Tips for Towing Your Car Across Long Distances

Embarking on a long-distance journey with your precious vehicle in tow requires careful planning and preparation. The process of towing your car across long distances might seem daunting, especially if it’s your first time, but don’t worry.

This comprehensive guide is here to help you navigate the ins and outs of long-distance towing. We’ll share essential towing tips and direct you through the complexities of car transport. These tips will ensure a safe and successful journey for both you and your vehicle. Buckle up as we guide you down the road to a smooth and hassle-free towing experience.

Call 317-247-8484 For Long Distance Towing Service in Indiana
Call 317-247-8484 For Long Distance Towing Service in Indiana

What You Need to Know Before You Tow

Before embarking on your journey of towing your car across long distances, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take. It’s essential that every part of the car is in good condition and functioning properly before you hit the road. The following tips will help ensure safe and efficient travel:

Have an experienced technician or mechanic perform a thorough inspection of your car to ensure it’s in top condition.

Check all the fluid levels, as well as the brakes and tires, for signs of wear and tear.

Make sure you have a full tank of gas to prevent running out on your journey.

If possible, opt for an enclosed trailer to transport your vehicle as this will provide more protection during long-distance travel.

Pack an emergency kit with supplies such as a flashlight, blankets, flares, and other essentials for roadside emergencies.

Out On the Open Road

Once you’ve completed all of the necessary pre-towing preparations, it’s time to hit the road! Here are some key tips that will help ensure a safe and successful journey:

▶ Allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. This will reduce the need for excessive speed and help you avoid fatigue.

▶ Be aware of the weight limit of your car and trailer. Overloading can cause serious damage to both vehicles as well as create a safety hazard on the road.

▶ Secure all items in the trailer firmly with straps or bungee cords to prevent them from shifting during travel.

▶ Monitor your vehicle’s temperature often. Overheating is one of the most common causes of breakdowns while towing. If you’re traveling during bad weather, be sure to drive slowly and with extra caution.

▶ Take regular breaks every two hours because it is important for both your safety and that of others on the road.

▶ Keep a close eye on your mirrors at all times. Doing so will help you spot any potential hazards or obstacles in your path.

Hire a Professional Car Transport Company

Rather than dealing with transporting your car across state lines yourself, you could save loads of time and stress by hiring a professional car transport company. Such companies are well-equipped with a large fleet of tow trucks and equipment that allows them to safely and efficiently ship vehicles virtually anywhere in the country. You might be surprised to learn that the cost of hiring professional long distance towing services is closely equivalent to purchasing all of the equipment and materials you would need to transport the vehicle yourself.

In Conclusion

Towing your car across long distances doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. With careful planning, thorough vehicle inspection, and by following the key towing tips presented in this guide, you can ensure a safe and efficient journey. And remember, hiring a professional car transport company for long-distance towing can save you time, stress, and potentially even money. Ultimately, the goal is to get your vehicle to its destination securely, and choosing the best method to achieve this depends on your specific needs, circumstances, and the distance you’re traveling.

We hope this blog was helpful at answering your questions about shipping or transporting vehicles long distances in the United States. If you have further inquiries, please contact Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for licensed and insured long distance towing and heavy equipment transport. We work across state lines and offer the most competitive rates around.

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The Best Way to Transport or Tow a Custom Car
What You Need to Know About Hauling Oversized Loads
How to Transport a Car Across the Country

Top Factors to Consider Before Using a Tow Dolly

Tow dollies may have an innocent-enough moniker, but do not make the mistake of underestimating their level of complexity. Although using a tow dolly is an efficient and convenient method of towing another motorized vehicle, they may come with a few possible drawbacks or limitations. In some cases, they are not always a compatible option for all load types. These factors are just the start of the important considerations you need to keep in mind before moving forward with a tow dolly haul.

Continue below to learn what you need to know before buying and using a tow dolly, plus your best option for long-distance towing in Central Indiana.

Long Distance Towing Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484
Long Distance Towing Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Common Tow Dolly Problems

There are many possible drawbacks and limitations when it comes to tow dollies. But the most common tow dolly problems involve backing up, RV’s, hanging parts, routine maintenance, and warranty coverage. These are factors that should be considered before deciding to use a tow dolly for your long-distance car tow.

Going in Reverse

When you are using a tow dolly to haul another vehicle, you will not be able to back up. This is one of the most common complaints with tow dollies. Going in reverse with a tow dolly attached can cause serious damage to both the dolly and the towing vehicle. If you need to back up, you must first park, unhook the towed vehicle, unhook the dolly, and move both out of the way. Then you have to reconnect everything to continue on your journey.

