Heater Box for Your Truck – 5 Reasons Why Stainless Steel is the Best Choice

The following guest post is written by Jon Lewis at Shoreline Manufacturing. Check out their excellent product line at the links provided:

If you find yourself driving your rig in areas of the country where there are brutal winters, you may have had to replace your truck’s heater box more than once. This is due to the fact that most if not all OEM heater boxes are made of steel. Many states that receive significant snowfall heavily salt their roads. Steel, salt, and water are a bad mix. This combo will cause your heater box to corrode quickly, eventually rendering it useless.

Drivers that find themselves in more warmer climates don’t necessarily escape the wrath of aggressive heater box rust. Condensation is the rust causing agent that typically rusts out the bottom of the heater box.

Having said that, you might already know that replacement heater boxes come in a variety of types when it comes to their construction material. You can find them in steel, aluminum, and stainless steel variations. We have already established that replacing your heater box with a steel box, may not be the greatest idea. This then leaves you with two choices, stainless or aluminum. Which material is better in terms of durability, performance, and value? Let’s find out.

Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum Heater Box

Stainless steel and aluminum can look similar but are quite different. Let’s compare the key aspects of each metal.

Strength

The prime factor that contributes to the durability of any heater box is the construction material's strength. That's quite obvious. And while aluminum has a better strength to weight ratio, stainless steel delivers more raw strength. Yes, it is substantially heavier as compared to a standard aluminum box but it is also considerably stronger. It means that a stainless steel heater box has an enhanced capacity to withstand rough weather, especially chilly winters. Aluminum features a tensile strength of 276 MPa while stainless steel strength measures at 505 MPa.

Cold temperatures have a negative effect on materials as it forces metals and alloys to contract which ultimately affects the structural integrity of the box. Stainless steel heater boxes make for a better choice for truckers who find themselves traveling through particularly cold regions.

Corrosion Resistance

Another key factor that determines the long-term durability of a metal is its corrosion resistance. Rusting is a natural oxidization process that leads to deterioration in quality which you can witness in the form of holes. If you are a trucker who has been using aluminum heater boxes for a while, you must have seen those dreaded holes. Needless to say, such severe damage means you either have to pay a high maintenance cost or completely replace the heater box which is once again a big investment on your part.

This is where the stainless steel heater box can prove to be a better alternative as it is highly corrosion-resistant. Although aluminum also resists corrosion it is still susceptible to oxidization and rusting. Stainless steel has enhanced corrosion resistance because of two reasons:

The stainless steel alloy includes chromium which forms an invisible corrosion resistant film around the steel.

Stainless steel is also non-porous which means it is difficult for moisture to settle in and start the oxidization process that leads to rust formation.

Many truckers have to drive on salted roads during winters which further contributes towards pacing up the oxidization process that you want to avoid. Stainless steel heater box gives you a much higher resistance.

Thermal Conductivity

Being a poor thermal conductor makes stainless steel a better choice. During summer, aluminum heat conductor will continue to leak heat making your cabin hotter than it should be. On the other hand, a stainless steel heater box retains the heat well and does not let it leak into your truck's cabin so you can stay cool. Moreover, stainless steel can tolerate temperatures up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit while aluminum will start softening up around the 400 degrees Fahrenheit mark.

Alloy Workability

Stainless steel is a hard material whereas aluminum is comparatively soft. And while it does make it easier for metalworkers to mold aluminum, it also means that aluminum isn't as resistant to abrasion and wear. In comparison, stainless steel's hardened nature allows it to be substantially more wear-and-tear resistant increasing its long-term durability. It means that truckers who invest in a stainless steel heater box can use it for years without having to worry about corrosion or rust.

Another thing that you should keep in mind is that being a softer alloy, aluminum also cannot tolerate high temperatures and will start to soften up which can result in potential damage to the structure of the heater box. Stainless steel, being a harder material, can handle high temperatures while maintaining its structural integrity. Drivers and truckers who also have to work during summers won't need to be concerned about their heater boxes taking damage due to elevated temperatures.

Easier to Maintain

As discussed above, stainless steel is comparatively a harder material than aluminum. This malleability makes it difficult to carry out repairs since softer alloys take more power and skill to weld. And while aluminum can be easily bent, stretched, and manipulated, it will not be as friendly when it comes to welding. On the other hand, stainless steel's hardness makes it a better choice for maintenance since you can do the repair work with more ease and convenience.

