The towing and truck market has seen several advancements recently that make pulling a travel or race trailer a whole lot easier and more enjoyable. At the same time, there have been some serious W’s and L’s taken on the OEM side with new diesels making over 1,000 ft-lbs of torque right off the showroom floor. Check out some of the trends from our 2024 year in review at DieselArmy.com.

Gooseneck Trailer Conversion

The first article that’s been trending lately is the new kit from BP that converts traditional bumper-pull trailers to gooseneck hitches in the truck bed. The kit from BP Conversions offers better weight distribution, which increases towing capacity and maneuverability like a fifth-wheel but without having to trade in your trailer.

Those of us that have driven bumper-pull trailers in and out of tight spaces know how much is left to be desired when it comes to handling, especially during turns and when backing up. This setup also provides more stability and reduces trailer sway. The kit installs easily on most common trailer tongues. However, users must verify the kit’s weight capacity and consider a frame reinforcement kit for longer trailers.

Towing Safety Hitch

In another development, a new hitch system aims to improve towing safety. The automated safety hitch system from Safe Towing Systems changes how trailers connect to trucks. This system works as a moving axle that redistributes the trailer’s weight.

Thanks to this new development, people who always tow can now experience reduced stress on their trucks and improve stability. The hitch also provides extra braking power, which helps prevent car accidents. By placing a large portion of the pin weight in front a steerable axle (removing from the truck frame), it provides 75% of the braking capacity of a one-ton truck.

Banks Breaks Down ’24 L5P

Engine technology also saw progress with the 2024 L5P Duramax. This new engine powering the Sierra and Silverado HD models includes several upgrades compared to the prior model. Engineers designed new pistons for better fuel use and lower emissions. The engine also features an improved cooling and fuel system. Changes to the turbocharger and other parts improve engine braking and power.

Cummins Swap Guide

While the gasoline-guzzling world may be enamored with the LS engine, there’s one engine in the diesel world worthy of swapping that deserves just as much credit – the Cummins. If you’ve got an Oldsmobile diesel (ugh) or a big-block in your OBS or square-body C10, a 12-valve Cummins is a no-brainer. Thankfully, there’s someone that can walk you through the installation process and walk you through all the parts you’ll need. The 12-valve is known for its simple design and reliability. The guide covers where to find parts, including engines, transmissions, and other necessary items. It also lists companies that provide parts for these projects.

RAM’s Achilles

It’s long been known that RAM’s got the best engine and the worst transmission in the 3/4- and 1-ton diesel truck market. The latest issue with the  2022 RAM HD trucks is the icing on the cake. The Aisin transmissions are being reported to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) with a loss of mobility loss.

A faulty snap ring inside the transmission can cause the loss of some forward gears. In some cases, this occurred at higher speeds. RAM issued a technical service bulletin to address this problem, which involves replacing specific parts inside the transmission. Stay tuned for updates as the NHTSA continues its evaluation and potential solutions develop.

What will this year’s trends be? Who knows, but we can’t wait to hear more on the new Cummins as it gets into the hands of more consumers