill openings and a squarer nose are the most evident. Overall, the changes give the GM platform a more aggressive big truck look.

Our tester was a Chevrolet Silverado. The GMC Sierra is virtually identical, with slight styling differences. For 2014, the body under-

Ratings (RGAWRs), heavy-duty 9.76-inch rear axle, 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, locking rear differential, Trailering Package, trailer electric brake controller and enhanced engine radiator cooling system.

Tailgate design has come into its own, with most manufacturers making some type of “wing” design along the top edge.

22 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

While the outside styling keeps to a steady progression, with new tailgate styling, built-in steps in the bumper and optional kick-out box side steps, the interior is where I found the best updates.

Gone is the flat, cheap plastic slab of a dash, and in its place is a nicely-styled centre stack with all your major controls, nice large knobs and flip switches making everything easy to use (though female passengers found them unnecessarily chunky.)

NEW WHEELS Thank you Chevy for stepping into 2015 with your interior!

Ford was first with a retractable step along the side of the bed, and Chevy now has a version as well.

you will want the torque and power from the 6.2. However, that will hit you in the fuel pocket as a daily driver.

The gauges are all easy to read, and the MyLink system is far less invasive than the Ford SYNC, but nothing for me beats the audio controls of the Ram on the back side of the steering wheel for ease of use, once you figure them out.

The ride is very smooth until you hit a speed bump, and the front feels very truck-like and it will hop the bump with any speed. I found the Ram and Ford excel in this area, but the GM feels much more solid and gives more confidence for attaching a trailer to the rear.

So let’s roll into that 4.3 we drove. In my eyes, you do not buy a truck like this to be miserly on the engine. Skip the V6, it’s only there, as far as I’m concerned, to appease fuel ratings on websites.

It drove well, but in a truck this size, it felt underpowered at all times. Buy no less than the 5.3 V8 and if you want to tow heavy,

GM has always had a good selection of engine choices. In the 1500 series this includes an all-new 4.3L V6 (as tested) which was a very smooth engine, but in a truck this size, I would suggest passing it over for the 5.3L or 6.2L V8.

Welcome to 2015, GM! I now look forward to seat time in the new Colorado – the old model of that truck needed to go as well!

Watch how it works!

The BOLT Series of locks lets you set all your truck, trailer and equipment locks to work with your ignition key!

Now available for the NEW 2015 Ford F-150!

24 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

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NEW WHEELS

Hard to Beat

2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Story and photos by Russell Purcell

W

hen most people think of hybrid automobiles, Toyota is the brand that immediately comes to mind, as the Japanese automotive giant is the world leader in the production of hybrids.

One of the most popular vehicles in Toyota’s current lineup is the well-appointed Highlander Hybrid, a family-friendly SUV that offers environmentally conscious Canadian consumers the perfect mix of luxury, reliability, and fuel efficiency.

Power is derived from the latest iteration of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system which is comprised of a 3.5-litre Atkinson Cycle V6 engine, a

Hybrid vehicles deliver impressive acceleration, as the electric motor engages to supply the Highlander with instantaneous torque when you step hard on the accelerator. This very efficient electric motor will also step in and out of the action to provide an additional boost of power whenever load on the engine increases, such as when the vehicle is climbing a hill or the driver requires an extra surge of power to execute a passing manoeuvre or to merge onto a busy highway.

The Highlander Hybrid proved to be a competent handler, and there was very little body roll or lean when cornering. The vehicle tracked straight and true and while not dynamic, it did leave this driver entertained and feeling confident behind the wheel.

Toyota has equipped the Highlander Hybrid model with Toyota’s Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) system which has been engineered to improve active safety and vehicle handling. This clever system will help alleviate driver stress as it integrates an array of handling and traction control systems, and is capable of anticipating situations, such as a skid, and taking proactive measures to maximize driving stability.

Four-season traction appeals to Canadian consumers due to the fact that our climatic conditions can be relatively harsh and our road conditions are often far from optimal. As a result, the Highlander Hybrid comes equipped with Toyota’s innovative AWD with Intelligence (AWD-i) system.

high-torque electric motor-generator and a powerful traction battery. This proven combination of technologies works as efficiently as possible under the direction of a sophisticated power management system.

Overall, the system produces 280 net horsepower, remarkable fuel efficiency and reduced emission levels. In fact, the Highlander Hybrid delivers 10 more horsepower than the traditional gas model, while using almost 30 percent less fuel.

Shapely new bodywork has been designed to help the Highlander better cheat the wind, but it also permitted the designers to deliver a slightly larger passenger cabin and reduce wind noise.

This system has been designed to operate the Highlander as a front-wheel drive vehicle until it senses that additional traction is required. When wheel slippage is detected, the AWD-i system automatically switches into allwheel drive, utilizing an additional motor to drive the rear wheels and a series of sensors to maintain an optimal distribution of torque. Once the extra traction is no longer needed, the system automatically switches back to front-wheel drive. This is beneficial, as it helps maximize fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear on components.

The Highlander Hybrid’s spacious passenger cabin has been designed to comfortably transport either 7 or 8 passengers. The Limited model is exceptionally bright and airy, as it has been equipped with a full glass panoramic moonroof with tilt and slide capabilities. Lesser models feature a traditional moon roof design.

