Trucks Plus August / September 2018 by RPM Canada

NISSAN TITAN BUILT TO CHALLENGE. BUILT TO WIN.

CANADA’S BEST TRUCK WARRANTY 5 YEARS/160,000 KM | BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY * • UP TO 9,760 LBS. OF TOWING CAPACITY ‡ • THE INNOVATIVE UTILI -TRACK® CHANNEL SYSTEM GIVES YOU ENDLESS TRANSPORTING POSSIBILITIES.†

Nissan.ca/Titan *Claim based on years/kilometer coverage for Maritz 2018 Full Size Pickup Segmentation and Compact Pickup Segmentation v. 2018 TITAN and TITAN XD. Nissan’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty basic coverage excludes tires, corrosion coverage and emission performance and defect coverage (applicable coverage is provided under other separate warranties). Other terms and conditions also apply. See dealer for complete warranty details. Warranty claim is current at time of printing. ‡Maximum towing capacity when properly equipped. Maximum towing of 9,760 lbs. for TITAN® Single Cab 4x2. Towing capacity varies by con�guration. See Nissan Towing Guide and Owner’s Manual for proper use. †Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution. Always secure all cargo. Heavy loading of the vehicle with cargo, especially on the roof, will a�ect the handling and stability of the vehicle. ®The Nissan names, logos, product names, feature names, and slogans are trademarks owned by or licensed to Nissan Canada Inc. and/or its North American subsidiaries. ©2018 Nissan Canada Inc.

CONTENTS Canadian

Exclusive

OFF-ROAD TIRES: RV-ING: Off-Road Tires Buyers Guide ....pg 18

BARN FIND:

1966 Dodge 3/4-ton Camper Special ...pg 34

2018 Coachmen Apex 300BHS ...pg 50

SUSPENSION:

Suspension Buyers Guide ....pg 38

We get behind the wheel of the allnew 2019 Ram 1500 Sport which is only available in Canada ...pg 10

Pro Comp Install We install a lift kit, wheels and tires on our 2018 Ford F-150 ... pg 42

ALSO INSIDE:

Fresh Tracks---------------------------------- 4

Emerging Tech Take a look at some of the new and emerging technologies offered in the pickup market ...pg 24

Service Trucks ---------------------------- 28 Gearing Up----------------------------------- 56 Stuck Trucks---------------------------------62 AUG/SEPT 2018 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE

FRESH TRACKS

Nissan Unveils Titan Surfcamp Project Vehicle

issan has unveiled the Titan Surfcamp project vehicle which is an all-inclusive beach cruiser that boasts surfboards, paddleboards, fishing rods, a solar-powered shower and much more. The truck is the latest in the Titan adventure series of lifestyle-themed projects from Nissan which has seen vehicles such as the Smokinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Titan that was revealed earlier this year. The Surfcamp began life as a completely stock Titan XD Diesel Midnight Edition Crew Cab truck with a heavy-duty ladder frame, Cummins 5.0L V8 turbo diesel engine and a roomy five-passenger interior. The first modifications to the truck were a factory-authorized ICON suspension lift kit, ICON Alpha wheels wrapped in Nitto Ridge Grappler tires, and frontend protection in the form of a Fab Four Vengeance Series front bumper. The exterior is matched to the paint of a 1967 Nissan Patrol and offers a retro colour scheme that is reminiscent of 1960s and 1970s surf culture. The inside of the Surfcamp has been fitted with wetsuit-inspired seat covers and heavy-duty rubber floor mats which are perfect for dealing with sandy conditions. Builders utilized the Titanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Utili-track Bed Channel System to create storage for supplies such as wetsuits, fishing tackle and more with the help of a decked bed drawer storage system. Additional Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

storage is added on top with a Leitner Design cargo rack and a Rhino-Rack USA cab roof rack. Also featured on the Surfcamp are a surfboard and stand-up paddleboard rack with additional space for fishing rods which can also be held by integrated rod holders in the bumper when in use. As previously mentioned, a Road Shower rack-mounted solar shower and teak wood deck are incorporated, a Rhino-Rack Batwing awning provides shade, while a Yeti 125quart cooler will keep the beverages cold. The truck will first appear at ICAST and then will head out west to the Supergirl Surf Pro in Oceanside, California on July 27th to the 29th.

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Volume 11, Issue No. 4 August / September 2018 STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

Publisher: Dean Washington dean@rpmcanada.ca Associate Publisher: David Symons david@rpmcanada.ca Managing Editor Jordan Allan jordan@rpmcanada.ca Distribution Manager: Brenda Washington brenda@rpmcanada.ca Copy Editor: Gerry Frechette gerryf@rpmcanada.ca Advertising Sales: Elaine Fontaine elaine@rpmcanada.ca Contributing Writers / Photographers: Jordan Allan Howard J Elmer John Gunnell CONTACT INFORMATION

TRUCKS PLUS Magazine is published seven times per year by RPM Media Inc. MAILING ADDRESS: 2460 Kingsway Avenue Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada V3C 1T4 TELEPHONE: (604) 629-9669 FAX: (778) 285-2449 TOLL FREE: (888)-500-4591 EMAIL: info@rpmcanada.ca WEBSITE: www.rpmcanada.ca Second Class Mailing Agreement #40050183

Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

Ford Reveals Upgrades for the 2019 F-150 Raptor Ford has announced that it will be upgrading the F-150 Raptor for 2019 with suspension enhancements that will allow it to perform even better off-road, and all-new Recaro sport seats inside. In order to enhance the Raptor’s already impressive internal bypass shocks, Ford worked directly with FOX to develop a new electronically controlled Live Valve technology for the new platform that is able to continuously adjust damping in real-time. The setup utilizes sensors in the suspension and body to maximize comfort, handling and bottom-out resistance. This will allow the Raptor to make the most of its 13-in. of suspension travel in the front and 13.9-in. in the rear as it uses the automatically varying suspension rates. When paired with the Raptor’s Terrain Management System, the Live Valve suspension technology can increase the truck’s high-speed off-road capability while also promoting a smooth on-road driving experience. Another new feature for 2019 is the Trail Control system which helps the driver take on challenging conditions by operating like cruise control for low-speed, rugged terrain as it automatically adjusts power and braking to each individual wheel. Trail Control can be activated at speeds up to roughly 32 km/h depending on the driveline position. Also, no matter what sort of driving situation you find yourself in, the all-new Recaro sport seats provide aggressive support with great bolstering in both the seat back and cushion. Finally, a couple of new exterior features or options for the 2019 Raptor include a few new colours, an enhanced rear applique and new available beadlock-capable wheels. The truck is set to go on sale in late 2018.

Former Fiat Chrysler CEO and Automotive Legend Sergio Marchionne Passes Away at Age 66 Former Fiat Chrysler (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne has passed away at the age of 66 due to complications following a shoulder surgery in Zurich, Switzerland. News came last week that Mr. Marchionne would be stepping down as CEO due to the complications from the surgery which would eventually cost him his life. Reports suggest that Marchionne fell into a coma and suffered severe brain damage with little chance of recovery and finally lost the battle today, July 25, 2018. The Chairman of EXOR, who are a large shareholder of FCA and Ferrari, John Elkann said in a statement “Unfortunately, what we feared has come to pass. Sergio Marchionne, man and friend, is gone. I believe that the best way to honour his memory is to build on the legacy he left us, continuing to develop the human values of responsibility and openness of which he was the most ardent champion. My family and I will be forever grateful for what he has done. Our thoughts are with Manuela, and his sons Alessio and Tyler. I would ask again every to respect the privacy of Sergio’s family.” Sergio Marchionne is largely credited with saving both Fiat and Chrysler from the brink of bankruptcy beginning in June 2004 when he was named CEO of Fiat SpA and had the company turning a profit by 2005. In 2009, Chrysler LLC was also on the brink of bankruptcy when the Fiat Group received a 20% stake in the company with Marchionne being appointed as CEO. In 2014 Fiat and Chrysler merged into a new holding company called Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) which is now the seventh-largest automobile manufacturer in the world. In addition, up until the surgery compliactions, Marchionne also served as Chairman and CEO of Ferrari which is owned by FCA. He will be succeeded as CEO of FCA by Mike Manley. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Sergio’s family, FCA, Ferrari and the entire automotive worldwide community.

Volume 11, Issue No. 4 August / September 2018 ADVERTISER INDEX

Anzo USA ------------------------------------ 5 BAK ------------------------------------------- 9 BOLT ---------------------------------------- 54 Bright Source ------------------------------ 21 Bully Dog - --------------------------------- 63 Dominion Sure Seal ---------------------- 55 Eibach -------------------------------------- 26 Enthuze ------------------------------------- 57 Extang -------------------------------------- 59 Formula Distributors - -------------------- 23 GE ------------------------------------------- 37 Husky Liners - --------------------------40,41 HyperTech - ---------------------------------- 7 Iron Cross Automotive ------------------- 31 LMC Truck --------------------------------- 43 Lordco Auto Parts ------------------------ 53 McGard ------------------------------------- 30 Nissan ---------------------------------------- 2 Pro Comp ---------------------------------- 64 Retrax -------------------------------------- 49 Road Armor - ------------------------------ 51 Rugged Liner ------------------------------ 35 SEMA Show ------------------------------- 27 Steelcraft ----------------------------------- 13 TITAN Fuel Tanks -------------------------- 61 Toyo Tires ---------------------------------- 19 TrailFX -----------------------------------32,33 Truck Hardware --------------------------- 15 Truxedo - ----------------------------------- 17 Truxedo - ----------------------------------- 45 Varsity Chrysler --------------------------- 60 WeatherTech ------------------------------- 47 Westin Automotive ------------------------ 16 PICK UP LOCATIONS

Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

GMC Announces 2019 Sierra Elevation GMC is continuing with the launch of the next-generation Sierra lineup by announcing the new 2019 Sierra Elevation. The Elevation gives us our first look at the double cab, which is basically a typical extended cab with doors that open the right way, which is what the Elevation is offered in. The truck is available in two- or four-wheel drive, and although GMC didn’t say that it will be exclusively offered in Double Cab, there was no mention of any other configurations in the release. The Elevation sets itself apart from other Sierra models by featuring monochromatic door handles, bumpers and grille surrounds. Black exterior accents are featured throughout including in the grille insert, tow hooks, side window trim and standard 20-in. aluminum wheels. New high-intensity LED headlamps incorporate C-shaped “light blade” signature lighting elements, and C-shaped LED elements in the taillights are also standard along with LED fog lamps. The truck features the Traction Select System at the twist of a dial, which allows the driver to choose from preset modes designed for distinct purposes or conditions. These modes adjust transmission shift points, throttle mapping and other systems to best suit the situation the driver is currently in. The Sierra Elevation is also available with the X31 Off-Road package which includes unique suspension tuning with Rancho shocks, locking rear differential, Hill Descent Control, protective underbody skid plates, dual exhaust system and Auto Trac with low range gearing, all topped off with all-terrain tires. The Sierra Elevation is available with a number of new engine and transmission configurations that deliver the perfect blend of power and capability including the all-new 2.7L turbocharged engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Also, starting in 2019, the Sierra Elevation will be available with the also-new 3.0L turbo diesel inline-six-cylinder engine. The 2019 GMC Sierra Elevation will arrive in showrooms later this year.

Ram to Increase Capability for 2019 ProMaster Van Lineup Ram has announced that it has a number of updates for the 2019 ProMaster van lineup, including increases in both payload capacity and towing capability, and an updated exterior appearance. Both of the Ram ProMaster and ProMaster City vans will feature the redesign of the front fascias which now will integrate the RAM grille theme that is carried over from the pickup line. In addition to the new grille, the ProMaster will also receive new black bumpers, side panels and optional steel wheels with polycarbonate side rear windows now becoming available on high roof models, as are side rear windows with steel grates on the low roof models. The Ram ProMaster will also see three new models being added into the mix - a 2500 Cargo Van with a 136in. wheelbase and a low roof, and high-roof and low-roof versions of the 3500 Cargo Van with the 136-in. wheelbase. As mentioned, the 2019 Ram ProMaster will also increase the payload as much as 109 kg (240 lb) which pushes the maximum to 2,123 kg or 4,680 lb, which is the highest payload of any current Class 2 cargo van. The full-size ProMaster will also see a 30-percent increase in towing capacity, bringing the total up to 3,084 kg or 6,800 lb. To enhance the new towing weights, Ram will offer a new Trailer Tow Group which adds a Class IV receiver hitch with four-and seven-pin wiring harness. For upfitting, the Ram ProMaster includes a Vehicle System Interface Module (VSIM) with 13 inputs and 41 outputs, which provides upfitters quick and reliable connections to vehicle systems. Additionally, new optional interior LED lighting is 20 times brighter and offers integrated motion sensors for added convenience.

In Canada, Ram Runs Deep Ram introduces the Canadian-exclusive Sport model of its all-new 2019 Ram 1500 pickup

the Ram truck brand holds the number two sales spot (behind Ford), whereas Ithenin Canada, the United States, it trails behind Ford and GM. In Canada, that sales spot isn’t just in truck-only sales category – it’s in the overall total automotive sales in the country. It appears that Canada loves the Ram. So is it any wonder that these results have inspired Ram to build an available-in-Canada-only Ram trim package? Well, yes.

Called the Sport, it is now available on the 2019 Ram. Only in Canada you say? Pity. (Groan... I know. Sorry – I had to do it.) With the exception of Texas (which all the brands give special attention to), this hasn’t happened before. Manufacturers rarely, if ever, cater to a “region.” So, as Canadians, we can

Story and photos by Howard J Elmer, additional photos courtesy FCA Canada

proudly look on this treatment as an acknowledgement of how much our market means to parent FCA. This announcement came recently, after the introduction of the 2019 Ram in Arizona, in time to let Canadians know that they can order this special truck as production ramps up at the Sterling Heights plant. So what does a Sport look like? It starts with a monochromatic exterior design that features a body-colour grille, door handles and mirrors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with all-black badging. The dual exhaust tips are also black. In essence, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a chrome-delete look that can also be accessorized with a sport performance hood and 22-inch black-accented wheels.

Inside, the interior theme is much the same – all black with either premium cloth/vinyl bucket seats, or the same in leather. Accents use a light black satin chrome finish, black headliner and diesel grey accent stitching. The list of standard equipment in the Sport package is: • 20-inch aluminum wheels with 275/55R20 OWL all-season tires • Body-colour front/rear bumper, grille, door handles and mirrors • Black badging • Cloth low-back front bucket seats • Heated front seats • Heated perforated steering wheel • Full-length floor console • Premium overhead console • Deluxe door trim panel • 7-inch full-colour customizable in-cluster display centre • Uconnect® 4 multimedia centre with 8.4-inch touchscreen • SiriusXM satellite radio with one-year subscription • Single disc remote CD player • Auto high-beam headlamp control • Auto-dimming rearview mirror • Dampened tailgate • LED fog lamps • LED headlamps and tail lamps with black bezels • Power adjustable pedals • Rear window defroster • Sport badge • Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors • Universal garage door opener • 115V auxiliary power outlet

find which build combinations and options were most often ordered across the country. Looking at hundreds of thousands of truck profiles, distinct Canadian preferences started to emerge. The second answer to this question came from a nondescript building, in an industrial suburb of Windsor, ON where automotive testing is taking place. Called the Automotive Research and Design Centre (ARDC), it does what you’d expect - work on and test future products. A decent percentage of the engineering that went into the new

In addition to the above list, Ram Sport has a further optional equipment list that lets the purchaser upgrade and/or add more even features to the truck. So, all this begs at least one question – how did Ram decide what to put in the Sport package? This question actually has several answers, as I discovered, while driving the Sport recently. First, a profile of each truck purchased in Canada is found in FCA’s warranty computers. Using this data, researchers were able to

12 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

Ram came out of this Windsor building – staffed by a majority of Canadians. In fact, FCA has even deeper roots in Canada, with two major automotive plants in Ontario – plus ARDC – and, right

now, the Ram brand is being led by a Canadian. I see a strong red-and-white influence here, don’t you? Pricing for the 2019 Ram 1500 Sport – Canada only, of course. • 4x2 Quad Cab $52,595 - Crew Cab $54,295 • 4x4 Quad Cab $56,595 - Crew Cab $58,295 The Sport is available on the 2019 Ram, which is all-new. To recap what you may have already seen/read on that truck; Ram has been given an updated look with new sheet metal that is just different enough to announce that this is the new generation. It now has LED adaptive front lighting, and a flatter swept-back hood that uses the brand badge on the grille. The iconic cross-hair grille is now retired. This truck is slightly larger than its predecessor, yet it’s 225 lb lighter. Weight savings are thanks to the use of more high-strength steel and a wider use of aluminum. This stronger frame, with larger brakes (14.9-in) and retuned suspension components, also offers gains in payload and max trailer towing. Payload has increased to 2,300 lb and the top tow rating is now 12,700 lb, numbers that make it competitive with any of its rivals. Supporting that frame at all four corners is a new shock system called Frequency Response Damping (FRD shocks). This technology employs a bypass valve in the shock which opens and closes as needed to soften the ride or offer firmer control during cornering. Other 2019 tech innovations include updated Multilink coil spring rear suspension, Active-Level four-corner air suspension, next-gen TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, auto-retracting front air dam and frame-mounted active tuned mass modules along with active noise cancellation, that makes this Ram interior the quietest ever. The new aluminum tailgate is now damped and also has an integrated lift-assist feature. 14 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

build the following four missing trim levels - Tradesman, Express, Big Horn/Lone Star, and SSV (Special Services Vehicle) on the Ram 1500 Classic. If you do have a look at a Classic, I would imagine that there will be some pricing advantages – though the numbers have not been released as of this printing. Still, Ram has come up with three new packages that can be ordered with the Ram Classic. • Chrome Plus is offered on the Tradesman trim that offers bundled value content which includes chrome bumpers, body-colour upper front fascia, 17-in. wheels, remote keyless entry, and carpet floor covering. An interesting sales twist to the 2019 Ram roll-out is the fact that only the top trim levels in the Crew Cab version are being offered initially. These are the trucks that can be ordered with the Canadaonly Sport package. The reason for this is because production is being moved from Warren Truck Assembly Plant (which has built more than 12.5 million trucks since 1938) to the nearby Sterling Heights facility. So, while production ramps up at Sterling Heights, FCA has decided that Warren Truck will continue to build what is essentially the 2018 Ram indefinitely. To differentiate the two trucks, the old truck will carry a special “Classic” badge and will cater to the build segments that the new Ram does not offer (yet). This is an interesting sales strategy. Certainly it matters that buyers can get all trims and, for the moment, Sterling Heights is not ready to do that. So, Warren Truck will

• Tradesman SXT is offered on the Tradesman trim that includes chrome bumpers, body-colour front fascia, five-inch radio, fog lamps (new to Tradesman), dual exhaust on V8 models (new to Tradesman), and 20-in. chrome wheels (new to Tradesman). • Express Black Accent Package is offered on all Express trim exterior colours which includes black wheels, black headlight bezels and black badging. The Ram 1500 Classic is available in three cabs and three bed lengths: Regular Cab with 8 ft. bed or 6 ft., 4 in. bed, Quad Cab with 6 ft., 4 in. bed, Crew Cab short bed (5 ft., 7 in.) or Crew Cab with optional 6 ft., 4 in. bed. It can be ordered as a 4x2 or 4x4, with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 or optional 5.7L V8. The optional 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel will be available at a later date.

