Author: Tabitha
Just about every truck cap on the market is a practical rectangular-shaped box. Michigan Vehicle Solutions is breaking tradition with the Aero X. Obviously designed more for style than practicality, the molded composite top comes with glass side widows plus a lockable louvered rear window that opens wide for loading and unloading cargo. It also provides protection from the sun while ensuring an unobstructed rear view. The Aero X is currently available for 2015 and newer Ford F-150 pickups with 5.5- and 6.5-foot beds, but the company plans to expand availability to include heavy-duty and midsize trucks from the automaker,…
For youngsters and older folks alike, or for people with limited mobility, climbing into or out of the back seat of a vehicle can be difficult. Auto Hand Grip, from Seat Belt Extender Pros, has a soft-touch handle and is designed to provide added leverage when needed. The inexpensive device is 6.5 inches long and quickly and without tools attaches to the uprights of the front-seat headrest(s) without tools. The manufacturer claims the handle supports up to 220 pounds, but warns that it’s not intended to support full body weight; it acts as an extra support for ingress/egress. You can…
If you’re not familiar with Atlis Motor Vehicles, The Sleuth thinks you will be in the not-too-distant future. The Arizona-based company is planning an assault on General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler’s highly profitable truck business with the all-electric Atlis XT. The company says the $45,000 (starting price) pickup will have a 500-mile maximum range, carry up to 5,000 pounds and tow up to 35,000 pounds. Unloaded, the Atlis will accelerate to 60 mph from rest in claimed five seconds and attain a top speed of 120 mph. The truck will apparently be built in the United States in 2020,…
According to The Sleuth’s sources, the name of the man credited with making Chevrolet’s iconic sports car the success it is today will be emblazoned on the all-new 2020 Corvette, or attached to a specific Corvette model. In a radical move, the engine of the eighth-generation Corvette — referred to as the C8 — will be behind the cockpit instead of in front of it. While working as a Corvette engineer, it was Arkus-Duntov’s desire to adopt a mid-engine design, but that never happened. He retired in 1975 and died in 1996. At this point it’s unclear how his name…
Of all the emergency supplies you can carry in your vehicle when heading for the Great Outdoors, the Life Straw could literally save your life. It’s manufactured by Vestergaard-Frandsen and has been on the market since 2005. The portable water filter pretty much guarantees you access to safe drinking water wherever you are in the world. The manufacturer claims that each Life Straw has the capacity to filter 264 gallons of water, removing virtually all of the bacteria (including E-coli and Salmonella) and parasites, leaving nothing but clear, clean H2O. The manufacturer also claims that Life Straw leaves no nasty…
Open-road adventurers should include unique places to stay as part of the travel experience. One of the more unusual lodgings is the Red Caboose Motel, located about an hour’s drive from Philadelphia in Ronks, Pa. The establishment consists of 38 brightly colored cabooses that were once the property of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Each has own inviting interior design and a few have been outfitted with original-style bunk beds, just like the train crews used to sleep in. There’s even a railroad dining car that serves as the motel’s restaurant. The gift shop also sells model train sets and various train…
Getting the dirt, dust and crumbs out of your vehicle is part of the whole car-care experience, but it can be a real pain when you try to use some unwieldy household canister vacuum to get the job done. An easier solution is the Black & Decker Flex Auto Vac. The unit’s extra-long power cord plugs into your car’s lighter socket (or similar 12-volt DC power-point connection). The flexible four-foot-long hose connects to a standard nozzle/brush attachment or a narrow crevice tool for reaching hard-to-get-at places. When not in use, the Flex Auto Vac’s storage bag keeps everything in its…
If you drive a new or vintage roadster, or you simply want to look stylish while keeping your head warm, check out the Hooligan Driver’s cap by Brixton. This timeless classic chapeau comes in a variety of styles and colors and is made of 85 percent manmade viscose and 15 percent wool. The cap also features a silk lining for added comfort and a lower “panel” that attaches to the top portion by means of a snap. The Hooligan is available in a variety of colors including gray/black herringbone, charcoal tweed, brown/kahki herringbone and brown corduroy. You can purchase the…
If your vehicle didn’t come equipped with a wireless charging pad, don’t fret about it. iOttie makes The Easy One Touch wireless-charging system that also doubles as a cell-phone mount. Actually, iOttie sells three different versions: a dash and windshield mount; an air-vent mount; and a model that you insert into a CD player. Each iOttie plugs into your car’s USB port and each can be pivoted up and down or from side to side to provide you the best viewing angle. They also work with smart phones of varying sizes, including Samsung, LG, Sony and other Android models, as…
Most vehicles come with at least two cupholders and some have a dozen or more. So it’s a safe bet that at least some — or all — have some sticky, gooey and possibly smelly drink residue inside. The simple solution is to drop in a set of removable CarCoasters from WeatherTech. Made from a soft, rubber-like material, they can be removed for quick and easy cleaning, which is especially handy in the winter when freezing temps impede proper care. Each package of CarCoasters contains two that are 3 7/16 inches in diameter. and two that are 3 1/8 inches.…