Avoid Dents and Scratches with Vehicle Protectors

Posted by Truck Man @ 2:02 pm, March 8th, 2010

If you want to keep your auto looking its best, then you may want to invest in vehicle protectors. Specialized protectors are designed to fit the most commonly damaged areas of your vehicle and safeguard them from dents, dings, scuffs, and scratches. The most at-risk areas include those around the doors, trunk, or hatchback, due to their repeated opening and closing, as well as areas that protrude out farthest, such as front and rear bumpers. Keeping these areas blemish-free can keep your car looking brand new no matter what its model year is!

Powerflow’s Bumper Protector installs on the top of a vehicle’s rear bumper. This is an area that can be dented or scratched fairly easily, with repeated loading and unloading of the trunk or hatchback. This protector shields this vulnerable area with an attractive, textured black surface that does not fade. It is manufactured from OEM material and installs with 3M automotive-grade tape, so no drilling is required. The bumper protector is available in two sizes that will fit most vehicles, so be sure to measure your bumper before ordering!

Pacer manufactures an entire line of high-quality vehicle protectors to preserve the paint job and good looks of your auto. Their Full Width Bumper Guard Kit is a do-it-yourself kit to protect the entire edge of the bumper. Many bumper protectors protect only the corners of the bumper but with this kit, a streamlined, wrap-around look is achieved. The bumper guard is made of black flexible molded rubber with a smooth finish. It easily conforms to curved bumpers and uses strong acrylic adhesive, so there is no need for drilling. The bumper guard is 13 feet long, enough to be used on both front and rear bumpers, and 8 rounded end caps are included to give a factory-installed look.

Pacer also makes door guards to protect your vehicle’s door edges from potential dents and chips. No matter how careful you are, you will at some point open your car door into something, so door guards are a smart purchase. Pacer’s Slim Door Guards will protect door edges and add a custom look to your auto. They require no drilling to attach, just press on and you’re done! They are available in three colors: black, silver, and clear, so you can decide which would look best with your vehicle’s paint and trim. Door guards are 10 inches long and come in sets of 4.

Pacer Full Width Bumper Guard Kit

Pacer Full Width Bumper Guard Kit

Get a Flashy Front-End with Billet Grilles

Posted by Truck Man @ 2:17 pm, March 4th, 2010

Some auto manufacturers have distinctive grille designs to distinguish their brand from the masses. Jeep, BMW, and Volvo grilles all have a specific look, so if you only see the grille, you know what car is attached.  Jeep has even sued over the right to have an exclusive grille design. So why is so much importance placed on grilles? For starters, they’re on the front of the vehicles, so they’re one of the first things that are seen. So perhaps you should take a page from the auto manufacturers and pay some attention to your vehicle’s grille. There is a wide array of Custom Billet Grilles available to add some shine and style to your vehicle front.

The Lund Bar Billet Grille is a great option. It is manufactured from premium T-6 aircraft-grade billet aluminum. This grille has a classic design featuring close-set bars and has more bars than competitive grilles for better looks and strength. Cutting-edge laser technology is used to cut the grille, providing unmatched precision and quality. Each grille is application specific for a perfect fit and has a nice polished finish, producing a great shine.

CCI’s Chrome Grille Inserts are another idea for upping your flash factor. No bolting, drilling, or cutting is required because the inserts are manufactured to snap on right over the factory grille. They are made of triple chrome-plated ABS and are application specific designs. They are the perfect add-on look, without any of the work because they are so quick and easy to install!

Precision Grille’s line of EZ Grilles is manufactured with easy installation in mind. The EZ Solid Designer Series melds easy installation, solid construction, and a unique design for the ultimate billet grille. These grilles are custom-designed for a perfect fit for your vehicle’s exact year, make, and model. They are made from a solid .25-inch thick plate of T6-6061 billet aluminum for increased rigidity, strength, and durability. Grilles are cut on both sides, providing cleaner, better gapped lines, which make their unique designs stand out even more. These grilles are covered by a 3-year warranty and are proudly made in the USA.

