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Contents
Moab 2014
The 2014 Easter Jeep Safari from Moab ...pg 12
Labrador
Suburban
Tucson
MKC
A journey from Toronto to Labrador in the new 2014 Toyota Tundra ...pg 20
The Chevrolet Suburban has been around since 1935 ...pg 32
The Hyundai Tucson is a well-equipped CUV ... pg 30
ALSO INSIDE
Truck Tech
Fresh Tracks---------------------------------------- 4 New Wheels: Lexus RX 350 F Sport-----------24 New Wheels: Jeep Cherokee -------------------27 PIAA Wiper Blade Install ------------------------34
We install a set of Air LIft 100 helper air springs ...pg 50
RVing
The all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC ...pg 28
The 2014 Tiffin Alegro Breeze 32 BR ...pg 46
Powersports: Kymco UXV 700i ---------------- 36 Truck Tech: Volant Air Intake Install ----------- 41 Gearing Up----------------------------------------58 Stuck Trucks--------------------------------------62
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Trucks Plus
FRESH TRACKS Volume 7, Issue No. 3 June/July 2014 Publisher/Editor: Dean Washington
Chevrolet Debuts New Silverado High Country HD Models
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 Russell Purcell Bruce Spierenburg Benjamin Yong
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Chevrolet recently unveiled its first premium heavy-duty pickup with the 2015 Silverado High Country HD models. The High Country HD models are meant to combine the refinement and convenience of the Silverado 1500 High Country but with the ruggedness and increased capability of the 2500HD and 3500HD pickups. Unique features of the High Country models include a chrome grill with horizontal bars, body-colour front and rear bumpers, six-inch tubular chrome assist steps, and High Country badges on the doors and tailgate of the truck. Chevrolet’s new up-level trailer tow mirrors will be made available, and the 3500HD High Country will be available either as a single or dual-rear wheel model, with maximum tow ratings of up to 22,900 lbs. Under the hood you’ll find the same three available options as the regular Silverado HD lineup including a 6.0L gas V8, a bi-fuel version of the same 6.0L V8 and a 6.6L Duramax turbodiesel option.
BMW Shows its New X5 eDrive Concept
For the first time in its history, BMW has released a concept vehicle that is essentially a plug-in hybrid vehicle with the capability to drive in fully-electric mode for short distances. The BMW X5 eDrive concept was debuted at the New York Auto Show and it sees the eDrive technology being paired with BMW’s all-wheel drive system, BMW xDrive. Under the hood of the concept you’ll find a BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder combustion engine paired with a 70 kW (95 hp) electric motor that work together to become incredibly efficient. During extensive testing, the average consumption was an astoundingly low 3.8L/100km with very low harmful
DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS
FRESH TRACKS emissions. When in fully-electric mode, the X5 concept has a range of about 30 km at speeds of up to 120 km/h. The electric motor obtains its energy from a high-voltage battery that has been conveniently placed under the flat luggage compartment floor, meaning it won’t compromise your cargo space. The battery can be charged quickly by using the BMW Wallbox, or it can be plugged in to any standard household power outlet.
Nissan Starting Global Production on its Second 100-Percent Electric Vehicle
Nissan has started the production of its second all-electric vehicle, the e-NV200, which will be first available in Europe as both a passenger vehicle and light commercial van. The Nissan plant in Barcelona will be the global production site for this zero-emission vehicle that will share a drivetrain with Nissan’s first all-electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF. Inside, the driver sits in a high position and sees the traditional gauges being replaced by very futuristic blue EV meters. A large touchscreen monitor that resembles and acts like a tablet computer displays all vital information and acts as a control for vehicle functions. With a reported range of 170 km and a battery that can be charged overnight, there will most likely be a widespread demand for the e-NV200 and it is expected to be exported worldwide starting early this summer.
Mazda CX-9 Expected to Get Needed Redesign in Time for 2016 Mazda has been busy lately launching a ton of new vehicles, and it looks like the biggest vehicle in its lineup is also slated for a re-design. The CX-9 SUV has been around since 2007 with a couple of minor refreshes since then, but according to a report from CarAdvice, it is expected an all-new version of the CX-9 is set to be launched by
2016. The next-gen CX-9 will most likely see it move away from the Ford-derived V6 engine that sits in the current model to most likely make way for a new, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The same CarAdvice report stated that Masahiro Moro of Mazda had said a hybrid powertrain option is unlikely, but some other markets outside of North America could see a diesel version.
Mercedes-Benz Working to Refresh G-Class
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been on the market for an astounding 35 years now, but clearly it has not gotten stale with the public, as a report from Autocar says that last year was the G-Class’ Mercedes G-Class
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FRESH TRACKS strongest in terms of sales. When you hear that, it is no surprise that it still is a staple in the Mercedes lineup, but reportedly, Mercedes does have a number of updates planned for the vehicle. According to the same Autocar report, to begin the increased use of aluminum in the vehicle’s construction could possibly see around 450 pounds shed off its curb weight. Despite losing some of its weight, it’s said that it’s supposed to grow four inches wider to benefit the stability of the vehicle, as well as the interior space. New suspension components are said to be added, as is a new steering system and a new nine-speed automatic transmission. Originally, the more luxurious GL-Class was slated to replace the G-Class, but luckily, Mercedes realized there was still some demand for the big vehicle and it looks like they plan on having it around for a while.
you can be sure they will not sit idly by while the competition keeps getting bigger and better.
Lexus Launches All-New NX Luxury Compact SUV
Lexus has proudly introduced its all-new luxury compact SUV called the NX, which will be the company’s first foray into the luxury compact SUV segment. The edgy, bold design is meant to appeal to a wide variety of new customers who enjoy an urban and active lifestyle. Two powertrain variants will be made available upon releases with the first being an efficient hybrid in the NX 300h and the other being the first use of the all-new Lexus-developed 2.0-litre gasoline turbo
Next GM HD Duramax Could Rival Ram and Ford
A pickutrucks.com report has suggested that when GM decides to release the next-generation Duramax diesel engines, reportedly for the 2016/2017 model year, it will have received several improvements to provide more horsepower and torque, so it will more closely rival Ram’s Cummins and Ford’s Power Stroke. In the past few years, GM has seen its main rivals up the output in their diesel engines to where the Dodge 6.7L Cummins inline-six now produces 400 horsepower
and 850 lb-ft of torque, and the upcoming 2015 Ford Super Duty’s Power Stroke diesel engine will make a whopping 440 horsepower and 860 lb-ft of torque. Early reports suggest they will use the same 6.6L Duramax block but it will now have a smarter injector system and a more sophisticated electronic control module which means it will reportedly have around 440 horsepower with 850 lb-ft of torque, which is right on par with its competitors. No official announcement has been made by GM regarding any changes to the Duramax, but
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engine in the NX 200t with all-wheel drive. Inside, a wide array of innovative technologies are included with features like a wireless charging tray for portable devices, the new Lexus Remote Touch Interface, heads-up display, and many others. On the outside, bold flared wheel arches house 17- or 18-inch wheels to provide a muscular stance, and LED headlights and daytime running lights further enhance the look. Additionally, an F Sport version of the NX will be available and will feature F Sport-exclusive items such as a spindle grille and sporty seats, just to name a couple.
Ford Puts All-New 2015 F-150 through Extensive Torture Tests With the goal of engineering its toughest truck yet, Ford has put the redesigned 2015 F-150 through ten million miles of combined realworld and simulated durability testing. To ensure they are, in fact, building their toughest truck yet, the people at Ford were challenged to torture the truck harder than any F-150 before. Some of the tests are reportedly so extreme that a five-day period would equal ten years or 150,000 miles (241,000 km) of abuse by even the roughest
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of customers. One test had Ford engineers dropping 55-gallon drums into the bed of the truck on an angle to make sure all of the force came down on the sharp rim of the drum. Another test had the F150 towing maximum trailer loads for 13 miles at posted speed limits with the air conditioning running full blast in the heat of the Arizona summer. Finally, one of the tougher tests was a special torture track that was built to violently twist and shake the truck seven different ways simultaneously to see how it would hold up in situations that could cause the frame to bend.
Could the Chicken Tax Finally be Going Away?
Recently, U.S. President Barack Obama visited with a number of Asian countries to discuss the status of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. Normally, this would have no effect on the North American pickup truck market, but thanks to an obstacle called the Chicken Tax, it could greatly shake up the market. For a brief history lesson, way back in the 1960s, the US imposed a 25-percent tariff on a number of things, including light trucks due to a number of countries putting a tariff on US chicken imports which had become very popular at the time. This was to stop foreign auto manufacturers like Volkswagen from profiting by exporting these light trucks into North America, and came to be called the Chicken Tax. Fast forward 50 years, and the tariff has been lifted off of all other things except for light trucks, which causes us in North America to miss out on some cool smaller offerings like the VW Amarok and Mitsubishi Raider. The recent talks regarding the TPP could possibly see that tax finally being lifted, which would certainly shake up the automotive world, as it could mean a wave of light trucks would cross the pond and create a heavy buzz in the almost non-existent light truck segment here in North America.
