Category Archives: Road Safety

Important Advice for Safe Towing

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Towing a car or truck safely requires experience and knowledge because there are several potential issues and dangers that can arise during a routine haul. It is important to know the proper procedures and safety precautions required to perform a successful tow, as well as, how to use towing equipment since it can cause serious injury if handled improperly. Furthermore, a beginner should always be accompanied by someone who has experience towing vehicles and other commodities. And this is just the start; there is much more to safe towing! Continue reading to learn important safety tips when it comes to towing a car or truck with your own equipment.

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Safety Chains

Whether you are towing an SUV, jet ski, trailer, or car, safety chains are a must-have for every job. They are the ties that keep the connection solid between your truck and your haul. It ensures that your cargo will not get separated, potentially damaging other drivers on the road. Safety is the main reason why the use of safety chains is also the law.

Never tie these chains to the bumper of your towing vehicle. This can cause the bumper to come right off! They need to cross under the tongue of a trailer instead, for proper connectivity. This way if the hitch comes undone, the trailer will still not separate. In order to make safe turns while towing a cargo, be sure to add a little slack to the chains. Manufacturer’s instructions define the proper procedures and safety precautions for hooking up tow chains. Be sure to refer to them as often as possible to reminders about safe towing.

Towing Capacity

Never exceed the tow capacity of your vehicle. This means towing a haul that weighs more than the vehicle itself. This action can quickly damage your vehicle’s drive train. An inflicted drive train is a dangerous situation; especially when it comes to uphill driving. Life threatening accidents and injuries can occur of a load is lost as a result of a damaged drive train. Be sure to brush up on your vehicle’s tow capacity and how to calculate your load weight accurately.

Turn Signals and Brake Lights

An area that is commonly overlooked by novice towers is light synchronization. When you hook up a trailer to your vehicle, your brake lights are not visible; instead, the ones on the back of the trailer are. It is important that these brake lights and signal lights are in sync with the actual brakes and other components. This allows other drivers to share the road safely while you tow. Lights that should be synchronized include hazard lights, brakes, turn signals, flashers, headlights, and fog lights. Don’t forget that this particular safety tip is also the law.

Where to Get Reputable Towing Service in Indianapolis

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for safe and affordable Indianapolis tow truck services you can trust. Our licensed and insured tow truck operators provide punctual and prompt tow truck services, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! We also provide numerous community services, roadside assistance services, wrecker and recovery services, and much more. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate, anytime!

How to Drive Safe in Snowy Weather

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Winter road conditions can range from minor to unmanageable. Snow, ice, fog, rain, and more can cause interstates and roadways to freeze and thaw, resulting in hazardous driving conditions. Not only does winter precipitation make roads slippery and dangerous, and windshields impossible to see through, the freeze-thaw cycles also deteriorate pavement; thus creating potholes and crumbling concrete, making it even more difficult and dangerous to drive on. It is important for all drivers to review the safety rules for driving in snow, ice, and more. Continue reading to do just that!

Winter Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

24 HR Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Advice for Driving in Snow

When it comes to driving in snow, it is vital to never accelerate or decelerate too abruptly. This will cause skidding and you can easily lose control of the vehicle. Not only does this put yourself and your passengers in danger, it also jeopardizes other drivers on the road. In order to retain traction and not skid, simply put pressure on the gas in a slow and steady manner. If you start to skid, release a little pressure and start again. The same method applies to decelerating. Never slam on the brakes in snow, unless you want to start spinning out of control! In snow, you must practice applying the brake earlier than usual, and doing so in a slow and steady fashion.

Before the snow comes, it is imperative to have your vehicles inspected and serviced by a licensed mechanic to ensure all fluids, tires, and auto parts are ready to go. This includes driving with at least a half of a tank of gas to avoid your car’s gas lines from freezing. Never use cruise control on snowy roads and avoid using the parking brake unless parked on an incline. These are other important safety precautions for winter driving.

Another obvious and important tips for driving in snow is to take your time! Leave early on so you are never in a rush, because driving slow is the most effective way to navigate safely in snow. So not only do you need to accelerate and decelerate slowly, you need to also driver slower than the speed limits suggests. Remember, speed limits are just that, limits. In adverse weather, it is expected of drivers to reduce their speeds below that of the recommended speed limit. Even a little rain can cause a slip up and subsequent car accident.