Precision EZ Solid Designer Starburst Billet Grille

Precision EZ Solid Designer Starburst Billet Grille

Gold Medal Auto and Truck Accessories

Posted by Truck Man @ 4:14 pm, February 22nd, 2010

For over a week, I’ve been glued to my TV watching the Olympics. I always like to watch the skiers racing down the mountains, trying to keep up with all the twists and turns. The snowboard cross and short track skating have been great too: with all the intensity you never know who is going to win! I love watching all the athletes emblazoned in stars and stripes competing for our great country. Currently, we are topping the medal count, and what better way to celebrate than with some USA themed auto and truck accessories?

Carr’s Universal Hitch Step is available in 14 graphic designs, including “USA” with stars and an American flag. They are constructed of die-cast aluminum and fit any 2-inch square receiver opening. They easily fold down when you need a step and lock back up into place when you don’t. The design is visible when in the upright position. These hitch steps have a lifetime warranty and are made in the USA.

Tenna Toys manufactures an American Flag Antenna that is die stamped from solid 1/8-inch steel. Its antenna wire is made of high quality spring steel and provides great radio reception. Tenna Toys install in under a minute and fit most US and foreign vehicles. Other designs are available as well, such as the Chevy and Dodge logos, and an edgy skull and crossbones. These designs are available in satin black powdercoat or chrome. They have a five year warranty against rust and corrosion and are made in the USA.

The EGR Patriotic Bug Shield features wavy stars and stripes that look like they are being blown by the wind. It is custom molded from a tough and durable polymer material and offers full hood and fender protection. It is aerodynamically designed to deflect stones and bugs over the windshield. The wavy patriotic bug shield is available for many popular vehicles and provides a custom fit, perfectly contoured to each vehicle. So show your American pride during the Winter Olympics, and all year ’round with some great patriotic accessories for your car or truck.

CARR Universal Hitch Steps

CARR Universal Hitch Steps

Inhibit Injury to Interiors with Floor Protectors

Posted by Truck Man @ 3:06 pm, February 18th, 2010

Last week 49 of the 50 states had snow on the ground. Snow on the ground means snow (and salt!) on your shoes, which can be tracked into your car, damaging your vehicle’s carpeting. Once the snow starts melting, slush and mud are the usual culprits. So how can you protect your auto from all this moisture, mud, and salt? Invest in some quality floor protection to keep your carpets safe, clean, and looking like new!

Nifty’s Catch-It Floor Mats are an ideal form of protection. They are constructed of Vyram, a tough material that resists mud, snow, and chemicals. They have a series of raised blocks along the sides to scrape debris off your shoes, and central drip channels to direct liquids to the bottom of the mat, away from your shoes and clothing. A raised lip keeps the liquid from spilling onto your vehicle’s carpet. Catch It Mats are very easy to clean, just rinse off with a hose. They are custom molded to fit specific vehicles and come in black, gray, and tan.

If you like the carpeted look, Nifty has a different product that will fit your needs. The Catch All is just as resilient as the Catch It, but has a plush OE nylon carpet surface, so it will blend into your vehicle’s interior. These floor guards are custom molded to match your vehicle make, model, and year, providing a perfect fit. Catch Alls have a moisture barrier that prevents seepage, and an electronically welded heel pad (on driver’s side) for extra durability. The floor guards also have a patented snap fastener system to keep them securely in place. The Catch All offers great protection and great style, is available in three colors, and is made in the USA.

It’s also a good idea to protect your vehicle’s cargo area. After some slides down the hill or a romp with your dog, you don’t want a snowy sled or pet ruining your rear carpeting. Highland All Weather Mats are the perfect solution. The cargo mats are super durable and will not stiffen or crack. They have a textured surface to trap snow and dirt and to keep cargo from sliding. The cargo mats also have multiple raised lips to keep moisture and grime on the mat, not spilling over the edges onto your carpet. They are available in black tan or gray, and are made in the USA.

Nifty Catch-All Premium Floor Protection

Nifty Catch-All Premium Floor Protection

Car Alarms Keep You Safe

Posted by Truck Man @ 1:06 pm, February 12th, 2010

Alarms are a great way to get attention, or in some cases, avoid attention. They can deter thieves, express the need for help in an emergency, or make pedestrians aware of your presence. In any of these circumstances, alarms lead to greater safety, which is always desirable, and sometimes even life-saving.