Chrysler to offer transmission tweak for 2014 Jeep Cherokee
A report from Automotive News has stated that Chrysler will be offering a software tweak for the all-new 9-speed transmission that’s found in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee. This comes after many complaints were filed regarding the new transmission which had already caused the Cherokee’s launch to be delayed a couple of months last year to perfect the transmission’s software. As with any electronic transmissions, this 9-speed example is designed to adapt to the owner’s driving style and habits and will adjust its shift patterns accordingly. The same Automotive News report suggested that not every Cherokee that’s been sold so far will require the software update, but it will, however, be offered under warranty to any owner who doesn’t like the feel of the new tranny.
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OFF-ROADING
Moab Easter Jeep Safari
Photo Caption: Jim McGeen, owner of Dynatrac axles in California, hosts the yearly Moab Bunny Run each year on the Monday of the Safari. The guide this year was Dan Mick, a legendary figure in Moab, Utah. The group included vendors, product end-users and friends of Dynatrac. Jim’s Yellow LJ and Dan Mick’s JK have the group lined up and ready to head to Strike Ravine. Story and photos by Bruce Spierenburg
S
ometimes a single word can conjure up an array of images and emotions, memories and adventures. That one word for me is Moab.
If you’re into four wheeling, mountain biking, or desert hiking, I’m thinking many of you have the same visions of me when saying the name of that dusty little town in Utah where it can snow in the winter and fry you in the summer. Visions of hard, curving red rock wrapped all around you and off into the distance, challenging off-roading, biking the slick rock trail, hiking into a labyrinth of canyons (watch for arm-pinning falling rocks) or just takThe same – but different. On the left, Trent McGee’s (worked for almost everyone in the business over the years) near-stock ‘80s CJ-7 complete with Iron Duke four and a backwards 2barrel carb (goes better up hills like that but down is an issue says Trent), and Pat Gremillion’s (Premier Power Welder) Hummer H1 custom IFS CJ with a Ford 5.0L under the hood.
ing in the amazing views and rock arches from the array of national parks all around the Moab area, all beneath the towering La Sal Mountains. It is like being nowhere else on the planet. It’s been three long years since I’ve been to Moab for the Easter Jeep Safari, and for my 7th trip, and 4th with Co-dog Todd Gronsdahl from Aqualu Industries, it’s also the first time I’ve returned since stepping away 12 Trucks Plus
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from the magazine business. So kind of a holiday of sorts – really, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I used Moab as a motivator to get my Jeep completed after two years of down time, which included a move and a job change. Four months of weekends went into a fairly major rebuild, but when I was having issues getting my Jeep ready to go two days before leaving, and it looked like my TJ wasn’t going to make it, my very generous boss at Gear Centre Group offered to let me take the well-built company XJ, and I just needed to fly to Edmonton and drive it to Kelowna to load it onto the trailer. My wife said, you need a break; go with Jeep or without Jeep but just go. I love my wife – and yes, I figured out my TJ, the stars aligned and the rebuild came together and it made the journey back to slick rock heaven with me. Knowing many of the companies and most of the people that make this world of four-wheeling in amazing modified rigs possible, I got several
Dan Mick in the flesh and bones. He looks like a chunk of Moab red rock that walks and talks.
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OFF-ROADING My TJ decked out in Quality Gear stickers is pretty decent, but in this crowd, it just blends into the background as another Jeep on 40s during the Easter Jeep Safari week.
invites for trail rides and with some help from our company marketing department I put together a Quality Gear Canadians-only Trail Ride and BBQ on the Tuesday of Easter Jeep Safari week as well.
Climbing one of the steeper grades on the Strike Ravine trail. The trail loops in and out of the Area BFE off-road area.
Gridlock in the desert seems to be a much calmer experience than what is usually on your morning commute.
After an uneventful 2,000 km / 22-hour drive to Moab, our Monday started in the parking lot of the Old Spanish Trails Arena for the Dynatrac/Falcon Tire-sponsored Bunny Run trail ride to Strike Ravine. It has been years since I’ve wheeled Strike Ravine, actually all the way back to my first trip to Moab, so I was looking forward to visiting the area again. This year’s trail ride was also led by none other than Moab icon Dan Mick. Dan has been leading 4x4 tour groups through the trails of Moab almost as long as Moab has had trails. Seeing the man himself up close is like looking at a walking talking chunk of Moab sand stone. The Strike Ravine trail still exists in its entire length but now a good portion of the trail wraps in and around Area BFE off-road park. If you’re not familiar with the park, it contained a couple of well-known trails, Upper and Lower Helldorado. The land was part of the Utah School lands trust and when the two parcels were sold off, BFE Films stepped up and bought
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Our motley group of Canadian Jeeps on the Metal Masher trail. biggest, baddest of 4x4s. We caught up to a group of highly modified rigs and got a chance to watch them tackle the hard sections while several in our group poked at optional lines, testing our own rigs.
one of the two sections and turned it into Moab’s premier hardcore fourwheeling area open to all, but donations gladly accepted at the gate. Lower Helldorado was closed by the other parcel owner but the area around Upper Helldorado was saved for off-road use.
The cool thing about Metal Masher is that you can make it as hard or as easy as you want; these guys are choosing the hard route up this rock ledge.
The group consisted of a wide array of rigs from Trent McGee’s stock (including four-cylinder carburetor-equipped engine) CJ7 to a mix of modified rigs including Pat Gremilion’s Hummer IFS converted Jeep. While not a “hard core” trail ride, it was a great day out getting back in touch with those in the industry who I haven’t seen in a few years. Our second day out consisted of the Quality Gear trail ride. I decided to do a Canadian-only run again, and with rather short notice we had a small but enthusiastic group out for a run on Metal Masher. While the trail’s name sounds intimidating, it’s a good solid fun run capable by most Jeeps with 33-inch tires, with lots of optional rock ledges to challenge the
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One particular steep climb, I noticed some slight fluid leakage from my just-built Jeep and found a bad fitting on my transmission cooler line. It sidelined me from the harder wheeling till I could get back to town for a fix but didn’t stop any of us from completing the entire loop and even
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OFF-ROADING Max needed a little spotting on this rock ledge. A leaking tranny line sidelined me from the harder climbs the rest of the day, but didn’t make the day any less enjoyable.
These darn 4-door JKs make most of these rock ledges look easy. And look in the background, that Dan Mick guy gets around and now there are two of him back there. challenging Widow Maker – the final optional challenge to the trail. A few years ago a steel hook was placed in the rocks above the steep climb, but it seems this year the hook took one too many tugs and dislodged the chunk of the rock it was drilled into. This reverted the challenge back
new dimension in darkness. We had to wait for the last few people coming down the steep rock slabs just at dusk before heading up. We managed to catch dusky light for the Devils Crack then a moonless night fell on us, and we climbed the slabs with just a little assistance for Down main street there were several businesses renting locked-and-loaded side-by-sides and they were motoring along easily on Metal Masher, avoiding the harder routes, but if you wanted the Moab experience without hauling a Jeep, this is a great way to get out and see many of the trails.
Huh, more PitBulls at work. to getting at least one rig up so there is an anchor point to winch to, as short-wheelbase Jeeps have a very difficult time getting up this near shear rock face. With three of us pulling on a tug strap on the only four-door JK in our group, we managed to drag the beast up and Max followed on his winch, while the rest of us drove around the bypass to catch up. Max from North Shore Off Road makes one of the larger climbs look easy in his PitBull tire-equipped JK.
Bruce and a slight spot or two for the other, otherwise it was near radio silence as everyone focused on the task at hand and had a great climb up to the edge where we could look over all the lights of Moab spreading out under us and off in the distance a few headlights of those challenging Hells Revenge in the dark. This was some of the nicest weather we have had for this night run and it afforded us all some time to sit and take in the sights and chat part of the night away. With the descent still in front of us, we all saddled up and made short work of the 2K downhill (up again for all the ledges), some tire lifting dropping down the Z-turn, and back to pavement. This would bring to a close the wheeling days for 2014 as the group split up and took on other challenges with friends the rest of the week, and I took in the always awesome trade show for the next two days. After two years with my wheeling rig basically on blocks, it only takes one trip back to Moab to get you to say to everyone - see you next year! I’ve been stung by the Moab bug again….
With the trail being quite a long one, we called it a day, had a few refreshments back at the condo and called it a night. Our week wasn’t quite done yet. We had all our guests plus a few more join us back at the condo on Wednesday for a BBQ and a generous giveaway of a Quality Gear Polar EXT 8000 winch. Max walked away with the big prize then we loaded up for the biggest challenge of the week – Moab Rim in darkness. Rated 7 out of 10 for difficulty in the daylight, the intimidating Devils Crack and the truck flipping Z-turn take on a totally 18 Trucks Plus
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The Metal Masher trails take you to Seven Mile Rim and an amazing view out over the Moab Valley and off in the distance, the snow-capped La Sal Mountains in Colorado.