One mistake many drivers can make in the winter snow is stopping mid-hill or incline. If you are driving up a hill in snow, don’t stop! This can result in your vehicle sliding backward down the hill, possibly into other vehicles. At the same time, do not power-up hills either. Applying more gas to get up a hill can result in sliding and skidding. Simply gain inertia before the hill, and then remain at a consistent and constant speed to make it all the way up.

❄When in Doubt, Just Stay Home!❄

One of the best tips for driving in snow is to just stay home if you can! Of course this is not possible for everyone with jobs, school, kids, and other similar mandatory obligations; however, if you don’t have to leave your home and drive in poor weather, then don’t. If you are forced to drive in poor conditions and find yourself stuck or stranded, simply contact a local 24 hour roadside assistance company for safe and reliable service.

Indianapolis Winter Roadside Assistance

Indianapolis Towing

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional winter roadside assistance, regardless of time or day. Since 1927, we have a provided a wide range of roadside assistance services in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. And for the past 90 years, we have earned a reputation for trusted service at a fair price! 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.

Promote Safer Stopping with Trailer Brake Controllers

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If you own a small, light-weight trailer, your hauling vehicle is all you need for controlling the brakes while towing. Smaller trailers only have one or two axels that roll freely, eliminating the need for any extra assistance. But if you have a large or heavy trailer, your towing vehicle’s brake system won’t cut it alone. Larger trailers require their own set of brakes for safe and proper towing and stopping. This is achievable with trailer brake controllers. Continue reading to learn about trailer brake controllers, and how to decide which ones are best for your towing trailer.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

Trailer Brakes

Trailer brake controllers are interfaced with your vehicle’s brake pedal, which makes your tires slow down all at the same time. This allows you to maneuver and stop smoothly when towing your rig. The trailer brake controllers work by signaling to the trailer brakes to engage and to what degree. The trailer brakes then mimic the brake pressure you apply as you stop or slow down your vehicle.

There are a few different designs of trailer brake controllers on the market to choose from when shopping around. The one you choose will depend on your trailers size, weight, brake system, and towing habits. It is important to learn as much as you can about each one in order to make an educated decision for your particular rig. These are not cheap parts to buy, so making the right choice is something you want to take seriously.

Here are some examples of trailer brake controllers:

Tow Vehicle Braking Systems – These are designed for recreational vehicles, like motorhomes, that need to tow or pull a car. This is only intended for flat-towing a car, not towing with a dolly or trailer. Electric pistons actually push the towed vehicle’s brake pedals down as the towing vehicle’s brakes are engaged.

Timed Brake Controllers – These systems are the simple, economical option for controlling a trailers brakes. They simply slow all tires down at the same time as the brake pedal is engaged inside the towing vehicle.

Inertia Brake Controllers – These are sturdier and more responsive compared to timed brake controllers. Inside inertia controllers, there are sensors that are attached to an outer pendulum that detect the deceleration of the towing vehicle.

Accelerometer Brake Controllers – Also called proportional brake controllers, these systems only use internal sensors, not attached to outer pendulums, to detect the brake pedal pressure in the towing vehicle. These are recommended for long distance towing.

For heavy-duty towing needs, you may be better off calling a trusted Indianapolis towing company for professional assistance. They will have advanced equipment and technologies to provide wrecker services for all freight sizes, quantities, and distances.

Indianapolis Tow Truck Assistance

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 if your car was towed, or you need a tow, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed and insured tow truck operators provide punctual and prompt tow truck services, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! Contact us at 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate, anytime.

How to Use Your Mirrors When Towing

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Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

The most important part of towing is safety. And one area of towing safety to practice and perfect is your ability to use your vehicle’s mirrors. They are there for a very good reason: to provide a wider scope of vision for drivers on and off the road. They should be used for backing up, driving in reverse, changing lanes, and more. Are you guilty of the head turn? Or perhaps the popular twist and turn to see behind you? These are poor driving habits that can cause minor to major accidents, muscle strains, and backaches.

If you are a driver, especially one that tows a trailer on a regular basis, you ought to learn the right method to using your mirrors when towing. Continue reading for tips to do just that!

