Improving Performance Of Gas-Powered Tow Trucks
Even if you don’t have one of the best towing vehicles, that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most out of your tow truck. There are different ways on how you can improve tow truck performance. One of the important factors that can affect towing performance is the engine power. However, that doesn’t mean that the main focus should only be on horsepower alone. Doing that would only lead to damaging the towing capabilities of your hauler.
Instead, you should remember that the performance of a gas engine tow truck is affected by both drive-train efficiency and torque. The tow truck can better focus on moving the load if you reduce the torque that is needed to move the whole vehicle. This can be done when there is an efficient drive shaft, axle, wheels, and transmission setup. Below are some tips on how you can improve the performance of your gas-powered tow truck.
Use A Cold Air Induction Kit
One of the most common and least expensive enhancements you can do to improve your gas-powered engine is to install a cold-air intake. The denser cooler air is better than warmer air in the combustion chamber. It can also lower the exhaust gas temperature.
Combine A Catalytic Converter Back Exhaust System
Combining the cold air induction kit with a catalytic converter back exhaust system is also a great way to improve the performance of your gas-powered vehicle. These have larger tubing and less restrictive mufflers to help reduce the back pressure. This greatly helps improve performance as well as mileage. Apart from this, it also helps improve the sound and aesthetic appeal of your vehicle.
Install Underdrive Pulleys
A set of underdrive pulleys installed can help reduce accessory drive speed. With this kind of setup, the torque required to drive the accessories is reduced. This can help provide more power to use in hauling your load.
Opt For Race-Grade Synthetic Oil
Change your oil into the synthetic type of race-grade oil. Although this seems a very simple and minor modification, it can help reduce the power needed to spin the engine. This is similar to the minor effects of reducing drag that can be achieved when you use an underdrive pulley set.
Synthetic oil is slippery and can reduce heat build-up due to friction. This also improves your engine’s longevity plus synthetic oil lasts longer than conventional oil. When this reduction of power requirement adds up with the other performance enhancements, you’d observe a significant improvement in your tow truck’s performance.
Use A Power Tuner
A power tuner can help you alter variables like ignition timing, turbo boost, air/fuel ratio, secondary cam engagement, and others. You could also reprogram your stock engine control computer so that you can increase drive-train efficiency and improve low-RPM torque. When doing your adjustments start in small increments. Also, find someone who has experience in doing such adjustments to get the most out of your power tuner.
Another thing that you can do is to reprogram the transmission-control computer in a way that it delays shifting to higher RPM and also increases the shift firmness. When automatic transmissions shift, it can cause a slip that produces heat, decreases the amount of power transfer to the wheels, and reduces clutch life. Using a snappy shit that is about 1000 RPM more than the normal will help you make the most out of your engine’s power for towing purposes. Additionally, this also helps your transmission last longer especially if you regularly use your vehicle for towing.