Another factor that contributes to aluminum being a challenging material to weld is its thermal conductivity. It easily loses heat which makes it a poor contender for welding. In comparison, stainless steel's poor thermal conductivity means it can retain heat for longer periods while maintaining its hardness making it easier to weld. So, even if your stainless steel heater box gets damaged, it will be cheaper and easier to get the repairs done. That might not be a possibility with an aluminum variant.

Can I Get Premium Quality Stainless Steel Heater Boxes?

If you are needing to replace a rusted out heater box, there are a few companies that fabricate a modified stainless steel variant of the OEM product that are compatible with the OEM heater box. For instance, you can buy a stainless steel Kenworth heater box here that will be much more corrosion and rust-resistant as compared to the original steel version.

When you want your heater box to go thousands of miles, even tens of thousands of miles, without getting damaged due to corrosion or rust, stainless steel is a much better alternative.

Final Word

Due to increased competition and skyrocketing expenses, truckers are looking to find ways to cut down their overhead and costs as much as possible. And when they end up replacing their heater boxes about every three years, it is not only a frustrating experience but does not make business sense. Such unnecessary expenses rack up pretty quickly and eat into their profit margin. That's why many truckers are now moving to stainless steel heater boxes.

They may cost a bit more upfront but they repay your investment with interest by not requiring multiple repairs and heavy maintenance. What's even better is that they continue to go on for miles and miles, year after year without taking any damage caused by rust or corrosion.

See our products at: https://shorelinemanufacturing.com/product-category/kenworth-heater-box/

Another Reason to dump DirecTV for Dish Network

A couple months ago I wrote about our decision upon moving to get rid of DirecTV and go with Dish. We are just about to start our third month with Dish and were happy with their service.

Our three month free premium channel add-on was about to expire and we called to cancel before they started charging extra for that package. The call was short, no extended wait and no hard sell to keep it. Two issues have come up in the past week, both have which have really convinced us we made the right decision.

Since AT&T bought DirecTV, as I stated in a previous post, their product offering and service have taken a nosedive. After abandoning the recreational vehicle market, the only current choice for mobile television RVers have is Dish. I also found out by chance this week that for the past two years Dish has been unable to offer HBO to their subscribers. The reason? AT&T also owns HBO and tried to price gouge Dish network. That doesn’t sit well with me and there is a workaround if you have Dish, you can stream HBO Max for $14.99 per month if you really have to have it.

What follows however is the best reason yet to switch, a couple weeks ago Dish had to drop CBS network from it’s lineup over an ongoing pricing dispute in contract negotiations. It’s been happening more and more as networks try to increase their fees to subscription satellite TV providers for local channels. These same channels are free over the air to the general public. Both Dish and DirecTV have to fight them or increase customer's subscriber rates continually.

Last week there was a Packer game on CBS that I couldn’t get through the Wally receiver because of the ongoing dispute with Dish Network. So I went downstairs and ran cable from my rooftop OTA(over the air) antenna bypassing the Wally receiver so we could watch the game. Just by chance this past week, looking for some kind of transfer switch on Amazon to buy in order to more easily accomplish this task I discovered they make a dual tuner to hook your OTA antenna into which then plugs in a USB port in back of the Dish receiver. You can then scan ALL your local channels through Dish Wally (or Joey). The channels will appear in your on-screen TV guide and you can record those channels as well! The local OTA channels are bolded yellow and will appear next to the satellite local channels in the guide. No need to switch cables or inputs to get OTA, who could ask for more? Channels will appear in the Wally as well as all the connected Joeys.

 

No more worries about the feuds over local channels and the cost? $60 to $70 on eBay or Amazon for the tuner. (Update: 3/18/2026 After 5 years I had to replace my adaptor. It still worked but I frequently was having to reboot it. They are no longer sold on Amazon, but you can order from the Winegard Company for the same price $59.95 plus shipping Here's a link https://winegard.com/dish-hdtv-dual-adapter!}

I paid $60 for mine. And there are no fees from Dish. As far as I can tell, DirecTV offers nothing like this. Why put up with inferior service and products from DirecTV? This post is entirely my personal opinion and I have received no compensation for it.

DirecTV-or-Dish-Which-is-Better

My Amazon Author Link 

DirecTV or Dish: Which is better?

Having been a very long term customer of DirecTV, we faced a dilemma after selling and purchasing a different house required a move. Except for about a six month period of cable tv in 2008, I have been a steady customer of DirecTV for over 26 years.

