The new Actros V8 featuring 510hp, 16-litre powerplant, which is mated to a 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift automated transmission, returns of almost 10.5mpg which is astonishing for this kind of vehicles.

The 4×2 Actros 1851’s mouth-watering specification includes an air-conditioned, flat-floored MegaSpace cab with fridge and microwave oven. Supplied by Wellingborough dealer Intercounty Truck & Van, the new 40-tonner is also a real head-turner, thanks to its Alcoa alloy wheels and twin light bars.

“We wanted a flagship to promote our new business and knew exactly how it should look,” said MFR Operations Director Dave Halliday. “But it also had to be cost-effective and reliable in operation. “And although we don’t have any other Mercedes-Benz trucks on the fleet, my past experience has proved to me that for this sort of job the Actros cannot be beaten.”

MFR Haulage, which operates from a depot in Bolnhurst, near Bedford, was formed earlier this year after parent company Mobile Freezer Rentals decided to expand its transport division. It relied previously on a fleet of rigid and articulated vehicles equipped with cranes to move its own freezer units, but has now diversified into chilled and frozen food transport, and even general haulage.

Although it’s a lifestyley trailer and they focused on design, but there’s no compromise on practicality either. It can take care of you with camping, bulky luggage, bicycles, diving, fishing, games kit, winter and water sports equipment and many other uses.

The trailer has two spacious compartments with top opening hatches, allowing for easy access and loading of equipment, with a volume capacity of nearly 2,000 Litres (2 cubic metres) and a load capacity of around 500kg. Wet and dry equipment can be easily separated and the rear compartment has a hatchback style door to enable easy loading from the back.

Specification

Dimensions Exterior Interior
-Overall length (including tow hitch) – 3.3 metres
-GRP body length – 2.6 metres
-Body width (between wheel arches) – 1.7 metres
-Maximum height approx – 1.1 metre
-Internal length – 2.4 metres
-Loading capacity: up to 500kg
-Net weight: approx 225 – 250kg
-Body: Glass reinforced plastic with arange of gel coat colours available
-Hatches: Stainless steel hinges
-Road clearance: 180mm
-Tyres: 175/65 R 14 Ctyres with Dion Alloy Wheels
-Twin number plate lights
-50mm tow hitch with wire rope cable
-Braked and un-braked versions available
-Phenol coated birch plywood flooring withhard-wearing non-slip finish
-The forward compartment is fitted with internal wiring and containment strap for leisure battery (available as optional extra)
-Both compartments are fitted with internal LED lights to aid loading and unloading at night
-Both compartments are fitted with cargo net hooks (cargo net available as optional extra)
-13 pin EU electrical connector

Jeep Trail and Extreme Trail campers are designed to cope with the Wrangler model’s rugged go-anywhere characteristic, and therefore they have the same design cues, including Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

These campers are available in normal and extreme versions which differ in height and ground clearance. Avaialble in four colors, Trial models have a MSRP of $9,995, while the Extreme runs for $11,995.

Unlike conventional recreational campers, the Jeep Trail Edition camper features an extensive use of lightweight tubular-aluminum construction (no wood or fiberboard materials) in order to mitigate the additional load on the Jeep tow vehicle and make operation a breeze. This also helps to keep the weight down thus making them easier to tow behind the car.

This futuristic truck you see here is their vision for 2020. Apart from the fancy design, this truck is also dripping with technology with the main focus on the driver. They want to make the job easier for the driver by autopilot, driven non-stop in nose-to-tail convoys on green super-motorways linking the continents.

They also ambitious ideas to make road transport as safe as possible:

As road transport expands it must also become safer and more efficient. Volvo’s design concept contains ideas about how that can be achieved. Some of these ideas can be integrated into production today, while others are there to arouse interest and start a discussion.

One of the more startling ideas is to link vehicles together wirelessly into long road-trains that rush across the continents at 90 km/h (56 mph).

“This will be possible when the transport sector’s vision of green corridors becomes reality,” says Rikard Orell. “Here heavy goods vehicles are separated from other traffic, driving in their own lanes, rather like a railway, but without the rails.”

There are many advantages. Road safety increases, transport services require less space and wear and tear on the roads decreases. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions drop thanks to reduced drag when a truck is in the slipstream of the vehicle in front. In addition the driver can rest behind the wheel while the truck effectively drives itself. If this is counted as idle time, transport times can be cut, deliveries will be made more quickly and drivers can get back to their friends and families earlier.