• BUILT WITH CORROSION RESISTANT, BLACK POWDER-COATED STAINLESS STEEL • DIE STAMPED STAINLESS STEEL STEP AREAS FOR MAXIMUM TRACTION • PROVIDES OVER 2 MORE INCHES OF TOE/HEEL STEP AREA THAN OUR COMPETITORS • FEATURES A NOTCHED BAR DESIGN WITH HEAVY-DUTY STEP PLATE • REMOVABLE STEP PLATES FOR EASY CLEANING • FITS TIGHT TO ROCKER PANEL FOR A SOLID FIT AND RUGGED LOOK • SOLID 1-PIECE CONSTRUCTION • BOLT-ON INSTALLATION – NO DRILLING REQUIRED FOR MOST APPLICATIONS • MOUNT KIT INCLUDED

16 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

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PRODUCTS: OFF-ROAD TIRES

BUYERS’ GUIDE AMP Mud Terrain Attack Description: AMP’s Mud Terrain Attack (M/T A) tire features massive tread grip that offers both on- and off-road durability for any driving situation. The dynamic sipe design significantly increases traction in wet conditions, while the staggered shoulder design provides a tread pattern that yields additional traction in rock, mud and snow along with increased traction for on-road performance. Additionally, a reinforced sidewall boasts an aggressive “A”-shaped lug design which provides dynamic biting edges to help through even extreme conditions. Website: www.amp-tires.com

Antares Deep Digger M/T Description: The Antares Deep Digger M/T boasts an aggressive tread design for excellent traction on- and off-road. Uniform tread contact area for sure-footed handling on all terrain. Extra-strong durable casing. Available in off-road sizes 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, & 22 in. Website: www.formuladistributors.com

BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM3 Description: BFGoodrich’s new T/A KM3 tire features a Terrain-Attack tread design that powers through mud and loose soil, and huge tread blocks which are designed to deliver incredible grip from any angle of approach, while mud-phobic bars release compacted mud for continued traction. The Krawl-TEK compound enhances grip on rock and slick surfaces, and the linear flex zone allows the tire to flex and envelop objects in aired-down driving situations. Website: www.bfgoodrichtires.ca

Dick Cepek Extreme Country Description: The new Extreme Country mud-terrain tire has been designed with a proven tread compound for excellent traction, responsive handling, even wear, longer life and a quieter ride. Available in 21 popular sizes, the Extreme Country line delivers stability and responsive grip on irregular surfaces, with a heavy-duty carcass that enhances sidewall strength. Wide outer tread voids and angled shoulder scallops offer added grip in mud and loose soil. Website: www.dickcepek.com

General Grabber X3 Description: General Tire’s Grabber X3 tire is the ideal mud-terrain tire that offers off-road traction but also has a good balance of on-road performance. The DuraGen Technology features a strong, cut- and chip-resistant compound that is coupled with ultra-high-strength steel belts and a broad, flat contour to provide confident stability. The high void-pattern design and evacuation channels allow for high traction levels in mud, while providing an efficient self-cleaning ability at the same time. The tire is capable in mud, rock, and dirt terrains, while also providing a quiet ride during on-road situations. Website: www.generaltire.ca 18 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

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Gladiator X-Comp MT Description: Gladiator’s X-Comp MT Tire features maximum traction and grip with a selfcleaning tread and a shoulder area that has been designed to prevent mud, rock and snow build-up. The tires feature strong performance, stable ride, and a durable construction that has been engineered to tackle the harshest off-road terrain while still remaining surprisingly quiet during on-road situations. Website: www.formuladistributors.com

Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar Description: Goodyear’s Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar tire features Dupont Kevlar-reinforced sidewalls that increase its puncture resistance by up to 35 percent. The wraparound tread helps deliver sidewall traction in mud, sand and rocks, while an innovative asymmetric tread design helps provide enhanced on-road traction and aggressive off-road traction. Additionally, the advanced silica rubber provides superb off-road and wet traction. Website: www.goodyear.ca

Kumho Road Venture MT Description: Kumho’s Road Venture MT KL71 is a race-proven, mudslinging off-road tire that has surprisingly good on-road manners. The extra-deep cut- and chip-resistant directional compound will withstand the most brutal of environments, while the tread design is engineered to promote self cleaning. It is available in sizes ranging from flotation sizes for lifted vehicles to LT-metric sizes in load ranges C, D and E for the applications that require extra load-carrying capacity. Website: www.kumhotire.ca

Maxxis Trepador Radial M8060 Description: Maxxis’ Trepador Radial M8060 off-road tire features an aggressive, directional tread design that provides excellent traction on- and off-road while the multi-curve siping improves traction on loose dirt and other slippery surfaces. The tread arrangement ensures a uniform tread contact area that provides sure-footed handling, and the multi-stage staggered shoulder pattern provides improved side bite on difficult terrain. Website: www.maxxis.com

Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ P3 Description: The Baja MTZ P3 featuring PowerPly construction is a versatile mud terrain tire that delivers excellent on- and off-road performance. The silica-reinforced tread compound provides enhanced wet performance, cut and chip resistance, and long life, while the four-pitch SideBiter pattern breaks up terrain for added traction. Variable draft angles and stone ejector ribs reduce stone retention, and a decoupling groove allows tread to conform to irregular surfaces and reduces heat buildup. Website: www.mickeythompsontires.com

Nitto Mud Grappler Description: Nitto’s Mud Grappler provides off-road traction over various terrains, whether it’s dirt, rocks or mud. The massive side-lugs and 3-ply polyester sidewall construction add more protection to help prevent sidewall punctures when facing the most challenging off-road obstacles. The Mud Grappler® Extreme Terrain tire can handle anything you throw at it. Website: www.nittotire.com

20 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

Nitto Ridge Grappler Description: Nitto’s Ridge Grappler is aggressive-looking and designed to handle some tough terrain, but with a smoother “on road” ride. The advanced hybrid tread design provides an unexpected level of ride comfort for a tire in this rugged class. It features heavy-duty construction, and is always on- or off-road ready. Website: www.nittotire.com

Pit Bull Maddog LT M/T Radials Description: The Pit Bull Maddog Mud Terrain LT Radial tire is designed for serious enthusiasts who desire increased load-carrying capacity, extra ground clearance and an off-road look as well as function, all coupled with tame on-road driving characteristics. The tires feature three circumferential groove channels and large tread blocks that increase stability and enhance handling. They also come with rim guards and feature a chip- and tear-resistant rubber compound that allow them to fend off sidewall cuts or abrasions. Website: www.pitbulltires.com

Pro Comp Xtreme MT2 Description: Pro Comp’s Xtreme MT2 radial is designed to provide great performance both on- and off-road, as it delivers the toughness and traction to get your vehicle through any situation. The aggressive open tread design was optimized using computer modeling to deliver unsurpassed grip and control, without making excessive noise while on-road. Additionally, it delivers self-cleaning performance in mud and snow. Website: www.procompusa.com

Toyo Tires Open Country M/T Description: The light truck Open Country M/T mud terrain tire is designed for enthusiasts who require extra ground clearance, load-carrying capacity and off-road capability. As an added bonus, it also provides great on-road performance. It incorporates new production technology along with Toyo’s award-winning DSOC II Technology. What this means for you is levels of uniformity and durability unmatched by other mud terrain tires. This advanced balance and construction strength provides uncompromised control. Website: www.toyotires.ca

Toyo Open Country R/T Description: Toyo’s Open Country R/T is not only designed to be aggressive in off-road adventures, they also provide a smoother on-road driving experience. The Open Country R/T combines the best features found in the Open Country A/T II for all-terrain and paved road performance…while blending many of the off-road features found in the legendary Open Country M/T. Website: www.toyotires.ca

Yokohama Geolandar M/T+ Description: Yokohama’s Geolandar M/T+ tire is designed to perform well on any surface and boasts outstanding grip and strength. The sidewall protector bars resist side punctures and cuts while the directional tread pattern improves its self-cleaning ability and increases traction. The 3-ply casing construction handles heavy loads at highway speeds while the progressive power shoulder enhances durability with side protectors that help expel mud and dirt. Website: www.yokohama.ca 22 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

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FEATURE: EMERGING TRUCK TECHNOLOGIES

The Future of all Trucks Story by Howard J Elmer, photos courtesy of the manufacturers

uring the past century, trucks have changed continuously; but their prime focus has remained the same. Haul people, gear and payload, and tow. It’s what a truck does. However, today, new technologies are being applied to these trucks on a level that surpasses the usual increases in model horsepower and weight limits, and these new features are adding a great deal to vehicles that are already at the heart of your business. What follows are some of the new and emerging technologies that are currently offered across the whole of the pickup market. Some are very new, some have been in development for a while, but each points to the future of all trucks. Call them the new electronic driver assistance features.

