What to Consider when Buying a Car that Requires Towing Capabilities

When in the market for a new vehicle, there are plenty of criteria that often appear on people’s wish lists. Good gas mileage? That’s an absolute must (especially with today’s rising gas prices). A comfortable yet stylish interior? That goes without saying. A quality sound system that can play all of your favorite songs? You need that without question. But one important component that may not immediately come to mind for many people is whether or not that car will have appropriate towing capabilities.

The summer season is the perfect time to buy a vehicle; after all, it is the ideal time of year for road trips and weekend getaways. But planning that weekend getaway becomes easier when you have a car that can easily carry all your vacation gear.

Here is what you need to keep in mind when purchasing a car that requires towing capabilities:

Know the Tow Capacity

This is what the manufacturer sets as the maximum amount a weight a vehicle can comfortably and safely tow. If the car you are considering purchasing cannot handle the potential weight, then it’s time to cross that car off your wish list.

Pay attention to the Curb Weight

The curb weight is the weight of a tow vehicle when it is not carrying passengers or cargo, but has a full tank of fuel. Don’t let a low curb weight throw you off--vehicles are built lighter today and more fuel efficient, so a lower curb weight can still mean that car is strong enough to tow heavier trailers.

Look at the Drive System

Be sure the car you are considering purchasing has the option for rear-wheel drive; this is so that when you are towing, the engine’s power is directed to the axle that bears the most weight. Avoid cars that only have a front-wheel drive for this exact reason.

When looking for your new vehicle this summer, make sure that your criteria include towing capabilities. It is a practical feature that can easily and safely transfer equipment and gear both this season and beyond. For more information on what kinds of a vehicle can best handle a tow, talk to your trusted team at Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales. Call us at 641-985-2536 or visit our location on Highway 9 in Riceville.

Sources:

https://www.transwest.com/kansas-city/7-features-you-should-look-for-when-shopping-for-a-towing-vehicle
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/how-much-towing-capacity-do-i-really-need

What to Remember When Towing Your Trailer

If you have ever gone through the process of towing your trailer before, you’ll know it’s not as simple as it might initially sound. If this is something that you have never done before, then this may seem like an intimidating task to accomplish. Whether this is your first time or your 100th time towing your trailer, it always helps to have a firm understanding of the steps involved to get you and your equipment to your destination safely. Failing to comprehend the risks associated with taking these best practices seriously could mean disastrous consequences for you and others on the road.

Here are a few crucial safety tips you must keep in mind when towing your trailer:

Prepare Properly, Buy Carefully

The key to safely towing your trailer starts when you purchase it; make sure your tow vehicle can properly and safely haul your loads. This means you have to know the trailer-towing weight ability of your vehicle and the gross combined weight rating (incorporating the tow vehicle, passengers, cargo, and the trailer).

Pick the Correct Hitch

Looking at the gross trailer weight and the trailer’s overall weight is the best way to choose from either a fifth-wheel hitch or a tongue hitch. While the fifth-wheel hitch mounts in the pickup bed, the tongue trailer is less prone to sway problems.

Buy Proper Trailer Brakes

This is a separate braking system for trailers that weigh more than 1,500 pounds when loaded. Get to know the two types of trailer brakes and choose which one is best suited for your needs. Electronically controlled brakes provide both automatic and manual control for trailer brakes, while surge brakes automatically applied when you slow the tow vehicle.

If you are a beginner or at towing trailers or if you need a refresher in the mechanics, following these safety tips is the best way to get the job done in a secure and timely manner. For more information on how to properly tow a trailer, trust your friends and experts at Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales -we’d be honored to assist you however we can. Call us at 641-985-2536 or visit our location on Highway 9 in Riceville.

When Should a Paintless Dent Repair be Used?

It goes without saying that when it comes to vehicle repairs, some issues are far easier (and more budget-friendly) to repair than others. Replacing your windshield wipers, for example, is substantially less severe than, of course, needing a new set of brakes. Need a new battery? While an initial investment on your part, this is still significantly more tolerable then removing and replacing your vehicle’s brake pads.

Thankfully, another common car issue on the less-extreme side of things are dents; while this is a problem that can cause severe damage to your vehicle (especially if left unchecked), the initial repair is a relatively quick and painless process, both for you and your car. This is especially the case when it comes to paintless dent repair.

What is Paintless Dent Repair?

Depending on the type of dent that is present on your car, your mechanic may choose to repair the dent using a paintless dent repair rather than a traditional dent repair. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that paintless dent removal, just like its name suggests, removes dents that massage the dent out of the vehicle without compromising the paint. Some of the best use cases for paintless dent removal will vary, depending on the kind of car you have, but in most cases, paintless dent removal is an excellent solution to remove bodyline damage, door dings, hail damage, and minor creases. This is an effective repair method for steel and aluminum parts and is also a budget-friendly repair solution. That’s because, with paintless dent repair, you maintain the original factory paint because no fillers are painted and used during the restoration process.