Undercarriage Parts

Before setting off on your long-distance road trip with your tow dolly set up behind you, you’ll want to check if there are any hanging parts underneath the vehicle in tow. Things like spoilers, air dams, and ground effects can come into contact with the road surface and become severely damaged.

Recreational Vehicles (RV’s)

Recreational vehicles (RVs) are known to have problems with tow dollies. Most often, drivers complain that the tow dolly setup is too vulnerable to road damages like potholes and bumps. Driving an RV with a tow dolly in these road conditions can cause the tow dolly to jump out of alignment, which poses several other towing and road hazards.

Maintenance and Storage

It is not a very well-known fact that tow dollies require a good amount of upkeep and routine maintenance. So, before committing to using one for your upcoming haul, be sure you understand the maintenance required to keep your investment in good condition for as long as possible. After all, tow dollies are not cheap pieces of towing equipment. You will also need to consider a storage and transportation plan, as they are very heavy and take up a lot of space.

Vehicle Warranties

Some vehicle warranties are voided if certain towing methods are used, such as using a tow dolly. Dollies can also add a significant amount of weight to your trailer, which can change capacity ratings. This too may affect warranty coverage. Always check with your warranty terms before using a tow dolly to haul a vehicle.

Are you looking for a professional company to tow your vehicle a long distance? Contact Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for long distance towing and heavy equipment transport in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We serve all of Central Indiana and tow across state borders.

Related Posts:

How to Prepare a Car for a Long Distance Tow
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Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis
Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis

How to Transport a Car Across the Country

Whether you are relocating for work, loaning a car to a loved one, or just moving far away because an opportunity presented itself, you are likely in need of vehicle shipping if you are taking a plane to your final destination. In order to do this, you will need to follow a particular set of steps. Continue reading to learn the easiest way to transport a car across state lines.

Long Distance Towing 317-247-8484
Long Distance Towing 317-247-8484

Hire a Long-Distance Towing Service

The first step to shipping your vehicle across city or state limits is to find a reputable towing company to transport it for you. Be sure you hire a licensed and insured tow truck company that has decades of experience with all kinds of towing. They should retain the proper fleet of trucks and the latest technologies in transport equipment, as well as, adhere to all industry best practices for long-distance towing. This will give you confidence that your car or truck is being transported, safely and professionally. It also means you can expect a timely delivery.

Prepare Your Car for Shipment

The next step you want to take is prepping your vehicle for its journey. Start by cleaning out the interior of the vehicle, and removing any personal possessions. Make sure you deactivate any car alarm systems too. Once you have finished the interior, schedule your car for a routine maintenance appointment at your trusted auto repair shop.

They will check all the fluid levels, adjust tire inflation, inspect all the brakes (parking, emergency, etc.), charge the battery, and more; overall, they will make sure that your vehicle is in good condition. This way, you will know it will be ready to drive once it arrives at its new home. After your vehicle is serviced, take it to a car wash to have the exterior cleaned and waxed. This is important for the next step.

NOTE: You do not need to remove the license plate, but be sure the screws are tight and intact.

Gather Records for Liability Reasons

To protect yourself and the transportation company from liability, be sure to take a lot of pictures and even a few video recordings to confirm your vehicle’s condition before the journey. This can be used as evidence if a scratch or ding come into questions by either party. Take pictures of all minor and major defects along the surface, including existing scratches, nicks, paint chips, dings, dents, rust, and more. You should even write down the numbers on your car odometer.

When you are done making records, contact your auto insurance carrier to discuss your policy limits. You need to know if your vehicle is covered during its transport, and after it arrives at the new location.

NOTE: You won’t need to worry about documenting fluid leaks or internal damage since you’ve recently had the vehicle serviced, professionally.

Disclose Vital Information to the Driver

When the towing company arrives to pick up your vehicle, be sure you disclose all the necessary information they need to transport the car safely. This includes telling them of any mechanical problems or defects, regardless of how minor. It is especially important to tell them if your car has problems with its parking or emergency brakes. If your vehicle is in a risky condition, or very fragile, you can even provide the driver with written car handling instructions.

Long Distance Towing You Can Trust

Towing Indianapolis, IN
Towing Services in Indianapolis, IN

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for safe and affordable flat bed long distance towing service you can trust. Our towing services are comprehensive, ranging from light, medium, and heavy duty tows, to heavy equipment transport, long distance towing, property management, and more. As a family owned and operated company that has been in business for over 90 years, you can trust us for safe and efficient towing any time of day or night. In fact, we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year!