Feb / Mar 2015 Trucks Plus 25

NEW WHEELS SPECIFICATIONS: Base price (MSRP): ........................................................$44,015 Price as tested: ..........................................................$54,812.15 Type: ..................................... AWD, front-engine, mid-size SUV Engine: . ....3.5L, DOHC, 24-valve V6 with Hybrid Synergy Drive Power: ...............................................................................280 hp Torque: ............................................................................215 lb-ft Transmission: . ..............................................................CVT auto Brakes: ....................... Front ventilated disc/ rear solid disc, ABS Fuel consumption (L/100km, city/hwy): ............................8.6/8.5

While the recently redesigned Highlander offers consumers a higher level of comfort and luxury than ever before, this is especially true for those passengers seated in the first two rows, as the Highlander offers an abundance of head-, hip- and legroom, and will easily permit taller individuals to ride in comfort.

The top-of-the-line Limited model benefits from the addition of a number of advanced safety and convenience technologies, including Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and a Pre-Collision System.

Of course, the three-passenger third-row bench is best reserved for children, but access to this seat has been vastly improved, as the second row captain’s chairs quickly slide forward and out of the way to allow for efficient ingress and egress.

Drivers will appreciate the uncluttered dash design, and all controls are within easy reach and their use quickly became intuitive. There are also loads of storage options within the cabin, including a long, illuminated, in-dash shelf that offers quick storage and easy access to smaller items like cell phones and gloves. This clever addition even includes a small pass-through for charging cables to allow unfettered access to the 12-volt accessory port or USB connection mounted below, while the large centre console features room enough for a laptop as well as a USB port and a 12-volt accessory socket.

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FEB / Mar 2015

The Highlander Hybrid is hard to beat when it comes to safety, build quality, and overall dependability, so it is well worth consideration if you need the extra room for passengers but demand improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

SMART INNOVATIVE FLEXIBLE

MADE

2 IS BETTER THAN 1 The Deuce doesn’t like to play by the rules. Not only does it roll up like a conventional tonneau cover from the rear, but with a pull of a latch the front flips over to allow you access your entire bed from the driver or passenger side. Combining flexibility with the stylish low-profile design that only TruXedo offers is what makes the Deuce stand above the rest.

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NEW WHEELS Ingo Scheinhütte, senior designer at Porsche who worked on the current Cayenne, made the trip out and gave a brief presentation detailing some of the changes to the vehicle. “Wider and more powerful” was a recurring theme, and applies to everything from a revised hood shape and exterior front air intakes to the removal of the rear license plate light bar and reshaping of the rear bumper diffuser — all of which are meant to give the SUV a bigger, meaner presence on the road.

A driving partner and I took out an S first. It now features a 3.6-litre V6 bi-turbo instead of the previous V8, making 420 horsepower, an increase of 20 over the outgoing engine. That was more than enough to slog up even the steepest gravelcovered hills along our route.

Next, we found ourselves in the eco-friendly S E-Hybrid that happens to be the first luxury plug-in hybrid in its class. Utilizing a 3.0-litre, 333-hp supercharged V6 cooperating with a 95-hp electric motor, it produces a net 416 hp and 435 lb-ft of torque. Fuel consumption is a combined 5.0 Le/100km according to Transport Canada numbers.

Significant Refresh

No doubt the electrified Cayenne is an exciting, and important, addition to the Porsche fleet, but we couldn’t help but anticipate the chance to pilot

2015 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Story and photos by Benjamin Yong

A

s if the Porsche Cayenne wasn’t a spicy enough SUV already, the mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle gets a significant refresh for 2015 with the introduction of two versions to the line-up.

A handful of people were invited to scenic Whistler by the Germans to test out firsthand the redesigned Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo and the all-new Cayenne S E-Hybrid. And, although they didn’t make it out on this particular trip, there was also talk of the extra-sporty GTS variant (440 horsepower, body aero, 24-millimetre-lower air suspension) as well as an entry-level model featuring the company staple 3.6-litre, sixcylinder 300-hp engine.

the Turbo through mud and partially frozen creeks. Pumping out 520 hp and 553 lb-ft from a 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8, it can reach 100 km/h from a standing start in 4.5 seconds. Knock 0.1 seconds off that time with the optional Sport Chrono package, which adds a stopwatch on the dash — featuring requisite green needles on S E-Hybrid models — and a Sport Plus button capable of activating enhanced engine dynamics.

If you weren’t into Cayennes before for whatever reason, there’s now more choice than ever to find something you like. To learn more about the extensive new line-up, visit the Porsche Canada website.

Most owners and enthusiasts are aware of how the Cayenne performs on regular roads — so to truly test the ability of these machines, the venue shifted to off-road trails of the nearby Callaghan Valley, where I had an opportunity to drive the Porsche Macan compact crossover at another event last fall.

30 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

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FEATURE

2015 Dakar Rally

Story by John Harwood

F

rom January 4th to 17th 2015, 685 competitors, from 53 countries, competed in a total of 414 vehicles including 164 motorcycles, 48 quads, 138 cars and 64 trucks in a grueling 2015 Dakar Rally. Fourmillion spectators got to witness this great event across Argentina, Bolivia and Chile broadcast in 190 countries. The Dakar route takes competitors some 9,000 kilometres over rough, rocky roads and through desert dunes from sea level to 3,500 metres above.

The rally takes place over 13 stages, starting and finishing in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Over the 13 days, competitors are tested over

clear message to the rest of the field that he was going to be the car to beat. Nasser took the lead in Stage Two and never looked back. It was the Qatari’s second Dakar win. A big win for the Red Bull ALL4 Racing Mini and Qatar Rally Team.