Spacious and airy driver environment

The driver is at the center of Volvo’s world. It goes without saying that a design concept from Volvo Trucks contains a great many ideas about the development of the driver environment. In the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 the driver’s environment is spacious, airy and free of disruption.

“We have replaced the traditional dashboard with a thin film panel on which information is tailored to suit the driver,” says Rikard Orell. “The panel is operated like a touchpad, just like an iPhone. We have saved a lot of space that way.”

Another space-saving idea is the sleek driver’s seat with its thin, ventilated mesh backrest, more like a modern office chair than a traditional driver’s seat. Behind the driver is a futon sofa which folds out into a wide, comfortable bed in the evening.

The lighting in the cab is divided into zones customised for the driver’s various in-cab tasks, or for resting. Around the driver are large areas of glass providing good visibility out of the vehicle and even into it. This benefits eye contact between the driver and other road users preventing accidents. Privacy screening and blackout in the evening are also controlled electronically.

Aerodynamic collision protection

The design team also aimed for a sleek look for the exterior, reducing the perception of the vehicle’s size. The LED headlamps and indicators are integrated into the front of the vehicle. The rear-view mirrors have been replaced by cameras that project their images onto the inside of the windscreen.

The lower section of the front of the vehicle features integrated collision protection projecting forwards about half a metre. This ‘nose’ is gentler on oncoming cars in the event of a head-on collision and has also been shown to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

As Rikard Orell points out, “Because the nose is a safety function, our starting point has been that it does not count as part of the maximum permitted vehicle length, just as rear-view mirrors today are outside the maximum permitted width.”

Some things you just do not change. The ‘Globetrotter’ sign on the roof is still there, but has been redesigned so that it harmonises with the lines of the vehicle and reduces drag. The driver can also change the text on the sign from the instrument panel.

The rear end is the next stage

So work on the external design focuses largely on aerodynamics, but by how much is it really possible to reduce drag on a truck ?

“We have come so far with the front of the vehicle that further changes to the basic shape provide only marginal improvements,” says Rikard Orell. “However, a lot will happen when we start work on the design of the rear end of the vehicle. There is a great deal of untapped aerodynamic potential there.”

Further Readings:

• Volvo Cars is up for sale
• Volvo C30 Electric Winter Test

If you are looking to purchase an SUV, here are some tips.

Affordable SUV Manufacturers
While you might not be able to get a Hummer or Expedition at a low cost, you can instead find plenty of affordable SUV’s on the market that offer plenty of style and functionality.  Just a few include:

Hyundai Sante Fe
The Sante Fe has been around for a few years and over this time it has converted many to the Hyundai brand name.  With decent warranties and a price tag that is right, you and your family can be travelling in style.

Kia Sorrento
The Kia Sorrento offers 4 wheel drive, plenty of room and a price tag under $25K.  Also, this SUV has been earning plenty of positive reviews.  And as the quality of this vehicle maker continues to climb, the Kia Sorrento looks more and more like a great deal and value.

Toyota RAV 4
The Toyota RAV 4 (see post image for details) has been a favourite of plenty of 4×4 enthusiasts.  For those that need a smaller size SUV with plenty of punch, the RAV 4 is definitely a great choice.  The RAV 4 is reliable, offers plenty of features and plenty of value.  The RAV 4 can be had for about $22K with decent features.

If you are looking for lots of space to carry your family, your toys or plenty of functionality and have a small budget, check out the above vehicles for 4×4’s that offer plenty of value.

If you own a pick up truck, you can usually buy some cargo straps that make it quite easy to haul a motorcycle or two, dirt bikes and even an ATV to your favorite destination.  You can find the hardware you need at almost any hardware shop or even big box retailers such as Walmart.  It should be noted that besides some good straps, you will probably need a ramp of some kind.  While they are plenty of places to purchase metal ramps that are usually light weight, another easy idea is to use a sturdy piece of wood or two- depending on what you are hauling.

If you are hauling your motorcycles a lot, you might want to think about purchasing a small, affordable cart made especially for bikes.  You can even use a landscaping cart used by many professional landscapers to tow around lawn equipment such as mowers, etc.  These carts are easy to use, are light weight and affordable.  Check with your municipality regarding registration requirements.