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Tundra Takes Labrador
Story and photos by Howard J Elmer
T
oyota has been trying to break into the big leagues of the Detroit-dominated pickup truck business ever since the T-100 was introduced back in 1993. That statement is both old news and the cast-iron base-plate of the story I’m about to tell. But first, let’s tick off the facts. Toyota’s cars have made huge inroads in North America and along with its dominance in much of the world, that makes it the largest automaker on the planet today. If only its truck sales in the States and Canada were in line with its car sales. For 2014, the Tundra was freshened, but not really changed in any substantial way, and this event is what led to a challenge that I laid on Toyota at its truck introduction at the San Antonio, Texas production plant.
engineers made the mistake of asking us how we liked the course. As we’d already had several drinks, my friend Eric and I launched into a colourful evaluation of what we called the Tercel Track. As in, we figured an antique Tercel car could navigate the course, in reverse, with two flat tires. There was much amusement among the writers, but not so much among the San Antonio guys. However, after the merriment died down, the VP, Stephen Beatty, asked Eric and I straight out “so where would you two drive the Tundra?” After a bit of brainstorming, we said Labrador – in spring, when the road turns into 1,100 kilometres of mud. This conversation took place last September, and then in December, Beatty called me and asked if Eric and I were still game to go. I said yes, and we did.
I kept hearing “tried and true” from the company engineers in response to most questions I asked; in particular the ones asking why no new powertrains were being offered. And while this sounded a lot like white noise aimed at drowning out criticism, I could except that the current truck was decent and that the engine and transmission combination had so far seven years of clean service behind it. But, then the assembled journalists were directed to the “off-road” track. This consisted of a dirt track around the truck plant and one “hill climb” up a dead-dry mound of earth left behind from some excavation. Pathetic is a nice way of describing this test track. What was even more insulting was the rep who insisted that we run the trucks in 4WD around the flat-as-pee-on-a-plate dirt track – and then drop it into low-range to scale the 15-foot hill. Please. I smiled at these instructions and ran the whole thing in 2WD. At the dinner that night, a Quebec colleague and I sat with some engineers and the VP of the Canadian Toyota operation. One of the 20 Trucks Plus
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Toyota offered us two new Tundras, but to test its ‘tried and true’ dogma, I asked instead for a 2014 truck and also an original 2007 Tundra. This second truck was bought back from an owner and was a 2007 Tundra Limited with 120.000 km on the odometer. However, both trucks sported almost identical 5.7-litre V8s and the same transmission, so the comparison would be more than fair. In addition, we towed a 24-foot United Expressline trailer, with twin axles and a GVWR of 7,700 lb. In the trailer, we had a 2014 Yamaha Viper snowmobile (to use for off-road filming), extra tires, tools, gas cans, all the equipment for two
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We set out from Toronto on April 2, heading northeast, basically following the north shore of the St. Lawrence River for 1,200 km until we reached Baie Comeau in Quebec. This stretch is pavement all the way and good four-lane highway till Quebec City. North of there, it turns to two-lane blacktop, but more interestingly, the mountains begin. A constant climb and drop of a thousand feet and more was the order of the day with the big V8 alternately screaming and hushed while the transmission held the trailer on the 10-to-13 percent downhills.
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Still, during the first leg of the journey, we covered mostly flat, straight highways, which demonstrated that wind noise is substantially reduced in the new-generation Tundra. However, the cabin is still noisier than other half-ton pickups. This drive (mostly between 100 and 120 km/h) highlighted the steering feel of the Tundra, which has been made lighter and easier to handle in this latest generation. I also noted that keeping the 2014 model between the lines while fighting strong side winds is easier than with the ‘07 model (we towed the trailer with both alternately), which has comparatively tighter turning response. The chassis and suspension must also be complemented for trailer control. Never did that big brick of a trailer push the truck around. It
also carried a hidden bonus: the ride of the Tundra is much smoother with 4,000 pounds on the back. Thanks to all that weight pulling down on the leaf springs, the stiffer, choppy ride of the empty truck felt calmer. Only when riding over large wave-like bumps did the trailer cause the truck to hobby-horse. Of course, the one thing that was irritating was the aftermarket trailer brake controller hanging by my knee. Toyota is the last of the manufacturers not to offer an integrated system. I am assured, though, that will soon change. This stretch of the trip, while long, was easy. Turning north towards the interior of Quebec, we still had to cross 650 km of primitive wilderness before we even reached Labrador. But that stretch would start the next day. To be continued...
The Manic 5 dam in Northern Quebec. This hydro-electric faciltiy is the largest arched dam in the world and drains a watershed larger than Texas 22 Trucks Plus
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NEW WHEELS inspired styling elements should be embraced to help the brand establish a unique design identity. As part of a mid-cycle refresh, the RX 350 F Sport was introduced for 2013 as a way to introduce this new styling direction. The F Sport features a distinctive front-end design which is built around an extended version of the exclusive honeycomb mesh-style Lexus Spindle Grille. A bold chrome surround and deep well air intakes frame the aggressive front spoiler and provide a home for a pair of halogen fog lights. Auto levelling High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and the addition of larger 19-inch F Sport alloy wheels help set the F Sport apart. The F Sport treatment ups the ante in the luxury department as the passenger compartment is draped in supple black leather featuring bold white stitching. The seats are perforated for style, but this also helps accommodate the heating and ventilation built into them. Other niceties include a premium grade, 12speaker audio system with satellite radio and subwoofer, voice-activated satellite navigation, and a power moonroof. Lexus’ innovative Remote Touch (LRT) interface is standard, putting control of the audio, climate, and navigation systems at your fingertips.
SportInspired 2014 Lexus RX 350 F Sport Story and photos by Russell Purcell
T
oyota didn’t become the largest automaker in the world by making poor business decisions, but one of the Japanese giant’s boldest strategies was initiated 25 years ago with the creation of the Lexus luxury brand. Now well-established and sporting a catalogue of quality offerings, it is important to note that the most popular model in the lineup is the RX family of compact utility vehicles. The RX has been a huge success for Toyota’s luxury brand since its introduction over 15 years ago. In fact, for the majority of this time period, the RX has dominated its segment when it comes to sales. The RX has been built in Cambridge, Ontario since the second generation model arrived for the 2004 model year. This busy plant is significant, as it represents the first Lexus production site located outside of Japan. Now well into in its third generation, there are currently three models in the RX lineup - RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, and RX 450h. The RX 350 and RX 350 F Sport share mechanicals and the majority of their equipment, although F Sport buyers will be attracted by the vehicle’s more aggressive bodywork, advanced aerodynamics, and more driver-oriented suspension. The RX 450h is the flagship hybrid model, which has proven so popular that it is rare to see one available on the dealer lot. Initially, Lexus was criticized for lacking a strong design theme. The vehicles in its growing portfolio were viewed as safe, almost vanilla designs when compared to that of its many rivals. Following the phenomenal surge of attention brought about by the release of the IS-F sports sedan and the LFA supercar, the decision makers at Lexus decided that new sport24 Trucks Plus
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Luxury buyers seem to crave wood, so the F Sport upgrade adds a healthy dose of Bird’s Eye Maple trim. The presence of burnished aluminum pedals hint at the F Sport’s more dynamic handling. These are well-placed, and feature rubber contact points to prevent foot slip when your soles of your shoes are wet. Sliding into the very firm and supportive bucket seat, you will notice that the thick-rimmed, three-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in high quality leather and is fitted with easy-to-reach paddle shift controls. These proved much more practical to operate than the vehicle’s gearshift lever which resides at a rather awkward angle on the centre console. The latter has a side gate for manual operation, but it proved uncomfortable to operate in that manner. Surprisingly, under the shapely hood, you will find the same 3.5-litre V6 engine as found in the standard RX 350 model. While no slouch, this capable power plant produces 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, and acceleration runs from 0-100 km/h take 7.7 seconds to complete. This performance is comparable to that of similarly equipped vehicles in this class, but I am mystified as to why the designers didn’t order a little more scoot to match the F Sport’s motorsport-inspired styling cues. The product planners did, however, replace the standard RX model’s sixspeed transmission with a silky smooth eight-speed for this application.
