Archive for June, 2008
Monday, June 30th, 2008
ost people don’t realize just how exciting RC vehicles have become-the hobby quality RC cars made and raced today have can get up to speeds of 60 mph and feature suspension systems that can be tuned just like a real car. Perhaps the most exciting part is the wide variety of types of RC vehicles: you can drive a race car, run a monster truck on dirt tracks or even fly a plane!
Because of this, though, you should consider just what you plan to use your RC for before you decide to buy. On-road or racing cars are made for speed, while off-road vehicles like buggies are mean to take more rugged terrain. Plus, you can choose to buy your RC ready to run out of the box or as a kit to build it yourself. These and many other aspects are important to know before you buy your first RC.
There are RC cars and trucks for every kind of driver: nitro engines for the speed demon, reliable ready to run electric cars for touring, and for the advanced, even planes to fly. The electric cars run quietly and so are better suited to run right in your neighborhood, while the nitro motors give you the real feel of the racetrack. What you buy should depend on your experience-choose your RC according to your experience to avoid frustration later on.
Something to keep in mind from the outset is that RC vehicles are a high-end hobby, and can get quite expensive. If you plan to race your car, there are additional costs that come with competition. But if you’re prepared for the cost, and if you make your purchases carefully, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing new hobby whose rewards certainly outweigh the cost. These are the decisions that need to be made before you buy:
• Do you want a ready to run car or do you want build your own?
• Do you want an on-road or an off-road RC vehicle?
• Which is right for you- a nitro or an electric RC?
• What type of RC vehicle do you want- and what size?
No matter what you decide, if you keep your own experience and commitment level in mind, you’ll be certain to get the car that ’s right for you.
Whether you race them or just tinker with their engines, RC cars are a great hobby for kids of all ages. Though it might seem overwhelming at first, you’ll find that the most you work on your car and the more times you race, the more fun and exciting this hobby can be!
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Thursday, June 26th, 2008
Listening to music in the car is one of these things that we tend to take for granted. However it wasn’t always the case that we had access to sound as we drove around in our cars. Some people are more than happy with the audio system that comes included with whatever car they buy but for others it just isn’t good enough. Which is why there are companies who produce a wide range of car audio systems designed to suit all levels of the market. However it’s important that you have a bit of knowledge before you go buying anything.
There are many things that you will need for your car’s audio system however when it comes to amplifiers, the reason you need one is so that you can actually hear the music via the speakers. As with all the items in your audio system, the amplifier can come in a range of sizes and it will have to fit in with all the other items you either already own or are going to buy.
Of course, no audio system is complete without speakers and if you don’t get a good set of speakers you’ll not get anywhere near the sound you are looking for. However if you need to understand that the sound you get will also be dependent on the other items of equipment. You will need to investigate all the different styles of speaker and what you want from them. You should also look into the placement of speakers as this does have an effect on how you hear the sounds.
If you have never heard of a head unit, don’t worry. There isn’t anything really complicated about them. You know that piece of equipment you put tapes, CDs and other media into? Well, that’s what a head unit is. They allow you to control the volume, tune the radio and change the equalizer settings.
Some people put a high price on quality, clear and loud music in a car which is why they read up masses of articles on the subject to ensure they know what they’re getting and that they’re only getting the best. However there are car audio systems available at all price ranges so you don’t need to spend more than you have.
Some people like to buy their car audio system from specialist audio or auto stores whilst others aren’t that bothered. You can easily buy them if you search on the internet because this is where you often find the best prices. However if you go into an actual store, they may well install it all for no extra charge.
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Thursday, June 12th, 2008
As an industry, the manufacture of trailers dates back only half a dozen years, but it has grown rapidly until today there are seventy-five or more trailer manufacturers in the country, and several are exporting to foreign countries. Trailers are made in a wide variety of types and capacities for all sorts of purposes, ranging from the little pneumatic tired two-wheel trailer of 500 pounds capacity, to be attached behind runabouts and touring cars, to ten-ton and fifteen-ton trailers and semi-trailers, hauled by powerful tractors and motor trucks. These include car haulers, dump trailers, utility trailers, equipment trailers etc. Size is one of the main considerations while looking for a trailer. The maximum towing capacity and maximum tongue weight of your tow vehicle are limiting factors.
Utility trailers are of great use for both home owners and contactors as well. These multipurpose utility trailers are available in varied sizes so as to cater to your specific requirements like for lifting lawn mowers, vehicles, golf carts as well as ideal for hauling small equipment too. Car haulers are used for specific purpose of hauling your vehicles, including personal car or racing car. Apart from car haulers, another variety is equipment trailer which are used to transfer skid loaders, excavators, and small tractors. Dump trailers are used for small purposes at homes as well as for commercial purposes. These types of dump trailers are available in various types of models, sizes and weights.
The use of dump trailers has been gaining in popularity as one of the most cost effective means for handling tear-off removal. Licensing fees, insurance costs and maintenance expenses associated with a dump truck are astronomical in most parts of the country. The use of dump trailers is a more cost effective and more versatile method for handling tear-off debris.