Giniel di Villiers finished in second place in his Toyota, over thirty-five minutes behind the winner.

Dakar legend Stephane Peterhansel of France finished eleventh for Team Peugeot, after teammate Carlos Sainz crashed during Stage Five, twelve miles from the finish line. The car rolled five times. Neither Sainz or co-driver Lucas Cruz was injured.

Robby Gordon and Johnny Campbell took the final stage victory in the Speed Energy Gordini. A nice way to end the rally for the boys who put on a good show for the fans in Buenos Aires, pulling doughnuts NASCAR-style!

In the motorcycle category, Team KTM’s dynasty continues with Spain’s Marc Coma taking his fifth victory. The win puts him one win away from France’s Stephane Peterhansel’s record six wins on two wheel-

long, tiring marathon stages mixed with shorter fast sprints across breathtaking landscapes, making the Dakar the world’s greatest off-road rally!

On the first day of Dakar, Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar received a two-minute penalty for speeding in a link section. He sent a 32 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

FEATURE Andrey Karginov took the whole podium in trucks category. And the fifth place of Dmitry Sotnikov’s crew strengthened the total domination of the Russian trucks in this prestigious international rally.

ers. That’s fourteen wins in a row for Team KTM! Top rookie honours went to KTM’s Toby Price. The Aussie finished third. Speedster Sam Sunderland from England, another KTM member, who had the crowds buzzing with his impressive Stage One victory, crashed in Stage Two. Honda’s Joan Barreda from Spain led the overall standings through Argentina and Chile, but lost three hours during stage eight when salt

Hino Team Sugawara from Japan won for the sixth consecutive time in the under-ten litre class. Truck Two crewed by Teruhito Sugawara and Hiroyuki Sugiura finished top in class while Truck One piloted by seventy-three year-old Yoshimasa Sugawara with Yoko Wakabayashi and Katsumi Hamura finished fifth in class.

After 13 days and over 9,000 km, the 2015 Dakar Rally is complete, and when the final numbers are in, it looks like this: out of the 414 vehicles that started the race, only 216 crossed the finish line - 79

damaged the electrical system. Honda’s Paulo Goncalves of Portugal finished second overall, nearly seventeen minutes behind Coma.

Rafal Sonik from Poland won his first-ever Dakar following four top-five finishes. The Pole won by two-and-a-half hours over his nearest rival.

motorcycles, 18 quads, 68 cars and 51 trucks. For the winners Marc Coma, Ayrat Mardeev, Rafal Sonik and overall Dakar Champ Nasser Al-Attiyah, it will take a bit of time for their achievements to sink in, and then it’s back to work preparing for Dakar 2016.

It was pure dominance by Team Kamaz Master in the truck class. A clean sweep by the Russians. First place was Ayrat Mardeev. Ayrat’s father, the well known racer Ilgizar Mardeev, died tragically last year.

The man was a multiple winner of the Dakar Rally and this win was dedicated to him. Three crews of Ayrat Mardeev, Eduard Nikolaev and

Red Bull was the big winner with cars, trucks and motorcycles sponsored by them winning their class.

Perhaps the biggest winner of all was the Dakar Rally itself. A great adventure for all!

Feb / Mar 2015 Trucks Plus 33

NEW WHEELS The front-wheel drive platform affords a very low step-in height, so entry is very car-like.

The driver’s door is long, opens wide and will make an in/out multi-delivery day easy. Once in the driver’s seat, the expanse of glass creates excellent visibility in all directions (with decent side mirrors reflecting the slab sides of the van).

The City has a forward engine design which clears the cab of any protruding dog-house, yet the nose falls away quickly enough that seeing the front corners of the van is easy.

My tester was an empty cargo model without body windows (though they are available) and a driver’s partition. This factory option has a practical protection application; however, what I noticed was how quiet the cab of the City was.

You’d think this item would not be high on the engineer’s to-do list – but considering how many hours many owners/drivers will spend in the cab, the sound deadening was greatly appreciated.

Ram ProMaster City Story and photos by Howard J Elmer

B

ack in the days when a Ram was also a Dodge, a number of conventional Detroit-built vans were also part of the brand. But along with its pickups, Dodge was always the poor cousin to GM and Ford in sales, particularly in the commercial market. That changed when, during its marriage to Daimler, Dodge received a dowry in the form of the Mercedes Sprinter. This is the van that started the North American invasion of European delivery vehicles.

Chrysler, no doubt, enjoyed the revenue as the commercial van market is a substantial one. However, in the past ten years, Dodge spun off the Ram brand, Daimler and Chrysler split and after an affair with Wall St., Fiat is now the rebound boyfriend. So after losing Sprinter, Fiat must look pretty good as it, too, has brought some of its relatives to our shores in the form of the Ram ProMaster commercial van and now its little brother, the Ram ProMaster City. Recently, in Austin, Texas, I got a chance to drive the City and experience what Ram is offering.

Built on a steel unibody 122.4-inch front-wheel drive platform, the van is powered by Chrysler’s 2.4-litre Tigershark I-4 engine. And while a van is essentially a steel box on four wheels, this one does have a few firsts included. It is paired with the world’s first nine-speed transmission (in a commercial van). Cargo volume in the van is 131.7 cubic-feet, with a best-in-class payload of 1,883 lb.