For a long time I’ve been fed up with the seemingly constant battles over Direct’s continuing price escalations over the years. I started with a DVR and boxes for every TV and slowly gave them up one by one negotiating lower prices. Eventually I was down to one DVR on one TV in the living room and the most basic channel lineup they offered. New customers were offered great deals while long term customers had to haggle with them every time they jacked the price up. The compelling reason for me to start and stay with DirecTV was that they were the only option for getting NFL Sunday Ticket games. I was a diehard Green Bay Packer fan, born and raised in Wisconsin, who moved to Utah for 25 years to work, paying well over $200 extra annually to be able to watch the Packers every week.

After retiring and moving back to Wisconsin a couple years ago, I stayed with DirecTV probably just because I was familiar with them. Last year we bought a motorhome and I was checking into putting a satellite dish on it for TV reception on the road. In 2015, AT&T bought out DirecTV and I believe their customer service has been on a decline ever since. After checking RV forums I discovered that DirecTV has basically abandoned the RV market and only Dish is now compatible with mobile systems. Another strike against them for me(us), and the final one.

After finding that the house we bought was already set up for Dish Network with their satellite dish equipment, we decided to pull the plug on Direct and go with Dish. A couple weeks before the move we dialed up Dish customer service and got ready for the hard sell. Our first surprise was that we got a customer rep down in Tulsa, OK who could actually speak clear and understandable English. That was great.

Surprise number two: No hard sell, he asked what we wanted and we told him the second tier channel lineup, a Hopper DVR box and a Joey for the bedroom TV. Total package was a bit over $70 per month and a two year price guarantee. Free installation and a $300 Mastercard gift card included for new service. We told him the move was in two weeks and we got our pick of appointment times for the serviceman to come out.

Surprise number three: A couple weeks later near the appointment time the service guy called and told me what time he’d be there. I went to meet him and was surprised that there were two techs, they introduced themselves and said one of them was training. Since the place was already set up for Dish, I assumed they would swap out the satellite dish for the newest model, bring the boxes, hook them up and be on their way. They were there for almost three hours! They said that the wiring was too old and they were going to replace everything from the dish into the house to the boxes.

Surprise number four: The techs finished up the install and gave me a demonstration of the system and it is excellent. We had the latest and greatest Genie DVR from DirecTV and the Dish Hopper and remote is much better! It has built in to the remote/box the Firestick/Roku streaming system that is all controllable with the Hopper remote. It also has the voice command system to find programs you want to watch or pick up where you left off. I’m still going through learning all the features and we are very impressed. All this and we don’t have to worry about price hikes for at least two years.

Dish has branched out somewhat by offering extra products like sound bar audio systems, surge protectors, and services like installing televisions, home security systems, doorbells, cameras, etc. It’s a way for them to increase profit margins and hopefully slow price increases. They show and offer these services and there was no hard sell when I declined.

We are extremely happy with the switch and so far, so good! Would not hesitate to recommend Dish Network.

Part II - another-reason-to-dump-directv-for-dish.html

My Amazon Author Link

My Review - AirDesk Laptop Desk

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Swing it away when you're done!
Since I started writing this blog in 2012, the time spent on it has made it impractical for me to sit in front of a computer desk all the time. When getting home from work, I want to relax in a comfortable sofa-recliner in the living room, be able to put my feet up, with access to news and entertainment on the TV. In the past I have kept the laptop at my side or on my lap, using it to do research or write when getting an idea for a post.

Having it on my lap so much, after awhile gets frustrating because it gets so hot and uncomfortable. I can't think that would be good for the computer either with all the heat build up inside of it. Having to pick it up and set it down every time I get up has long ago gotten old.

I've been thinking for awhile now that there must be something like a portable desk out there made by somebody to get that thing off my lap, so I started doing some research. There's a lot of stuff out there, but most of it looked to be pretty flimsy and not sturdy enough for me. I searched around amazon.com and wasn't impressed with what I found. After trying a google search I found this portable desk that looked pretty impressive.

The price was a little steep, but I couldn't find anything else suitable, so I kept going back to it and started reading the info on their website. Invented by an Aerospace engineer for his own use, he decided to produce and sell them. They are not available on Amazon, but are sold through their website:  https://airdesks.com/

So, I ordered what you see in my living room photos, the total price with tax and shipping was just under $200.00. And I am sure happy with it! It works great for me. What makes this desk so sturdy is the big round flat and heavy metal base that it sits on. The total shipping weight of my package was almost 20 pounds and most of that is the weight of the base. It's also flat and thin, only 1/8 inch thick, so you can slide it under furniture and you can even run over it with a wheel chair.