Ford introduced the class-exclusive trailer reverse guidance on the Super Duty back in 2017. 24 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

1. Cameras You can find up to seven cameras on many new pickup trucks. These broadcast every movement of the truck from nose to tail. They show reversing manoeuvres in real time, right on the large centre-stack screen. Ford’s new Super Duty, for instance, uses three cameras just for trailer reverse guidance. On the centre screen, these cameras create a bird’s-eye view diagram of the truck as well as a split image of the left and right side of the trailer. These cameras actually offer a better view than the standard mirrors do – plus the truck will warn the driver if the trailer is about to The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 jackknife. Cameras features a very large centre on the nose of the screen that provides a great truck can virtually camera view. see around corners, and an auxiliary camera can even be mounted at the rear of your trailer – its image is also broadcast on the centre screen. 2. Adaptive Cruise Control GM, Ford and Ram all feature adaptive cruise control technology now - cruise control that accelerates, slows with the pace of traffic

Blind-spot monitoring has been around for a while now and continues to be a very useful feature. and keeps a set following distance. Now, this is exactly what these systems have been doing on cars for a few years now, but with trucks, the wild card has always been weight. Being able to haul up to 30,000 lb with many new HD pickups exposed a scary flaw in previous systems. Prior to the electronic linking of the radar, brakes, trailer brakes, exhaust brake and transmission gearing cruise control on trucks were prone to over-speeding the set speed on long downhill grades. Today, though, the new driver-assist computer automatically holds any preset speed no matter the weight or the severity of the grade. 3. Electronic tagging of tools. Here, Ford has been the leader, with names like Ford Work Solutions and Tool Link from Dewalt. Using RFID technology, you can

tag your tools, and then the system will let you know what’s in your truck and what isn’t. Check it at the end of the workday to see that all the gear you used at the job site is back on board. RFID tags are attached to any tools or equipment you want to track. The system identifies each tag, and you can type in the name of the item. Once the inventory is complete, the system can track the items you tagged whenever they’re in the truck, and alert you if they’re missing. Tool Link is a useful piece of technology. 4. Wi-Fi hotspot on board Who doesn’t carry a cell phone? However, some stuff just works better on a laptop, right? And while you can tether it to your phone, how fast is it? What does the data cost? Well, GM made an obvious technology leap when it decided to use the OnStar network that

The Nissan TITAN offers a full suite of driver-assist technologies including Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross traffic alert, Around View Monitor, and Front and Rear Sonar System to just name a few.

AUG/SEPT 2018 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE 25

it had spent a decade setting up to also carry a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hookup for its vehicles. This system works while moving or while stationary, and generally will extend to at least a 50-foot radius around the truck, so you can work outside as well. You can link your phone to it too. Also, GM is offering an unlimited data package for its OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot across its entire lineup.

The F-150 is also offered with a number of safety and technology features.

5. Electronic data monitoring of vehicles/drivers Ford has also invested in fleet monitoring technology, but there are aftermarket systems out there and other manufacturers will no doubt follow suit soon. For starters, Ford’s Crew Chief device installed on your trucks can tell you where each truck is 24/7. You can access this information on the in-dash computer in your truck or on any computer with web access. With Crew Chief, you can see which truck is closest to the job you need done as well as providing information on the efficiency and productivity of your fleet. However, another aspect of this kind of electronic monitoring is just as important - diagnostic and maintenance reports on each truck.

A quick illustration of Ram’s ParkSense Technology.

These are just a few of the new electronic driver assistance features that are currently available in the marketplace. Looking ahead though – connectivity and on-board computers will certainly increase the number of assistance features available to truck customers. As an example of what’s possible, a quick look at the heavy truck industry gives a hint as to what’s next. Volvo Trucks of Europe has just developed a safety system that utilizes cameras and radar technology to monitor the road and activate an automatic emergency braking system in case the driver is too slow or doesn’t react – and that’s in a full-size tractor-trailer.

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26 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

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FEATURE: SERVICE TRUCKS

Specific Purpose Service Trucks were purpose built for special jobs Story and photos by John Gunnell

ccording to Truck Trend (www.trucktrend.com), trucks with service and utility bodies can be traced back to 1910. The first makers of service trucks were regional shops, but most service truck body builders in business today have survived by developing state-of-theart production facilities and following trends.

A 1930 Ford Model AA truck with a double compartment tanker body leaving the Appleton Old Car Show. Its vocation was delivering Texaco gasoline.

Some service and utility bodies were designed to allow a truck to carry tools to a jobsite. Other companies specialized in tanker bodies, coal delivery bodies, wreckers, cranes and snorkels for utility workers, and tree trimmers and other purpose-built bodies meant mainly for heavy-duty trucks. Tillbury and Wilson Motor Bodies (both Canadian companies); Garwood Industries; Martin-Parry; Budd Manufacturing; Simplex Manufacturing; Knapheide; Galion Allsteel Body Co.; McCabe-Powers Auto Body Company; Omaha Standard; Riechers Body; Reading Truck Body and Stahl were leaders. Following World War II, truck manufacturing became a booming business. Much of the growth was in the light-duty segment, including trucks with payload ratings up to three-quarter-ton. Between 19481951, manufacturers produced 1.3 million trucks per year. Contractors, tradesmen and service technicians were starting businesses and clamoring for specialized bodies. Everybody had work to do and they wanted better work trucks than the prewar pickups and panels.

Kentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ice Cream has a fleet of restored service trucks to deliver and sell Big Bars at the Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show. This IH truck has a reefer body. 28 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

Truck manufacturers like Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Studebaker and others produced trucks in bare chassis, chassis-and-cowl and chassis-and-cab configurations to provide platforms for utility and service bodies. Most if not all of the truck manufacturers supplied their dealers with catalogs that had information about purpose-built bodies and equipment. The body buildersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;such as those listed

Kent’s Ice Cream restored this drop-side van to sell ice cream bars at old car shows.

Larsen Farms of Wisconsin is the owner of this 1985 International Harvester 1650 Cargostar truck with a utility cabinet style body. above—would advertise the custom work they offered commercial users. For instance, each year, Chevrolet provided its dealers with copies of a publication called the Silver Book. This was described on the title page as “A catalog of engineered vocational equipment for Chevrolet Trucks.” The Silver Books showed service and utility bodies, but also had ads for snow plows, camper shells, larger slide-in camper units, wreckers, cranes, hydraulic booms, light bars, trailer hitches, diamond plate bumpers and so on. In other words, they illustrated equipment to make any truck a service truck. The Silver Books were actually designed to help Chevrolet sales representatives sell service vehicles. Here is how the introduction to the 1965 Silver Book described its purpose to the Chevrolet dealer sales force. “Your double goal in selling Chevrolet trucks is to make a profit and to build customer goodwill so they will think first of you when in need of new trucks. The Silver Book is designed specially to help you achieve both of these aims. “The Silver Book provides a vast fund of information about the special equipment that enables a truck to satisfactorily perform a particular job. It tells you about the equipment itself, who manufactures it and where it may be obtained. “Take some time right now to look over this edition carefully. Become acquainted with all of the important selling assistance it contains and make certain that your sales staff is also thoroughly familiar with this publication. Then, every time you talk to a prospect, have the Silver Book at hand. Go over with him the sections dealing with the particular kind of equipment he needs and must have. As you turn the pages, additional items will suggest themselves and create within the customer the desire for the most complete unit possible.

“Remember . . . a complete truck means more profit for you and greater satisfaction for your customer. The Silver Book helps you get both! Sell complete trucks with the aid of the Silver Book.” One famous series of service trucks was the Dodge Airflow tankers built from 1935-1940. The first order of 29 units was made for Standard Oil Company in December 1934. These trucks had an art deco grille design, streamlined bodies, fully skirted rear fenders and “Essolube Motor Oil” graphics on the side. Sacony-Vacuum Oil Company also had some Airflow tankers built. Most of these four-ton trucks had 1,250-gallon tanker bodies built by Garwood Industries of Detroit, Michigan. Others were slightly larger and had 1,500-gallon tanker bodies made by the Heil company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A fleet of distinctive three-ton Airflow tankers was made for Texaco. These had special Garwood bodies with contoured side and rear fender styling and speedlines on the fender skirts. Beer delivery trucks with Airflow styling were also made for the Schlitz Brewing Company of Milwaukee. Their semi-insulated beer truck bodies were manufactured by the Barkow Auto Body Co., also of Milwaukee. They were on the T-44M Dodge chassis with a 205-inch wheelbase and carried deluxe trim. A 331-cid 100-hp six-cylinder engine was the powerplant. During World War II, Dodge trucks made at the Chrysler Canada truck assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, were shipped to the Royal Canadian Air Force for use at an air base in Canada. The truck was used as a field ambulance and had a special purpose-built boxy ambulance body. Ford did a good job of keeping up with Chevrolet and Dodge when it came to creating service trucks. In 1928, Ford actually built a Ford

“Get acquainted with equipment manufacturers and their distributors or representatives in your area. They will be glad to help you make the sale—to demonstrate the equipment or help prepare cost information. They are anxious to help you--take advantage of that help! “Your salesmen can’t possibly remember all there is to know about special equipment, but it’s all at your fingertips in the Silver Book. When you make full use of it, you can sell a complete truck, ready to go to work on its special job.

This 1953 Dodge B-4-B chassis and cab was fitted with a utility cabinet body. It was probably used as a telephone company repair truck. AUG/SEPT 2018 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE 29

A pretty wrecker on a 1949 Ford F-5 chassis belongs to Larry Steve of Dubuque, Iowa.

service truck would usually purchase the chassis-cab version and have Ford’s preferred body builders do the rest. For example, body builder Proctor-Keefe manufactured special mail truck bodies for the ¾-ton chassis for the U.S. Post Office, and a second company named Brooks made E-Z Route milk delivery bodies for the Ford 1-ton chassis. Civilian trucks were not produced during World War II, although many purpose-built models were produced for the military. Immediately after the war, production ramped up slowly and there was a shortage of new vehicles to replace the worn-out prewar units that had served civilian users during the conflict. Even at that, some service and utility-bodied models were turned out. For example, a Vanette Wholesaler body that had been announced for 1942, but never built in large numbers, was offered again by Vanette, Incorporated.