This small van offers the vital four-feet necessary for pallets between the rear wheelwells. The floor space measures 60.4 inches by a length of 87.2 inches. It is fitted with sliding doors on each side, and they open to 26 inches. At the rear, the barn doors are split 60/40, with the larger door swinging towards traffic shielding the driver as he unloads towards the curb. These doors open to 90 degrees and also to 180 degrees for dock and pallet loading, but not to 270 degrees (flat along its sides) as many larger vans do.

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Road noise was minimal and the suspension (which is independent at all four corners) does not feed noise and vibration into the truck. The other benefit of this low-profile independently-suspended stance is very little body lean, and almost no bounce-back over rough roads.

While other vans in this class could be described as quick, this one is fast. Speedy manoeuvres on city streets are easy, and on-ramp merges are no problem. All the while, the clear sight lines of the van make snap decisions safer.

A note about towing. The City will tow up to 2,000 lb. That’s not something most vans in this category encourage, but Ram does, with a tow package option.

The van is also upfitter friendly with wiring and frame mounting points already in place for most aftermarket applications. In all, the factory will build eight different versions of the PM City, with or without windows – but also as a two-seater Tradesman model and a five-seat passenger wagon model that will still offer four-feet of space behind that bench seat. This innovation will be useful for work crews or, as a hockey-dad commented at the intro, “room for two forwards, a goalie and all their gear!”

The base MSRP for the 2015 Ram ProMaster City Cargo is $23,130, and the City Wagon starts at $24,130. Vans are available at dealers now.

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NEW WHEELS of any size, and there is a third row of seating in the CX-9, but it seems to be best suited for children. With the third row folded down, it provides an ideal amount of room that is definitely competitive with the segment.

The driving dynamics are what help set the CX-9 apart from the rest, and they would often make you forget you were behind the wheel of a 4,500-pound SUV. Although calling the handling sporty might be a stretch, it certainly does have sporty aspects, as a firm but comfortable suspension allows you take corners at high speeds with ease, and allows you to forget you’re driving such a large vehicle when in urban environments. Additionally, it provides a smooth and quiet ride that does a good job of absorbing bumps in the road and keeping road and wind noise out of the cabin.

Stacking Up

Under the hood of the CX-9 is a 3.7-litre V6 engine that makes 273 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, which are certainly adequate for this type of vehicle. The engine is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission with sport mode, and power

The 2015 Mazda CX-9

Story by Jordan Allan, photos courtesy of Mazda Canada

T

he midsize SUV category is ultra-competitive, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, as these vehicles provide a combination of practicality, efficiency, and ruggedness that allow them to appeal to a wide range of customers. Having driven a number of examples over the years, I was happy to learn that I would have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of Mazda’s latest offering in this segment, the 2015 CX-9, to see how it stacks up against its heavy competition.

The CX-9 has been around since 2007 and has kept the same basic shape since then despite undergoing facelifts in both 2010 and

is put to either the front wheels or all four wheels, as AWD is an available option and probably the better route to go, especially if you live in an area where snow is frequent.

Although the CX-9 has relatively the same look it has had since it debuted, it would appear to me that Mazda has done enough over the years to keep it fresh and up-to-date in terms of modern amenities and technologies. With a good price point (the base model starts at just $33,995) and a dynamic drive not often matched, the CX-9 should continue to have success in the midsize SUV segment.

2013, with the latter one nicely updating the exterior to resemble the other vehicles in the Mazda lineup. With a sharp, aggressive-looking front end and a purposeful rear, the CX-9 can trade punches with any of its competitors when it comes to overall styling.

The inside of the CX-9 is no slouch either, as it is wonderfully laid-out and keeps things extremely simple, which is something I admire.

Climate controls take no effort to figure out, and the infotainment screen with navigation and a backup camera is practical in its own right. First- and second-row seating is very comfortable for persons 36 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

NEW WHEELS

Flying Under the Radar The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander GT Story and photos by Gerry Frechette

T

here are sleepers in nearly every automotive segment. Those vehicles that fly under the radar a bit, that have a number of appealing attributes but that, for whatever reason, seldom top the shopping lists of prospective buyers in the segment. In the compact SUV class, such a vehicle is the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The third-generation of the Outlander was launched as a 2014 model, a great improvement in most ways, especially in styling, over the Gen 2 version, which had fallen way behind its market rivals in subjective appeal. Already, Mitsubishi has updated the new Outlander’s styling for 2015, with a new front fascia treatment, LED taillamps, and new, bolder 18-inch wheels on the top-of-the-line GT, and it is an attractive, contemporary look.

So, just what are the appealing attributes the Outlander brings to the compact SUV battles? There are few V6s remaining in this segment, the four cylinder in regular or turbo spec having taken over, but the Outlander has one in the SE and GT models, the proven, if old-tech, 3.0-litre MIVEC unit that generates 227 horsepower and 215 poundsfeet of torque. Neither number is world-beating, but the smoothness and response of a V6 in the normal-usage mid-range are still appreciated.

Its thirst for gasoline (14L/100 km observed in urban driving, versus the 11.5L rating), and its coarseness when pushed hard, are the downsides.

There is an ‘Eco’ mode, similar to others in that it slows up the throttle and keeps the engine at lower revs than normal, as well as paddle shifters for some manual control (but no sport mode in automatic use).