You can add extra shelves, cup holder and even a mouse table if you desire. The laptop table is available in different sizes, accommodating even the largest, like my 16.5 inch screen. You can pick the size and optional accessories according to your needs and budget. The tables and shelves are acrylic and the frame made out of stainless steel. I've been using mine for a couple weeks now with no problems. If you're a heavy typist and hit the keys hard, you'll get a slight bounce of the laptop, it's not objectionable, (in other words, it's not as stable as if it were sitting on a desk) but you get used to it quickly.

The best part is when you want to get up or are finished with the computer for a while, you just swing it out of the way. I would never want to go back to having the computer sitting on my lap, it's a great product made out of quality materials, not plastic. Beware of the other stuff out that may be a little cheaper, probably made with inferior materials, and not sturdy enough (my opinion). The laptop sits on the table, kept from sliding off by two protruding pins at the bottom. Just pick it up to remove. One caveat, if you have small children or frisky dogs in your house, this may not be for you, it's not a toy to jump on and you don't want them to bounce your computer off the table to the floor! But it is portable.

The review of this product is my own, non-solicited and non-compensated.

Check out their mobile applications for cars and trucks also:
https://airdesks.com/products/laptop/laptop-desk/

My Amazon Author Link

My Review - The AeroPress Coffee Maker

aeropress.com.au

A while back I received an email from Constance Adler of Aerobie, Inc. asking if I would be willing to try out their Aeopress Coffee Maker and write a review about it after sending me one. I agreed to give it a try and get back to her. The following is my review:

A few days later I received one in the mail and read through the instructions. It’s basically a manual filtered press, that you can make one to three cups of coffee in about a minute or so. Since I only drink one or maybe two cups of coffee in the morning it’s great for me.

Additionally, the unit comes apart quickly, easily cleans up with a rinse of water and is very portable. It even comes with a tote bag that you can travel with, making it very convenient for people on the go, especially truck drivers.

The first time I used it, the cup of coffee was OK, but a bit weak for my taste. After experimenting with a couple different grinds and measurements of coffee I was able to refine it to my taste and I can now make a cup quickly and easily that tastes the same from one to the next. Every week I put enough regular grind coffee (I’ve been using 8 O’clock medium roast) to last about a week into a grinder and turn it on for just a couple seconds. If you don’t have a grinder, you can use an Espresso grind coffee. I then store in a small tin for the week. I prefer one heaping scoop per cup with the spoon that’s included.

amazon.com

Easy to use, just put a filter in the cap, put cap on the chamber, put in coffee, add water, stir 10 seconds. Insert plunger and push through gently for 20 to 60 seconds into your cup. Everything you need is included, even the measuring scoop and stirrer. All you need is the cup and after it is full, take the press apart, dump the grounds and rinse with water.

The only issue I had was having a source of hot water. You really need to have water between 175 to 185 degrees for a good cup. Tap water is not hot enough for this, so unless you have instant hot water in your kitchen, you can experiment with the microwave or heat water on the stove.

My solution? I use my old 4 cup coffee maker and just run water through it without coffee. It only takes a minute or two while you get the other stuff ready. Only heating enough for a cup or two, I then have a small pot of hot water that I can easily pour into the chamber, works great.

For truck drivers, it travels well in a tote and if you can source hot enough water, you’ll know you will get a great cup of coffee every time. How often have you gotten coffee at a truck stop that was old, burnt and tasted horrible? And, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than buying it by the cup!

I like this product, once you get the formula down, you’re good to go. Thanks Constance!

My Review - Hiya Mobile Caller ID & Blocker App

geekwire.com

If you are getting fed up with robo-calls, spam and fraud calls on your smartphone, I’ve found a newer app called Hiya that I started using a few weeks ago. Whitepages.com has spun off it’s caller ID business and app as a new company called Hiya. They provide a free app that identifies who is calling you and if it’s a scam or fraud call.

If I get a call that I don’t recognize, I’ll let it go unanswered and wait for Hiya to identify the caller. If it’s a fraud, scam or spam call you can choose to have Hiya block it permanently. It even tells you the type of suspect activity such as identity theft or IRS scam, telemarketer, etc. Hiya uses features such as call and text identification, real time spam and spam detection and call blocking. With the latter, you can automatically block known spam numbers. The call and text identification works for both incoming and outgoing calls, regardless of whether you have them on your contacts or not.

It’s been working great for me, identifying calls that are not showing up on other caller ID sites such as Truecaller.

Alex Algard, who is founder and will be CEO of Hiya, said in a statement:

"For smartphone users, it's never been more important to know who is on the other end of the line, particularly as more bad actors look to infringe on that personal space with spam calls. We've made great strides incubating this business at Whitepages, but now is the right time to transition to a stand-alone, start-up company. I'm excited that Hiya can be fully focused on the huge and growing opportunity to provide a better phone experience for all mobile users worldwide."