Now, before you get too excited, keep in mind that a qualified mechanic may not recommend paintless dent removal as the best method for repairing your car. It all depends on the extent of the damage to your vehicle. For example, if the metal was stretched upon impact too much, a traditional dent repair may be the only way to restore your car to its proper condition.

A paintless dent repair is an effective method that keeps your car looking and operating its best. If your vehicle is currently inflicted with dents, don’t wait another minute to get it back to its best possible quality. Trust your friends and experts at Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales—we’d be honored to assist you however we can. Call us at 641-985-2536 or visit our location on Highway 9 in Riceville.

Let our Trailers do all the Heavy Lifting

Dump Trailers an Ideal Choice for any Job

Dump trailers are ideal for building contractors, landscapers and farmers, and a great way to transport materials like sand, dirt, gravel, mulch, roofing shingles, concrete and more with a 12-Volt hydraulic system used to dump material. These trailers can be used as equipment trailers with loading ramps, with enough strength to haul tractors, attachments, skid steers, bobcats, and lawn equipment.

Whether you are looking for a small dump trailer on a farm or a massive clean-up trailer for your commercial cleanup company, dump trailers are designed to handle whatever load you wish to place on them. Features are easy to use, most trailers include an Interstate Battery, a 5 amp, a charging plug, a lockable battery box, and three way combo gates on many of our heavy duty dumps.

Trailers we admire in particular are any of the PJ Dump Trailers. PJ Dump Trailers are loaded with great standard features and benefits. The following are just some of those benefits:

• 3 Year Frame/1 Year Limited Warranty. The industry standard frame warranty for a dump trailer is one (1) year. PJ Trailers is so convinced of their frame strength, they offer a 3 year frame warranty.  
• Heavy Duty 10 Gauge Sides and Floors. Other companies can cut corners by using lighter gauge materials for the sides and floors. We know that lighter, less quality materials can lead to lighter floor and sides, leading to waring and deformation of the bed. It’s important to use heavy gauge floor materials for loading equipments into dump trailers due to the higher weight concentrations between cross-members. PJ Trailers uses 10 gauge smooth plate.
• Two Way Gates Standard. Most dump trailers feature a two way barn door and spreader gate standard. The spreader allows you to dump your material evenly when the bed is raised. Great for sand, gravel, and other even flowing loads.

Since 1986, Terry's Auto Body & Trailer Sales has been servicing vehicles and trailers in the Riceville and McIntire area. Among our many services, we do brake repair, wiring and light repair, welding, and new tire and wheel replacement. Call us: (641) 985-2536

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Sources:

https://www.pjtrailers.com/comparisons/dump-trailers/

http://www.bigtextrailers.com/dump-trailers/

Hauling Multiple Motorcycles: Finding The Right Trailer Option For You

Whether you’re hauling multiple motorcycles cross-country or just across town, using the right trailer ensures your precious cargo will arrive safely. So when looking for a trailer, consider the following factors.

Trailer Size

Trailer size depends on how many motorcycles you will be towing. It might be tempting to load as many bikes that will physically fit on a trailer, but there needs to be plenty of space left to securely strap them down. If there isn’t enough room for you to reach a strap, you will need a bigger trailer.

Loading motorcycles too close together could result in damage if they sway on the trailer. Luckily, there are a variety of trailer sizes and styles to choose from.

Trailer Styles

Dedicated motorcycle trailers are a great choice because they’re designed specifically to safely carry your bikes. They come in one, two, and three place configurations, and are easy to load. The drawbacks are that your motorcycles are exposed to the elements and the trailer isn’t useful for towing other equipment.

If you’re looking for versatility, check out a utility trailer. These come in a wide range of sizes and can be outfitted with E-Track for extra assurance that your bike is strapped down securely. Larger utility trailers are a great choice for hauling multiple motorcycles, three-wheel motorcycles, or motorcycles with sidecars. Utility trailers can also be used for other things besides hauling motorcycles, but they’re still open-air.

For the ultimate in security, an enclosed cargo trailer is the best way to transport your motorcycles. Like utility trailers, enclosed trailers come in a range of sizes to fit your needs, but have the added benefits of keeping your motorcycles covered from the weather and prying eyes. If you’re towing your bikes a long distance, enclosed trailers are your best option.

