New towing aids for American pick-ups
Walkinshaw rolls out GVM/GCM upgrades and fifth wheel kits for heavy-duty Silverado tow tugsWalkinshaw Performance is introducing a series of performance, chassis and towing aids, developed specifically for the increasingly popular Chevrolet Silverado and RAM full-size US trucks that are converted to right-hand drive at its Melbourne facility.
At a media briefing in Melbourne last week, WP execs detailed a number of enhancements that will be of particular interest to owners of heavier caravans planning big trips, including newly-developed GCM/GVM increases and a long range fuel tank for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, as well as fifth wheel towing kits.
Two fifth wheel towing kits will be available, both custom designed for the Australian-spec Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2500 models in conjunction with American towing specialist Curt.
The fifth wheel kit for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500LD is rated for up to 4500kg GTM trailers with a 7500kg Gross Combined Mass and, according to Walkinshaw "utilises a quick release puck mechanism for quick drop in and removal without tools, whilst maintaining a clean flat bed when not in use".
Other highlights include an "intuitive latch and release mechanism with colour indicators for safe hitching," while it also "utilises replaceable wear plates for convenience to avoid applying messy grease".
The WP fifth wheel hitch for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is rated for up to 8000kg ATM trailers with a 12,490kg GCM, and comes complete with a "fully integrated premium" air trailer brake and ABS system as required for 4500kg-plus trailers under Australian Design Rules.
Also available soon will be a Walkinshaw Performance Electric Trailer Jack for more common caravan set-ups. It's rated to lift 1500kg and boasts a "telescopic foot combined with motor drive (that) gives over 550mm of jack travel, allowing high installs for off road trailers".
The new WP GVM Upgrade kit for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 will boost vehicle payload from 712kg to 1000kg, and vehicle GCM from 7126kg to 7512kg. Included in the kit are replacement springs and dampers "specifically designed to improve performance under heavy load conditions such as towing".
A complete-replacement Long Range Fuel tank for the Silverado 1500 will boost the vehicle's fuel capacity from 90 litres to 185 litres, while new extendable, full replacement towing mirrors extend out further than the factory mirrors and feature lower convex spotter glass.
Walkinshaw is also introducing a range of weight distribution hitches to suit different applications, as well as a variety of tow vehicles including Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol, Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Fortuner, and Hyundai's Santa Fe.
The WP execs see increasing demand for chassis and towing upgrades from more buyers opting for heavier 4500kg-plus caravans and trailers, as well as bigger horse floats with fifth wheel couplings.
While popular in the United States, fifth wheel caravans are relatively rare in Australia with big-selling local RV manufacturers including Jayco and New Age (which is now fully owned by the Walkinshaw Auto Group) not currently offering a fifth wheel model as part of their caravan ranges.
The WP fifth wheel kits add around 50-70kg to the vehicle's overall weight, and offer a number of advantages including up to 110 degrees articulation depending on the trailer/tow vehicle set-up.
Pricing is yet to be finalised but the new range of WP chassis and towing related kits and accessories is expected to be rolled out to the retail market before the end of 2021.
“Walkinshaw Performance has had to reinvent ourselves,” the company’s general manager Rick Perchold said, referring to the business that traditionally focussed on supercharging Holden V8 Commodores, to one that now concentrates on American vehicle conversions.
“What we are showcasing is our engineering and design capabilities and how that translates into the offerings we have for the aftermarket accessories," he said.
“We have the resources to develop things from scratch.”
Perchold estimated WP’s change of direction had doubled turnover in the last 12 months.
“We want to be the market leader for the American truck and SUV market in Australia,” he said.
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