NEW WHEELS This new gearbox was quick to react to my inputs when I chose to utilize the shift paddles, but when left to work on its own accord, the transmission came across as somewhat sluggish. I imagine it has been engineered to improve fuel efficiency rather than deliver much of a performance gain. The RX 350 F Sport excels in the handling department as a sport-tuned suspension comes fitted as standard equipment. This clever bit of engineering utilizes high-performance front and rear dampers which have been designed to enable more lateral body movement while absorbing twist and flex. This helps deliver a more fluid and agile driving experience, as well as enhanced ride comfort. The RX 350 F Sport comes equipped with a potent array of handling and traction control systems, including the Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated
SPECIFICATIONS: Base price (MSRP): ......................................................$55,400 Price as tested: ........................................................$57,521.25 Type: .................................... AWD, front-engine, mid-size CUV Engine: . .............................................................3.5L DOHC V6 Power: . .....................................................270 hp @ 6,200 rpm Torque: ....................................................248 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm Transmission: . ......................................................8-speed auto Brakes: . ........................... Front ventilated disc, rear disc, ABS Fuel consumption (L/100km, city/hwy): ........................ 11.2/7.7 All Canadian-spec RX models feature Active Torque All-Wheel Drive, a system that works behind the scenes to maximize traction while featuring the ability to efficiently distribute torque between the front and rear wheels as necessary. The result is improved fuel efficiency as well as surefooted, all-weather traction. The RX offers seating for five passengers, and there is more than enough room for three average adults to ride in relative comfort in the rear compartment. Be warned, however, that these seats are situated quite low. This increases headroom, but makes long-legged individuals pay a penalty in the comfort department. As a sport utility vehicle, the RX is expected to earn its keep. The spacious cargo area can accommodate up to 80.3 cu.ft. (2.273L) of gear and baggage when the rear seats are folded flat, and the vehicle is equipped to handle a trailer up to 3,500 pounds.
Management (VDIM) system which gives the vehicle unparalleled straightline stability and precise cornering performance.
I must admit that I like the new styling that comes with the F Sport package, and I suspect that it will help attract a younger buyer to the Lexus showroom based on looks alone. However, I suspect the variant would warrant even more attention if the Lexus planning team had chosen to upgrade the performance of the engine as well.
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NEW WHEELS
Entering The Race
Jeep enters the mid-size SUV category with the 2014 Cherokee Story and photos by Gerry Frechette
T
he wide array of mid-sized SUVs on the market is almost bewildering, as all the mainstream manufacturers, and most of the luxury ones too, have an entrant. Conspicuously absent, at least with a “modern” vehicle, was Jeep. The Wranglers are midsize in dimensions, but their traditional design and capabilities were a bit beyond the tastes and needs of many buyers in the segment. And the Liberty was way behind the times. That situation was rectified last year with the introduction of the Jeep Cherokee, the return of a model name from decades ago. Most midsize SUVs these days are what could be called ‘soft-roaders,’ capable of doing well in snow, sand and gravel, but not all that suited for rough, rocky ascents up mountains. Given that is what Jeeps are famous for, and that it was inconceivable that a new Jeep could not be the most capable vehicle in the class, the new Cherokee is set up that way, with some notunexpected trade-offs. First impressions of the Cherokee are that the seven-bar grille identifies it as a Jeep, but not much else does. The headlight treatment tops that list. It’s certainly a departure from traditional Jeep design – it’s more edgy, more aggressive-looking. In Chrysler’s words, it is “designed for the future with a global appeal.” Our tester was the luxurious Limited 4x4 model, which retains a lot of off-road capability, but is also what we’d call ‘fully equipped’ for the urban environment. Having said that, our Limited was built with Active Drive II, which adds twospeed transfer case and hill descent control to the standard Active Drive I setup that has Selec-Terrain settings (Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud and Rock) and the ability to disconnect the rear driveline when it isn’t needed. As well, aggressive approach and departure angles contribute to its abilities. We can attest that those looking for the Jeep experience won’t be disappointed. Under the hood was the optional 3.2-litre Pentastar VVT V6, a smaller version of the original 3.6 seen in other Chrysler products. The 271-horsepower V6 was impressive in normal use, but the Cherokee is not a performance SUV
when it comes to acceleration. It does run smoothly, though, with the industryfirst nine-speed automatic behind it. Hard to imagine that many gears, but the more the better for efficiency. We saw an average of 14.5L/100 km in mostly light-footed urban use, compared to Energuide’s 11.1 rating, but that is still a reasonable number. Highway consumption ought to be under 10. Where the Cherokee definitely leaves its predecessors behind is in ride and handling, thanks to MacPherson struts up front and a new rear independent multi-link suspension. There is still plenty of vertical wheel travel for serious off-roading, or making easy work of potholes. Driving the Cherokee on street and highway shows that it is set up to be very solid-feeling and confidenceinspiring, but not at all like some competing SUVs that are more agile and lighter-feeling. Moving inside the Cherokee Limited, you are immediately struck with how luxuriously inviting this SUV appears. First off, the driver’s seat, draped in Nappa leather, is power adjustable eight ways, and the lumbar support four ways, for comfort and support. The back seats aren’t bad, either, and there is plenty of room back there, too, thanks to the fore-aft adjustment, so four can ride in comfort. There are no third-row seats (good plan, Jeep), so with the rear seats folded (not quite a horizontal load surface, oddly), there is a useful cargo compartment, and hidden storage under the load floor. We liked the flip up seat cushion on the front passenger seat, under which is a small compartment that nobody would think existed. Good for high-value electronics. There are way more technology features than we have room to describe, but we want to mention the Uconnect multimedia centre. With its big, bright screen, logical menu layout and big electronic ‘buttons,’ we think this is the most functional and useful system in this class. For that matter, the entire vehicle can be described that way, and it seems that many journalists think that way, too, as the Jeep Cherokee was the winner of the 2014 AJAC Utility of the Year Award, plus numerous awards in the U.S.
SPECIFICATIONS: Base MSRP: .................................................................$32,195 Price as tested: .............................................................$43,070 Vehicle Layout: .......................Front engine, 4WD, 4-door SUV Engine: . .............................................................3.2L DOHC V6 Transmission: . ..........................................................9-spd auto Power: . ...........................................................................271 hp Torque: ..........................................................................239 lb-ft Brakes: . ........................................................4-wheel disc, ABS Curb Weight: ................................................................ 1,848 kg Towing capacity: .......................................................... 2,041 kg Fuel Consumption (L/100 km, city/hwy): . ..................... 11.1/7.7 JUNE / JULY 2014
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NEW WHEELS
Continuing Evolution
Lincoln ventures into the luxury utility-vehicle segment with the all-new MKC Story and photos by Benjamin Yong
A
small group of journalists, bloggers and industry insiders were treated to a sneak peek of the 2015 Lincoln MKC at a preview event at Sugar Studios in East Vancouver in March. It was the first time the “small premium utility vehicle” had set down its wheels onto Western Canadian soil, a few days before the start of the Vancouver International Auto Show. Chef Nick from the popular local eatery Raincity Grill prepared hors d’oeuvres while guests acquainted themselves with a Silver Sand Metallic MKC sitting in the middle of an intimate photo studio-turned display booth. Product specialist Ramez Fawzy was on hand to provide more information and answer questions. He says the MKC - the brand’s first foray into the luxury crossover segment - is the continuation of Lincoln’s evolution, following the introduction of the MKZ luxury sedan a few years back. “The first part of the process in reinventing Lincoln was to separate it totally from Ford,” says Fawzy. “We’re targeting a much younger demographic than our traditional Lincoln customer. We call them culture progressive - people who are not afraid to try new stuff, who like luxury, and like to stand apart without really standing out.” Although sharing the same platform as the Ford Escape, he says the two vehicles couldn’t be more different. Highlights include unique design elements like the signature split-wing grille that extends outwards, wrapping around the LED headlights. The taillights stretch across the entire automated lift gate, which also has 28 Trucks Plus
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a wraparound design. Give one wave of your foot underneath the rear bumper to activate and open the lift gate, two to close it. Class exclusives (or what Lincoln calls experiential features) include park-out assist technology that helps drivers vacate tight parallel parking spots unscathed. Approach detection greets drivers by shining a welcome mat on the ground near the front doors, complete with company logo, as well as gently illuminating the front and rear lamps and the start button in the interior. The MKC is powered by a choice of two engines: a standard 2.0litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 240 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, or the all-new 2.3-litre EcoBoost making 285 hp and 305 lb-ft. Customers can choose from front-wheel drive or an optional intelligent all-wheel dive system with continuously controlled damping that constantly measures road surfaces, adjusting the suspension for optimal performance and comfort. Set to compete with the likes of the Acura RDX, Buick Encore and Volvo XC60, pricing for the MKC will start at $39,940, with the first units expected to arrive in dealers this summer. “It’s a perfect addition to the Lincoln lineup. The MKC is going to change the way people think about the Lincoln brand,” says Fawzy.
NEW WHEELS car, there is the addition of heated seats for the rear, a leather-wrapped telescopic steering wheel and a rearview mirror with a tiny screen cleverly hidden on the left side for the backup camera. The radio is a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 unit with only the top Limited model getting the revised seven-inch navigation system. My favourite part of sitting inside the Tucson was the huge tinted panoramic moonroof spanning nearly the entire top section.