Well-matched with the engine is the six-speed automatic transmission, which performed unobtrusively, as it distributed the power to what is one of the more sophisticated all-wheel drive systems available, the

so-called Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC), that takes the normal front-rear torque distribution function found in most AWD systems, and adds to that torque distribution from side-to-side at the front via the active front differential. The driver is able to control the functioning of S-AWC, choosing from among its four modes – Eco (mostly front-wheel drive), Normal (automatic AWD), Snow (forgoing first gear) and Lock (for maximum traction on loose surfaces). We had little opportunity to try the system off-road, but we wouldn’t think that it should have much problem with anything short of rock climbing.

The Outlander GT, the de facto top model in the Mitsubishi line-up not counting the soon-to-be-discontinued Lancer Evolution, gets the latest electronic safety technology, including forward collision mitigation (FCM), lane departure warning (LDW), and adaptive cruise control, but curiously not blind spot warning (BSW) at this time.

Heading inside, it is clear that Mitsubishi has kept to a conservative design theme, and indeed, the look may have fallen behind the times in the eyes of some people who have become accustomed to the

very swoopy dashboards and door panels of the Outlander’s rivals.

But, there is something to be said for keeping things simple in such a vehicle, although the small buttons on the audio/navigation controls are not easy to use.

Feb / Mar 2015 Trucks Plus 37

NEW WHEELS SPECIFICATIONS: Base price: (MSRP): .....................................................$36,198 Price as tested: .............................................................$40,378 Engine: . .............................................. 3.0L SOHC 24-valve V6 Transmission: . ........................................ 6-spd Sportronic auto Power: . .....................................................227 hp @ 6,250 rpm Torque: ....................................................215 lb-ft @ 3,750 rpm Drivetrain: . ............................................................S-AWC AWD Curb weight: . ............................................................... 1,620 kg Towing capacity: ........................................................... 3,500 lb Warranty: ....................................10-yr/160,000 km powertrain, 5-yr/100,000 km total vehicle; 5-yr/unlimited km roadside assistance Fuel Consumption: . ....... 11.5 L/100km City; 8.4 L/100 km Hwy up, with the second row up, yields a large space with usefully-flat floor.

Access is via the power-operated liftgate.

That Navigation Package was the only option on our tester, for $2,730.

Its big screen in the (double-DIN) space normally occupied by the audio controls results in small buttons around its periphery, to control the 710watt Rockford-Fosgate audio system with nine speakers including a big sub, letting you impress everyone in the neighbourhood when you are sitting out in the carport grooving to the tunes, because the system is better than the one in your house.

The leather front driver’s seat is multi-adjustable, and there is plenty of room for taller drivers. The second-row seat, too, is roomy, and folds forward to access the third-row bench seat. Yes, the Outlander is one of the few compact SUVs to have one of those, so that is a consideration if you occasionally ferry around more than a few kids. To be clear, only kids or dogs (or adults who are short of stature) should be expected to ride back there. Obviously the cargo area has three configurations depending how all the seats are deployed, but the most common set-

So, the Outlander GT is well-equipped, as the high-end model ought to be, and the price Mitsubishi asks for it is pretty high-end, too – in some cases, thousands of dollars more than the top-end models of its major rivals. One or more of its unusual features for this segment – V6, advanced AWD, third-row seat – might just make the tariff worthwhile to you, but you may just be the most impressed with a feature that is standard on every Mitsubishi, the 10 year/160,000 km powertrain warranty. By all accounts, the mechanical components have proven quite reliable, so you might not even have a warranty claim, but that insurance is nice to have, especially if you live where not all the roads are smooth pavement.

The Outlander GT is one of those vehicles where the total seems to be less than the sum of its parts, with the difference being attributable to subjective impressions. If you prefer substance and capability over high style and plushness, you should have it on your radar.

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TRUCK TECH The two replacement driveshafts from Pats Driveline are perfect replacement for the large diameter-tube, CV head-style of shafts in the Jeep JK. Any lifted JK will need a set of these wheeling-ready driveshafts.

Replacement Driveshafts for Wrangler Story and photos by Albert Vandervelde

T

he sales numbers for the Jeep Wrangler for 2014 just came out, and Jeep sold a record 1,017,019 units worldwide, a 39-percent increase. Of those, 234,579 are Wranglers, a sales record for the CJ/Wrangler platform. No wonder Chrysler is pushing back replacing the current Wrangler to 2018! For those into off-roading, that makes a half-million driveshafts in 2014 that need to be upgraded if you lift your Wrangler. Pat’s Driveline will be busy forever…

Now that may seem harsh, but in the number-crunching wisdom of Chrysler (and new car manufacturers as a whole) they came up

with a new design for the 2007 Wrangler driveshafts which uses a CV head at each end. The Jeep crowd gained back a fixed yoke T-case but were left with a big bill to replace the stock shafts for any suspension lift above two inches.

The CV portion of the shaft turns nice and smooth on the highway, but the articulation of the joint is very limited in travel and will bind and tear the rubber boot holding the grease inside in short order.

Once this boot is pinched and torn, it doesn’t take long for the joint to dry out and fail. This goes as well for the unique tubular slip assembly built right into the tubing of the shaft. These bulge and get loose much quicker than a conventional slip yoke style with large cut teeth meshed together.

Pat’s Driveline has created a fix for this system. The conversion includes replacement yokes for the transfer case and differential (which are not difficult to swap out) and replacement conventionalstyle driveshafts with beefy DOM steel tubing, high-quality U-joints for better articulation, and a proper heavy splined slip yoke. Installation is simple, and with many units in play all over Canada from their nine locations across the country, there is no reason to order from other out-of-Canada suppliers.

