Heat of the Moment

(When the Lack of Common Sense Leaves you Cents-less)

Working in the towing industry, I've came across many towing horror stories. I’ve heard of just about everything, from trailers coming uncoupled, to vehicle exhaust burning up treasured possessions. Although there are times when the equipment is to blame, the problem normally lies with the careless preparation of the person that these tragedies affect. Often these mistakes occur when feeling rushed or excited.

I've had a few close calls myself.  A couple years back I bought a used Harley that I needed to trailer home to do some jet work on the carburetor.  In the midst of all the excitement I hastily grabbed some straps, hooked up the trailer, and headed to pick it up.  When I drove the bike up on the trailer I noticed that one of the ratchets on the straps was rather rusty.  Mistakenly, I didn't ask the seller if he had an extra strap I could use.  Around 20 miles down the road I looked back and couldn't see the bike.  At that moment my knees went weak, and I felt more nauseous than a dog with a grass filled stomach. I pulled over and ran back to the trailer. Luckily the bike I just dropped thousands of dollars on had only tipped over and suffered minimal scratches. I wasn't able to see it due to the tall rails on the trailer.

Improper loading of trailers and cargo carriers can also wreak havoc on your vacation and your wallet. A few months ago I spoke with a person who loaded up his family and set out on a cross-country vacation. While getting ready for this excursion, he realized that they needed more cargo room than his SUV could provide. To accommodate for this, he purchased a cargo carrier. When it came time to leave he loaded up all of their suitcases on the cargo carrier, cinched them down and left. The poor guy got about 12hrs into his journey when his family noticed the foul smell of burning plastic. Once stopped, he could see 3 ft flames in his rear view mirror. He then realized that the carrier and the exhaust on his vehicle were parallel with each other. Not only did they lose precious traveling time, they had to replace all of the clothing and belongings they packed in order to continue their trek.

Times are tight, and for most families fitting a vacation into the budget is difficult to near impossible. Every dollar counts and the last thing you need is to spend money you don't have just so you can have clean underwear. Understandably, the shear excitement of a break from reality can cloud your judgment. To quote Star Wars: “You will know, when you are calm, at peace, passive.”-Yoda.  So before you leave on your next excursion, take the time to look over the smaller details.

Travis Mai - Hitch Guy ™

For more info on towing and towing lifestyles please visit: www.hitchinfo.com and "Like" us on Facebook!

EPIC TRAILERS OF HISTORY! (A Story of Stuff)

For millennia, people have had an infatuation with stuff, more importantly having their stuff with them, while in pursuit of more stuff. The need for trailers in some shape or form has essentially been a NEED since the invention of the wheel… once again, because of all this stuff. Today I’m going to go through an abbreviated list of the many different types of trailers that have been used throughout history.

Cart (5000 B.C.)
The cart is the original two-wheeled trailer. Used since the invention of the wheel, and pulled by virtually every capable domesticated animal . It was needed to carry and transport goods (STUFF) from point a to point b.

Chariot (3000 B.C.)
This early horse-drawn trailer was originally designed as a status symbol for early Mesopotamians. Leaders of war quickly adapted the chariot to mow down enemies while staying relatively safe. To acquire what, you ask?-STUFF

Sleigh (800 A.D.)
The oldest Sleighs found were excavated from the Viking built Oseberg ship in 1905. Still used today for both work and recreation, the sleigh works better than the wheel when transporting people and goods (cold STUFF) across ice, snow, and mud.

Les deux carrosses

Rickshaw (1700 A.D.)
Although, push versions of the rickshaw were documented much earlier by the Dutch, it wasn’t until 1707 that a modern pull behind version was documented in a painting by Claude Gillot entitled Les deux carrosses. The rickshaw was made popular by the Japanese as a mode of transportation for upper class citizens (Stuffy STUFF). Rickshaws are still employed today mainly as a mode of entertainment rather than transportation.

Covered wagon (1750 A.D.)
Much like the modern day SUVs, the covered wagon was designed much like ships of their time, capable of toting a hefty 12,000lbs of cargo and passengers (STUFF). Horses and oxen supplied the engine to provide early German settlers in America a means of safe travel into the unknown wilderness.-Oregon Trail anyone?

Sleigh escavated from Oseberg Ship

Locomotive (1800 A.D)
Nearly every child in America has had a fascination with trains.  Locomotive derived from the Latin (loco)-“from a place”, is an engine pulling a system of cars (basically trailers) on a stationary track carrying all types of cargo (STUFF to the masses).

