How to Ensure a Ball Mount is the Proper Height for a Trailer

When it comes to towing a trailer, it is vital that you have the proper set up and trailer weight distribution. One major component to accomplishing this is your ball mount, which will either lower or raise your hitch ball to keep the trailer level as you drive. So selecting the right ball mount for your vehicle and trailer combination is key for ultimate towing safety, reliability, and performance.

But choosing the right ball mount is not enough; it must also be properly installed to fit your trailer and towing vehicle setup. A question that commonly arises about ball mount arrangement has to do with height. Many drivers want to know what the proper height for a ball mount is when towing a trailer. If you are wondering the same, you are in the right place!

There are 3 simple steps to determine the right ball mount height for your trailer. Continue reading to learn how to do them.

Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

How to Check for Proper Ball Mount Height:

Step ❶ Write down the measurement of the height from the top of your vehicle’s hitch receiver tube.

Step ❷ With the trailer on level ground, measure the height of the bottom of the coupler.

Step ❸ Now simply subtract the trailer coupler height from the receiver height.

✏ The answer is the drop required for your ball mount!

Example:

Receiver Height = 24 inches
Trailer Coupler Height = 18 inches
Math = (24 – 18 = 6)
Drop Amount = 6 inches

Where to Find Indianapolis Towing Assistance

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for friendly 24 hour towing and recovery in Indianapolis, Indiana. We open a family-owned and operated business for 90 years, so you can trust us for prompt and professional service. We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year, so our certified tow truck operators can be there for you anytime, any day! Request free estimates, anytime.

The 3 Best Alternatives to a Spare Tire

You’ve looked in the trunk and under the hood, but you cannot find the spare tire in your new car. But don’t worry. If you have a newer model vehicle, it is possible that it did not come with one. There are many reasons why some automotive manufacturers have chosen to forgo the classic spare; some of which include better fuel efficiency, increased storage space, lighter vehicular weight, reduced manufacturer costs, and much more.

If your vehicle lacks a spare tire, it is wise to take the proper precautions to ensure you have a means of emergency tire replacement; otherwise, you are at risk of being stranded on the road in the case of a flat. Fortunately, there are some great options to choose from for your car or truck! Continue reading to learn three of the most popular alternatives to a spare tire.

Indianapolis Flat Tire Assistance 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Flat Tire Assistance 317-247-8484

Tire Inflator Kits

Some automotive manufacturers that have opted out of spare tires have substituted the loss with built-in tire inflator kits, but they are also available to the public as well. Tire inflator kits usually involve a type of aerosol seal kit that provides a temporary resolution for minor tire tread punctures. There are several brands of tire inflator kits on the market, all ranging in price between $20 and $200 depending on quality. They are designed to plug up small holes by spraying a tire sealant into the flat through its air-inflation valve, which inflates the tire just enough to drive it a very short distance.

Potential Downside: The sealants in these kits can produce grime buildup inside a tire, which can disrupt the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Run Flats

Run flat tires are the most well-known and traditional alternative to using a spare tire system. They are specially designed with reinforced sidewall (or internal support rings), which allow drivers to safely drive their vehicle for a limited distance on a punctured or ruptured tire. Run flats are only made to travel a short distance (between 10 and 15 miles) and at a moderate-to-slow speed (under 40 miles per hour). Consumers are pleased with run flats because they provide better control and maneuverability compared to a spare tire or donut.

Potential Downside: Once run flat is used, regardless of distance driven, a tire will be completely unusable and must be replaced.

Self-Sealing Tires

You can purchase self-sealing tires as an alternative to housing a spare. These are tires that are designed with a built-in lining that is coated in a special sealant. So when the tire experiences a puncture, the sealant automatically begins to surround the hole. If there is a nail or piece of metal stuck inside the tire, the sealant will fill the hole after it is removed.

Potential Downside: Self-sealing tires will not work if a tire’s sidewall is punctured, or if the puncture hole is too wide.

Need Emergency Flat Tire Assistance in Indiana?

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour roadside assistance and towing services in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. Our friendly staff is waiting by the phones, ready to help you get back on the road, safe and sound. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, so you can always count on us. Request a free estimate, today.

What To Do If Your Car is Stuck in Mud

Whether you are out for a weekend of fishing and camping, or in the middle of a cross country road trip, sticky, sludgy mud can become a problem at any time along the way. If you find yourself stuck in mud, try this method for a safe and convenient way out.

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Step ❶

As soon as you are sure that your car is stuck, your first step is to ensure your safety and the safety of others. This is mostly important if you are on the side of a busy street or highway. If you are in an isolated area away from traffic, you may not have to follow all the recommendations in this step.

For those stuck on the side of the road, the first thing you need to do is protect your passengers. It is recommended for everyone to stay in the vehicle with seat belts on to avoid getting hit by a car. The additional weight will also help get you free your car from the mud.

If you believe you are in a particularly dangerous position, contact the highway police for added protection. They can ensure that traffic is directed away from your vehicle.

Once everyone knows to stay seated with their seat belts on, it is important put your hazard lights on to warn oncoming traffic that you are immobile. If you have a roadside assistance kit, use any traffic cones, triangles, or lights as well. Place them around your vehicle so that oncoming drivers can see them.

Step ❷

Now you are ready to use the rocking method to free your car from the mud. Slowly and steadily transition from DRIVE to REVERSE until you get your car into a rocking motion. Continue to do this until you gain enough traction to spring forward or backward from the mud. According to Consumer Reports, it is important to keep the wheels straight while doing this. Avoid spinning your tires because this will only dig you deeper into the mud.

If the rocking motion is not working, you can try to add fresh, dry soil behind and in front of each tire. You can also jack up the car and add wood boards, floor mats, trunk liner, gravel, sand, or any other material you have that could work as a surface. Keep in mind that this is not recommended if you are on a busy highway or street. It can be very risky and dangerous.

Step ❸

When all attempts fail, or you are in a hurry and have no time to spend digging yourself out of the mud, contact an Indianapolis towing and roadside assistance company for safe and professional help. They have everything you need for prompt and specialized service that will not damage your car nor put you in danger.

Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance

Indianapolis Towing

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for prompt, 24 hour towing and roadside assistance in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Our licensed towing and recovery division retains an extensive fleet of over 35 tow trucks and wrecker equipment, allowing us to assist drivers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, rain, snow, or ice. Request a free estimate, anytime.