Weight

To avoid damaging your tow vehicle, you’ll also have to keep the trailer’s weight in mind. The lightest option is a motorcycle trailer, which is perfect for towing behind a car or smaller SUV. Utility trailer weight depends on size, so don’t go too large unless you’ve got a big enough truck. Enclosed trailers are the most aerodynamic option, but also the heaviest so make sure your vehicle can handle the weight.

Ultimately, the best way to haul multiple motorcycles depends on the number of bikes you’re transporting, the style you prefer, and the towing capacity of your vehicle. Regardless of which choice you make, Terry’s Autobody and Trailer Sales has the perfect trailer for you. Search our brand selection at ricevilletrailers.com or call 641-985-2536 to speak with our helpful staff.

What To Look For in a New Trailer

When you’re in the market for a new trailer, it’s important to know what you’re looking for.  You will likely have this trailer for years to come, so you want to make sure it meets your every want and need. The following is a reference guide of what to look for when buying a new trailer:

Frame

One of the most important considerations when buying a new trailer is the frame. The type of frame makes a difference in the overall integrity of the trailer. The three main shapes of steel used in the construction of a frame are Box Tubing, Channel Iron, and Angle Iron. Box Tubing is the best choice for a trailer frame, because it resists flexing and twisting better than any other frame material. It is also the most expensive. Angle Iron is the cheapest choice but will be quick to fatigue and crack due to flexing. Channel Iron is somewhere between Box Tubing and Angle Iron, so to save on money you could get a frame construction with a combination of Box Tubing and Channel Iron frame. We recommend skipping the Angle Iron frame altogether, because the upfront cost savings does not outweigh the lesser integrity of the frame.

Tires

It’s important to keep in mind that a trailer’s towing rating is different than the tire capacity. Make sure that the wheels and tires are rated at a combined capacity that is equal to or greater than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - the maximum permissible weight of the vehicle or trailer when fully loaded for travel - of the trailer.

Tongue Length

Tongue length matters when it comes to stability. The longer the tongue, the easier time you’ll have maneuvering the trailer - including easier backing.

Tail Lights

When looking at new trailers, check out the tail lights. Ideally you’ll want LED tail lights, which are far superior to incandescent. LED tail lights are twice as bright while using half the power, are maintenance free, and generally will last the life of the trailer.

Warranty

New trailers usually come with a warranty from the manufacturer. Make sure when purchasing a new trailer that you get a written warranty.

If you are in the market for a new trailer, whether it be cargo, utility, flat deck or hauler, come to Terry’s Auto Body & Trailer Sales! We sell PJ Trailers and American Hauler trailers, as well as sell trailer parts and offer trailer services and repair. Contact us today!

Winter Driving Tips in Iowa

Every year, the first snow reveals the craziest of drivers, as if they don’t remember the previous winter! With avoidance and a few simple tips, you and YOUR car will survive the snow. Prepare yourself and your vehicle, for good measure, and your overall safety. During the winter, the risk factor of getting in an accident increases on the roads. Inexperienced drivers will soon learn what it’s like to drive in icy conditions. Anticipate that you will have bad weather by preparing and properly equipping your car.

Preparing Your Vehicle

• Keep a windshield scraper in your car to clear ice and snow off your windshield
• Evaluate your car's battery and ignition systems to make sure they are clean, along with identifying the + and - battery terminals
• Wiper, defroster, windshield washer fluid, lights, and hazard lights should all be double checked. You don’t want to be caught in a blizzard without hazard lights.
• Change the oil to a winter grade oil
• Check the exhaust system, heater, and breaks
• Make sure your tires are sufficient. You might want to consider purchasing snow tires if your car doesn’t drive the best in snowy and icy conditions

Winter Driving Tips

If there is a storm and you have to drive somewhere, make sure you have at least half a tank of gas. Double check the weather conditions and listen to the radio in case of severe weather warnings. It’s best to travel in the daylight, because it’s easier to see, especially if there is a heavy snow fall. All in all, you can prevent being in an accident based off of your actions and how you anticipate other drivers. Drive slow and don’t take turns too quickly or with aggression. Driving defensively and slowly, without rapid movement will prepare you for other driver’s mistakes.

Tips

• Remove snow and ice from windows, headlights, and taillights
• Bridges tend to freeze quicker and are more dangerous to drive on, proceed with caution
• Drive slow and with gentle movements, especially on black ice
• Don’t drive too closely behind other cars
• Start braking earlier, quick stops will cause your car to slip and skid

Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales wants to help you prepare and be safe for the winter! If you need any updates on your trailer for winter, we will accommodate to your needs. Our trained automotive technicians can guarantee 100% satisfaction. For more information, visit our website at www.ricevilletrailers.com or give us a call at 641-985-2536!