The Map Magazine

Coming from the Chrysler Group, the Chrysler Aspen is a forthcoming sport utility vehicle that will be launched as a 2007 model. It is currently based on the Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle. Also, this Chrysler Aspen is the first SUV commercialized under the Chrysler brand. This vehicle made its first public appearance during the 2006 North American International Auto Show. As per the Chrysler Aspen’s introduction, all American automobile brands have a SUV under their wings. This vehicle comes equipped with three rows of seating for eight passengers and has an all-wheel drive, and two engine options - the 2.7 liter PowerTech V8 that has the ability to produce 236 hp, and the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 that can make 335 hp.

The Chrysler Aspen boasts the elegant styling that is only Chrysler, has unsurpassed capability, performance, and has abundant premium amenities. Jeff Bell, vice president of Chrysler, exclaims, “The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen offers customers guilt-free indulgence. Loaded with premium features, stunning Chrysler design, fuel-saving MDS technology, standard safety features, and best-in-class horsepower, torque and interior room, Chrysler Aspen offers more for less.”

As per its comparison to large sport utility vehicles, the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen is considered to be more fuel-efficient and is more maneuverable. And as compared to full-size SUVs, Chrysler Aspen holds more interior passenger space and more cargo room, along with unmatched towing and hauling capabilities. It also has premium features that includes interior LED lighting, express-up windows, a full-screen navigation radio, heated first-row and second-row seats, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, along with a new one-touch lane-change features that provides and allows the driver of the Chrysler Aspen to be able to quickly activate a three-blink turn signal when changing lanes. This vehicle also presents advanced safety and security features that includes the Electronic Stability Program, or the ESP, the Electronic Roll Mitigation, or also known as the ERM, the ParkSense, a Tire Pressure Monitoring, or TPM, system, along with side-curtian air bags for all seating rows in its interior.

Trevor Creed, senior vice president of Chrysler in Design, boasts, “With a unique and distinctive design, the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen brings a new look to the SUV segment. Encompassing design cues from Chrysler 300 and Crossfire - including the signature chromed grille and sculpted hood — Chrysler Aspen is an elegant, yet striking premium SUV that is unmistakably Chrysler.” Chrysler Aspen’s chromed grille, which is the visage of this brand, is a signature of the Chrysler 300 that is inspired by the memorable V10 powered Chrysler Chronos concept car that had made its debut in 1998 at the North American International Auto Show. The Chrysler Aspen has wings that flow seamlessly into the grille header and contain the gold seal of the brand, thus providing a proud and instantly recognizable design cue.

For Chrysler auto parts needs, customers can visit Auto Parts Online for a wide collection of Chrysler parts like fenders, exhaust manifolds, floor mats, head gaskets, lights, sound deadeners, and radiator supports.

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Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.

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Tarpaulins, often called tarps, are frequently used to cover and
secure loads in different types of trucks. Truck tarps can make
carrying loads in pickup trucks, flatbeds, dump trucks, and
other types of trucks much easier. Having a truck tarp is also
safer, with less likelihood of the load falling off the truck
and causing problems for the driver or for other vehicles on the
road.

Truck tarps for pickups typically cost around $40. Truck tarps
for full size pickup beds are about $5 more. These tarps are
made to cover a full load in the bed of the truck, securing it
and protecting it from the elements. Good truck tarps come with
hook and straps to secure the tarp to the truck bed and
eliminate the need to tie complicated knots with rope to secure
the tarp.

Truck tarps are also available for flatbed trailers. Cargo such
as lumber and steel cables are often carried in flatbed
trailers. Truck tarps covering a 48-foot long trailer with
8-foot drops can be purchased for about $400 online. Usually,
two tarps are needed, bringing the total price to around $800.
These truck tarps are waterproof and have grommets through which
cables can attach the tarp to the truck.

Dump trucks also need to be covered with tarps to secure their
load. Roll up tarps are usually used on dump trucks. These tarps
roll up into a cylinder for storage up behind the cab of the
truck, and can be pulled out and secured to the other end of the
bed to cover the truck’s cargo. Tarps for dump trucks usually
start at $300 for basic models, with bigger or more elaborate
models costing more.

Covering truck beds is one of the many uses of tarps. There are
a variety of other applications for tarpaulins.

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Until the late 1970’s, no one had even heard of tonneau covers, also known as truck bed covers. A plastic tarp, the kind you buy at Wal-mart, was what most of us used to keep the stuff in our truck beds away from the rain and wind. Then, in 1977 while working at a canvas company in Syracuse, Gerald Downey had an idea and constructed the world’s first aluminum framed tonneau cover. If you are considering a bed cover for your truck, this article will help you understand the benefits of a tonneau and the various types of covers available.

