13. Synthetic LubricantsAnother way to reduce the danger of heat-related part failure is by replacing petroleum lubricants with synthetic products. Man-made oils do not contain waxes and refining by-products that cause friction and heat in your truck's moving parts. In addition to parts running cooler, they will have less resistance, which can result in higher horsepower and torque output. You'll also save some cash in the long run because synthetic oils do not have to be replaced as often as petroleum products.
14. Load-Distributing Trailer HitchLike the name implies, a load-distributing trailer hitch will disperse the trailer's tongue weight so it's not all concentrated on the hitch ball. This is accomplished with spring arms mounted near the hitch ball that connect to the trailer using chains or shackles attached to brackets on the A-frame of the trailer. This spreads the tongue weight over a greater area, which increases stability and will help prevent the "trailer wheelie" look of an overloaded truck. The spring arms must be kept under tension to reap the benefits of the weight distribution. There is a great variety of weight-distributing trailer hitches, including units designed for a maximum tongue weight of 1,200 pounds and a trailer weight of 12,000 pounds.
15. Class V Trailer HitchIf you are planning to tow more than 10,000 pounds of gross trailer weight or have more than 1,200 pounds of tongue weight, it's time to upgrade to a Class V hitch. These heavy-duty units are made to distribute the trailer weight and many are capable of pulling loads of as much as 14,000 pounds.
16. Gooseneck or Fifth-Wheel HitchIf you want even more capacity than a Class V hitch is rated to handle, you need to step up to a gooseneck or a fifth-wheel trailer hitch. Both are able to manage enormous trailer and tongue weights because the hitch is attached to the frame above the rear axle. Goosenecks are commonly rated for trailers weighing more than 20,000 pounds with tongue weights of more than 5,000 pounds, and many include hitch balls that can be hidden under the truck bed when not in use. Fifth-wheel hitches include a locking jaw that will make a secure connection between your truck and the trailer. Another advantage to a fifth-wheel setup is the ability to adjust the placement of the unit on rails to prevent the trailer from hitting the cab, and to achieve optimum balance. Some fifth-wheels' hitches are motorized so you can move them on the adjustment rails from inside the cabin.
17. Larger Rear Sway BarSway bars (aka anti-sway bars) are designed to distribute load weight evenly between your tires. When making turns, a sway bar transfers pressure away from the outboard wheels, which reduces body roll. Larger sway bars do a better job of keeping your truck on the proper track, which is ideal for towing heavy loads. Aftermarket sway bars are fairly inexpensive, include polyurethane bushings, and since they are usually bolt-on parts, you can install one yourself during a weekend.
18. Better ShocksDitch those factory shock absorbers for a smoother ride and better control in all driving situations. You have plenty of options for upgrading your shocks, including high-pressure nitrogen mono-tube units and shocks with remote oil reservoirs for heavy-duty cycling. Some shocks have valves that automatically adjust to different road conditions, while others have dials you can set to tailor performance for the load you will be moving.