If you have expensive gear or hauling your bikes all over the country, you might even want to look into an enclosed towing cart, where your bike or ATV will be protected from the elements as you drive.  While a little more expensive than other options, this towing option is a good idea for many enthusiasts.

It is quite obvious that you want to build your own trailer as it can save a lot of money for you. You can make your own choices while building it and add some personal features. There are a series of steps, following which you can easily build your trailer.

Are you planning to build your own trailer? This article can provide you some good tips and guide you in the process.

Before building your trailer, make sure of the exact length which you want. Trailers are generally 10′ in length and 6′ in width. The materials you need for building a trailer are 102′ of angle iron, axle and wheel assembly, leaf spring assemble of 25′ in length, female end of trailer hitch, 35″x36″ sheet metal, boards, wheels and tires. The required tools are cutting torch, welding equipment, hammer, large c-clamp, impact wrench and sockets and metal marking chalk.

You should choose a good axle kit along for your trailer, considering the weight capacity, frame, suspension and the height. Firstly cut the main frame pieces and weld them by using a good welder and a cut off saw. Test the flatness and the shape before taking further steps.

Secondly, position the axle depending on the trailer. For example, you have to position the axle towards the gravity centre if you are using a tilting trailer. Calculate the tongue weight and you can use nearly 5% of the weight of the trailer as your tongue weight.

The next step will be to centre the axle with the frame as this is one of the most critical points which should not be ignored. Remember to keep the axle in line with the frame’s centre line. You can check the distance between the hitch and wheels which should be equal in order to be sure that the tracking is done straight. The tongue has to be made centered and square to the frame so to make the axle more centered on the frame.

After this you can mount the tongue to a cross bar and also ahead of the axle making the frame upside down. Generally, a solid round bar should be at the end, leaving a square tube forming the tongue. You should use two mounting tabs, each having half inch holes and place a round bar between them. This mechanism helps in the pivot action which is required for the trailer.

In the next step, attach the latch which prevents the trailer from tilting. You should latch to something keeping in mind that it doesn’t fall out of place. You can use small rods for fenders along with some low heat to weld all these into the system. It is recommended to use angle iron for reinforcing the fenders, using them as mounting points for different purposes. An angle iron should be used to create the rails on the sides. To strengthen the overall of the system, you can attach fenders at the sides.

Lastly, you can use two pieces of angle iron welded together for the vertical pieces present at the back. You should make a good ground connection between the pivots which helps in dimming the tail lights. Before you start painting your trailer, don’t forget to remove the surface rust making it long lasting.

Learn more on How to Build a Trailer

Fast gun camper tie downs are a useful tool and help you in avoiding unforeseen events when you take your campers during trips to campgrounds, mountain or beach. It’s easy to use it and takes less than 20 minutes to get assembled.

Campers can be considered perfect in case you’re opting for trips to campgrounds, mountain or the beach. Packing all the necessary tools involved on such excursions is certainly very much imperative. However, it takes only seconds for your dream vacation to become a nightmare once the camper detaches from the truck, which you’re driving. In such a scenario, fast gun camper tie downs will be vital tool for securely the transport of your camper along with everything present inside it.

Required Tool

Fast Gun Camper Tie Downs

What you need to follow to use it?

• Tie Downs

The construction of tie down of a camper can come with binding of load-type or lever-type instruments. The tie-down mechanism might be utilized for attaching a truck-to-truck camper. It may also consist of cushioning members, which are used for absorbing tension loads that are enacted between tie down’s first & second end. Tie down mechanisms can also comprise of a removable handle, which can be used for enacting binding mechanism that function similar to a lever.

• Form of Fast Guns

Fast gun camper tie down is amongst the best ones available in the market. Each of these solid steel pieces is made with quite noticeable precision. It consists of a stainless steel square barrel and a trigger lock. They also comprise of indicators and springs for relieving its spring tension. This prevents the springs from compressing the amount needed. Fast gun camper tie down is built for preventing internal rust. This helps in increasing your tie downs life. Again, Fast gun camper tie down is the only turnbuckle available in the market, which can be locked.

• Function of Fast Gun

Many features of fast gun camper tie down makes it easy for usage. No extra tool is necessary. It saves your time, effort and leaves you with enough time to enjoy the trip. Smooth lever actions allow you for quickly operating the tie downs.