Benefits of a Truck Bed Cover
A tonneau has a multitude of benefits including protection of your cargo from the elements and theft. Those of you who have run into a down poor while hauling boxes, luggage and the like understand what a pain it can be. You load up your truck thinking, “I’ll unload this before I get into rain”. The next think you know, you’re pulling to the side of the road fighting off the wind and rain trying to get your cargo inside your cab…if it will fit that is. How about those times you put a new purchase in your truck bed and ran into the grocery store for “just a minute” only to return and find your new item was stolen. A tonneau can significantly help with both of these problems and is the primary reason they are purchased.

Another major benefit often overlooked is the savings a truck bed cover will deliver at the pump. That’s right. A tonneau will save you gas…between 5% and 10% according to several studies. Just do a little math and you’ll soon find your purchase will be paid for in just a few months. Take a truck that gets 15 miles to the gallon. If the driver travels, say 12,000 miles per year and gas costs $2.50 per gallon, he’ll save between $150 and $300 per year. Now considering that most trucks don’t even get 15 mpg and most drivers travel more than 12,000 miles per year, the savings can be even more substantial.

A tonneau cover can add substantially to the appearance of your truck and is a great way to hide your scratched up bed or the junk you haul around in it. I even use mine when I camp. I just roll out the sleeping bags under my roll-up tonneau. I can keep it unrolled to gaze at the night sky and quickly roll it up if the weather turns bad.

Finally, a truck bed cover adds to the resale value of your truck. In fact services like Kelly Blue Book, www.kbb.com, indicate a tonneau can add anywhere from $100 to $200 to your resale value.

Types of Tonneau Covers
The benefits are obvious. The hardest decision is which cover is right for you. Your choice will depend primarily on two things: 1) Do you want a hard or soft cover; and 2) How much are you willing to spend.

Hard truck bed covers have traditionally been made of fiberglass. The benefits of fiberglass are appearance. Some of these covers, like those from A.R.E., are molded to include lines that complement your trucks appearance. In addition, fiberglass can be painted to match your vehicle. The downside of the fiberglass cover includes cost, proneness to damage, and weight. These covers typically cost between $800 to $2,000. In addition, they weigh between 80lbs and 150lbs requiring two men to remove them. They are easily scratched and can easily be damaged if dropped or if a heavy weight is placed on them…e.g., your 5 year old son and his friends decide to play king of the hill.

A new breed of hard tonneau covers were introduced a few years ago and are made of a composite polymer (plastic). These covers have several major benefits over their fiberglass counterparts. Cost typically runs $650 to $800. These covers are also light weight. At around 58lbs, one of the most popular, the Undercover, can easily be removed by one man and hung on the garage wall. Finally, this new type of hard cover is very resistant to damage. I recently saw a demonstration where a sledge hammer was driven down on this cover and the only resulting damage were the sensitive ears of those around. They are super tough. Presently the biggest drawback to these covers is paintability. The first versions of these caps are black and come with a textured finish. They can be painted, but don’t have the smooth look of fiberglass. However, I am told that Undercover has recently introduced a smooth version of it’s top that can be painted and has the finish of fiberglass.

Soft covers, like those made by Extang and Downey, are the most popular of all due to their price and flexibility. If you’re not stuck on the smooth painted look of a hard cover, a soft cover is probably right for you. These covers come in a variety of styles starting with the traditional “snap” or “zip” covers. These products use detachable cross-bows to create a frame over your trucks bed and then the tonno is stretched and snapped into place. The snap cover is the entry level in soft tonneaus and comes with an attractive price tag starting at around $200.

The roll-up truck bed cover, like those made by Access Cover and TruXedo, offer much more functionality than a snap. The cross-bows of these covers “rollup” with the cover and secure to the front of the trucks bed in less than 20 seconds. In addition, they can be locked into place and cannot be opened without opening the tailgate. If you have a locking tailgate, the roll up provides much of the security a hard cover does. The roll-up has a clean taut look and uses “tensioners” to keep the cover tight in all types of temperatures. If you’re willing to spend a little more, starting at around $350, I highly recommend this type of cover. In fact, it is the one I chose for my truck.

Other, less popular, varieties of soft truck bed covers including folding, aluminum and lift top to name a few.

In conclusion, the protection and fuel savings a tonneau cover offers are an easy purchase justification for any truck owner. The type of tonneau you should purchase will depend greatly on your budget and your need for looks and function.

Mark Lane is a recognized writer and leader in the automotive aftermarket industry. He is a member of SEMA, and writes regularly on subjects related to truck accessories and performance. You can read more of his articles at Truck Accessories Review

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