Articles by Jay Matthews

How to Charge a Trailer Battery While Driving? – Solved!

Learn how to charge a trailer battery while driving: why a 7-way plug falls short, how a DC-DC charger helps, and how to protect your tow vehicle.

Learn how to carry a kayak safely, alone or with a friend: lift with your legs, use the carry handles, and plan your route, carts and dragging spots.

Is your trailer tongue weight too heavy? Aim for 10-15% of loaded trailer weight, measure it with a scale, and shift cargo rearward to fix it.

How to shift gears on a road bike with Shimano levers: which lever does what, front vs rear shifts, cadence tips and how to avoid cross-chaining.

Predator 3500 generator problems: short run time at high loads, no dual-fuel option, a heavy build and warranty risks with mods. What to know.

Learn how to attach a cargo carrier to a roof rack safely: check roof load limits, center the load, tighten straps and reduce drag and fuel use.

How to put a hitch on a car: prep the car, mount the receiver, torque bolts to spec, add the ball mount and trailer ball, and test the lights.

Learn how to use kayak bow and stern tie downs: center the boat, cinch cam straps, hook bow and stern lines to solid points, and tidy loose ends.

How to reduce tongue weight on a trailer: aim for 10 to 15% of trailer weight, load about 60% up front, shift cargo, and respect every hitch rating.

How to make portable generator power clean: use an inverter generator, an online UPS, a voltage regulator or a line conditioner, plus basic upkeep.