The Lawman by Wolo is a great Remote Car Alarm.  It has built-in adjustable motion/shock sensor anti-scan electronics as well as a current-sensing arming delay that prevents false triggering from electrical cooling fans. The transmitter emits a piercing alarm when activated and can be turned on manually in an emergency situation. It has an LED warning light to indicate that the alarm is activated and the vehicle is protected. It produces an audible chirp when arming or disarming alarm, so potential thieves will hear that your vehicle is protected.  Alarm comes with a mini key chain transmitter, for convenience, and radio frequency is FCC approved.

Another Wolo Car Security Alarm is the Autokeeper. It is very easy to install with a one-wire power connection. The Autokeeper has a built-in motion/shock sensor, and can be activated for the transmitter in “panic” mode. When activated, an audible beep sounds every ten seconds to indicate that the vehicle is protected. The alarm also produces a sound when activated and deactivated so you will know the alarm’s status. The Autokeeper has a built-in electric turn-off timer, so the alarm will sound long enough to deter thieves, but will shut off to minimize annoyance. Two mini key chain transmitters are included, and alarm is FCC approved.

Another type of alarm that can keep you safe, albeit in a different way, is a Talking Backup Alarm. Wolo’s backup alarm announces in a clear voice, “Attention Please! This Car is Backing Up!” to alert surrounding vehicles and pedestrians. This warning is especially useful in parking lots where there are many pedestrians, as it can help prevent dangerous accidents from occurring. It can also come in handy to you, as you will now have a verbal reminder when you are traveling in reverse: no more driving into your garage door because you thought you were in reverse! This alarm is easily installed into any 12-Volt Vehicle, and is also available with the warning message translated into Spanish.

Wolo Lawman Alarm

Wolo Lawman Alarm

Valentine’s Gifts for the Auto Enthusiast

Posted by Truck Man @ 9:09 pm, February 8th, 2010

Show the man in your life that you really love him by getting him a thoughtful Valentine’s Day present. Guys are said to be hard to shop for, but it’s really not too hard. What does he love almost as much as you? His vehicle! So check out some great Valentine’s Day Auto Accessories.

If he loves fast, sleek, stylish cars, Chrome Wheel Skins are the perfect gift. CCI’s wheel skins fit over the vehicle’s steel or alloy wheels transforming them into impressive and expensive-looking chrome wheels. They are made of triple chrome-plated, high-impact ABS and are very easy to install. They come in 4 piece sets, and are available in over 100 styles.

If he has a truck or SUV and wants a more rugged look, Grab Handles, are a great choice. Manufactured by Highland, they are 11-inches long and made of stainless steel. They can be mounted next to doors to give you something to hold onto when climbing into a tall truck or SUV. They are the perfect accent, and will make any vehicle look tougher. The grab handles come in pairs with all mounting hardware included.

If he would rather be fishing and has a great sense of humor, the Fishermon Truck Antenna will definitely amuse him. This tuned antenna insert will make his vehicle’s antenna look just like a fishing pole! It is 31-inches long and fits most cars and trucks. The original Fishermon is made of stainless steel and has working guides. New additions to the line include a black fiberglass spin rod, a black fiberlass bait cast rod, and a silver fiberglass ice fishing type rod. So whether he could use a little shine, needs to get a grip, or should have a laugh, remember that auto and truck accessories are the way to go this Valentine’s Day!

CCI Chrome Wheel Skins

CCI Chrome Wheel Skins

We’ve Got You Covered with Three Coverking Car Covers!

Posted by Truck Man @ 8:29 pm, February 1st, 2010

Coverking was founded over 20 years ago, and has been making quality covers for vehicles and various vehicle parts ever since. Their car and truck covers have proven especially popular, and are now available for purchase at BuyAutoTruckAccessories.com. CoverKing understands that all vehicle owners are different, and thus all owners do not need the same kind of car cover. That is why they manufacture three different kinds of car covers with three levels of protection. The most economical is the Coverguard, which offers basic protection and is made of a single layer of Spunbond Polypropylene. The material is treated with UV inhibitors to protect from the sun’s harsh rays. It is not recommended for use in harsh climates.

