Race Car Trailers - Trailer Tips

Chains should be long enough to cross underneath the trailer tongue to provide a place for the tongue to rest if it becomes separated from the ball and not dig into the highway.

"And the cable that locks the brakes up, if things get disconnected, should be short enough to pull the pin before the trailer comes to the end of the safety chains," says Masud. "The idea is to have the brakes activated while the trailer is still attached to the tow rig, so you can drive it to the side of the road."

Barnes says racers should pull the pin on the breakaway system to be sure that it works. It should be unplugged from the tow rig for testing, which will confirm the trailer battery is charged enough to activate the brakes in an emergency.

Most of the routine maintenance can be done in a single day. It may take a bit longer if you find a serious problem, but it is better to find it now.

www.paceamerican.com: The Pace American Web site includes a copy of the owner's manual that goes with every trailer. It contains a maintenance schedule, loading tips, and more, which are applicable to every make and style of trailer.

www.goldengait.com: The Golden Gait Web site contains an extensive list of hints for trailer owners. Golden Gait also has available an instant-access link to an online expert who will answer questions and research trailer specifics.

Here is Pace American's list of items to check when doing an annual trailer inspection:

* Power wash (including undercarriage) and wax exterior panels.
* Inspect frame for cracking or chips, which will expose steel to the elements.
* To avoid rust, bare spots should be cleaned and covered with touch-up paint or undercoating. Cracks should be repaired.
* Sweep and vacuum the interior.
* Paint bare interior plywood floors for protection and ease of cleanup.
* Lubricate all door hinges and locks.
* Check roof for cracked or shrinking sealant to avoid leaks.
* Clean and inspect wheels, torque to proper spec.
* Inspect and inflate all tires to proper pressure.
* Inspect brakes and wheel bearings.
* Inspect coupler for fatigue and proper latching. Lubricate as needed.
* Inspect lighting and electric plug for proper operation.
* Lubricate tongue jack.
* All tie-downs should be securely fastened to the floor or walls.
* Inspect weatherstripping and door seals, which keep out dirt, moisture, and wildlife.

As racers, we are constantly looking for improvement-always looking for ways to improve our race car, our tuning abilities, our team, and our support equipment. Sometimes we overlook our tow vehicles for improvement opportunities. Along with the trailers they pull, tow vehicles are something we can't race without. These vehicles are the unsung heroes of our racing program. It is not often that you hear the driver say how proud he or she is of the tow truck and trailer that got the car and possibly him or her to the races that day.

There are many ways to improve the performance of our tow vehicle, no matter if it is gas or diesel powered. The basic methods are the same: improve the air management systems, improve the fuel delivery system, or improve the ignition system. All of these can be improved from outside the engine, or you can go into the bowels of the engine and make some wholesale and expensive changes.

The easiest and least complex method is to improve the air management system. Something as simple as a clean air filter can pay big dividends. If you look under the hood of a late-model truck, you will see a very complex system of ducts and tubes that constitute the air cleaner system. While this system is very workable, it can and has been improved upon.

FRAM, the oil and air filter company, has a new product called FRAMBoost, an air-cleaner system. It replaces the OE air cleaner and the related plastic ducting with a larger washable filter and free-flowing metal manifold. The FRAM Boost air cleaner system was designed for late-model, fuel-injected engines, both gas and diesel powered.

While the kit looks very well thought out and well executed, the issue for the racer is simple: Does it work? The short answer is yes. I had the opportunity to help a friend install a FRAM Boost on his 3/4-ton '04 Chevrolet diesel truck. The installation required about 35 minutes, and the difference was significant. The initial driving impression was that the system provided more power. You could feel the difference, in fact, just as soon as the throttle was applied. We're not talking about tire-burning power differences, but you could tell the truck was running better.

Out on the road, and a month or so later, the truck was still running great and the fuel mileage was better than with the OE setup. Mileage was up 1 to 1.5 mpg over the OE setup. That is, the mileage was better as long as you kept your foot on the floorboard and not embedded into the gas pedal.

The power improvement made my buddy drive the truck a bit harder than before the FRAM Boost was installed. He said the truck was more fun to drive. The cost of the FRAM Boost varies depending on the application, but you can plan on spending $225 to $250. FRAM Boost is only available online. Just Google "FRAM Boost" and you are there. You will need your vehicle's VIN and the rest of the pertinent data-year, make, engine size and type, and model. The kit comes complete and even has the chemicals to clean the reusable air filter. As far as a performance improvement, FRAM Boost is a winner. Check it out.