Towbars - What To Consider When Looking To Purchase One

By Damian Papworth

As a family, we love to drive off and go camping for weekends, or weeks at a time. We mostly keep it really simple, a tent, sleeping bags and a car full of provisions. Last year though, for a change, we decided to rent a caravan and do it that way. Not having a towbar on the jeep, I clearly needed to get one installed.

So I made my way down to All Vehicle Accessories (AVA) in Thomastown to get a cheap towbar installed. The cheaper it was the better it was as far as I was concerned. After all, we were about to go on holiday and I wanted to use my spending money there. Luckily for me, the guys at AVA were professional enough to talk me out of using price as a means of discriminating when choosing a towbar.

To begin with, they got me thinking about the types of things I wanted to tow. Obviously there was the caravan for the upcoming trip. Following on from that though, I'd probably buy some bike beaks too as my wife loves triathlons. We could take the bikes up to the Dandenongs for a ride.

They then showed me the value of the objects I was going to be towing. To start with, my bike is a bit of a cheapie. I only spent about $800 on it. My wife's though, well given her passion for triathlon training, she spent over $3000 for hers.

I ended up Googling caravan sales to get a feel for how much they are to buy. I didn't realise they were so expensive. I couldn't find anything for less than $5000 and I found quite a few which cost more than $100,000. You can buy property for that much... The one we rented was mid range, costing around $50,000 new. Its quite a "load" on the towbar when you think about it in those terms.

I was convinced. I had to change my attitude toward this towbar. If I was going to pay the money regardless, I may as well have it done properly. Instead of finding a cheap towbar, I realised I needed to find a quality towbar. Paying the few extra dollars didn't matter anymore, when taken in perspective with the items being towed.

Having a better idea of what I was looking for made the product choice a little bit easier. For example, did you know that Hayman Reece are the only towbar that comes with a lifetime warranty anywhere in Australia. Personally I think this speaks volumes for the quality of their products. They are clearly the only brand which fully trusts their own product. The great thing about Hayman Reece towbars too ,are the accessories you can get with them. They have accessories which make their towbars safer and work better with your vehicle.

They have this thing they call a "Weight Distribution Hitch". When applied to your towbar, this hitch actually reduces the drag on your vehicle by reducing ball weight. And you know what that means. By paying a little more for a quality towbar and weight distribution hitch, all of a sudden you are saving money on fuel, on tyre wear and all the other things that wear out faster when you are pulling something. So it actually is a dis-economy to go the cheaper option on a towbar.

They also sell this cool gadget called Sway Control. It basically keeps whatever you are pulling on the straight and narrow, despite high winds, trucks coming the other way etc. Have you ever seen those retired people who are pulling a caravan behind them when a truck drives past the other way. Have you ever seen how much their caravan swerves all over the road when this happens due to the blast of air. The sway control stops this happening to you, making for a safer and once again, more efficient trip. This is very important to me given my family will be sitting next to me in the Jeep.

This experience was a rare one for me. Usually when told I am wrong its like a red rag to a bull. The guys at AVA explained to me the importance of a quality towbar though, in a such a professional way that I didn't feel in the least bit miffed. At the end of the day, they are the experts and they were just helping me protect my family. - 21396

About the Author:

Damian Papworth realises the expense of quality towbars and bike racks are mimimal compared to the vehicles they are towing.

Motorcycle Helmets' Latest Trends And Styles

By Bob Sanders

When you look at the contour of how motorcycle helmets are made, you just know theyre designed for speed. You can practically feel the rush and excitement of riding a motorbike. It all comes with the aerodynamic shell design, and the graphics are all part of the package.

Of course the newest helmets are trendy in style and the variety of models seem endless but the truth is that most possess the same basic safety trends. For helmets to be able to protect against high forces and absorb impact energy they are created with state-of-the-art fiberglass. For even better serve as protection helmets are wind-tested and aero-tuned in order to get safety approved.