The only “issue” I had with the app is that on some calls Hiya is slow to identify while the call is ringing, but as soon as it stops I can look and see if it was a spam call. Other times, as soon as the call starts ringing it shows immediately. It’s really not a problem as I can call back an unanswered number right away if Hiya has no warnings on it.

It’s a great app. I was getting so frustrated with spam and fraud calls that I had stopped answering any caller that I didn’t recognize, then wonder if I had missed an important legitimate call! Best of all, it’s free! You can’t go wrong with this service. You can link to their site by clicking here: hiya.com

Saving Money with I’m In Coupons

Sponsored: I’m In Coupons is a great way to find money-saving coupons year round for your favorite stores. I’m In Coupons has an easy to navigate website and even better—they have a mobile app downloadable on Android or iOS for you to browse all categories of coupons, anytime!

The I’m In Coupon app allows you to search by category, stores or coupon type.  

http://www.imin.com/store-coupons/

http://www.imin.com/printable-coupons/

http://www.imin.com/coupon-categories/

I found some great coupons under automotive that helps me with any car projects I may have.  The best part, some of these don’t expire for months.  I was able to set up notifications in the app that’ll allow my phone to send me a notification anytime some of my favorite stores have a new coupon.

Additionally, if I’m out with friends or running errands, I can pull up local deals.  The in-app feature from I’m In Coupons allows me to find deals closest to me by using their map feature.  Finding exclusive deals near me has never been easier.  It takes the guess work out of going somewhere and finding the best possible price for what I am looking for. With instant coupon codes available, no need to print or cut out coupons from a newspaper or magazine ad.  http://www.imin.com/coupon-app/

If having an app is not the way you want to go, you can join the I’m In Coupon community and receive exclusive e-mails about limited-time coupons or special deals.  If you don’t want to join the community, you can still have access to their coupons and keep track of all the money-savings deals.

Visit www.imin.com today to start keeping money in your wallet and explore their great app.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored blog post. Daniel S. Bridger’s Trucking Blog was  financially compensated for the post.

GM “All Lights On” High-Beam Module

Got a 2003-2007 GM or Chev pickup? Upgrade your lighting for a little over $20.00!

Article thanks to Bruce Smith and hardworkingtrucks.com. Links Provided:

July, 2015  Classic 2003-2007 GM pickups are common among work trucks. What is also common is those models leave a lot to be desired with the headlights as the high-beams are separate from the low-beams.

An easy way to greatly improve night driving is a five-minute upgrade inside the underhood fuse box.

Simply install the Fleece Performance Engineering GM All Lights On Module to allow your work truck’s high-beams, low-beams and fog lamps to simultaneously illuminate the road ahead.

Once installed the GM All Lights On Module will turn on the high-beams, low beams and fog lamps when you flip on the high-beams.

When the high-beams are NOT turned on, your work truck’s low-beams and fog lights will still function normally.

Add the supplied spade terminal to provide a signal ground when the high-beams are turned on to allow control an accessory relay to other auxiliary lights with the high-beam switch.

Contact: Fleece Performance Engineering; 317-286-3573

http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/gm-all-lights-on-high-beam-module/?utm_source=hwt&utm_medium=email&utm_content=07-03-2015&utm_campaign=HWT&ust_id=137f89555c

Self-Fusing Silicone Tape Seals Holes Fast

Fast acting Permatex Self-fusing Silicone Tape instantly seals a high-pressure leak (left) and permanently holds to a tensile strength of 700 psi (right).

Permatex innovative repair tape delivers a permanent solution for all-purpose repairs

Article thanks to Bruce Smith and hardworkingtrucks.com. Links provided:

Permatex Self-fusing Silicone Tape (P/N 82112) is a fast-acting tape that bonds to itself and instantly creates an airtight, waterproof seal, which can be used for quick and secure repairs on hoses, pipes, cables, wiring, electrical connections, and more.

Designed to create an extremely tight seal, Permatex Self-fusing Silicone Tape is ideal for application areas that may become wet or are in contact with running water.

In addition to waterproofing, the tape has a tensile strength of 700 psi for use on pressurized hoses, is heat resistant to 400° F, insulates electric wires up to 400V, and withstands salt, acids, and solvents such as gasoline.

It can be used in place of duct and electrical tape, making this an ideal solution for quick home repairs on applications such as connector hoses, electrical connections, emergency fuel or water leaks, video and audio cables, piping, and wiring insulation.