Clean Mirrors

It may sound obvious, but it is a step that can be easily overlooked in the tedious process of hooking up and loading your trailer. Keeping your mirrors clean will give them more clarity, and will provide better depth perception and detailed view. It can be easy to forget, and often, mirrors won’t even appear dirty enough for a wipe-down. But don’t let that fool you. After grabbing a paper towel and some glass cleaner, you will be surprised to see just how much dirt actually comes off!

Install Bigger Mirrors

If you are towing loads with a trailer recurrently, consider larger mirrors. The general rule is for every 10 feet of vehicle, your mirror should be 1 inch in diameter. This includes the length of your towing vehicle plus the length of the load or trailer you are towing. So if your towing vehicle and trailer’s total length equals 50 feet, your mirrors should be 5 inches in diameter. Be sure your mirrors are the proper height and width, and if they are not, it is wise to replace your stock mirrors with larger ones. You can find specialty-sized truck and vehicle mirrors that are wider, bigger, and fold backwards, all for a reasonable price.

Adjust Mirrors Properly

It is important that your mirrors are not only big enough, but adjusted properly as well. While in the driver’s seat, you want to maximize the visible ground area below the vehicle. This improves on blind spots and enhances child safety. Test or reset the position of your mirrors by first sitting in the driver’s seat with the mirrors pointed straight so they are perpendicular (think of the letter “t”) with the road. Then one at a time, starting with the left, begin to move the mirrors outwards. Stop when you can see at least 200 feet behind the left side of your vehicle. Have a friend sit in the passenger seat to help with the right side.

Indianapolis Towing Service

Indianapolis Towing

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for friendly and professional tow truck service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding towns. We offer a wide range of 24 hour towing and recovery services, including roadside assistance, light duty tows, heavy-duty tows, storm and traffic clearance, and much more. When you need a towing company in a moments’ notice, we are the professionals to call. Just dial 317-247-8484 for fast and affordable Indianapolis towing service you can trust.

Tips for Cross-Country Car Towing

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Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Relocating for a job? Perhaps a girl? Or maybe just a better climate? No matter the reason, moving across country requires an abundant amount of forethought. Not everything can be packed away in a box and transported in the back of a truck or car. One of the main dilemmas cross-country movers face is transporting their vehicles along with them. If a person doesn’t have another person driving their vehicle for them, they must make other arrangements.

In other situations, movers do not want their personal vehicles driven across country, adding thousands of miles to the odometer. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and more require custom long-distance towing or transport. Continue reading and learn some tips regarding long-distance towing and towing a vehicle across country.

Towing a Car Long-Distance

The first thing to consider is whether or not you want to tow a vehicle, or simply transport it in a cargo-carrier. For a higher price, you can have your vehicle stored and transported in a semi-truck for optimal efficiency and protection. But there is also the cheaper option of towing it yourself. In this case, you will need to first think about finding the right type of trailer.

Size, weight capacity, and safety are just a few important aspects to consider when choosing the right trailer to tow your vehicle. You must take into consideration the size and weight of the tow vehicle, as well as, the vehicle you intend to tow, and much more. Talk to a professional towing company for help determining these calculations.
To tow a car, you have two options. You can use a car carrier, or you can use a tow dolly. If you’ve ever seen a car being towed by its rear wheels while its front wheels are lifted off the ground, you have witnessed a tow dolly. This is perfect and works best with front-wheel drive vehicles; and it happens to be the cheaper option too. Car carriers are very good for long-distance tows. A car carrier completely lifts a vehicle off the ground so none of its tires make contact with the road during the tow.

A crucial towing tip to keep in mind, especially for first-time towers, is to learn your equipment before hitting the pavement. This means get familiarized with the trailer, the way the tow vehicle drives with a trailer, all the safety features, its parts, owners’ manual instructions, and more. Do not rely on learning-as-you-go methods because this can only get yourself into trouble, or worse, danger. Stayed tuned for more long distance towing tips in next month’s blog!

Zore’s Towing

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for the most accurate and qualified advice and information about long distance car towing in Indianapolis. We offer free advice, 24 hour towing, car carriers, trailers, towing accessories, and several additional services. Call 317-247-8484 for fast and friendly Indianapolis towing services and tow truck advice, anytime.

Vital Information You Need to Know About Towing a Car, Truck, or Trailer

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Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Safety is the number one concern when it comes to towing a vehicle or hauling a load. Before tackling a tow job, novice or not, it is important to understand the risks, and know how to avoid them. Knowing important and vital towing safety tips can protect yourself, passengers, other drivers, and your property at all times and for every load. Continue reading to learn more about towing safety, and be better prepared for your next haul.