Worth Noting The 2014 Hyundai Tucson GLS Story and photos by Benjamin Yong
Mechanically, the two four-cylinder engines get an upgrade as well, with the addition of Hyundai’s Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology, where fuel is sprayed under high pressure directly into the combustion chamber of each cylinder. Power is improved slightly with the GLS’ 2.4-litre now making six more horsepower and nine additional pound-feet of torque compared to last year’s model, bringing the totals to 182 and 177, respectively. That puts it right in-between the mid-range Ford Escape (178 hp) and Honda CR-V (185 hp). Fuel consumption is supposed to have become more efficient as well, but in mostly city driving the best number I could muster was 13.4 L/100 km rather than the advertised 10.2 city rating. The engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, is quiet and capable enough of moving the small SUV, and handling is tight due to its portable size (4,400 mm length / 1,820 mm width) and Sachs Amplitude Selective Dampers that automatically adjust dampening depending on road conditions. Even though
W
hen it comes to picking a compact crossover SUV, be prepared to do your research and lots of reading, as the market is flooded with options coming in all kinds of sizes, colours and configurations. The 2014 Hyundai Tucson is one that should be noted with its pleasing European-influenced looks, plenty of features and a nice compact shape for city driving. Still based on the same second-generation platform introduced in 2010, the curvaceous Tucson has a bubbly, happy look to it that is part of the company’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design philosophy that is supposed to imbue a windswept, constantly-in-motion look to their vehicles. There are a few changes for the 2014 model year. Like almost every new car hitting the road these days, the Tucson gets a lighting makeover with new LED taillights and signature wishbone-shaped LED daytime running lights housed in new projector headlights. The
the form factor is compact, a long wheelbase allows for comfortable seating in the back for adults and 728 litres of cargo space, or 1,580 litres if you’re only carrying one passenger and have the rear seats folded down. Unlike some other crossovers like the Jeep Compass or Subaru XV Crosstrek, there is no pretense of being a part-time off-roader, even though there is optional AWD and Downhill Brake Control. The entry-level Tucson GL starts at MSRP $21,499, but bumping up to the GLS with AWD brings the figure up to $28,899, which is somewhere in the middle of the pack of the competition. If an attractive and well-equipped CUV to get you around town is what you’re after, put a test drive on your to-do list.
SPECIFICATIONS:
DRLs are very bright but look a little less refined than those on more expensive competitors. There are also new 17- (GL/GLS) and 18-inch (Limited) wheel options. The interior is understated, but all trims still get heated front seats, a Bluetooth hands-free system and air conditioning. On the GLS press 30 Trucks Plus
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Base price (MSRP): ......................................................$29,899 Type: ................... five-door, five-passenger compact crossover Layout: ......................................................... front engine, AWD Engine: . ......................................................2.4L 4-cylinder GDI Transmission: . ......................6-speed auto with paddle shifters Power: . .....................................................182 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque: ....................................................177 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm Curb weight: . ............................................................... 1,560 kg Brakes: . ........................................ front and rear disc with ABS Fuel Consumption (L/100km, city/hwy): . ......................10.2/7.8
HISTORY
Long Before There Were Suburbs,
There Was a Suburban Story by Howard J Elmer
I
t’s been called a Texas minivan, as a tongue-in-cheek wink at its size. It’s also the darling of U.S. government agencies and is a supporting actor in hundreds of movies. But its true claim to fame is, it’s the single longest-running uninterrupted production vehicle ever built. It’s the Chevrolet Suburban, a much loved (and sometimes hated) truck, that’s been built continuously since its introduction in 1935. Yes, that’s before the internet – heck, that’s before television!
standing, Chevrolet, finally trademarked the name and dropped the Carryall tag. So what about the popular term SUV? Well, that wouldn’t even emerge in vehicle vernacular till the ‘60s when the Suburban was already over 25 years old. That’s when the first marketing campaigns emerged offering the Suburban as a personal-use vehicle. This is the legacy I was thinking about as I drove the newest version of the Suburban around Squaw Valley, California, site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and a destination resort that no doubt used Suburbans back when skiers still showed up on trains. This 2015 model I drove through the Sierra Nevada mountains has the distinction of being the 12th generation of this nameplate and also the 80th year of its production. 1951 Suburban
1935 Chevrolet Suburban This covered wagon started life as a means of moving railway passengers and their trunks from the stations to hotels. In fact, that is so long ago that race car driver and founder of the brand, Louis Chevrolet, was still around to test the first one. Back then, this purpose-built cargo and people mover was sold strictly as a commercial vehicle, and it’s also doubtful that Chevy executives ever saw any other future for the Suburban at that time. In fact, the word “Carryall” was added to the name to highlight its purpose, and also because the name Suburban was more of a general designation in those early days, attached to any station wagon-type body with windows. For decades, Dodge, Plymouth, Studebaker and Nash all built Suburban wagons. It wasn’t until the ‘80s that the last man 32 Trucks Plus
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Built in Arlington, Texas, it shares many components with GM’s other full-size SUVs - Tahoe, Escalade and Yukon. Together, these trucks make up the bulk of over a quarter-of-a-million large SUV sales in North America annually. In fact, GM’s share of that is pegged at 74 percent. Suburban, which by definition is a specialized vehicle, gets credited with about 17 percent of that number. Now, compared to some vehicles, that’s a pretty low volume. But curiously, the amount of movie appearances Suburban gets ensures we all know about it – even if we never own one. Suburbans have
HISTORY The all-new 2015 Suburban
been used in hundreds of movies starting back in the early ‘40s, including classics like Peter Fonda’s “Easy Rider,” Clint Eastwood’s “Play Misty For Me,” Harrison Ford’s “Clear and Present Danger” and comedies like “Honey I Shrunk The Kids.” But one of the Suburban’s biggest boosters is the United States Secret Service. They use a fleet of them, many of which are modified and armoured. These upgrades require special engineering – a task that GM engineers collaborate with the Agency on. And when you look at the numbers, you see why the guardians of the President like this truck. With seating for up to nine people, a
trailering capacity of 8,300 lb and a max cargo space of 121.1 cu. ft., this truck can service the largest family, even the first family. For 2015, the base engine is the 5.3-litre V8 that makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. The power pushes through a six-speed automatic transmission and the truck frame rides on front-end independent suspension and a solid rear axle. In an effort to maximize fuel economy, the new EcoTec3 engine also uses direct injection and active fuel management that can shut four of the eight cylinders off when that much power is not needed. Mind you, that wasn’t always the case. In 1935, the Suburban was equipped with an inline “stovebolt” six that made just 60 hp. Successive generations received larger engines and in 1953, the first Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. It was in the ‘50s that horsepower finally climbed over 100, and in 1957, Chevrolet offered the Suburban with 4WD for the first time. With its size, traction and ruggedness, it became a mainstay for police, EMS workers, firemen and was even used as school buses in the ‘60s. From the 1960s on, the Suburban has burrowed ever deeper into our culture, often helped by television. Pop culture TV shows such as Starsky and Hutch, CHiPs and more recently Rescue Me have featured Suburbans in key roles. But one of the more famous trucks was James Gandolfini’s Suburban on The Sopranos. This TV prop was sold last year at the Barrett-Jackson collector’s auction for $110,000. That price included a signed message on the sunvisor – “Take good care of my car. Tony.”
1967 Suburban
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PRODUCT INSTALL
PIAA Aero Vogue Wiper Blade Install
N
o matter what time of year it is, it’s never a bad idea to replace your vehicle’s wiper blades, which is why we decided to install a brand new set of 22-inch PIAA Aero Vogue wiper blades on our 2013 Ford F-150. These high-performance blades feature PIAA’s patented silicone technology which reduces surface tension, allowing water to repel from the windshield for a streak-free and quiet operation. The all-new aerostyle cover boasts a “Pass Through” technology that will significantly reduce blade chatter and won’t lift as easily at high speeds.
1. Firstly, remove your factory or existing wiper blades from the J-hook of the wiper arm.
4. Pull firmly until it snaps in place.
2. Once you have the new blade out of the package, lift the security tab.
5. Now, use the PIAA windshield preparation pack and wipe down the entire windshield.
3. Next, line up the centre of the new blade with the J-hook of the wiper arm.
6. Let it sit for about ten minutes and then wipe off with a dry cloth. Repeat the same steps for the other side and you’re good to go.