It can also be used to wrap tool handles for a better grip.

A single package contains one roll of black tape measuring 1 in. x 10 ft. (2.54cm x 3.048m).
For more information, visit www.permatex.com

http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/self-fusing-silicone-tape-seals-holes-fast/?utm_source=hwt&utm_medium=email&utm_content=06-12-2015&utm_campaign=HWT&ust_id=137f89555c

The Perfect Pair To Keep Outdoor Worker’s Feet Warm

hardworkingtrucks.com

Article thanks to Bruce Smith and hardworkingtrucks.com. Links provided:

Keen’s insulated Milwaukee work boots and Dura-Zone socks keep feet warm and toasty

Dec, 2015  Long, cold days call for the Milwaukee. With KEEN.Warm insulation, a thermal heat shield footbed for underfoot warmth and asymmetrical steel toes, these boots are made for tough work in all weather conditions.

he Milwaukee was built to last, constructed with the patent-pending KEEN.Welt, enhancing flexibility and performance, drastically reducing outsole cracking or delamination from repeated bending and flexing.

Feet stay dry and warm all day with a KEEN.Dry waterproof, breathable membrane and hydrophobic/hydrophilic 2-zone comfort technology.

For that extra layer of warmth, don’t forget KEEN Utility’s Dura-Zone socks. Crafted from breathable Merino Wool, these socks are constructed with superior fit for all-day comfort. 

The Dura-Zone socks feature a unique, high-tenacity blend of Dyneema fibers which weight for weight are 15 times stronger than steel. These fibers blended into the heel and toe areas provide superior comfort and durability. 

The KEEN patented Wunderseam™ also provides a seamless toe in the flex zone to avoid bunching and discomfort.

Armed with a lifetime guarantee, the American Built Dura-Zone socks are poised to outperform even the longest days on the job site.
http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/the-perfect-pai

Oh No! Our Daughter Gets Her First Car - Updated

Fall, 2012: Our 18 year old daughter obtained her first job a few weeks ago and is on the way to growing up and making her own way in the world. The job is in retail with varied shifts, weekend hours and of course the busy Christmas season coming up. A problem then developed of how she would get back and forth to work, as one of our vehicles was not always available. A second problem then became, how was she going to pay for a vehicle, as we are not in a position to buy her one and she was going to have to budget for all the costs of owning a car.
I had been talking to a guy at work that had a $2500 used car for sale that was supposedly in very good condition. After seeing a couple pictures of the car and knowing how he takes care of his vehicles, we informed Tauni to see if she would be interested, which she definitely was. Since she had a savings account at our local America First Credit Union, I suggested that she and her mom go down there and see if she could qualify for a car loan. They actually quickly qualified her with proof of employment, but without any credit history, the interest rate would be about 13%. If Mary was willing to cosign the loan, the interest would drop to about 8%. Since she has always been thrifty with her money, mom and I agreed that we would trust her to follow through and be responsible for the loan. (However, I would not suggest this as advisable for all kids!)

So the next step was to send them over to look at and drive the car. As it was very clean and appeared to be in good shape for a 150,000 mile car, they drove it over for our mechanic (Brent) to take a look at and see what he thought. The owner had even given us a Car-fax report which turned out clean. He gave us the thumbs up and we made the deal with Will. The credit union would not give the funds out until she brought in her first paycheck, which took a few days.

As I was doing some research on that make, model of car, we discovered some unsettling information. It’s a 1999 Honda Civic with a 5-speed manual transmission and just happens to be the second most stolen car in America! The first most stolen car is the Honda Accord. In fact Will, who sold us the car, told us that it had been stolen twice in the past. I had previously owned  a 1990 Dodge Shadow and that car was stolen in Las Vegas, so I know how easy those cars with manual transmissions are to steal. All the thief does is, after gaining entry, whack the ignition switch on the steering column with something and break it off. You can then stick a screwdriver in there and operate the car just as if you had the key! From what I have learned, it is extremely difficult to even find a steering column from an old wrecked Civic in a junkyard, as so many are needed to fix the stolen cars!

Since my Dodge was stolen (and recovered after the bangers ran it out of gas) in the late 90's, I have been using “The Club” on the steering wheel of my newer Dodge Neon. A simple device that you can buy for about $30, it’s a lockable bar that extends over the steering wheel that impedes you from turning the wheel as you sit in the driver’s seat. The device is not a guarantee, however, as you could take a bolt cutter and cut through the steering wheel to remove it. It is a deterrent though and hopefully would send any prospective thief who doesn't happen to be carrying a bolt cutter down the road to an easier target. If you drive one of these easily stolen vehicles, you may also consider installing a hidden battery or fuel cut-off switch hidden in the vehicle.