Dealer Service Truck mounted on a Model AA chassis with a closed cab. It had a high-sided express type body with a towing crane mounted at the rear. It was designed to carry a mechanic and his tools to a broken-down car and offered the option of towing the vehicle to a Ford dealer if it could not be fixed in the field. Other Model AA Fords were used as gas tankers, snow plows, telephone pole trucks, Railway Express trucks, stand-and-drive vans (such as mail trucks) and fire engines. James K. Wagner’s Crestline Book entitled Ford Trucks Since 1905 showcases a great collection of truck photos gathered by a passionate author who worked for Ford’s truck division. This hardcover photographic history is out of print, but is available on eBay and thru other Websites. In 1940, Ford offered chassis, chassis-cab, dump, cab-dump, platform, stake and panel truck models from the factory (some models were available only in certain weight ranges). A buyer wanting a

30 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

Among the Ford service trucks turned out in 1947 and 1948 were Garwood-bodied “refuse packers” (garbage trucks) built for the city of Dearborn, Mich. A company called Truckstell built the chassis for these, which were converted from two-ton to 2-1/2-ton specifications. By 1949, postwar production was picking up steam and new models were seen, including Good Humor ice cream trucks of a chassis-cab and windshield configuration. Fruehauf-bodied insulated beer trucks, cement mixers, tankers and road tar spreaders were sold. Postwar prosperity led to the creation of many new small businesses in North America. This increased the demand for trucks made by Ford and other companies that could be modified with special equipment provided by aftermarket companies to do a wide variety of tasks from hauling propane tanks to delivering new glass windows to a homebuilding site. Whatever the job was that had to be done, there was a truck maker and a special equipment supplier that could team up to build a service truck or utility truck for the specific purpose.

FEATURE: BARN FIND ‘66 DODGE CAMPER SPECIAL

A Real Gem Story and photos by John Gunnell

omeone told a woman that Dan McQuaid was into old cars. She asked him if he wanted to take a look at the yellow camper that her dad had left parked out in the barn. Dan never imagined that this “barn find” was going to be a real gem.

The tree had to be cut down before Dan and his friends were able to squeeze the big Del Rey Imperial Coach through the barn doors.

He traveled to Ishpeming. Mich., the second town west of his home, to see the truck. He had to crawl into the barn to take a look, because there was a tree that had grown in front of the barn door. The earth had heaved up past the level of the swinging doors. When he got inside the barn, he saw the Dodge. It was very dirty, but he could tell that it had been very well preserved. There were only 21,800 miles on the odometer. In addition to the 38-year-old truck, the barn held a slide-in camper unit from the same era. The seats inside the camper still had the original plastic seat covers in place. In fact, the whole camper was as in the same wellpreserved state that the pickup was in. Dan agreed to purchase everything on the spot and the woman was open to that idea. They made arrangements to meet at the barn that weekend to get the two vintage travelers out and back on the road. The next day the

daughter called him and explained that she was very upset because her mother, who was 90 years old, had heard of the plan to sell her husband’s property and insisted that there was no way that was going to happen. She said that the truck and camper were definitely not for sale. “I was immediately worried that someone else would find out about them and sweet talk her into selling, “ Dan recalls today. ” Then, I would have missed out on a great find that I had gotten very close to buying.” Dan remained tight-lipped about his discovery. He told very few people about what he had seen in the barn. He hoped that one day he’d get a call, but years went by and the phone didn’t ring. Each time Dan traveled near Ishpeming he would drive past the old homestead and check to see if the tree was still in front of the barn door. He knew that if the tree was still up, his “treasure” was still safe.

It took Dan McQuaid four years before he finally had the opportunity to take the 1966 Dodge pickup out of its 38-year-old tomb. 34 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

“I must have gone by there 30 times,” Dan said. “Each time we took a trip in our old cars, the Dodge and the camper would come up in our conversations.” Dan’s buddies would ask him, “Do you think you’ll ever get them?” He didn’t know what to tell them. In April 2008, Dan had taken his lunch break and upon returning to work, there was a message that “a woman named Kathy had called about an old

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After getting the truck and trailer home, Dan burned up lots of energy cleaning them up. He found many interesting items in the trailer including silverware, plates, maps and Dixie cups from the ‘60s and ‘70s. “The last time they used the camper in the ‘70s, I think they had every intention of taking it out again,” Dan believes. “But the aging process caught up to them more quickly than they expected and they never did get to use it again.” Dan spent about three months cleaning both units and servicing the Dodge so it would run and could again haul the camper. The two were mated together for what was probably the first time in decades and on the second week in July of 2008, Dan and his friends drove the truck - with the

After the extraction, the truck looked like this. It was covered with silt, but under the dirt was a like-new Dodge with 20,800 original miles. Dodge truck.” He knew that Kathy was the name of the daughter and called her immediately. She asked Dan if he was still interested in her dad’s truck and camper, because other people had found out about them and were bugging her to buy them. “You have waited so long, I wanted you to have first crack at them,” she explained and offered to meet him that Friday. Dan didn’t get much sleep that Thursday night. When Friday came, he and some of his buddies set off for Ishpeming to free the treasures from their tomb. They looked like a logging crew with chainsaws to fell trees and shovels to dig into the earth. They brought all the equipment they could muster up for their archaeological dig. They decided to free the camper first. This required cutting down the tree and digging the doors out of the ground. “There were no windows and it was

To remove the Imperial Coach, it was rested on a trailer attached to a modern pickup that tugged it out into the open.

After being thoroughly cleaned, the camper unit was set on tripods so the ’66 Dodge could be backed under it. With the help of a couple of Dan’s friends, it was then very carefully reunited with the Dodge pickup. camper mounted - to the Iola Old Car Show (www.iolaoldcarshow.com). “The attention it drew at the show was incredible,” Dan recalls. “After that weekend, I knew for certain that I had made quite a find. The Dodge pickup is a 1966 three-quarter-ton Camper Special with a 318-cid 200-hp V8 hooked to a four-speed manual gearbox. The Camper Special package included heavy-duty suspension, which was essential for hauling a slide-in camper unit around. The truck has a radio and not much more in the way of factory options. Its original Daffodil Yellow paint was in good shape beneath all the dirt. It has a white-painted bumper and wheels and “bottle cap” hubcaps. The Del Rey Imperial camper unit was made in Elkhart, Ind., and was described as a “coach” in factory literature. It is 90-in. wide. The front section that extends over the cab of the truck is called a Sky Lounge. It allows room for a small crossways bunk and has eerie-looking green Plexiglas windows. Del Rey listed 33 standard features for this model, which Dan has made into a sign for shows. Being a Mopar guy, he has also decorated the windows with stickers from the Dodge Ramchargers drag racing team of the early ‘60s, and decals from the 13th annual National Hot Rod Assoc. Nationals held in Indianapolis in 1967

dark as midnight in that barn,” Dan recalled. “In fact, no light had illuminated that camper for about 38 years, until we swung the barn doors open.” The first thing Dan noticed was that the camper had been perched on tripod stands and they had sunk right through the wooden floor of the barn. Dan and his friends had to jack the camper up and put a small trailer under it before they could move it. The large camper barely fit through the doorway. The camper turned out to be a 1962 Del Rey Imperial Coach model in like-new condition. Next came the extraction of the truck from the barn. It was a big threequarter-ton Camper Special that was covered with silt. Dan and his friends hooked a chain to it and pulled it out of the barn. Slowly, but surely the Dodge was dragged closer and closer to the door. According to the daughter, the truck had been bought new and was used once in a while through 1979. It had its original paint, tires, drive belts, glass and so on. Everything on the vehicle had obviously been untouched from the time it was new or at least for many years. The Dodge was loaded on a trailer to start its journey back to useful life.

36 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

The ‘70s-style interior was complete with many travel items that gave the impression the previous owners planned to hit the road again, but never did.

PRODUCTS: SUSPENSION

BUYERS’ GUIDE Air Lift Heavy-Duty Coil Spring Inserts for Ram 1500 Pickups

Description: Air Lift’s 1000 HD™ load support kit is their heaviest-duty coil spring insert and provides up to 2,500 lbs. of load-leveling capabilities. The custom-molded polyurethane air springs are simply inserted into the rear coil springs with no vehicle modifications necessary. The air springs are able to be adjusted anywhere from 5 to 75 PSI, making them completely customizable depending on the weight of the load. Specifications: No drilling necessary for installation. Air Lift offers wired, wireless and automatic on-board air compressor systems. Applications: Specifically engineered for the 2009-2018 coil-spring Ram 1500 pickups. Website: www.airliftcompany.com BDS Suspension 4-In. Lift System for Ram Power Wagon Description: BDS Suspension is now making a 4-in. lift system for the Ram 2500 Power Wagon which is designed to maintain on-road ride quality and handling while also improving off-road capability with clearance for up to 37-in. tires. The kit also provides increased ground clearance for off-road adventures and will immediately provide your truck with a much more aggressive appearance. Specifications: Kit offers a choice of NX2 gas or FOX 2.0 IFP performance gas shocks. Several other accessories available including dual front shock kits, steering stabilizer kits and more. Applications: Made for the 2014-2018 Ram 2500 Power Wagon. Website: www.bds-suspension.com Eibach Pro-Lift Kit for Raptor Description: Eibach’s Pro-Lift Kit springs are designed to provide a suspension lift for your vehicle without having to use coilover systems or spacer lifts. The springs allow full range of suspension travel without creating any additional stress on bushings and ball-joints, as seen with spacer lift systems. Specifications: Raises front suspension 2.5-in. for a level stance, increased bump travel and off-road performance capable of handling any terrain in its path. Applications: For 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor. Website: www.eibach.com Eibach PRO-Truck-Lift Description: Eibach’s PRO-Truck-Lift combines a series of Pro-Lift-Kit springs and ProTruck Sport shocks to create a perfectly tuned suspension system that is engineered for both on and off-road performance. Each kit is designed to deliver maximum ride height without compromising the integrity of factory bushings, ball joints and other components. Specifications: Precision shock valving allows compliance over large obstacles and control through rough terrain while also improving on road comfort and performance. Applications: Available for a wide variety of late model trucks. Website: www.eibach.com Hellwig Big Wig Air Springs Description: Hellwig’s Big Wig Air Springs have been designed with heavy tow and haul applications in mind. The kits feature 2,800-lb. air springs for each side and heavy-duty brackets that will handle the most demanding loads. The large air springs have more air volume to provide ride quality and performance with a large load in the bed. The air springs require half the pressure that typical 2,500-lb. air springs would require, and also provide better off-road performance. Specifications: 2,800 lb capacity with bulletproof brackets. Applications: Visit website for complete application listings. Website: www.hellwigproducts.com ICON 4.5-in. Suspension Systems for Ford Super Duty Description: ICON Vehicle Dynamics’ new 4.5-in. suspension system for the new Ford Super Duty 4WD pickups is available in five pre-staged configurations, each delivering a unique level of onand off-road performance. The systems provide an approximate 50-percent increase in front wheel travel and allow for up to 37-in. tires. They are designed around ICON’s dual-rate coil springs. Specifications: Radius arm drop brackets correct geometry and caster for optimal alignment specs. ICON shocks feature specific tune for superior performance and ride quality. Applications: For 2017+ Ford Super Duty. Website: www.iconvehicledynamics.com 38 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

