Category Archives: Road Safety

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.