The current helmets are divided into two main groups, you have the full-faced helmets which give the most protection to your head and your face and then you have the safety helmets which only cover the head and fact partially. Both work to fight against outside forces that could get in your way of the drive such as noise, dirt, bugs, and wind.

But one thing they don't interfere with is your view. The helmets are equipped with wide visors to improve both your frontal vision and your peripheral so you can keep an eye on all parts of the road.

Aside from forehead and chin rests which support your head, there are also forehead and chin vents which provide good ventilation and circulation of air. Some comes with breath deflectors which prevent your visor from fogging up. Their features for UV protection shield you from sunlight and protect you from too much heat. Most have a quick release, one-button flip up movement which frees you.

More vital than the comfort benefits are the features to keep your helmet strapped on to your head to protect you in the sudden situation of high impact falls or crashes which would otherwise lead to head and/or neck injuries.

It's critical to always choose the motorcycle helmet that is the safest over the helmet that cost the less. Never go for a non-certified DOT helmet that is cheap over the more expensive DOT approved safety helmet. The DOT helmet is an investment that could safe your life and give you more years to enjoy your ride.

Motorcycle helmets today are able to combine style and comfort. At the same time, they aren't compromising your safety to give it to you. This means helmets go beyond the features of safety and durability which keeping up with DOT standards at the same time allowing you to have a helmet that fits perfect and comfortably.

With the variety of new trends and styles of motorcycle helmets available in motorcycle stores and specialty shops, you can check your options online. You can consult manufacturer fitting charts to guide you through all the available sizes. Given the right size, it wont be difficult for you to go for one particular style and design that fits your own fashion statement or completes your own personal identity along with the way you ride your bike or wear your boots.

Its all really in how a biker uses his head to protect his neck, and it all comes in the form of a hardworking, road-tested motorcycle helmet. - 21396

About the Author:

Bob Sanders has been riding motorcycles for over 12 years and the owner of the online store Shop Motorbike Helmets. His store is a great place for a full selection of affordable motorbike helmets and one of the only ones that provide women's affordable motorbike helmets. Visit his store by clicking above.

Run your car on water Now

By Marci Young

As gas prices rise, ways to replace gas are being looked at. How to improve the mileage of driving a car has become a very serious topic for most. Worldwide, scientists are trying to find a way to gain some efficiency from the conventional engine.

Like it or not, it is the law of physics! Introducing hydrogen and oxygen to your engine's intake will also cause your car's computer to function incorrectly. By adjusting the air and fuel mixture your fuel consumption could either worsen or you could damage your engine.

The market is buzzing with all types of gadgets. These are available for you to get better gas mileage. Many claim that you don't even need gasoline to run a car.

In order to pull this one off you would have to have the key to breaking the law of thermodynamics. Many back yard mechanics have attempted to take matters into their own hands. They are trying to find a way for you to get better gas mileage too.

Then you just add some regular old H2O. Then you are off for a journey that will not require any visits to a gas station. There are all types of problems involved in generating electricity.

The most talked about of these plans is the HHO hydrogen generator system. It is being pitched by numerous different individuals and small companies. Like it or not, it is the law of physics!

By adjusting the air and fuel mixture your fuel consumption could either worsen or you could damage your engine. This system boasts that they can show you how to take a fuel cell and attach it to your car's electrical system. Then they add some regular old H2O, and you are off for a journey that will not require any visits to a gas station.

Sorry, but it is the law of physics! Still, some that are money hungry believe that they can defy the laws of science. They claim they are only attempting to bypass just a few steps anyways.

Researchers are discovering it takes a lot less energy from burning the hydrogen than it took to create it. Smart people wouldn't buy something like this from people who haven't got the slightest grasp of scientific concepts. Introducing hydrogen and oxygen to your engine's intake will also cause your car's computer to function incorrectly.