Pro Comp 6-In. Suspension Kit for Nissan Titan Description: Pro Comp’s new 6-in. suspension system for the non-XD Nissan Titan gas models are able to enhance the appearance and capabilities of your truck by increasing the height and leveling the stance. The systems deliver the perfect combination of features, performance, durability and ease of installation. Specifications: High-strength steering knuckles maintain OE geometry and heavy-duty one-piece front cross members include bump stop pads. Applications: 2004-2018 Nissan Titan non-XD 4WD. Website: www.procompusa.com Pro Comp 5-In. Suspension Kit for GM Colorado/Canyon Description: Pro Comp is now offering a new 5-in. lift system to improve both the appearance and capabilities of the GM Colorado/Canyon mid-size trucks. The kit allows for the installation of 33-in. tires and offers a stainless steel backing plate that adds a stylish appearance to the sturdy front crossmember. The extended steering knuckles maintain factory geometry and heavy-duty tie rods are also included. Specifications: Front strut extension and rear ES9000 shocks included. Applications: Fits the 2015-2018 GM Colorado/Canyon 2WD/4WD gas models. Website: www.procompusa.com ProRYDE 3-In-1 Rear Leaf Spring Block Kit for Nissan Titan Description: ProRYDE’s 3-in-1 Rear Leaf Spring Block Kit allows you to choose between lift options of 1-,1.5- or 2-in. They feature nine interlocking points of contact and an OEM-inspired look and finish. The blocks are made from cast iron to withstand the most demanding applications, feature integrated, built-in centre pins, and allow you to put the rake back in your leveled truck for towing or hauling. Specifications: Black e-coated for a durable lasting finish. Applications: Available for 2017-newer Nissan Titan and Titan Pro 4X and 2016-newer Nissan Titan XD. Website: www.prorydeliftkits.com Rancho 5-In. Radius Arm Lift Kit Description: Rancho’s 5-In. Radius Arm Lift Kit is available for Ford Super Duty diesel trucks and includes Rancho full radius arms with OE-matching rubber mounts and lower brackets at the axle, allowing for caster adjustment to fine tune handling and ride. Fitting up to 37-inch tires with minor trimming, the kit also includes new front coil springs to lift the front five inches, new track bar relocation brackets, and a drop pitman arm to maintain factory steering geometry. Specifications: The rear is lifted by Rancho lift blocks and extended-length U-bolts. The lift kit pairs perfectly with Rancho® RS5000™X series shocks Applications: Available for 2011-2017 Ford F-250/F-250 4WD diesel trucks. Website: www.gorancho.com

ReadyLIFT 2.5-In. Front Leveling Kit for Ford Super Duty Description: ReadyLIFT’s 2.5-in. front leveling kit for the late-model Ford Super Duty provides a near-level stance with the factory 3-in. rear block and comes with a sound isolator that is installed between the spacer and spring to retain an OEM ride and quiet sound. The kit also includes powdercoated steel coil spring spacers, shock extensions and sway bar frame mount spacers that were specifically designed for the Super Duty. Specifications: Kit requires no cutting or drilling. Applications: Made for the 2011-2018 Ford Super Duty F-250 and F-350 4WD trucks. Website: www.readylift.com

Revtek Coil Over Suspension Description: Revtek’s new coilovers have been designed from the ground up. They allow a lift height of up to 3-in. while maintaining the factory geometry. Included with the kit are upgraded rear shocks, a differential drop and fully assembled front struts. Specifications: Lift your vehicle up to 3-in. Applications: Currently available for late model 4Runners and Tacomas, with more applications coming soon. Website: www.revtek.com AUG/SEPT 2018 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE 39

Ride-Rite Air Command F3 Wireless Air Compressor Kit Description: Ride-Rite’s new Air Command F3 Wireless Air Compressor kit gives users the ability to adjust their air springs at the touch of a button without having to mount a switch inside or outside of your truck. The new wireless design provides an instant air source to a vehicle’s air suspension system and provides the freedom to adjust their air springs to accommodate different loads and road conditions. Specifications: The kit bundles the ECT and valve block unit for improved durability, reliability and streamlined installation. The single-unit design has been tested to withstand pressurized water, road chemicals, salt spray and immersion. Applications: Visit website for complete application listings. Website: www.riderite.com

Rough Country 2.5-In. Dodge Leveling Strut Extensions Description: Rough Country’s 2.5-in. Leveling Strut extensions for the Ram 1500 features an easy bolt-on installation and maintains your factory ride quality while improving both the ground clearance and overall appearance of your truck. The kit allows the front of the vehicle to become completely level with the rear while the installation requires no need to disassemble your struts to install. Specifications: Does not fit Mega Cab models. Applications: Made for the 2006-2011 Ram 1500 4WD models. Website: www.roughcountry.com

SPC GM Front Control Arms Description: Specialty Products Company (SPC) GM Front Control Arms provide 2-degrees of caster change, which allows you to restore your truck’s factory drivability when it is lifted or lowered. Once the arms are installed, you are able to dial your alignment in using OE cams. The kit includes arms for both the right- and left-hand side and provides booted and greasable ball joints that will last the life of your truck. Specifications: Features fully-forged construction for maximum strength. Applications: Available for various GM half-ton trucks or large SUVs ranging in years from 19992006. Website: www.specprod.com

SuperLift- 3-In. Lift Kit for GM HD Trucks Description: Superlift’s 3-in. lift kit for the 2011-2017 Silverado and Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD is a simple solution for adding more height than a “leveling kit.” Superlift’s Upper Control Arm (UCA) Lift Kits have a strong, modern die-formed design constructed of solid steel rod and beefy gussets, and include a flat-mount ball joint cup. Superlift’s Silverado and Sierra UCAs include pre-installed MOOG ball joints and bushings for long-lasting performance. By using the new upper control arms, this lift kit offers a better ride quality and performance over traditional torsion key leveling kits. Specifications: This kit also includes a set of forged torsion bar keys, differential drop spacers, front shock spacers, a rear block kit and rear Superide shocks. Adds clearance for 33-35-in. tires. Applications: Made for the 2011-2017 Silverado and Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD. Website: www.superlift.com

TrailFX Mid-Lift Suspension Kits Description: Whether you are escaping to the great outdoors or headed to the city, TrailFX has the accessories to outfit your vehicle for any occasion. Increased ground clearance, visibility, and a smoother ride are all benefits of a TrailFX mid-lift suspension kit. Specifications: Kits contain all required, ready-to-install components in one box, under one part number. Applications: Available for GM, Ford, Ram, Toyota and Jeep Website: www.TrailFX.com

Zone Off-Road Ford Super Duty 8-In. Lift Kits Description: Zone Off-Road has added a new 8-in. lift system for the 2011-2016 Ford Super Duty which allows for the clearance of up to 38-in. tires. The systems are designed to correct suspension geometry and retain on-road ride quality and utlize full-length coil springs, beefy radius arm drop brackets along with heavy-duty track bar bracket and steering correction. Additionally the kit includes FOX 2.0 adventure series gas shocks. The back lift is provided by a lift block and dual add-a-leaf to level the stance. Specifications: Steering correction comes from a forged drop pitman arm, while a track bar drop bracket is used to reposition the track bar mount to re-centre the front end and keep the steering linkage angles in place. Applications: For the 2011-2016 Ford Super Duty. Website: www.zoneoffroad.com

PRO COMP INSTALL

Our 4-in. Pro Comp Lift Kit all laid out and ready to go including the pair of rear ES9000 shocks that are meant to provide a good ride both on and off-road. The kit comes with all necessary hardware and components and utilizes some of the OEM components to retain near-stock suspension geometry.

TECH W

hen beginning the exterior portion of our 2018 Ford F-150 project, we decided that there would be no better place to start than a suspension lift kit, larger tires, and more aggressive-looking wheels. This immediately changes the entire look of the truck and can be easily done in no more than a day. After reaching out to our friends at Pro Comp, they were generous enough to hook us up with a 4-in. lift kit, 18x9 Prodigy wheels, and LT305/70R18 Pro Comp Xtreme MT2 tires.

blue exterior colour of the F-150.

Starting with the lift kit, we decided a 4-in. kit would work great as it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite as big as the popular 6-in. option which is just fine for us and it maintains more of the factory geometry for a smoother ride on-road. The kit easily clears room for larger wheel-and-tire combinations, provides more ground clearance, and immediately delivers a more rugged appearance for the truck, which is exactly what we were going for.