A more protective option is the Triguard. This cover is constructed of three layers of material. The top and bottom layers are made of Spunbond Polypropylene, the same material as in the Coverguard. The middle layer is made by a process called Meltblown, which gives the material water-resistance and breathability. This extra layer makes the Triguard suitable for medium weather: it can handle some rain, but is not recommended for significant rain, snow, or ice. Like the Coverguard, it is treated with UV inhibitors to protect from the sun. The Triguard has applications for cars, SUVs, and trucks.

The most protective of the covers is the Coverbond 4. This cover features 4 layers, including top and bottom layers of Spunbond Polypropylene (treated with UV inhibitors), and 2 middle layers of Meltblown Polypropylene. This extra layer of Meltblown Polypropylene gives the Coverbond 4 even more water-resistance and breathability. The extra layer also thickens the cover, giving it more bulk and strength, and making it more protective against harsher weather. The Coverbond 4 will even protect from light hail damage. So if you need a Cover for Cars, be sure to check out these three Coverking options. They have over 350 applications available for cars.

Coverking Coverguard Car Covers

Coverking Coverguard Car Covers

Emergency Vehicle Accessories

Posted by Truck Man @ 6:26 pm, January 25th, 2010

What makes a superior police vehicle? It needs to be fast and rugged, comfortable and practical, efficient and visible. Additional accessories may not be able to increase speed, but they can maximize the other very important attributes. A common accessory added to police vehicles is a Police Push Bumper, which adds heavy-duty protection to the front end. Go Rhino’s 5000 Series Bumper offers superior grille and bumper protection. It is manufactured from heavy-duty steel, welded into one piece, and coated with a tough black powdercoat finish. Its cross-plate is pre-drilled, which makes mounting speakers and warning lights easy, as well as providing increased light visibility and speaker volume. Bumpers install in 30 minutes with no drilling required.  If desired, brush guards may be added for additional protection.

Emergency vehicle interiors need to be comfortable as officers spend a lot of time inside of them. They need to function as mini offices too, but with a minimum of space, it’s important to utilize every area and maximize efficiency. Public Safety Equipment Consoles can satisfy this objective. These consoles are designed for use in emergency vehicles and are to be mounted to the floor or dashboard, depending on the model. Go Rhino’s floor mount console kit is designed to mount in a forward position underneath the dashboard. The consoles come in a variety of sizes, including an angled console. Go Rhino also makes specialized mounts for keyboards and screens, including a swivel keyboard extender. All of these accessories can help make a more comfortable, work-friendly environment.

One feature that makes a police vehicle distinct is its Emergency Vehicle Light. Wolo’s Infinity 2 Strobe Light is a good example. It features wide sweeping strobe lights that provide better vision at greater distances. All models have a clear center lens with colored light and left lenses. Lenses are manufactured of a strong carbonate and are replaceable. Upper lenses have a built-in rubber gasket to ensure a watertight fit to light base. Each light bar features two light levels: the upper level has 16 triple-flashing strobe lights and the lower level has six flashing marker lights, two alley lights, and a takedown light. This dual level design offers more light features, with three rocker switches providing independent control of various light groups. A stainless steel mounting strap and 20-ft. heavy-gauge power cable with in-line fuses are included.

Wolo Infinity 2 Strobe Roof Mount Light Bar

Wolo Infinity 2 Strobe Roof Mount Light Bar

Last-Minute Gift Ideas from BuyAutoTruckAccessories.com

Posted by Truck Man @ 9:35 pm, December 17th, 2009

Christmas is only a week and a day away, so you’re running out of time to find the perfect present. For all you procrastinators, BuyAutoTruckAccessories.com is here to help! Check out their guide “Great Gift Ideas Under $100” for all sorts of car and Truck Accessories Gift Ideas. Splash guards, hitch covers, car mats, even wings; you’ll be surprised how many different products can be found at under $100.  Some of the more popular items are described below.