3 Vital Tips for Towing a Camper This Summer

Summer is a time for family vacations. And although many families are catching planes and trains, road trips are still a popular and traditional way for families to travel together! If a long distance road trip is part of the plan for your family vacation this summer, it is likely that you will be hauling a camper along with all your vacation supplies. Just be sure you remember how to tow a camper, safely.

Continue reading to review the top three safety tips for towing a camper.

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Long Distance Towing 317-247-8484

Adhere to Weight Capacity

It is vital to know and understand the weight capacity of your vehicle in order to prevent damage to your vehicles, as well as, serious accidents. Your camper should come with an owners’ manual that will tell you the total weight of the vehicle you are planning to tow. With this number in mind, compare it to the weight of the vehicle doing the towing. Generally speaking, the heavier your vehicle is, the larger the load it can haul. In contrast, if you have a lighter vehicle, it will only be able to haul light loads.

Use Proper Distribution

Not only does your load weight need to be an appropriate match to your vehicle’s towing capacity, it is vital to evenly distribute the weight in both vehicles. It is common practice for travelers to pack up their vehicles with luggage and supplies for their vacation, as well as their camper or RV. This is perfectly safe and acceptable so long as the weight ratios remain similar in both vehicles. Packing too much in the camper can outweigh the vehicle towing it, which can lead to distress on the hitch and the vehicle doing the hauling.

Use the Proper Towing Hitch

It is crucial to use the right towing hitch for the type of towing you need to do. Your towing hitch set up should be able to hold the total trailer weight of the camper. A stabilizer bar is another tool that can greatly reduce the chances of swaying and swerving on the road. It is highly recommended to use a stabilizer bar along with your tow hitch to ensure a safe and secure ride. Once you have the right hitch, it is helpful to simply back the vehicle up to the front of the camper. The towing ball should be set directly underneath the hitch so that you can lower the hitch over the ball and complete all the necessary connections.

Professional Long-Distance Towing

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for professional Indianapolis towing service you can trust. Our licensed and insured tow truck operators provide 24 hour wrecker and towing services, including light duty tows, heavy duty tows, long distance tows, roadside assistance, and more. Request a free estimate or emergency service, anytime!

How to Prepare a Car for a Long Distance Tow

Long Distance Towing 317-247-8484

Long Distance Towing 317-247-8484

Your vehicle is one of your most precious assets. It is the vessel that gets you from place to place, efficiently. So when it comes time to relocate, it is likely that you will want to bring your ride along with you. Many people hire a professional towing company for long distance tow truck service; however, you can also choose to tow your car with another lead vehicle, such as an RV or truck. Regardless of which method you select for long distance towing, it is important to prepare your vehicle properly in order to ensure its safe arrival.

Continue reading to learn what you should do before sending your car off on a long distance tow.

Insure It

If your car is not already insured, it needs to be! Be sure to double check with your automotive insurance carrier to ensure that your policy is still active and that you are covered. You may want to add on additional, temporary insurance coverage for long distance tows. This will provide coverage in out of state areas.

Clean It

Although you will likely clean it again after it arrives at your final destination, cleaning your car before a long distance trip can reduce the buildup that occurs while on the road. This helps preserve the luster of the paint, as well as, prevent premature rusting. So give your car a good, thorough cleaning, inside and out. There is no need to have it detailed; a simple interior and exterior clean will do the trick.

Service It

If your car will be in tow longer than 3 or 4 weeks, you may need to change the oil beforehand. Failing to do so can result in engine damage caused by harmful contaminants in used engine oil. It is also a good idea to fill up the tank with gas. Not only does this provide convenience since it will be ready to use upon arrival, it protects the fuel tank by preventing excess moisture and preserving its inner seals. If you are towing your vehicle on a dolly, be sure the tire pressure is at the right levels and inflate them as needed. Last, be sure the battery is fully charged.

Inspect It

If using a professional long distance tow company, it is wise to inspect your vehicle for damage and record your findings. This way, you can compare the condition of your vehicle prior to and upon arrival. Take pictures of any existing damage, and most importantly, have the vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic to check for leaks, mechanical problems, and more.

Indianapolis Long Distance Tow Truck Service

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for professional long distance towing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since 1901, we have provided 24 hour towing, as well as, property management and roadside assistance services. Whether you need pulled out of a ditch in the middle of the night, or transport a heavy piece of machinery across the country, we are the Indianapolis towing company to trust for safety, security, and affordability. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate, anytime.