Once all of the products arrived from Pro Comp, we headed over to our local 4WheelParts store in Langley, B.C. where Adam and his team provided us with a seamless installation. Once finished, the difference in appearance from the stock setup was huge and immediately turned the truck into an off-road capable machine. The truck rides just as well as it did on the stock suspension, and other than a slight loss in our full-turn radius, we were very impressed with how much the appearance of the truck changed without really altering the drivability.

For the wheels, we originally debated on a few different options before finally choosing the Prodigy model, which will work great for our truck as they offer a more off-road-type look and do so without being overthe-top flashy. The black finish will also be a nice contrast to the nice

1. Our stock 2018 F-150 goes up on the lift, prepared to first have its wheels and tires removed and then its stock suspension system disassembled and removed. Before you begin, remove all skid plates.

42 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

Pro Compâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Xtreme MT2 tires have a reputation of being great both on- and off-road, while still providing the true mud-terrain tire look that we were after, so they were the perfect choice for this build. We ended up going with the LT305/70R18 size, which worked out great as they are only slightly smaller than the 35-in. and allowed us not to worry about any possible rubbing once installed.

Huge thanks again to the folks down at Pro Comp and to all the guys at the Langley 4Wheel Parts Store for helping us complete the first phase of our build.

2. With the wheels and tires removed, the entire brake assembly is removed. The upper and lower control arms, sway bar and steering linkage are then disconnected and set aside to be used again later.

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MOM IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

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5. In order to install the new rear crossmember, the driver’s side control arm mounting pocket part of the frame needs to be removed. A cut mark is measured from the top of the cam bolt hole and then the pocket is cut away flush with the sway bar mount.

3. The factory strut and steering knuckle are then removed from both sides. We will be using our factory strut with the new setup but will be installing new heavy-duty steering knuckles.

4. The driveshaft orientation is marked and it is disconnected from the differential. After the stock rear crossmember is removed, the differential is then removed carefully and set aside for later. 8. To check the fitment of the crossmembers, the lower control arm is mock installed to ensure that everything is where it is supposed to be.

6. The Differential drop brackets are installed on both sides. With the drop brackets put on, the differential is loosely installed back into place. A differential hose extension is also installed to make up for the added distance.

7. With the differential installed loosely, the front and rear crossmembers are put in.

9. Next, the rear crossmember brace bracket is installed. It is first lined up to the crossmember from the driver’s side near the part of the frame that was cut off. The mounting locations are first marked, then punched and drilled out with a ½-in. bit. Bolts are then inserted into the new holes and tightened.

10. The lower control arms are then fully installed onto the new crossmembers. The skid plate is then installed to protect the differential and all crossmember and differential hardware is tightened and torqued to the manufacturer’s specifications.

12. The factory sway bar is then reinstalled using the sway bar drop brackets.

11. The factory front driveshaft is then reinstalled to the differential with a new aluminum spacer to correct the difference in the length.

44 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

13. All the components from the factory steering knuckles are then transferred to the new heavy duty ones.

14. Once the coil spacer is attached to the top of the factory strut assembly, we are ready to begin complete reassembly.

15. The new steering knuckle is installed and everything including the strut assembly are reconnected. From there our brakes get put back on with a new brake line relocation bracket to make up for the added distance. Once everything is fully reinstalled and tightened, we are ready to move on to the rear.

16. Both rear shocks are first removed and then an emergency brake line drop bracket and brake line extension bracket are installed to again make up for the distance we are adding.

17. Our rear axle is supported with a stand and the factory U-bolts are removed from both sides.

19. The new U-bolts are then installed in order to hold everything together. This process is repeated on the other side of the truck.

21. Finally, our rear driveshaft is removed from the differential and then reinstalled with a new aluminum spacer to make up for the added distance once again. After that, all nuts and bolts are double checked, and once satisfied, we are ready to move on to our wheels and tires.

46 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

18. The new lift block is installed underneath the leaf springs which gives us the lift in the rear.

20. The new Pro Comp ES9000 shocks are then installed on both sides. This will dramatically improve both our on-road and off-road ride quality.

22. Our wheel and tire package includes a set of LT305/70R18 Pro Comp Extreme MT2 tires with 18x9 Pro Comp Prodigy wheels that are finished in a great looking satin black.

ONE SIZE FITS ONE. :PKL >PUKV^ +LÅLJ[VYZ

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23. To start, our factory TPMS sensors are removed from our stock setup and installed onto our new wheels.

24. Once the TPMS sensors are installed on all four wheels, the tires are put on the wheels using the tire machine.

25. With the rubber securely on the wheels with full inflation, it’s over to the balancing machine.

27. Now obviously with a higher suspension plus a much larger wheel and tire package, our wheel alignment is going to be a little off. After a few adjustments on the alignment machine, the guys were able to ensure that the truck would drive straight and that the tires were contacting the road where they’re supposed to. After another quick check to ensure that there was no rubbing of the tires at a full turn, we were off and ready for our own test drive.

26. From there, it’s time to mount the tire and wheel package to the truck itself.

The finished product. Big thanks again to Pro Comp for supplying the Lift Kit, tires and wheels, and to the guys at 4WheelParts for a seamless installation.

48 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

NOW AVAILABLE! THE ALL NEW XR SERIES FROM RETRAX Featuring the Trax Rail System

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RV-ING: 2018 COACHMEN APEX 300BHS

The

Family Trailer Story and photos by Howard J Elmer

he family trailer. It’s a title, a description and also a lifestyle statement, all in three words. And, despite those who dismiss the “old-fashioned family unit,” it really is a label that is timeless, as is the call of the Wild that beckons to those families. So, no matter how they are made up, today’s families carry on - comprised of younger and/or older parental units with kids of all ages (including grandkids) in traditional, blended or mixed groups. Every year, new families come into their prime RVing time-window, and where will they spend these outdoor family holidays? In the family trailer, of course, and it’s one of these units I recently had a look at. The Coachmen Apex line is made up of 24 models, each being towable and each aimed at accommodating the multi-generational family out camping - large or small. I chose the largest unit – the Apex 300BHS – first because I like bunkhouses and secondly because I was intrigued by how light it was considering that the trailer is over 30feet in length and can sleep up to ten people. Now, the term light-weight is bandied around a lot in the RV business – and for each manufacturer, that claim is based on a wide variety of materials and build methods. Most have been around for years. On this Coachmen though, what stood out was a newer material called Azdel. It’s used in the vacuum-bonded walls and is 50-percent lighter than the commonly used Lauan plywood material. In addition, this lighter-weight Azdel also claims to be mould-resistant, and being a solid, to not delaminate over time. The other standout in this Apex is the use of aluminum, throughout the entire superstructure, including the domed roof. Just these two design features alone equal a substantial weight sav50 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

ings overall. However, I also noted that supporting the entire trailer is a full-steel I-beam frame. Frankly, for rigidity and strength (stiff slide-out support being another necessity) this is one place you do want the extra weight of steel. My tow vehicle for this test was the 2018 Ford F-150 powered by the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine and 10-speed transmission. This truck easily handled this 6,000-pound dry weight. In fact, at that number, there are a host of SUVs and trucks that would handle it, so that makes a buying choice that much easier for many who don’t want to switch up tow vehicles.

The trailer body supports two slideouts. The first houses the kitchen and the dinette right in the busy centre of the unit, offering up the most floor space possible in this high-traffic area. The second moves the one wall (and two bunks) out in the rear bunkhouse, which incidentally has a hard door. With both slides open, a standard nuclear family has lots of space – and if you do want to stretch you accommodations with more overnight invitations, it’s still going to be OK. As I mentioned, the trailer will sleep ten. A couple in the front master bedroom, four kids (though they could be adults) in the rear bunkhouse and two each on the fold-down dinette and the adjacent Hide-a-Bed couch. Not saying you’d want this many bedded down every night – but it’s good to know you can do it if the need should arise. With this many people potentially rising together and demanding to be fed, it’s also good to know you have two kitchens available. The inside kitchen has a nicesized counter if you include the covers over the double sink (which can be split). The three-burner stove top is pretty standard, but it does come with an oven below and a microwave above including the power exhaust vent. Two things I liked here were the window behind the sink and the wipeable backsplash behind the stove top. The two-door refrigerator to the left is large and the separate freezer offers up a bit more space than a single-door model. For sitting/eating, the four-place dinette seems underwhelming – but if you factor in the seating on the couch, you could accommodate eight. The second kitchen is outside, behind (then under when flipped up) a spring-loaded door that reveals a large bar fridge, sink with pumped water, counter with two drawers below and a pull-out two-burner gas camp stove. Obviously, these two cooking centres can be used simultaneously or separately as needed. The 18foot power awning is a good feature - it will cover a lot of dining space outside.

52 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

SIN

CE 1974

The other area (in a trailer like this) that will be heavily used is the bathroom. Coachmen has anticipated this traffic by allocating a decent sized space to this need. Example: the roomy shower includes a half-tub and enough space outside it for an adult to comfortably kneel while scrubbing a little kid after a day of rolling in the mud. The sink is built into an oversize counter that has a large towel shelf under it – in addition to the medicine cabinet above and the below-sink cupboard. Of course, there is a powered fan, skylight, and a lockable hard door. All important things for keeping the peace in a crowed trailer.

This trailer is also potentially a four-season camper, as it is equipped with a 55-amp power centre, forced air/floor-ducted furnace, ceiling-ducted air conditioning, and a fully sealed and heated underbelly. Insulation ratings are R-14 in the roof, R-9 in the sidewalls, and R-11 in the floor. Coachmen RVs have been on North American roads since 1964. They have built over 600,000 RVs to date; most of them with an eye towards serving the needs of the RVing family. Certainly that’s what I saw in the Apex unit I spent the day in.