Hammer Head manufactures a line of sports plates that can be a great gift for any sports fan! They offer a variety of NFL, MLB, NBA, and collegiate teams with hand-tooled detailing for an exceptional look. They are precision crafted and engineered for durability. I do have to warn you though, that can only be used in the 20 or so states that require only rear-mounted license plates. If your sports fan does not live in one of these states, he or she may still value the sport plate as a collectible, but will not be able to use it on an auto.

CCI’s Universal Car Floor Mats are another great value. Since these are universal mats they don’t have the custom fit of some other types of floor mats, but they also come at a much lower price. You also will not need to make a random inquiry into the model and year of the recipient’s car, which may tip them off as to the type of gift they are getting. The mats are sold in 4-piece sets and come in seven different colors, including hard-to-find red and blue. They have sharp nibs on back to prevent the mats from rolling up, and the driver’s side mat comes with a side heel pad.

Wolo’s Backup Alarm can be a fun little stocking stuffer (especially the alarm with the bird chirping sound!), but it can also be a life saving piece of equipment. It makes a beeping or bird chirping sound (depending on the model) whenever the vehicle is shifted into reverse. This can alert pedestrians or other drivers who are not paying attention, to surrounding traffic, and can potentially save someone’s life. It also may help you out if you accidentally shift into the wrong gear: the sound or absence of sound will alert you to your error and can avert an accident like driving into your garage door when you think you are backing out. Sound like anyone you know, or maybe even yourself? Then this alarm may be the perfect gift.

Hammer Head Collegiate Sport Plates

Hammer Head Collegiate Sport Plates

Carrying Christmas Cargo

Posted by Truck Man @ 6:09 pm, December 10th, 2009

My last blog was truck-heavy so now I’m going to focus on non-truck related ways to haul Christmas cargo. When you’re driving a car, you definitely have less room for storage, so it’s even more important to stay organized to maximize your space. Highland has designed a great Cargo Organizer. It’s the perfect thing to put in your trunk or hatchback to keep everything organized. It’s made of hard, rigid plastic, and comes with removable dividers that can be easily slid in and out of varying slots. The dividers can really come in handy by containing small breakable items, like Christmas ornaments, in a smaller space, which allows less room to shift around and break. They can also be used to divide heavier items from more delicate items: separate a pile of books from a fragile figurine, so that the former won’t topple onto the later. Obviously this cargo organizer has non-Christmas related uses too. It is useful when bringing home groceries, or simply organizing on-the-road essentials like first-aid kits, flashlights, and jumper cables. Other features include a non-leak bottom, to protect your trunk’s carpet from any leaky items, and bottom gripper pads to prevent the organizer from sliding around. It is also completely collapsible and can be compactly folded when not in use.

A Cargo Roof Bag is another alternative for staying organized. December is not the time to carry items in the open air, so it is a good idea to invest in a storage unit that will protect cargo in colder months. Rola manufactures an expandable cargo bag that can be carried on a roof, inside the auto, or on a hitch-mount cargo carrier. This bag is made of rainproof material and features sonically sealed construction. It holds 9.5 cubic feet of cargo, and has an expandable section that can be expanded for 2 more cubic feet of room. It has a secure zip closure and two interior pockets. The cargo bag has 6 adjustable straps included, so it’s easily securable to roofs and carriers. It also folds up compactly and thus will not take up too much space when not in use.

Another way to organize and save space is by investing in a Roof Rack. Roof racks add extra storage to the top of your vehicle leaving seat and trunk space free. Valley manufactures the Activa Roof Rack which fits most late-model minivans, SUVs, station wagons, and trucks. Its crossbars adjust to accommodate a variety of cargo accessories and sizes, and can carry loads up to 165 lbs. This roof rack is easy to install, with some drilling required. You may also think about purchasing a roof box to go along with your roof rack. Roof boxes will keep your cargo out of inclement weather and are often lockable, which is essential if you are leaving cargo outdoors overnight. Hopefully these suggestions will help you maximize space and minimize hassle during the upcoming weeks!

Highland Space Master Cargo Organizer

Highland Space Master Cargo Organizer