Typical starter damage to a JK CV head are cuts in the CV boots from over extending. Once you see this, it’s not long before the grease spins out and fatal damage occurs.

Eight bolts hold the CV flex joint to the transfer case and eight more are on the differential. The CV assembly is not rebuildable.

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FEB / Mar 2015

TRUCK TECH The kit comes with new yokes for both ends of the transfer case and the rear differential. On the front differential, a flange adapter is added to the driveshaft.

Most of the length of the stock JK shaft is a slip yoke. Once it’s pulled apart, you can see how thin the wall is on the two parts. One hit could dent the shaft and render the slip yoke useless, and the shaft will bind after that.

Each yoke on the transfer case is changed to a Carden-style yoke flange to attach the U-joint to the case.

The Pat’s Driveline shafts replace all CVs with commonly-found 1310 U-joints for easy trail fixes and over-the-counter parts.

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TRUCK TECH The front axle is a simple flange adapter.

On the rear axle, the yoke also needs to be changed. Use caution to make sure you still have proper preload on the differential bearings.

Rather than the fluted aluminum shaft sliding on itself as the slip yoke, there are proper Glidecote coated slip yoke splines, which are greaseable and far outlast the system Jeep employed on the JK.

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RV-ING

2015 Keystone Carbon 22 Story and photos by Howard J Elmer

T

oyhauler is a description as much as it’s a type of RV. Perhaps a better label would be “base camp” for these mobile garages. Frankly, that’s what this type of trailer really is – once you get to where you want to play with your toys, it’s going to be where you start and end your adventures.

That’s why these units are continuing to grow in popularity and also why they have spread from high-end fifth wheels to smaller travel trailers that don’t have to cost a bundle.

The unit I recently tested certainly fulfilled the toyhauler description, but it also added one more element to the mix – the economy of a travel trailer.

The Keystone Carbon 22 is the second smallest of the Carbon lineup, yet it still offers a full rear drop-down ramp with decent transport space inside for two toys. Take your pick - motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles or even non-motorized vehicles.

But before we load any toys, let’s go back to that idea of a base camp for these types of sports. First off, there is more to this trailer than just a garage. It follows that the locations you’ll visit are often in the back country, and that fact demands certain abilities – the prime one being able to get in and out without damage to the trailer.

The first thing I noticed when doing my walk-around was the ground clearance height of the trailer. I estimate it to be around 14-inches clear.

When you consider where you might be towing this trailer to, that really starts to make sense. My tow vehicle was the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 and with its 4WD capability, it needs to be paired with a trailer that will go wherever the truck can go too. And, the first requirement of rough terrain navigation is good ground clearance.

But, there were a number of other design features I noticed that would also help in this goal. For starters, the twin axles are almost perfectly centred on the frame, meaning the tail droop was minimal. Up front, the bottom third of the nose is covered with chrome checker plate, attractive and good stone-chip protection. Around the rest of the trailer, that checker plate line is carried along each side in a tough plastic body moulding – again for 44 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

protection. The underbelly of the trailer is fully enclosed too. Of course, this does double duty for insulation of the tanks and keeping a warm floor for winter trips. Twin propane tanks and the battery are both protected by heavy plastic covers mounted on the A-frame.

So these innovations will get you to your riding spot, but chances are that now you’re well off the beaten path. That means dry camping. The Carbon 22 carries 60 US gallons of fresh water – not bad, however some other versions carry 86. As for LPG, twin tanks are ample to run everything for several days. Without an electrical hookup, the house battery may need some help from the truck to make it through the weekend, but where the Carbon shines is in its ability to carry 30 US gallons of gas for the toys. This integrated fuel tank is as easy to fill as the truck’s fuel tank and it has an

electric pump for dispensing. I think the beauty of this will really hit home when you realize you no longer need to lug (and store) gas cans. Not to mention the mess while pouring! That is all done away with.

Inside the 22, the first impression is clean lines, efficiency-emphasized design and simplicity. This is not a fancy trailer; instead, it’s meant to do several things well, but none of them are offered up as the “best.” For example, the garage bay in this trailer is also the main living space, so as a garage, it has a tough, easy-to-clean floor with heavy D-rings flushmounted in it to secure vehicles. Incidentally, the inside wall to front wall length of the garage space is 12’6”.

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RV-ING Drop the rear wall ramp and back out, and the garage bay is empty. Now, it serves its second purpose by housing two fold-down couches that face each other with a large freestanding pedestal table in between. These are utilitarian in design, however they are much more spacious than a dinette and easier to manoeuvre around as the table moves. A not-soobvious benefit of this arrangement is the rear ramp, when open, offers a panoramic open-air view. To that end, a retractable screen is offered as an option.

However, when night comes or weather demands, closing that door is a 15-second one-handed operation thanks to heavy-duty return springs. I also noted that this spring is installed at the junction point between the bottom of the door and the trailer floor. There are no overhead torsion bars and steel cables. This makes the door operation better and means no unintended cable obstructions.

Also inside you’ll note the ceiling height is more than you’d expect and this is not an accident. Again, a dual-purpose design accommodates roll cages but it also allows wall-mounted cupboards – front to back and touching the ceiling - that pretty much stay out of the way of vehicles but still offer up lots of storage space.