So, Tauni’s first ride sits locked away behind the fence until next week, when she can get it inspected, licensed, insured and theft proofed before she takes off! I remember the feeling I had when I bought my first car. It was exciting!

If anyone lives near Salt Lake City and is in need of a reliable, honest mechanic that charges fair prices, let me know in the comments section or email me at the address in my sidebar. I will get you the name, address and phone number of Brent!

Tauni's newer ride. auto.aol.com

Update: August, 2014 Well, it's almost two years now and Tauni's first car experience was a success. No accidents, one minor speed ticket, it didn't get stolen, and the car still ran great with no major breakdowns. She made all her payments on time every month and was able to save enough to pay the loan off early.
After obtaining a new job, which necessitated a much longer commute, she decided on purchasing a newer car a couple months ago. She found a good deal on a 2011 vehicle and we were able to sell the Honda for $2000, which helped in the affordability of her new purchase. With her now excellent credit history, obtaining financing at a decent interest rate was no problem. Good job Tauni!

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Level It! Easy Air Bag Kit for Your Pickup

hardworkingtrucks.com

Article thanks to Bruce Smith and hardworkingtrucks.com. Links provided:

Firestone Ride-Rite air-helper springs level ride stance on heavily loaded pickups

June, 2014  Drop a ton in the bed of any pickup, or drop a heavy trailer on the hitch ball, and the rear suspension is going to sag like the jowls of an old bulldog.

Meanwhile the front end is going the opposite direction, making the steering and handling feel like a Bearing Sea crabber on an angry ocean.

How much suspension shift and how bad the handling is will depend on the pickup (or cab-chassis service body truck). 

But all feel the effect to one extent or another when the payload edges closer and closer to the truck’s maximum carrying capacity. 

The best cure for tail sag and body roll under heavy bed load conditions is upgrading the stock rear suspension with air-actuated helper-springs.

One kit I’ve found to provide excellent weight support under all types of loads, yet not interfere with the factory ride when the truck is running empty, are the Ride-Rite air helper springs from Firestone Industrial Products (www.firestonelp.com; 800-247-4337)

The basic kit retails for around $400 and is easy to install. 

Truck Supply & Outfitters (http://www.trucksupplyandoutfitters.com/; 205.553.4203), located near our Tuscaloosa, Alabama offices, put the kit on a 2010 Ram 2500 4×4 in less than two hours.

A pair of the double-convoluted 6401 Firestone air-helper springs in this kit can support up to 5,000 pounds. But that doesn’t mean they increase a pickup’s ability to safely haul that much more weight.

Remember, helper-springs of any brand or style, only change the attitude of the truck, taking away the tail-down attitude and reducing the body lean in turns.

Contrary to some pickup owners thoughts, air-helper springs DO NOT increase a vehicle’s factory load carrying or towing capacity. They only level the ride.

Now all the truck’s owner has to do is add a few pounds of air to the Ride-Rite air bags to keep the rear of the Ram level as the load in the bed – or the tongue weight from a pull-behind trailer – tries to put the drop on it

http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/easy-air-helper-spring-install-level-the-ride/?utm_source=hwt&utm_medium=email&utm_content=07-08-2014&utm_campaign=HWT&ust_id=137f89555c

2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD Review

autoguide.com

 Review thanks to  Autoguide.com and  Stephen Elmer Feb. 05, 2014  Links provided:
 
GM updated its heavy-duty pickup truck line in 2011 with a host of mechanical upgrades, but now the interior and exterior styling has been thoroughly upgraded. 

A new look wraps the Silverado and Sierra HDs, but like all Chevy pickups, it relies on evolutionary styling and remains rather conservative. Most of the truck's looks come straight from the half-tons, just like the innards, but there are a few key differences.

New Style

The first, and most obvious, are the two thick chrome bars that now adorn the grille of the Chevrolet HD. Although the front end appears to have more flat metal pushing through the air, this truck is actually more aerodynamic than the previous generation.


As for the GMC, the truck looks like a larger half-ton, that is to say, they look almost identical except for size.