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POWERSPORTS
2014 Kymco UXV 700i
Story and photos by Howard J Elmer
A
heated steering wheel; that’s what I want. That was my overriding thought as I did a winter test of the new UXV 700i from Kymco recently. Not that anyone else has one; I’m just putting it out there – a heated wheel would be so nice for many months of the year here in the Great White North. Particularly for those of us of a certain age. I figure warming my frozen fingers is about as good a reason as any to choice one UTV over another. Just saying... if someone were smart enough to offer one, I’d buy it. The other reason I’m whining about this is because it’s just about the only complaint I had while testing the Kymco in the snow and ice. For 2014, Kymco adds a second, more powerful, member to its UTV family - the UXV700i. This full-framed side-by-side is running an all new 695cc fuel-injected, liquid-cooled 4-stroke, SOHC 4-valve engine. This motor is powerful, smooth in operation and offers a throaty exhaust note. But, it’s not loud and it does not bark under acceleration – both important features for hunting and trail riding where excess noise ends up hurting the ears and annoying the neighbours. Kymco claims this motor will make 45 horsepower, and while I have no way of verifying that, I can say that when you hit the throttle there is lots of jam in the response. The day of my test saw minus 10C temps and fresh snow. Not an ideal summer jaunt but good for testing. I found starting the UXV easy; it’s an automotive-style starter (with the key) on the right side of the steering column. As for the cold – well, as the fuel injection automatically deals with the need for choke and also takes temperature into the equation, it’s easy. It did need to run for a few minutes before normal idle was achieved; that’s not out of the ordinary and once warm, it never bogged or quit. 36 Trucks Plus
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The UXV uses a CVT transmission to push the power to the wheels through an automatic shifter that features High, Low, Neutral, Reverse and Park. The shift lever itself is found in the centre console, conveniently at the driver’s right hand. The position is good, very much like what’s found in many pickup trucks today and the console is wide enough that it still serves as an armrest. The gates on the shifter are large, easy to move through and because of this (and the location), frankly, it’s easy to slide through the gears without looking down at all. Note that while Kymco uses a Park position on the shifter, it still offers a manual parking brake, just under the dash in the centre. I like this because when you’re trailering, the parking brake saves the parking pin by holding the weight of the machine at the brake discs, rather than stressing the pin as the machine bounces in transit. Now, shifting between 2WD and 4WD is achieved with a pushbutton. If more traction is needed, a differential lock can also be engaged to push torque to both the rear wheels. Mind you, leaving this engaged on a twisting trail causes a lot of wheel scrub as the tires work against each other. Use it when you need to get out of a hole, then disengage it. Winch controls are found in the glove box and on the winch itself; the glove box control needs to be plugged in, but it has a long lead so you can operate it while standing outside the machine. If you don’t find yourself underwater, then you can simply operate it from the winch itself with the controls found there. Nice to have a choice – though I figure in either case, if you need the winch, you will be getting dirty. While I’m at the front of the machine, I want to point out the brush bar. It’s not extraordinary, but its good solid steel. That optional 3,000 lb winch (standard on the LE model) itself is also recessed to keep it from harm, and the design overall is good protection for the UTV’s plastic nose and upright radiator.
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POWERSPORTS any longer. While there was a time when I figured windshields were for girls, I have come to appreciate them. They not only fend off water and mud, but they protect the passengers from branches, debris and most importantly, the cold, cold wind. Suspension on the 700 is an independent dual A-arm setup fore and aft. They offer 7.5-inches of travel and the centre clearance height is good too. The brakes are hydraulic dual-discs in front and shaftmounted hydraulic discs in the rear. The brakes bite, and with a potential of as much as 2,000 lb carried and towed, that is a good thing. The UXV comes with a 420 lbcapable tilting cargo bed and it will also haul up to 1,200 lb using a 2-inch receiver hitch – the same as you’d use for your truck.
The day of my test was the first really cold one after a period of higher temps, so the ice down in the swamp was thin. And while it broke as I expected it to, I had no need of the winch – thankfully. It was while running through the water that another feature manifested itself. The body shape, fenders and floor pan of the Kymco are very good at deflecting water. Hitting the water at speed, the splash went up and out – not in. What little shot forward would have been caught by the windshield instead of my face – if I’d had one. On the Kymco this is an optional purchase, but it is a feature that I would not do without
Other convenience features include a locking glove box, under-seat and under-hood storage, multi-function digital instrument display and 12V accessory outlet. That tilt-bed also has a locking tailgate and can be operated from either side. The tough polyethylene bed is tough and slippery at the same time, good for dumping – but for stuff you want to stay put, well you’ll need to use the integrated tie-down clips in the box sides. Safety features include dual headlights with high and low beam. Also, there are plenty of handholds and the objective of keeping people inside the UTV is achieved with a roll cage with seat belts, head restraints, and mesh half-doors.
‘TAILGATE EXTENDER’ #07600 ÇŠ OE ORDG FDSDFLW\ ÇŠ 3(5)(&7 IRU VKRUW EHG WUXFNV ÇŠ $GGV IW WR ER[ OHQJWK ÇŠ )LWV LQWR ÇĽ +LWFK 5HFHLYHU ÇŠ (DVLO\ KDXO ORQJ ORDGV FDQRHV H[WHQVLRQ ODGGHUV OXPEHU GU\ZDOO DQG RWKHU RYHUVL]HG ORDGV For a retailer in your area visit us @ www.ericksonmfg.com or contact us @ 1-888-546-4668
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POWERSPORTS its product line increased to include scooters, dirt bikes, motorcycles and ATVs. Kymco, as a brand name, has been around since 1992; that’s when it began to sell branded vehicles in earnest. However, it also continues to supply engines to other companies. For instance, in 2008, Kymco announced that it would provide the engines for BMW’s G450 X Enduro bike. Kymco also builds engines for Kawasaki
My overall feeling after my day’s ride was that the Kymco was a workhorse; not fancy, not overly sophisticated, but steadfast. In part, because of my impressions, I did a little reading on the company after my test and I think it’s worth a bit of ink to share that information here. Me, I like to know who I’m buying from – so here it is. My apologies to those readers who already know more about Kymco than I do. Kymco or the Kwang Yang Motor Co, Ltd. is a Chinese company, but it’s not a grey market producer and it’s not a mainland Chinese outfit. No, its roots are in democratic Taiwan and it goes back to 1963 when a group who had been working for Honda split off and started its own manufacturing facility. From this island factory, it continued to supply Honda with parts for a number of years. But, by 1970, it was building and selling its own scooter in Asia. Over time,
scooters. These business relationships inspire confidence, I think. This is a company with 3,000 employees that produced 570,000 vehicles last year. Today Kymco’s main area of operations is still Asia, but it has a foothold in North America, complete with dealers and a supply chain for parts and service. If you’re in the market, the Kymco deserves a look.
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TRUCK TECH open to the elements that they tended to get dirty very quickly. Because of this, I haven’t been in a hurry for many of these typical upgrades to my 2012 Ram 1500 Hemi. With towing season coming, I thought I’d dive in and give it another try when I saw these systems from Volant. The air intake looks pretty typical, with new air box and air tube, but the Volant air box draws air from the stock fenderwell location and is fully sealed. Also, rather than a gauze-style oil filter, the system uses a honeycomb Powercore G2 filter similar to what you would find on a stock Chevy Duramax diesel – a filter I found flowed just as well as most aftermarket gauze oiled filters, with little maintenance. Installing one of these air systems is quite easy, though in the case of the Hemi, the Volant makes a wide range of air intake systems for just about every make and model of SUV, truck engine cover had to come off to replace the PCV tube. I was quite surprised that and car on the market. This system is for the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi. the air system added quite the unexpected rumble to the engine, and my wife asked me, “what did you do to my truck?” It is her daily driver...
Volant Air Intake Install Story and photos by Bruce Spierenburg
O
ver all my years of writing I’ve installed a few air intake systems, many of which have left me less than impressed in the diesel market. Either the systems threw engine codes, or they were so
While it has quite the throaty sound under hard acceleration, the cruise sound level has not changed, which I’m happy about There has been a definite noticeable low-end power increase, something I haven’t overly noticed in many of the previous diesel application I’ve installed air systems on (and in many cases, took back off for the stock system). Definitely a worthy upgrade! http://www.volant.com/
Yeah, my bad, I need to check the filter more often; this is 30,000 kms with no gravel road driving. The new filter for the Volant system is a Donaldson’s PowerCore with filtration technology. Submicron contaminants load on the surface rather than collecting in the depth of the filter. The filter media won’t deteriorate as easily as traditional cotton/gauze filters. Plus, it’s water resistant. The warranty is for 4 years or 100,000 miles in urban conditions, whichever comes first. That’s a lot longer than the stock plugged filter at 30,000 kms.
Needs a bath too, it seems! The stock air box uses an accordion-style air tube and clamped box that draws fresh air from the fender well. JUNE / JULY 2014
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TRUCK TECH
It takes but a few minutes to pull the stock air box and tube from the vehicle. Make sure you carefully remove the ATS sensor from the factory air tube, since it will be reused.
The new air tube is far less restrictive than the stock tube. This may well have added to the engine rumble in the upper rpm range.
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TRUCK TECH Silicone couplers are used from the air tube to the throttle body and to the air box. Note the position of the stock ATS sensor in the new air tube.
The new air box mounts to the truck using the rubber grommets removed from the stock air box and pressing into place with the studs that held the stock box in place. The air intake also draws air from the same place as the stock filter, but the flow is directly in line with the filter now.
The breather tube needs to be replaced with the tubing supplied. The angled boot on the engine end is removed from the stock tube and re-used on the new tubing. The plastic engine cover needs to be unclipped for this changeover, and re-installed into its grommets afterwards.
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The completed system looks great and is easy to service by removing the cover on the air box. Donaldson filters are available readily from dealers across Canada. However, that unexpected engine rumble may cost you gas rather than save you gas – it sounds awesome and helped the bottom end power immensely!