The other purpose of those fold-flat sofas is sleeping. By adding a small centre cushion, a large bed is formed (as wide as the trailer). However the main bedroom is up front and is just separate enough to make for reasonable privacy (it uses a curtain to close off the space). Again, in this bedroom, there is a lot of storage.

The bathroom, just behind the bedroom wall, is large, in keeping with the current trend. The shower is tall and has a skylight as well as a deep floor pan. The porcelain toilet is foot-operated and the vanity sink has

46 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

SPECIFICATIONS: 2015 Keystone Carbon 22 Specifications Shipping weight:............................................................. 5,420 lb Carrying capacity:.......................................................... 5,400 lb Hitch weight:..................................................................... 660 lb Length:................................................................................26’2” Height (with A/C).................................................................12’3” Fresh water;...................................................................... 60 gal Black water:...................................................................... 30 gal Grey water:....................................................................... 30 gal LPG................................................................................... 40 gal Awning:................................................................................16-ft Base Price.............................................................$27,586.00 Options: Interior Value Package:...............................................$2,443.00 Exterior Value Package:..............................................$1,878.00 Premium Carbon Package:.........................................$1,057.00 Price as tested:...................................................$32,964.00

Unit provided courtesy of Camping in Style, Brooklin, ON. both a cupboard below the counter and a large opening medicine cabinet above it. Mind you, the outdoor shower will get plenty of use during milder weather.

In the galley, the double sink and tall gooseneck faucet are nice, but they eat up most of the counter space. The two-burner stove should be enough for most meals, but the microwave will probably be used more than normal in this unit. Unfortunately not when dry camping, though. The fridge is ample and the vented hood is a must in a smaller space. It has it and it should work well.

For entertainment there is a 32-inch LCD TV mounted on the exterior bathroom wall and there is a prep kit in the front bedroom for a second TV, though I can’t see wanting more than one in a unit this size.

Décor-wise, despite its use as a rolling garage, the finishes are nice and clean, and even have radius corners. Some of the faux wood is distressed and in general, fit-and-finish is good.

As for towing, the unit is stable and despite its height, didn’t lean. Nor did it feel loose in crosswinds. I attribute this to good tires and decent axles.

One other thing I noticed. With today’s tall trucks, I often need a drop hitch to get a level attitude on a trailer, but not so with the Carbon. It sits tall, and coincidentally (I suppose), it hooked up dead even to the truck on a straight hitch.

You know, we often talk about the “active RV lifestyle,” and while this toyhauler may not interest many RVers, for a different group it really does offer one more way to enjoy active RVing. If your interest is piqued, have a look at the Carbon lineup and see what a base camp can offer you.

Feb / Mar 2015 Trucks Plus 47

FEATURE Padlocks, receiver hitch pin and all of the products from BOLT lock enable you to “key” your locks to your vehicle – with the key you never go anywhere without.

After pulling the tab off the bottom, you just insert your vehicle key.

BOLT Lock

The hidden key inside the newer Ram key fob works just as well.

Story by Albert Vandervelde

H

ow do you write about a product as simple as the BOLT lock?

Or, should we say, how can you reinvent something as simple as a padlock? The BOLT (Breakthrough One-key Lock Technology)

by STRATTEC is a pretty straightforward product.

Since that time, BOLT locks have come a long way from a simple padlock, to a host of products from hitch pin locks to Jeep hood locks, locks to secure your spare tire on the tire carrier, and more.

Bolt locks come in an array of products including a 6-ft cable lock.

The locks are shipped with the key opening covered and with the vehicle brand tagged on the lock.

They are high-quality padlocks, hitch locks and cable locks to secure just about anything in your vehicle or anywhere for that matter.

What makes it unique is the system uses your vehicle key to set the tumblers inside the lock – matching it to the most common key in your pocket, your car’s key.

It takes seconds to match the lock to your vehicle. Pull the protective tab off the lock cylinder end, insert your car key, twist till it stops, and you’re done. That’s it. The best part is, the locks are of excellent quality and even in harsh winter climates, the lock I used to secure my car trailer, which was out in the elements for two years, still worked perfectly and was rust-free.

The downside was, when I sold my truck, it made no sense to keep the lock, so it traveled on with the truck’s new owner.

For more information or to order a BOLT product, visit www.boltlock.com This lock is perfect for the receiver hitch on your trailer.

Twist your key as far as it will go and the lock will open. The lock tumblers are now synched with your vehicle key. This can’t be changed after the fact, so make sure which key you’re going to use!

48 Trucks Plus

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GEARING UP Stampede Automotive Accessories Announces New Products for 2015 Ford F-150 Stampede Automotive Accessories has announced it is releasing two new products for the 2015 Ford F-150: the Vigilante Premium Series Hood Protector and the Tape-Onz Sidewind Deflectors. The Vigilante Premium Series (VP Series) Hood Protector features an aerodynamic reverseflip design to reduce noise and provide a styling upgrade to the 2015 F-150. They are made from a durable, UV-stable material and are able to provide scratch-resistant protection from rocks, mud rain and road debris. The Tape-Onz Sidewind deflectors allow F-150 owners to beat the elements while providing ventilation to their pickups, as they allow the windows to be down partially without any rain or wind getting in.

For more information please go to www.stampedeautomotiveaccessories.com

All-New X-treme Gate Truck Bed Extenders The all-new X-Treme Gate truck bed extender weighs only 32 pounds and provides an extra 10 square-feet of truck bed space. The extenderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design allows it to stow out of the way when not in use but still remains permanently attached to your tailgate for ease of access.