Towing Safety Tips

There are so many more easily-available and more-affordable commodities on the market today that requires towing; like boats, motorcycles, jet skis, campers, and more. With this exponential increase of the towing population, an equal amount of towing safety awareness is necessary. Let’s start with certain areas and accessories of a tow truck and haul, and what to know about each.

Safety Chains

When it comes to towing safety, you can never be too concerned about safety chains. Always be sure they are properly attached and secured before every drive. If safety chains are poorly tended to, it can result in the trailer separating from the truck or SUV. Not only can this cause significant property damage to your equipment and everyone else’ s nearby, it can result in serious injuries and worse, fatalities. These are mandatory by law so stay legal by using them for every tow. Be sure the chains cross under the trailer tongue in the accidental case that it gets separated, but also be sure they are loose enough to make turns. It chains are too loose, they can drag on the ground and create a whole load of road hazards. They need to be secured just right.

Lights

When towing a load of any kind, it is critical that the traffic behind you can see your brake lights and know when you are coming to a stop. With this being said, it is important to check that your trailer’s brake lights are functional and bright enough, as well as, the brakes on your truck or SUV. Check that your turn signals are working as well, and be sure to do these things before every drive. Even if you stop for lunch, or visit multiple locations, check your lights every time. You never know when a bulb decides to go out. If your trailer didn’t come with a wiring harness, you can purchase one at any automotive parts store. Not only is it the law to have operational brake, head, and turn signal lights, it is the difference between a safe tow, and a tow that ends in accidents and injuries.

Tow Capacity

Never exceed your towing capacity! It is vital to have the right type of tow hitch for whatever load you intend to haul. Not only is an accurate hitch necessary, but following manufacturers’ instructions for tow weight capacity is critical. You can cause serious damage to the drive chain, which is a costly automotive repair, as well as, dangerous motor vehicle accidents on steep inclines and hills. Check what your vehicle’s tow capacity is, and never exceed this limit. Know how much your load weighs helps too! If you have trouble making this assessment, contact a local Indianapolis wrecker service for accurate industry advice and assistance.

Zore’s Towing in Indianapolis

Towing Indiana 317-247-8484

Towing Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for safe and affordable tow truck services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We use the latest technologies and advanced wrecker equipment to haul any load, large or small! We offer countless community services, roadside assistance, towing services, and much more. Call 317-247-8484 to learn more about our towing services in Indianapolis, IN today.

Tips for Driving in Snow

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Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

Sometimes the best advice for driving in snowy and icy weather is to simply stay home until the plows, sand, and salt has done its job. Unfortunately for most with jobs, or kids, or normal responsibilities, this isn’t always a practical or possible solution. It wouldn’t be a good idea to call your boss and request a snow day, for example. So it is best to throw in the towel and learn once and for all, how to drive in snow.

For the most part, everyone has an understanding that there are two general rules to driving in snow; slow down and maintain as much traction as possible. Not only are these the basic rules to driving in snow, they are among the most important. Other important rules that should be obvious include always wearing your seat belt, avoid driving with children, if driving with children be sure they are sufficiently strapped in, and follow all driving laws, traffic lights, and signs. On top of these familiar rules, there are some specific tips that can help you understand how to achieve safer driving in poor weather conditions. Continue reading and learn how to drive in snow, ice, and storms.

Driving Tips for Snowy Roads

In order to prepare yourself for driving in bad or snowy weather, you must be sure to prepare your vehicle first. This means checking that your lights are operational and on, that your oil is at a good place, that your tires are fully inflated, your heat is functional, your windshield wipers work, and your windows and mirrors are completely cleared of snow and ice. You can also apply a water-shedding product to windshields for added moisture resistance and protection. Once this inspection is complete, you are already on your way to safer driving. As an extra precaution, purchase snow tires that are specially manufactured to provide better traction in snow and on ice. Also, drivers can attach chains to the exterior of their tires for maximum snow driving capabilities. It is suggested to consult a professional mechanic about these modifications to make sure you are getting the right product for your vehicle.