Modern (1900A.D.-Present)
Since the mass production of automobiles there has been a trailer designed for every type of lifestyle imaginable. Whether it is Equestrian, ATV, Motorcycle, Camping, Watercraft, Semi, Utility, or Long distance rentals, trailers in some shape or form are here to stay.

Even though human beings as a species are no longer considered nomadic beings, we still hold on to our roots traveling to places which sustain our livelihood and happiness. STUFF plays a huge role in our daily lives no matter who we are or where we were born. In a way, it is STUFF that drives us to compete and achieve things never thought possible by our predecessors, generation after generation. Show me a minimalist and I’ll show you a person who has benefited from STUFF!

Travis Mai - Hitch Guy™


For more info on towing and towing lifestyles please visit: www.hitchinfo.com and "Like" us on Facebook!

“Dark of the moon on the sixth of June”

During the past few days I’ve been sick with the flu, and for as long as I can remember this has meant piling on the blankets, grab a bottle of Sprite, some saltine crackers, and watching every movie and television show possible. What really got my attention and interest was “The History Channel’s: Modern Marvels- The CB Radio”

Back before cell phones, Facebook, and the Internet, the social craze of the nation was the Citizens Band radio, more commonly known as the CB radio. Much like the internet, the government tried their best to regulate it. Initially they imposed a $20 dollar licensing fee which was soon expunged after the FCC was overwhelmed by nearly a million applications per month. This amazing tool not only connected truckers it connected every person with the minimal means to do so. In the 1970’s the average cost of a CB radio...$142, not bad considering that put in today’s dollar, that’s roughly 100 bucks less than a new iPad! CB radio technology has advanced through the years, and for $180 you can get a multi-band CB with Bluetooth Technology enabling you to make and receive phone calls from your radio!

This social enigma consumed pop culture for nearly a decade. Spurring a music genre, several films, and in one instance a film inspired from a song “C.W. McCall’s Convoy”.  This is where the “Get Connected film fest” began. Starting with “Convoy” which in this movie trailer you can clearly see how Oscar-worthy this epic truly was. Although rather cheesy, Convoy did a great job illustrating the inspiring power of people and trailers getting connected.

My first experience with the CB was when I was 12 years old my family moved from Colorado back to Wisconsin.  We used them to coordinate and monitor our trailer and boat packed with furniture that we were towing with the hitch on our Ford Explorer.  Now we mostly use CB and Marine band radios to coordinate our positions during coyote hunting.

So next time some Luddite knocks your Facebook page, ask them if they liked or ever used the CB radio!

Other films inspired by the Citizens Band social movement.

The Dukes of Hazzard (1979)
Breaker! Breaker! (1977)
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
High Ballin (1978)
more…

Travis Mai - Hitch Guy
  

For more info on towing and towing lifestyles please visit: www.hitchinfo.com and "Like" us on Facebook! 

A Console Too Far

Car designs have dramatically changed over the years, from the original purely functional Ford Model-A to a Mercedes SLK with more gadgets and features than the cockpit of a Boeing 737. It seems to me that cars available in the United States are all specifically designed and marketed towards a single occupant.  I understand that most of us are on our own when driving; but wouldn’t it be nice if our cars brought us closer?

Cars are like love, no one forgets their first.  For me it was a 1986 Pontiac 6000 LE with a missing engine mount, and terrible shocks and struts.  The paint was sun damaged too, but none of that mattered to me. The radio worked great and more importantly, I was able to find a girl that was willing to get in it.  Although the car wasn’t much for speed, cornering, gas mileage, or even cargo area, it handled really well at the drive-in.  Why don’t cars come with bench seats anymore?  I feel that in the last 20 years, the design focus went from fraternization to fast food.  They’re making vehicles so wide that even holding hands is uncomfortable.  The only extra-large “cup holders” I want in my car are my hands.  Why is food so much more important than overcoming the social awkwardness accompanied by youth?

Now I understand that none of us like to think of our sons or daughters ever jumping into a “shaggin’ wagon”, but isn’t that better than seeing them have trouble squeezing out of a 3 cylinder Metro alone?  We’re the fattest country on the planet and our sedentary lifestyles are getting worse, starting with our cars.  We need to remember what cars were meant for in the beginning; to get out and see more of the world and to get connected! Not just another couch allowing us to do less. Next time you go out to eat, please get out to eat, and leave the car in the parking lot.

Travis Mai - Hitch Guy

For more info on towing and towing lifestyles please visit: www.hitchinfo.com and "Like" us on Facebook!