Engine and transmission choices carry over from the old trucks, which isn’t a bad thing. Chevrolet arranged a head-to-head comparison in the hills of Arizona against both a Cummins-powered Ram heavy duty and a Ford Super Duty with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke and GM's HD ran away from the other two while climbing up a six-percent grade.
The 6.6-liter Duramax diesel still makes 765 lb-ft of torque and 397 hp and is mated exclusively to an Allison 1000 six-speed transmission. The base engine, which tends to be less popular, is a 6.0-liter gasoline V8 that puts out 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Chevy says that it mostly sells those trucks to fleet buyers interested in base trim trucks, as anyone interested in doing any especially heavy towing simply must bump up to the diesel.
Brake pedal feel has been improved and offers confidence-inspiring stopping power. The top of the pedal travel feels light, with the meat of the pedal being found halfway down with progressively increasing resistance. Heavy-duty trucks tend to have touchy brakes and Chevrolet did a splendid job of avoiding that without giving up the feeling of serious stopping power.

Help on the Hills

Chevy also upgraded its auto-grade braking system to better control weight on the hills. It works by through the Allison transmission and the diesel exhaust brake to hold the truck at a constant speed while traveling downhill. During testing, the grade braking proved to be well set up and always capable of holding the truck at the desired speed, even with a 13,000-lb trailer hooked up to the back. The updated exhaust brake, which is actually a variable vane turbocharger that acts as an exhaust brake, is among the quietest in any HD. It is also manually controllable, with a toggle switch on the center stack to activate it. 

Uphill slogs are helped by the addition of hill-hold assist, which keeps the truck from rolling backwards when starting on an incline and is calibrated – like everything else on this truck – to hold back tons of weight… Literally. While I didn’t have the chance to tow with the truck at its maximum capacity, it felt strong enough with the trailer I did have to expect it would be totally capable of its rating. 
The last update that actually changes the operation of the truck is a revised steering feel, which like the brake pedal is quite progressive. At the center, there is a large dead zone, which is actually too large for my taste, but as you turn into it provides more feedback, and mid-turn it feels solid.

Interior Reinvention

 Now, as mentioned, the interior of the HDs comes straight out of the new half-ton pickups and just like in those trucks, it makes these heavy duties very hospitable places to spend long trips. Chevy's MyLink infotainment works well and is paired to a responsive eight-inch touchscreen, while connectivity is plentiful with five USB ports, three 12-volt charge ports and one 120-volt three-prong outlet. 

 The steering wheel-mounted controls have a tactile feeling thanks to the rubber that coats them and the 4.2-inch color info display between the gauges is simple to leaf through and understand. Another thoughtful addition comes to the info screen this year, a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) fluid meter. It is calculated in percentage, and the truck will begin warning you about low DEF 1,000 miles before it is time to fill up. It’s also worth noting that the tank is designed to be re-filled in conjunction with regular oil changes. The filler cap is underneath the hood, and isn’t particularly hard to get to, but it would be nice for it to be beside the fuel tank like in the competition. 

Interior changes aren't just cosmetic, as the rear seat has been made bigger, and the cab configurations have changed slightly this year. GM is replacing the old extended cab model with what it calls the new double cab, eliminating the suicide doors in favor of new front-hinged doors. The crew cab is the other model that grows, gaining two-inches of legroom, which provides a huge backseat.
Two new bed configurations, a 6.5- and eight-foot version are now available, and they are fitted with the latest in bed tech from the general, including bumper integrated steps, LED lights in the bed, and a spray-on bed liner available right from the factory.

Comfortable and Quiet

Thanks to aerodynamic improvements, new inlaid doors and added sound deadening, this is the quietest GM HD yet, and it is also the quietest compared to the competition. It does get rid of some of the classic diesel rumble that many of us so enjoy, but you can't complain about the quiet ride.
Hundreds of miles melt away behind the wheel of this truck, even with 13,000 lbs hitched up to the fifth wheel. That is about half of the truck's 23,200 pound fifth-wheel tow rating, and it feels light on the back. Pushing that weight to the limit likely wouldn't elicit any worry either, or that is at least how confident this pickup felt while towing.
As for payload, the GM HDs can handle 7,374 pounds, while the trucks are rated to pull 19,600 on the rear hitch. Nothing we threw at the truck seemed to upset its powertrain or handling.

Base pricing stays almost stagnant for the trucks, starting at $32,405, a nice touch considering the new content. Some packages in the higher trim levels have jumped up by a larger margin, again because these trucks are packed with more technology than ever before.

For example, the four-wheel drive Silverado 3500 LTZ used to tow the trailer mentioned above costs $66,160 as tested, including delivery.

The Verdict

The combination of a great interior along with a quiet and comfortable ride brings the Silverado's already stellar powertrain into the modern era. Rather than catching up to the pack, it leap frogs the fray to become the segment’s best.

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/chevrolet/2015-chevrolet-silverado-hd-review-3730.html