Once you are on the road, a whole different set of driving rules apply. In the case that you begin to slip, slide, or drift on the road, do not step on the brake; instead, release your foot and gently steer the wheel in the opposite direction. This should stop or slow down the slipping and sliding. Never “pump” your brakes. It is highly recommended to purchase a vehicle with an Anti-Lock Braking System or ABS. If you have a vehicle with ABS, be sure to learn how to use it. Find a vacant parking lot to practice in. Stomp hard on the brake pedal and hold it there while you steer around the obstacle. Then release your foot once the vehicle is back on track. Be careful to not over steer. A little steering goes a long way.

If your windows and windshield suddenly fog up while driving, do not panic; instead, turn on your air conditioning and allow it to run until the fog dissipates. It is perfectly fine to have your heat setting on hot while running the AC. This makes the fog immediately disperse and fade away. Simply flip the air off once the fog is gone.

Indianapolis Towing Services

Indianapolis Towing

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

If you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, or stuck in snow, call Zore’s Towing in Indianapolis, Indiana at 317-247-8484 today. We offer immediate response services for callers in need of a tow after sliding off the road. Our drivers are highly trained, licensed, and experienced in the wrecker industry. We have assisted thousands of stranded drivers with a fast and friendly tow in Indianapolis. We can help you too!

Visit our website at https://www.zorestowing.com/towing-services-indianapolis.php for details about our services and company background. We offer free estimate, 24 emergency services, immediate response towing, discounts, low flat rates, Spanish speaking staffs, and much more! Call us today at 317-247-8484 for fast and affordable Indianapolis towing services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

Essential Safety Guidelines for Towing a Car

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Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Hauling a vehicle can be a risky task if the appropriate safety guidelines are not reviewed and facilitated properly. Towing a car or truck can be hazardous to the driver and other drivers on the road, if certain rules and guidelines are ignored. Be sure to learn all the vital safety rules and instructions for towing cars, boats, trucks, campers, and more on the road. Knowing the accurate techniques and advices for hauling vehicles puts a driver at a better advantage and secures the safety of their passengers and their freights as well.

Continue reading to review some important safety rules for towing and hauling large cargoes on the road.

Never Exceed Tow Capacity

If a person attempts to haul a load that weighs more than the maximum weight capacity of a vehicle, potential problems are likely to occur. For example, hauling a load that is too heavy can damage the vehicle’s drive train. An impaired drive train can be a dangerous threat on the road to other drivers; especially if driving up-hill. Losing a load can cause life-threatening car accidents and more. Towing capacities are important to abide by in order to avoid hazardous scenarios such as the ones just mentioned.

Always Use Safety Chains

One way to ensure cargo cannot get separated from the towing vehicle is to double-check the security of the safety chains. It is important to always secure the safety chains properly; not only is this the safest way to tow, it is also the law to use safety chains. It is vital that the chains cross under the tongue of the trailer; this way if the hitch comes undone, the trailer doesn’t detach or hit the ground rolling. Never attach chains to the bumper of a vehicle. Also, leave enough slack in the chains to makes turns, but not enough that they are dragging on the ground. To understand the best way to use and secure safety chains is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions meticulously.

Synchronize All Lights and Signals

When a person is towing anything on a public road, it is important that other drivers can detect turn signals and brake lights at all times. Be sure that the wiring harnesses are functioning properly so that all signals and lights are coordinated with the towing vehicle. Brake lights, turn signals, flashers, hazard lights, headlights, and fog lights should all operate effectively and in sync with each other. This is also the law.

Drive Responsibly

Towing is a serious duty that should not be taken lightly. There are several more driving rules to follow, on top of the standard road regulations mandated by local law. For example, it is important to driver slower than the assigned speed limits. This is because a heavier load takes more time to come to a complete stop; and defensive driving protects the person behind the wheel as well as the other drivers on the road. It is also important to practice steering a hauled vehicle, remembering that a trailer will turn the opposite direction when backing up, and so forth. Preparation and practice are both crucial when it comes to towing cargo safely.

Indianapolis Towing

Indianapolis Towing

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

For more information and advice on towing a car or other vehicle in Indianapolis, call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 today! We are experts in the towing industry and can answer any questions you have about how to tow a car, or other vehicle, safely. Visit our website at https://www.zorestowing.com/towing-services-indianapolis.php for details about our towing services and company background. Our operators are licensed and experienced to tow anything you need, to anywhere! Call 317-247-8484 for a free estimate or information about towing a car or other vehicle in Indianapolis, Indiana.