In order to pull this one off you would have to have the key to breaking the law of thermodynamics. That is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Be very cautious of these claims. - 21396

About the Author:

This is so that automakers can turn plummeting sales around. Water To Fuel They will probably use industrial espionage to steal the idea and make their own profits. The extra gas is only heating the water in that electrolysis cell and the wires that lead to it.

An Introduction To The Chevy Astro

By Andy Zain

The Chevy Astro was a popular line of minivans from Chevrolet. The product was conceived in 1985 and underwent a number of redesigns until the final of an inline was constructed and sold in 2005. These minivans remain popular still, not only because they are considerably cheaper to buy second-hand now, but they also have a history of reliability and safety.

Back in that era things were somewhat different to how they are today. While minivans these days that an extra emphasis on comforts and ease of handling, things were a little bit more cumbersome back in the eighties and early nineties. Nonetheless, this model present reliability and performance that is required for the task.

Little emphasis was placed on comfort and ease of use. The vehicles were designed to be reliable and practical, to transport large quantities of goods around for several people. However, the latest models in the range started to come in during the new era of more comfortable minivans with an abundance of extra features that you would usually have only got before him high and family cars for example.

Easily fulfilling the basic requirements that one expects of a minivan, it also accommodates up to eight passengers. It has removable rear seats which also allow for space for a cargo hold. With 170 cubic feet of available storage they should you remove the rear seats, the minivan has absolutely everything that you would expect and require of such a vehicle.

The final, 2005 version of the Chevrolet Astro was a major redesign, boasting a 4. 3 l V6 engine which eventually became standard.

Today, you can pick up the earliest Chevrolet Astro for around $1000 second-hand, but the latest models cost roughly 10 times that although they are vastly improved for a number of reasons.

Over its lifespan, the Chevrolet Astro has not changed a great deal although there have been some fairly noteworthy developments during the history of this product. Most of these developments have improved safety and reliability and there have been certain aspects of redesigning with regards to the interior and exterior.

The 1995 redesign also gave the Astro and improved and more modern look, especially with regards to the exterior. The next year spread of this facelift into the interior as well, bringing a new dashboard with some improved controls and an abundance of extra features. - 21396

About the Author:

Andy Zain is the admin of Chevy Astro Forum , a place where fans and owners can get the right information for tuning, customization and general discussions on anything about Chevy Astro. Get the information you need when you visit Chevy Forum

Car Insurance For Colorado Residents - Get The Prices You Want

By Vernon L. Stevens

Colorado state auto insurance minimums are as follows:

-Bodily injury insurance coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident -Property damage liability $15,000

Colorado insurers offer uninsured motorist insurance at the same rate as bodily injury coverage (25/50). Customers who wish to opt out of uninsured motorist insurance must do so in writing. The same rule applies for medical payment coverage.

When purchasing auto insurance, keep in mind that insurers recommend bodily insurance coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. The at-fault driver is responsible for paying all damages, even if the damages exceeds what the at-fault driver is insured for. If you have enough insurance, you will avoid tapping into your savings to pay for a collision.

The average payments is about $800 in Colorado, which is very moderate compared to other states. Though Colorado enjoys fairly reasonable car coverage rates, there are very important factors that determine each persons premiums. The majority of these factors are under your direct control - others are not. Credit rate, driving record, location, and gender all play a part in establishing your costs.

Your choice of vehicle is key in deciding how high your coverage rates will be. A modest vehicle with high safety ratings is much more affordable to insure than a sports vehicle with high horsepower.

If you want to save on your payments, try raising your deductible. The deductible is what you pay when your coverage has to pay out on a claim. Setting your deductible at $1,000 will save you money on your payments after about a year or two (dont raise your deductible unless you can afford it).

The best way to find affordable car coverage is to shop online. You can compare many coverage companies by submitting your information only once. Online shopping has been proven to be the most effective method for purchasing and comparing car coverage rates. - 21396

About the Author:

Need colorado car insurance quote? Go to clicksmore.com for quick car insurance quote!