• Need for Speed

Fast gun camper tie down is also amongst the fastest ones in the market, as they increase leveling process. They do so by permitting you to level the camper while it’s attached to your truck. Therefore, you are avoiding necessity of utilizing leveling blocks beneath your wheels.

• Installation of Tie Down

When you install tie downs, certain procedure needs to be followed. Back tie down needs to be installed first, which should be followed by front tie-downs. It requires more skill and time than rear ones.

• Mounted to the frame

Fast gun camper tie down is mounted on the truck’s frame. For producing less expensive truck with better fuel-efficiency, makers construct light truck beds. Simultaneously, constructed truck campers become heavier. Thus, frame is only option in modern trucks for securely fastening the tie down.

• Solid as Bolts

Half-inch bolt holds fast gun camper tie down through truck’s frame. You do it by using frame holes created on assembly line. Therefore, there is no requirement of drilling for installing these tie downs. Tie down is sold with lifetime guarantees that cover tie-down, camper anchor and even truck’s frame.

Record time for installing fast gun tie downs is only 17 minutes! So, come out and beat the clock.

Do you wish for a home away from home? If yes, the camping trailers are what you are searching for. These trailers are of different types, sizes and weighs. The article below describes the laws related to the trailers and their respective utility in accordance with their sizes and shapes.

Earlier, the camping trailers were the American tradition which began in 1920s. That time, they were summoned as tin can tourists. The sizes of camping trailers are different. Earlier, they were not considered too comfortable, but slowly and slowly, they turned quite cozy.

But at the same time, if you wish to make a purchase, here are some factors which must be taken into consideration. In countries like United States, the camping trailers are considered as recreational vehicles and the set of rules, which are applicable to these vehicles, are legally subjected even to them.

The law includes the following factors:

1. Implementation of some weight limitations which are currently not imposed on other vehicles

2. The lights which are present on the back side should always be on?

3. In order to bond the trailer to any car or any vehicle, the hitch type bond should be used.

But then, it’s not necessary that these rules and regulations are colloquial. Different countries and states have their own laws. Thus, it’s important to check the legal rules and regulations of the respective countries, where traveling would be conducted.

Though, there are some rules and laws which are somehow common in different countries as well. For example, if another vehicle is towing the respective trailer, the riders are not legally allowed to ride on the trailer. Moreover, driving license of class A is required to the driver if the weight of the trailer is more than 10,000 lbs. The maximum amount of space that is conferred to the trailer is 400 square feet. But then, there length varies in accordance to the space provided.

At times, the drivers need to change their respective vehicles once they mark their advent into the domain and utility of camping trailers. The trailers which are small are used merely for camping are eighteen feet long and around 3000lbs. but then, they need a bigger car for driving.

The small camping trailers are basically used for traveling at near places, which do not require many requirements. Even if they do require, they are fulfilled at the personal level.

On the other hand, those who need large space and are leaving for greater distance, the camping trailers with the length of 25 feet and 5000 lbs can be used. This can be then towed through V-8. The largest camping trailer stretches to 40 feet. Its weight is approximately 12,000 lbs. But eventually, it’s much more important to be knowledgeable regarding your personal financial condition before investing in the camping trailers because these are expensive.

After all, each kind of camping trailer has its own pros and cons. In case, you urgently need one and do not have enough money to support this purchase, you can have the camping trailers on rent also.

One of the first things that you should do is to figure out how much your maximum towing load is.  This information is usually found in your owners manual.  If your maximum towing load is 5,000 pounds, you should note that this load includes both the object that you will be towing along with the trailer.  It should be noted that even though your vehicle is stated as capable of pulling a certain maximum load, you shouldn’t push your luck if you don’t have to- always tow less than the maximum.  Besides your vehicle having a maximum towing load, your trailer will also have a maximum that it can carry, so pay attention.

Choose between Trailer designs.  Depending on what you would like to tow will determine the type of trailer design you require.  For towing small equipment such as lawn equipment or a dirtbike, you will find that a single axle trailer will do fine.  For towing large items such as boats, you will need a double axle trailer.

Choose a hitch.  Make sure you have the right hitch on your vehicle for the trailer you are towing.  For instance, you can tow a small trailer with a bumper hitch, but for larger towing, such as a boat, you will usually need a large hitch with a 5th wheel called a gooseneck hitch.