"Your truck already has a hitch, but it might not be up to big jobs," says Burlingame. The ball hitch that comes standard on all major truck models, including Dodge-Cummins, Ford-Powerstroke and GMC/Chevy Duramax vehicles, is well suited to small loads but not to frequent or heavy towing. "To haul heavier loads, look into weight-distributing hitches. If you want to maximize towing capacity, find a gooseneck or fifth wheel hitch that attaches to the center of your truck bed. Because it's positioned over the wheel-base, not behind it, you get more towing capacity and better handling with large loads."

"Visibility is an issue with equipment trailers and RVs, but a full-service diesel engine repair and maintenance center can outfit a truck with mirrors that improve your vision on the road," Burlingame notes. "That's especially important if you tow trailers of varying sizes and shapes or only tow occasionally. When you're not used to having those extra dozen or so feet attached to the rear of your truck, you need a greater field of vision to eliminate blind spots."

"Whether you're towing for work or for fun, proper diesel maintenance is even more important when you're transporting a trailer. Oil degrades more quickly when your engine runs hotter as it does when you haul heavy loads, so more frequent oil changes are a must. You'll also want to check wear on your tires. Your diesel maintenance center can check our electrical connectors for you too and make sure your trailer's signal lights work. If you need one, you can also find adapters for multi-pin connectors."

"Hauling is part of what your truck's built to do," says Burlingame, "but to do it well, it needs a little help. Get the right hauling accessories and take your trailer anywhere safely."

For more information visit: www.gemstatediesel.com or call 208.288.5555