When needed, it deploys or stows away in under 10 seconds and fits all full-size pickup trucks manufactured since 2009. Installation is easy with only about an hour needed.

Magnaflow Exhaust System for 2.7L EcoBoost Engine in 2015 Ford F-150

Owners of the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 with the brand new 2.7L EcoBoost 6-cylinder engine have an option when it comes to a performance exhaust system, with this new cat-back system from Magnaflow. The system is available for both extended and crew cab models of the pickup and features 4-inch polished stainless steel tips with a dual split behind the rear tire exit. The system has been dyno tested by Magnaflow and is proven to provide power and performance gains in horsepower and torque, as well as provide a smooth, deep exhaust note.

For more information please go to www.xtremegate.com

For more information please go to www.magnaflow.com

Hi-Intensity 3W LED 52-inch Off-Road Light Bar from Anzo USA

New Cold Air Intake System from Bully Dog Available for Dodge and Toyota Applications

The 52-inch Rugged Hi-Intensity 3W LED Off Road Light Bar from Anzo USA provides excellent lighting which is perfect for off-roading through dark trails or at night. The light bar, which provides both a spot and flood light combo, utilizes white LED light technology to produce incredibly bright light with a long lifespan. The black housing of the light bar provides a sleek look for your vehicle, and installation is a breeze.

Bully Dog has recently released a new set of Cold Air Intakes for Dodge and Toyota applications. The Cold Air Intakes are able to boost dense, cool air into your vehicleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engine which results immediately in more power.

Available for 2003-2014 Dodge Ram 1500-3500 with the 5.7L V8 HEMI engine and all 2007-2014 Toyota Sequoias and Tundras, installation of these kits is a breeze and doing so will result in instant horsepower and torque gains.

For more information please go to www.anzousa.com

For more information please go to www.bullydog.com

50 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

GEARING UP OR-Fab Now Offering Jeep JK Products in Raw Steel

HOOD PROTECTORS AND SIDEWIND DEFLECTORS Easy Installation / Maximum Protection

OR-Fab has recently announced that it will now be offering its full line of Jeep JK Wrangler products in raw steel, which will allow owners to customize the products with custom paint or powder coat colours to personalize their vehicles. Products that will be available in raw steel include front winch bumpers, skid plates, rear quarter armour, spare tire carriers, rock sliders, windshield LED light brackets, tailgate vent plates, and rock doors, just to name a few. The JK products are also still available in traditional wrinkle black and gloss black, hard powder coat finish.

For more information please go to www.orfab.com

JUST RELEASED 2015 FORD F-150

AirLift’s RideControl Suspension Kit Now Available for 2015 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon The RideControl suspension kit from AirLift is now available to deliver more stability, safety and ride comfort to owners of the new 2015 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups. The kit includes adjustable air springs that utilize the existing leaf spring suspension to provide up to 2,000 lbs of load-leveling capacity, plus reduce common driving problems that occur under the strain of heavy loads. The springs are adjustable from 5 to 100 PSI and for convenient air spring inflation and deflation, Air Lift offers a variety of wireless and wired on-board air compressor systems.

For more information please go to www.airliftcompany.com

Smittybilt’s E.P.S Generator Perfect for Camping The new Smittybilt Electrical Power Supply (E.P.S.) inverter and generator is perfect for camping and is able to keep all of your electrical devices fully charged and running. The E.P.S Generator has a wireless remote to either start up or shut down and can crank out up to 2,600 peak wattage when required and 2,300 continuous Watts.

It uses a “Smart Throttle” that automatically varies the engine speed for ultimate fuel efficiency, and utilizes a fourstroke, OHV engine configuration with a 1.5 gallon fuel tank.

Included on the generator are two 120 VAC outlets and a single 12 VDC outlet.

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For more information please go to www.smittybilt.com Feb / Mar 2015 Trucks Plus 51

GEARING UP B&W Trailer Hitches Reveal New Patriot 16K Rail-Mounted Fifth Wheel Slider Hitch

At the recent 2014 SEMA Show, B&W Trailer Hitches unveiled its new 16,000-pound Patriot rail-mounted fifth wheel slider hitch. The new Patriot 16K RVK3270 hitch is built to exacting specifications for smooth, flawless and virtually inaudible operation. Unlocking the slider hitch is now a breeze due to the locking mechanismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gearreduced cam ratio design. The hitchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two, one-inch solid tubular steel carriage rails are designed with strong sturdy centre supports that prevent the rails from deforming or binding as a result of flexing under load. The Patriot 16K slider hitch accommodates 12 inches of slide, allows vertical adjustments from 17-19 inches and will fit on industry-standard mounting rails.

For more information please go to www.turnoverball.com

52 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015

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That is some serious mud to deal with.

Getting stuck was probably the best case scenario.

Always check the depth before you go in.

He got himself in quite deep here.

We were quite surprised he got stuck, the snow doesn’t look all that deep.

Don’t think you’re supposed to be able to touch the ground from the drivers seat.

We’re sure that most of you have had the misfortune of getting stuck while out on a weekend adventure. So send us your photos of your adventure to stucktrucks@rpmcanada.ca and if we use your photos we’ll send you a cool Trucks Plus hat!

54 Trucks Plus

FEB / Mar 2015