RV-ING
2014 Tiffin Allegro Breeze 32 BR
Story and photos by Howard J Elmer
I
f you’ve read through last month’s Louisville RV Show article, you’ll remember that the trends for the coming year included a resurgence of travel trailers. This follows several years of very strong fifth wheel trailer model introductions. In other words, there is always something new – and often what’s new is simply a re-imagined version of what was recently old. However when it comes to motorhomes, well they have and continue to inhabit a niche in the market that seems to always hover in the ten-percent range of total sales. Curious – other segments have fluctuated wildly, yet these hotels on wheels hold their beachhead tenaciously. Why? A decade or more ago, when fifth wheel units really took off, I seem to remember suggesting (thinking it anyway) that motorhomes were doomed. Why have an engine and chassis support your RV and then still tow a car or truck when you could have your tagalong grocery-getter tow your RV to destination and then drop it. Seemed so obvious to me. Yet, that ten percent of the market continues to be inhabited by motorhomes. Granted that within that number is a range that runs from 100K to a million or so dollars. But past the “look at how much money I have” crowd, there has to be more to it than that. These are the type of musings I have while testing, including during my recent test of Tiffin’s Allegro Breeze. It’s been a year or more since I drove a motorhome, and the first thing that resurfaced for me was how much I like the drive itself. I’ve said before that it’s much like driving a living room window. Apart from a funny image, it really is a road experience that frames the scenery, making the simple act of driving a joy. I know how some folks feel about size; however, as soon as you get used to it , it really is a wonderful way to see the country. You sit up high, the windshield has no borders and the sensation of that Titanic-like ride simply makes everything seem that much grander. And, that’s why I think the ten percent still buy them. Tiffin Motor Homes of Red Bay, Alabama has been building motorhomes for over 40 years and like any specialist should be, they are hyper aware of trends and culture. In the case of the Breeze I tested, this shows immediately in two aspects. First, the length of this Class A. At 32-feet, it’s relatively small. Second, the bus chassis and MaxxForce diesel engine 46 Trucks Plus
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combine for a smooth, confident, powerful ride. This is a key that is often not evident in the dealer’s lot. And, why would it be? You tour motorhomes while they stand still – but remember they are meant to be driven and you can’t enjoy the tale the road is weaving if the ride is rattling your molars. Above all, the ride must be right. Size-wise, inside, with twin opposing slides, the coach seems large and really is. Yet I noted that even closed, the builder has gone to great lengths to ensure that you can still navigate the whole unit. Nothing is blocked in when the slides are secured. Having borrowed this unit from a dealer in the heart of farm country Ontario, I was having fits trying to find a backdrop for photos that didn’t look like a postcard of Siberia. I finally decided to drive into the small town of Harriston and look for suitable scenery. This matters because I spent two hours driving around tiny snowbank-choked side streets. I parallel parked on the main street and backed into the city hall parking lot and squeezed by gravel dump trucks stopped at the local coffee shop. What made this easy was a set-back front steering axle that makes the Breeze turning circle nice and tight. Also, the transmission is pushbutton accessed on the driver’s left armrest. Simple, just push D, N or R. Air brakes grab like tax collectors and when parked, hold on any grade. Independent front suspension and air ride front and rear provide the soft confident ride feel. Power steering is light but precise and a really nice feature is the centre stack-mounted video screen that shows a camera view of the whole back of the coach when the shifter goes into reverse. However, this screen also displays the right and left sides of the coach through cameras mounted near the front, shooting backwards. A button toggles between the views. Also neat is a distance grid on the rear camera that shows accurately how far you are from an object in feet. The driver’s position is supremely comfortable and the builder has thought of all the travellers’ long-distance needs in HVAC controls, easy-to-read gauges and toggles, fans, powered sun screens, heated mirrors and accessories storage and plug-ins. A last observation of the driving environment – it’s quiet. This is a result of building standards and a superior chassis. There are no squeaks, rattles, grinds, groans or whistles during transit.
A nice new design feature this year from Tiffin is the borderless slideout walls. You’ll note from outside that the flat overlap on the outside walls is almost invisible. It just looks very clean
and modern, a nice touch. Less obvious but as important is the fact that all wall components are seamless, just as the roof is. Fewer seams, less chance of leaks. Inside, the main salon is wide open when the opposing slides are out and because the driver and passenger seats spin 180 degrees to face into the cabin, the floor space seems that much larger as well. All the seating is aimed at the mid-ships wall-mounted TV, and ceiling-mounted surround sound speakers ensure even, vibrant sound whether from movies or the radio. The kitchen and eating area dominates the centre of the unit with the counter and stove on the right and the wood-fronted double-door fridge and U-shaped dinette on the left. The stove is only a two-burner unit, but it is big enough and also has a flip-up glass cover that increases counter space. Meanwhile, they didn’t skimp on sink space – there is a double. A nice feature in the dinette is the telescoping single leg that lets the oval table drop to form a double sleeping space. Despite this, the couch across the aisle is also a fold-out. Potentially, there is overnight accommodation for six in this unit. Cabinetry throughout the coach is top-notch with complex raised hardwood-designed doors. Above everything, wooden crown moldings offset the seamless roof that features flush opaque light covers.
I noted that in the salon area alone, there are nine ceiling diffusers; this is part of Tiffin’s residentialstyle HVAC system. Heat and AC are vented from above and air is picked up by return vents near the floor. I had the heat running, naturally, during my winter test and I found the unit almost silent, while the ambient temperature throughout the coach was constant, with no cold spots. In keeping with a luxury theme, the bathroom design is large and slick. The half-tub shower has JUNE / JULY 2014
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RV-ING a glass door and an integrated seat inside as well as a skylight above. The toilet and sink, however, are across the hall and have a separate solid door. Pocket doors from the salon and from the bedroom also close off this section of aisle to make for a large private dressing space. To that end,
SPECIFICATIONS: 2014 TIFFIN ALLEGRO BREEZE 32 BR Chassis:......................... Powerglide rear-engine diesel chassis Engine: . ..................................................Navistar MaxxForce 7 Power:......................................... 240 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque Transmission:.................................... Allison 6-speed automatic GVWR:......................................................................... 22,000 lb Trailer Hitch:................................................................... 4,500 lb Length:................................................................................33’2” Height with Roof Air: .......................................................... 11’2” Width:.....................................................................................95” Inside height:..........................................................................78” Fresh water:...................................................................... 70 gal Black water:...................................................................... 30 gal Gray water:....................................................................... 50 gal LPG................................................................................... 20 gal Basement storage: 83 cu-ft Base Price:..................................................................$195,750. Options: Second, Front TV:........................................................$1015.00 Power leather drivers and passenger seats:...............$1232.50 Central vacuum cleaner:................................................$362.00 Price as tested:.......................................................$198,359.50
Unit provided for testing by McPhail’s of Harriston, ON there is a built-in linen closet as well in there. Of course, the double pocket doors also allow for privacy for both front and rear overnight occupants. In the master bedroom, a clever use of space is the raised queen bed that has built-in drawers beneath it. The bed also raised on pneumatic lifters to access a large storage space under it as well. Decor in this bedroom carries over from the main coach area and is elegant and upscale. A nice feature here and forward are the wall- and ceiling-mounted light fixtures. In the ceiling, above the bed, is a fold-down flat-screen TV. For a smaller room, this is the best solution for placement – slightly up and dead-centre.
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Another benefit of a bus-style coach chassis is the full basement below the unit. While there is considerable space in the drawers and cupboards inside the Breeze, it is a smaller unit. Extra space under the coach, front to rear, will be helpful on longer trips. As for the towed vehicles that this type of motorhome invariably has, the Breeze will easily tow 4,500 lb and has all the necessary hookups installed as standard. While I only got to spend a day in the Breeze, I can easily see the fantasy of making every road trip into a sight-seeing tour. There is just something about a motorhome.
TRUCK TECH Last year I purchased a 2012 Ram 1500 crew cab to replace a very cityunfriendly 3500 series dually diesel. Like most 1500 series trucks, when properly equipped, it is rated to tow up to 10,000 pounds – plenty for the average RVer or someone who tows only for pleasure. My Jeep, on an open deck car trailer, tips in above 7,000 pounds, not unlike many of today’s larger tow-behind RVs. While the 400-horsepower Hemi in my Dodge combined with 3.73 differential gears and factory trailer brake controller has plenty of power to tow, the suspension that makes it so nice to drive on the highway feels soft, despite sway and traction control. There tends to develop a tail wag from the trailer above 100 km/h on the highway when towing a heavy load, which can be very dangerous if it gets out of control.
Air bag kits like this system from Airlift, the Airlift 1000 for the coil-sprung new-generation Dodge Ram 1500, are a great way to add stability and load leveling to any pickup or SUV.
Towing More Safely With Your Half-Ton Truck Story and photos by Bruce Spierenburg
H
aving a light truck in the family fleet is very common these days. Vehicle manufacturers have made the half-ton class very attractive to active families. Single, quad and crew cab trucks can haul up to 6 people in some cab designs, haul your toys in the box and tow your trailer or RV to your favourite camping spot come summer, and still offer a very comfortable commuting vehicle for work. A wide array of engine choices also make these trucks far more fuel efficient than ever before. I come from a line of diesel trucks in the past ten years, but even I couldn’t justify the inflated cost of the diesel powertrain for the 4-5 times per year I want to tow my Jeep on an extended trip.