What’s in a bunkhouse is obvious – bunks. But what is important is making this space bright, airy, entertaining and lockable! The Apex hits all those high notes with four windows – the large slideout and a pre-wired built-in location for a second TV. And of course, the hard door – not really for locking them in – instead for a noise break and bit of needed separation.

Dry Weight: ...................................................................5,975 lb Hitch Weight:...................................................................672 lb GVWR: . ...........................................................................7,600 lb CCC: . ...............................................................................1,625 lb Exterior Length: .............................................................. 34’3” Exterior Height:................................................................ 10’4” Exterior Width: ................................................................... 96” Fresh Water: ....................................................................50 gal Gray Water: ......................................................................35 gal Black Water: . ..................................................................35 gal LPG:....................................................................................2x20lb Awning Size: . .......................................................................18’

That’s the same reason that the front master bedroom has twin doors off the centrally-located Entertainment centre. However, make note that many trailers go with just curtains in this location, but hard doors are better.

MSRP (including options): .......................................... $41,683.00

54 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

This trailer was loaned to us for testing by Campkin’s RV Centre, Myrtle, ON.

That was EZ.

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TECH: NEW PRODUCTS

GEARING UP

CURT MFG FifthWheel Hitch Lock

Truxedo Announces Release of All-New Sentry and Sentry CT Tonneau Covers Truxedo has recently announced the release of its all-new Sentry and Sentry CT hard roll-up tonneau covers, both of which feature an Xtra-low profile and come in either industrial-strength vinyl or matte black woven fabric. The covers feature a durable design that is backed by the rigidity and strength of aluminum slats, and boast a blacked-out look that is sure to integrate well into your truck’s look. Both covers also feature a quick-release system that allows them to be easily removed in seconds and provides you with full 100-percent bed access. For more information please go to www.truxedo.com

Iron Cross Automotive’s Low Profile Bumper

The CURT fifth-wheel hitch lock has two key features: an extra-long pin and a zero-clearance body shape. The hitch pin features a 1/2-in. diameter to fit all industry-standard fifth-wheel base rails. However, unlike common hitch locks, this 1/2-in. pin has an extended length, allowing it to easily pass through a fifthwheel rail and leg anchor, locking the hitch into the truck bed. The CURT fifth-wheel hitch lock is also shaped to provide enough space to clear the truck bed floor with ease. It is engineered to slide into place, next to the fifth-wheel base rail, without any obstructions. The wheel hitch lock is constructed from powder-coated aluminum and features a weather-resistant dust cap to protect the key hole. For more information please go to www.curtmfg.com

Bully Dog BDX Performance Programmer Offering Ford Truck Preload Tunes Bully Dog has recently announced that it is now offering new Preload Tunes on the BDX Performance Programmer for late-model Ford pickups including the 2017-18 F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost, the 2017-18 F-150 Raptor, and the 2018 F-150 with the 2.7L EcoBoost engine. The BDX is a hand-held performance tuner that features a full-colour display with customizable gauges to both help track and adjust powertrain performance to deliver more horsepower and torque. It features cloud-based tune delivery over built-in WiFi, which means you will always be able to run the latest tunes available. For more information please go to www.bullydog.com

The new Low Profile Bumper from Iron Cross Automotive is designed to fit like your OEM bumper, but with a more rugged look and slim styling profile. The bumper features ¾-in. D-Lugs for Iron Cross shackles, two 5.5-in. rectangle fog light cutouts and space for a 20-22-in. centre light bar. The bumper, which is now available with a matte black finish, features a 10-gauge steel construction with ¼-in. mounting brackets, and is available for a wide variety of trucks including Chevrolet, Ram, Ford, GMC, Toyota and Nissan. For more information please go to www.ironcrossautomotive.com 56 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

TECH: NEW PRODUCTS

BD Diesel 48RE Transmission for Dodge Trucks Now Available with TapShifter Kit BD Diesel is now offering its BD 48RE Transmissions for the 20032007 Dodge trucks, with an optional TapShifter kit for the ultimate transmission setup that allows you to access all four gears and

Hays Classic Super Truck Clutch Kit for Dodge Trucks Hays Super Truck clutch kits have been specifically designed for severe usage trucks such as off-road and performance street trucks. Every unit is built to withstand extreme conditions and extreme overuse. Each kit features completely all-new parts made by Hays and the kit is made with top-of-the-line components to ensure extended service life. The clutch features a disc diameter of 12-1/4-in. and is made specifically for Dodge trucks with the 5.9L Cummins turbo diesel or 8.0L V10 engine. For more information please go to www.holley.com

converter lock-up control with the push of a button. The 48RE TapShifter required no programming and allows for automatic or full manual shifting for your third-gen Dodge with the use of a newer 68FE-style shift lever, control module, gear selection display and a sealed plug-in wiring harness that will not require any cutting or tapping of wires. For more information please go to www.dieselperformance.com

Pro Comp’s New Motorsports Series 5- and 7-In. Dual Sport LED Lights Pro Comp’s new Motorsports Series 5- and 7-in. Dual Sport LED lights have been designed with off-roading in mind and feature a waterproof aluminum housing for safe and reliable performance

TITAN Fuel Tanks Travel Trekker 40 Auxiliary Fuel System in just about any weather conditions. Each light features a circuit board fitted with 32 or 21 3W Osram LEDs and a combination of spot and flood reflector pattern that allows for use in a wide variety of applications. The lights come complete with the mounting bracket, hardware and wiring instructions as well as a 100-percent optically clear Lexan lens.

TITAN Fuel Tanks’ new compact Travel Trekker 40 auxiliary fuel system is made from military grade, cross-linked polymer and works great with almost any full-size diesel truck including half-ton pickups with utility beds, RamBox and those equipped with a factory fifth-wheel package. The use of the remarkable TITAN Electronic Controller pumps fuel from the Travel Trekker 40 to the vehicle’s primary fuel tank until it is automatically stopped by the controller or the button is touched again. The system is able to fit almost any full-sized diesel truck.

For more information please go to www.procompusa.com

For more information please go to www.titanfueltanks.com

58 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

HARD FOLDING COVER WITH ULTIMATE STRENGTH & WEATHER PROTECTION

NOW AVAILABLE

NEW UTV EDITION ] Hard folding cover with ultimate strength and weather protection. ] Articulating front hinge allows for full bed access. ] Exterior tie down cleats allow for maximum versatility. ] No drill installation with exclusive brackets to mount the cover. ] Same tough OEM construction as our pickup truck version.

EXTANG.COM

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TECH: NEW PRODUCTS ICI Adaptive Cruise Control-Ready Magnum Series Bumper for Raptor ICI’s new Magnum front and rear bumpers for the 2017-18 Ford F-150 Raptor feature a form-fit, low-profile design, and include hidden light mounts, indicator lights, removable panels and water-jet cut-outs, to match the OE grille and technology integration includ-

New Magnum Force Cold Air Intake for GM Silverado/ Sierra from aFe Power ing sensors and adaptive cruise control. The bumper adds to the off-road-inspired look of the Raptor and provides the ultimate front end protection, and is manufactured from cold-rolled steel. The bumper utilizes the factory tow hooks and skid plate for a seamless integration. For more information please go to www.icionline.com

aFe Power is now offering a Magnum Force Stage-2 Pro 5R Cold Air Intake system for the 2009-2013 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 with either the 5.3L or 6.2L V8. This new intake will outflow the truck’s stock setup by 55 percent and features a 3-1/2-in. mandrel-bent powder-coated aluminum intake tube that improves volumetric efficiency for better performance. The three-angle filter adapter increases air velocity after the air filter for improved horsepower and torque as well as throttle response. Installation of the Magnum Force does not require any cutting or drilling of OEM parts. For more information please go to www.afepower.com

Enthuze Class III Receiver Hitch Enthuze’s Class III Receiver hitch is constructed with a vehiclespecific design which provides superior strength and fit for each and every application. The receiver tube opening is able to accept

a hitch-mounted accessory such as a bike rack or cargo carrier, or a ball mount to tow most standard size trailers including utility trailer and boat trailers. The receiver is co-cured in a rust-resistant liquid Bonderite coating to withstand tough conditions and rust. It comes with all necessary hardware installation and is available for many late-model trucks and SUVs. For more information please go to www.enthuze.ca 60 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

STUCK TRUCKS If there are shortcuts, they clearly aren’t under that overpass.

Not a truck, but still very funny. Maybe even more so.

He should just be happy that he didn’t completely tip over.

Not sure that would’ve been the truck to take into that mud pit.

Apparently, it was so hot in the U.K. this summer, trucks were melting into the pavement.

How have people still not learned to check the clearance heights?

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 MAGAZINE AUG/SEPT 2018

GAS & DIESEL TUNER Bully Dog’s BDX hand-held performance tuner gives you the edge you need, whether you’re tackling tough terrain or pulling a heavy payload.

PERFORMANCE Street-tested, dyno-proven tunes that add more horsepower, torque and OEM Driveability.* *Pre-loaded tunes not available on all vehicles

MONITORING/GAUGES Monitor and display critical vehicle data using the on-screen virtual gauges.

DIAGNOSTIC TOOL Reads and clears DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes)

CUSTOM TUNING SUPPORT Stores up to 20 custom tunes created by your local Custom Tuning Dealer. Direct-to-device updates delivered via WiFi.* **Pre-loaded and custom tunes not available on all vehicles.

SHOP ONLINE AT

www.bullydog.com A full list of vehicle applications available at bullydog.com. All vehicle make/model names and vehicle manufacturer names and related marks are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Derive Systems, LLC (“Derive”). These trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the vehicles of those manufacturers with which Derive’s products may be used. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT LEGAL FOR SALE OR USE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ON POLLUTION CONTROLLED VEHICLES.