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Finding the Right Auto Accessories

Hello, my name is Francis and this is my auto accessories blog. Last year, I purchased a vintage camper van. I had always dreamt of owning a camper van so I could drive around Australia, exploring the towns, cities and the countryside. However, when I finally took ownership of the van, I quickly realised why it had been for sale at such a low price. The van was missing a lot of accessories such as the original gear stick, the wing mirrors and the seat covers. Thankfully, my friend who is an auto expert, taught me how to find the perfect accessories for the van.

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Finding the Right Auto Accessories

Towing Your Tent: Choosing The Right Car Trailer For Transporting Your Camping Gear

by Roger Jackson

Going on a camping expedition can be a wonderful way to get in touch with the outdoors, but--unless you're a particularly rugged sort--you don't want to be too in touch with it. Comfortable multi-person tents, insulated sleeping bags, portable stoves and other modern camping equipment can make a camping trip far more comfortable, but unfortunately many items essential for a comfortable camping holiday tend to be large and bulky. 

Packing everything into your car often isn't an option if yo don't drive a large saloon, ute or minivan, and even if you manage to cram everything in there, the reduced space and visibility can make driving to your chosen camping site distinctly unpleasant. Transporting your camping equipment in a towed trailer from a place like The Galvanised Trailer Company can be a far more practical solution. If you are looking for a new car trailer for transporting your camping gear, keep the following guidelines in mind to ensure your chosen trailer is up to the task:

Steel for strength, aluminium for lightness

The vast majority of modern car trailers are made from either steel or aluminium, and each of these metals has its own advantages and disadvantages. Aluminium is light and resists rust but lacks load-bearing strength compared to steel. Steel trailers are stronger and more secure but also considerably heavier.

Choosing between aluminium and steel trailers will depend on the amount of camping equipment you carry and the vehicle you intend to tow your trailer with. If you only intend to carry a modest amount of relatively light camping equipment, an aluminium trailer will be easier to manoeuvre by hand and will put less of a dent in your tow vehicle's fuel economy. Steel trailers should be chosen if you intend to carry heavier equipment but only if your tow vehicle is powerful enough to lug around the extra weight.

Choose the right cover

Open trailers generally aren't ideal for transporting camping equipment, as they leave your equipment exposed to the elements as you tow. Covered trailers are more practical, and a trailer protected by an inexpensive plastic cover or tarpaulin will usually be enough to keep your equipment properly sheltered from inclement weather.

However, these types of soft covers aren't ideal if you are worried about the security of your camping equipment, as opportunistic thieves can easily cut them open and make off with your precious equipment and supplies. Investing in a trailer with a rigid, lockable enclosure made of steel or aluminium will give your equipment far more security, especially if you plan to camp in more isolated locations rather than organised, secure campsites. Be aware, however, that trailers with hard enclosures will weigh (and cost) significantly more.

Decide whether you need a jockey wheel

A jockey wheel is a small, retractable third wheel fitted to the front of a trailer, near the hitch. Trailers with added jockey wheels will cost more than simple two-wheeled trailers, but if you plan to manoeuvre your trailer by hand the extra stability they provide can be very useful. A jockey wheel also means your trailer can remain level when unhitched from your tow vehicle, which can be very useful.

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