The air bag kits can be installed with a manual fillable Schrader valve using any compressed air source and tire chuck, or you can add an on-board air system for instant leveling and adjustment with one of the available air inflation systems. This one is the WirelessONE system. 50 Trucks Plus
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The first step in happy towing is to get the sway under control by installing a set of Air Lift air springs to the rear coil spring suspension. The Air Lift 1000 helper air springs can add up to 1000 pounds of weight management to the rear coil springs. This will help stiffen the rear suspension under load without sacrificing the smooth daily driving characteristics of the quad coil suspension in the Ram. Another advantage of air springs is the ability to level the truck with a large bed load or heaver tongue weight. A compressed rear suspension interferes with proper braking by making the front end lighter and points your headlights higher making night vision difficult and irritating to oncoming vehicles (they will think your high beams are on when on low beam – get ready to get flashed from oncoming cars). The Air Lift system can be installed as a manually-inflatable system from any compressed air supply via the supplied manual shrader valve system. The simple air bag kit can be installed with minimal tools and a very low buy-in cost. You can also add an automatic inflation system like the WirelessONE system that adds a small compact compressor and unique wireless controller that clips to your truck’s sun visor for a super clean and easy install. If you’re like me, the added compressor is also a perfect travel tool for inflating bicycle tires and for vehicle tire repairs, and those ever-present camping air mattresses! Simply add an air line fitting to the system and set your WirelessONE pressure to 100 or more, or set it at perfect tire pressure for your toy and it will auto turn off as well. As soon as you start to inflate, the compressor will turn on and provide up to 120 psi of tire inflating pressure. At a starting investment for most light trucks of $135.00 (MSRP) for a manual system, there is no reason to not add Air Lift springs to your coil sprung or leaf sprung pickup for load carrying confidence and safety. The WirelessONE compressor system with wireless controller has an MSRP of $482.00. For a Dealer near you: www.airliftcompany.com
To install the air bags into the coil springs, they need to have the air purged by rolling up the bag...
TRUCK TECH ...Then using the supplied fitting plug to keep them compressed.
With the tires removed, jack stands under the frame and the axle at full droop, there is enough room to work the airbags into the coil springs without removing the springs.
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TRUCK TECH With the suspension pushed back up, this is pretty much all you will see.
Once inside the coil, the plug can be pulled from the top fitting and the air bag will settle into the centre of the coil spring. A protective plastic “puck� is placed on the top of the air bag as the top of the coil bucket is open. This opening is where the air line will come through and attach to the air bag.
The plastic air line uses re-usable air line fittings to either plumb the lines to a convenient spot to reach with a compressor air line, or to the on-board inflation system. JUNE / JULY 2014
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TRUCK TECH Using the fuse puller in the fuse panel, one of the accessory fuses that powers the multitude of cigarette lighter-style plugs in the cab is pulled, and the supplied jumper connector is installed over the power side of the fuse. This gives you a keyed 12-volt source to power your compressor without cutting or hacking into your electrical system.
You can see the tab sticks up above the fuse and allows you to attach the jumper wire. The air system comes with a fuse holder so you have load protection.
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TRUCK TECH A small hole was drilled into the fuse panel under the hood so the power wire can be snaked inside.
All wired up and ready to sync the remote control to the control box.
There are two parts to the air system - the compressor and the wireless control box. They can be mounted pretty much anywhere. I chose an easy-to-reach spot on the outside of the frame using the supplied self-tapping screws. 56 Trucks Plus
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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trucks are getting harder to add accessories to, with the curved shape of the dash. This air system comes with a wireless pressure control module smaller than the average garage door opener. Set it to what you need, then clip it away on your sun visor.
GEARING UP All-New Elite Tonneau Cover from Undercover The brand-new Elite Tonneau Cover by Undercover features a whole new design that has now added a number of practical and styling features to make it one of the most refined covers on the market today. A new removable LED light is three times as bright as the previous one, the keyed lock now features BOLT’s Breakthrough One-Key Technology, and a new lanyard tool allows you to easily access things when they are out of reach. The new cover is lightweight, yet strong and durable, and is available for Ford, Silverado, and Ram half-ton applications. For more information please go to www.undercoverinfo.com
Bully Dog Triple Dog Gauge Tuner for Diesel Bully Dog’s new Triple Dog Gauge Tuner for diesel applications features a sleek display unit that can display and alter many different engine parameters and performance monitors. The programmer will improve the utility of your vehicle by increasing horsepower, improving fuel economy, and providing a comprehensive set of monitoring and diagnostic functions. Use of the Triple Dog GT can see gains of up to 130 horsepower, depending on the application. It is available for most late-model GM, Dodge, and Ford trucks/vans with diesel engines.
2007 and Up Jeep Wrangler Suspension Systems from ICON Vehicle Dynamics ICON Vehicle Dynamics has recently unveiled a new 4.5-inch suspension system for 2007 to current Jeep Wrangler JKs. The new system is designed to have an ideal balance between wheel travel, articulation, ground clearance, and precise on- and off-road handling characteristics. ICON suspension systems are meant to be more of a comprehensive suspension solution rather than a lift kit and this is made possible by using shock absorbers, coil springs, link arms, track bars and all other associated parts to work in conjunction with each other to get the maximum performance out of your Jeep.
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BD Diesel Throttle Sensitivity Booster
New Dee Zee Auxiliary Fuel Tanks
The new Throttle Sensitivity Booster from BD Diesel will help reduce the laggy pedal feeling found in some diesel applications which will result in quicker in-town driving performance. By reducing the pedal lag, the booster forces the performance curve of the vehicle to occur sooner, which helps it achieve quick turbocharger spooling. It is an easy-to-install module that utilizes factory connection and is adjustable to boost throttle signals by 50 or 100 percent. It is available for Dodge/Ram, Ford, and GM diesel pickups. For more information please go to www.dieselperformance.com 58 Trucks Plus
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Dee Zee’s new line of Auxiliary Fuel tanks are designed to meet all safety regulations and feature a 100-gallon (379 litre) capacity which allows you to drive longer and further without having to stop and fill up. The tanks use fully-welded baffles to add extra strength and are mounted securely to the truck bed using special mounting tabs. Using a separately purchased connector kit, users are simply able to pull fuel directly from the truck bed. The tanks are available in square, L-Shaped and rectangular shapes to fit just about any size requirements, and also come finished in either polished or black powder-coated aluminum, or white or black powder-coated steel. For more information please go to www.deezee.com
GEARING UP Rigid Industries Grille Guard for 2014 GMC Sierra The LED Grille Kit from Rigid Industries has been specifically designed for the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 and allows for a clean, OE-quality install of Rigid Industries LED lights. The durable long-lasting grille is able to accept one 20-inch E-Series LED Light and two D-Series LED lights which is sure to give you more than enough lighting for any situation. The grille features a two-piece design and is made from laser-cut 304 stainless steel with stainless steel button socket head bolts and nyloc nuts with no welds.
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Extend-A-Fender Flares from Bushwacker Now Available for 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Bushwackerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s line of Extend-A-Fender flares has been expanded and now includes the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup. The fender flares add up to 1.75 inches of additional tire coverage which is perfect for keeping out road debris when running oversized tires. Not only do the flares help protect, they also enhance the look of your vehicle by providing a rugged, off-road look. They come in OEM matte black finish and are very easy to paint. Made from 100 percent UV-protected Dura-Flex 2000 material, the fender flares feature an easy installation that requires no drilling. For more information please go to www.bushwacker.com
G2 Axle & Gearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CORE 44 Axle Housing for Jeep JK New from G2 Axle & Gear is the CORE 44 axle housing for the 2007 and up Jeep JK. The housing was engineered utilizing the newergeneration Dana 44 gear sets, larger diameter tubes and a thicker wall to make it stronger. The contoured bottom and integrated skid plates make the housing specifically designed to prevent hanging up on rocks. The brackets of the axle housing are laser-cut and CNCformed from 3/8-inch steel to add more strength, and they originate around stock mounting points.
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JUNE / JULY 2014
Trucks Plus 59
Big Bed Hitch-Mounted Bed Extender from Erickson Manufacturing
Erickson Manufacturing has released its new Big Bed hitch-mounted truck bed extender. The Big Bed fits into two-inch trailer hitch receivers and helps to extend the bed past the tail gate. The extender is able to fully collapse and store easily when not in use and is the perfect solution for hauling lumber, ladders and other long items that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit into most truck beds. It has three height adjustments, measures 48 inches across, and has a maximum load capacity of 400 pounds. The Big Bed comes in a black powder-coated finish and weighs only 38 pounds. For more information please go to www.ericksonmfg.com
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This one must’ve come as a huge surprise.
Another way to get stuck we hadn’t even thought of.
It truly is amazing how many times we see this.
Not a truck but he sure is stuck.
He’s going to need something very powerful to get him out of this one.
Looks like someone got a little throttle happy trying to get out.
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! 62 Trucks Plus
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