A gooseneck trailer is also an important variety of trailers that has been introduced especially for heavy loads and towing of equipments as these trailers have an enhanced stability and tighter turning of radius. For more information on equipment trailers, dump trailers, gooseneck trailers, utility trailers and car haulers,
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Monday, June 2nd, 2008
Thinking about buying a cargo trailer, horse trailer or even a motorcycle trailer but aren’t sure which trailer to buy? As you might have realized, choosing a trailer now-a-days can be perplexing. It’s not surprising given the amount of trailer manufacturers and different types of trailers available.There are many factors to consider when purchasing a trailer. One of the first considerations is to choose an established trailer manufacturer. As with most everything, you usually get what you paid for, so try to choose the best trailer that you can afford.
Deciding on what type of trailer you need for your application will help in narrowing down the manufacturers. There are trailers for almost every conceivable type of cargo, from motorcycles to horses to concessions. If you have to haul it, then there’s a trailer made to haul it or at least one that can easily be converted to do the job.After choosing a manufacturer, figure out what size trailer you’ll need. Trailers come in several different widths and lengths. If you’re considering an enclosed trailer, you’ll also need to consider the height of the interior. If your trailer towing needs require that you spend very much time inside the trailer, choose one with enough interior height to keep you from bending your neck or back when standing.
Open or Enclosed Trailers
The next step in choosing a trailer is figuring out whether you will need an open or an enclosed trailer. An open trailer is one which exposes the cargo to the outside elements. If inclement weather isn’t a factor for your cargo, then an open trailer may be the most economical choice. Open utility trailers can range in price from about $900 to $2500 new.Open utility trailers are well suited for many applications including small landscaping businesses that are just starting out and need a way to haul their landscape equipment. As their business grows and they decide to move up to an enclosed trailer, the open utility trailer will still be incredibly useful for hauling all sorts of material such as mulch, rock and plants.Another plus for open trailers is their weight. Open utility trailers tend to be lighter and provide less aerodynamic drag than enclosed trailers.
While open trailers are economical and very useful, they do not provide the protection from the outside environment that an enclosed trailer will. Enclosed trailers also offer an added measure of security because the trailer functions as a portable, lockable storage building.Enclosed trailers tend to be heavier and less aerodynamic than open trailers. Enclosed trailers usually cost in the $1600 to $5000 range new, but can go much higher.
Single or Tandem Axle
Once you’ve decided on either an open utility trailer or an enclosed cargo trailer, you’ll need to decide whether the trailer should have a single axle, dual axle or possibly even three to four axles.Single axle trailers have just one load bearing axle. Trailers with single axles come with and without brakes, but as a general rule of thumb, most single axle open and enclosed trailers come without brakes. If you plan on hauling more than 3000 lbs, trailer brakes need to be considered. In fact, it’s a legal requirement in most states.
Anything heavier than 3000 lbs should be hauled on a dual axle trailer, be it an open or enclosed trailer. Dual axle trailers use two load bearing axles and usually feature either leaf springs or independent torsion bar suspensions. Brakes are recommended for dual axle trailers and again may be required depending upon where you live. Also, dual axle trailers tend to track more accurately than single axle trailers over varying road surfaces.
Rear Access
vIf you decide on an enclosed trailer, next you have to decide on either a ramp rear door, double rear doors or one single barn-type door. Choosing the type of rear access will greatly depend on the cargo you intend to haul. If you’re going to be hauling a motorcycle, race car or any other type vehicle, then a ramp rear door will provide the easiest loading and unloading method.Be sure though when purchasing a trailer with a ramp door that the ramp is spring assisted as some of the ramp doors can be very heavy. Ramps are also nice for hauling furniture or other heavy items where you’ll be using a dolly to load and unload them.
If you will be using the trailer quite often and will be in and out of it, then a ramp can become rather cumbersome. Enter double door trailers. It is much easier to open the doors, step in and get the tool or item you need and then step out and close the door than it is to drop a ramp every time you need access. Too, you have to consider the clearance needed for opening a ramp rear door.Single barn type rear doors are usually found on smaller enclosed trailers and are comparable in convenience to double rear doors.Trailer manufacturers are aware of the ramp issue and most now add a side door for access to their enclosed trailers giving those that require a ramp the best of both worlds.
Trailer Brakes
In addition to the various types of trailers, there are several types of trailer braking systems.Electric braking systems are the most common type of braking systems found on trailers today. These type braking systems connect the brake system on the tow vehicle to the brake system on the trailer. This is accomplished by installing a brake controller inside the tow vehicle. The controller senses the braking force of the tow vehicle and in turn activates the brakes on the trailer.
A hydraulic surge brake system consists of an actuating cylinder that is usually integrated with the trailer tongue assembly. As the tow vehicle applies its brakes, the “surge” of the trailer towards the decelerating tow vehicle compresses the surge actuator. As this cylinder is compressed, force is applied to the master cylinder and from there to the braking cylinders.Surge braking systems are more expensive and usually only needed if you’ll be using several different tow vehicles that would each require a brake controller.
Electric brakes are usually preferred over surge brakes because their operation is independent from the tow vehicle. If for some reason the tow vehicle loses its brakes, there would not be enough deceleration surge to activate the surge brakes. However, with electric brakes, the driver could manually activate the brake controller thus allowing the trailer to slow the entire rig.
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