Category Archives: Road Safety

What Side is My Gas Tank On?

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Do you know which side your gas tank is on? Well, if you are reading this blog, you might not, or perhaps you are interested in learning why auto manufacturers place tank fillers on the left or right side of a vehicle. Either way, there is good reason why gas tank sides are chosen, and it is easy to figure out which side yours in located on in a matter of seconds!

Continue reading to learn how to instantly discover which side of the car a gas tank is located and why.

Fuel Delivery Roadside Assistance Indiana
Fuel Delivery Roadside Assistance Indiana 317-247-8484

Look at Your Dashboard and Fuel Gauge

To find out which side your gas tank is located on your car, all you have to do is look at your dashboard where the fuel gauge is located. On virtually all automobiles, especially modern ones, the fuel gauge will have an indicator arrow (►) next to the fuel icon. Decide that this arrow is pointing to is the side the gas tank is located on. Preview the picture above and notice how the gas tank arrow icon points to the left (⯇). This is indicating that the gas tank is located on the left side of the vehicle.

Older Automobiles and Trucks

Some cars might not have this fuel gauge icon indicator. Older vehicles, custom cars, classics, and vintage automobiles are some common examples of vehicles that will indicate the gas filler tank side a different way. It may be discussed in the owners’ manual, or on a label within the driver’s side door jam.

Why Not Make Them All the Same?

You would think that auto manufacturers would just make the gas tank side standard on all cars, but this is not practical. In most cases, auto manufacturers and designers choose the location of the gas tank based on the surrounding auto part needs of the vehicle. For instance, it might make more sense to put the tank on the right because another nearby mechanism or part will perform better on the left.

Another reason why gas tank location will likely never be standardized is because of the different driving customs in another countries. In countries that drive on the left side of the road, such as the United Kingdom (UK), many auto makers prefer to place the gas tank on the driver’s side (right side), which is the same side as the steering wheel. Oppositely, Americans tend to prefer a left-side gas tank.

Are you out of gas in Central Indiana and require emergency fuel delivery? Contact Zore’s Towing for 24 hour roadside assistance in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. We serve all of Central Indiana with car lockout service, flat tire service, jump starts, fuel fill ups, towing, and more!

You Should Read:

How to Improve Your Gas Mileage and Fuel Efficiency
Do You Need Emergency Tire Service?
Put a Roadside Emergency Kit in Your Car

Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis
Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis

What To Do If You Run Out of Gas Near Indianapolis

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Life throws us all sorts of obstacles along the way and running out of gas while in Indianapolis is just another one on the list. But not to worry; if this ever happens to you, there are steps you can take that will get your problem solved in little to no time at all! Continue reading to learn what to do if you run out of gas in Indianapolis or its surrounding Central Indiana towns.

Fuel Delivery Roadside Assistance Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484
Fuel Delivery Roadside Assistance Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Roadside Safety 101 When You Run Out of Fuel

In most cases of an empty gas tank, a car will give off several clues that will allow a driver to safely bring the vehicle to a stop. Most often, the fuel tank gauge on the dashboard will indicate a car’s fuel levels, but sometimes, a person can drive their car for several more miles when the arrow is pointed on EMPTY, which tends to cause a lot of on-the-road empty tank situations. But in many cases, as is with human nature, even when we know the tank is low, we tend to simply forget to fill up!

Aside from the dashboard gauge, a car that is running low on fuel will also begin to drive differently, sputtering, jerking, or slowing down even though your foot is on the gas pedal. When this happens, you do not want to force the car to drive any more than it has to. You want to simply focus on getting to a safe and solid place.

How to Safely Pull Over with an Empty Gas Tank

When your car begins to show signs of an empty gas tank, it is a good time to pull the car over on the right side of the road where you will be safe. Do not pull over on the left side of the road unless you have no other choice. If you do not make it all the way to the side of the road, you can put the car’s gear into neutral and manually push the car yourself by standing in the open driver or passenger side door. Do not push a car from behind under any circumstances.

Now What?

The most important consideration when running out of gas while driving is safety. Once you have found safe and solid location to pull your vehicle over, your next step is to contact an Indianapolis Indiana roadside assistance company for fuel delivery service.

Never attempt to walk to a gas station yourself, as this is how many pedestrian car accidents and fatalities take place. Instead, sit inside your car with your hazard lights on, and wait for your roadside tow truck to arrive. They use dispatching systems so you will not have to wait very long at all.

In fact, well-established and reputable roadside service businesses operate on 24 hour basis and maintain a broad service area. This means you should be able to get gas delivered to your location no matter the time of day or night. Just be sure you choose a reputable service provider.

Are you currently out of gas on the side of the road in Indianapolis or a surrounding county? Contact Zore’s Towing for 24 hour roadside assistance at the most affordable prices in Central Indiana. We serve all of Indy and its surrounding locations, including Avon, Lebanon, and Greenwood, Indiana.  

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Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis
Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis

How to Protect Your Car Battery From the Summer Heat

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When you are operating your vehicle, the car engine is already generating a massive amount of heat and high temperatures, which can impact the performance of your car battery. When you throw in the variable heat of the sun during the summer season, you can expect your car battery to take on some extra load as well. If you want your vehicle to perform optimally and use its fuel efficiently all summer long, it is important that you take very good care of your car and car battery. There are some simple ways you can achieve this.

Continue reading to learn some ways you can protect your car battery from the summer heat, and who to call if you find yourself stranded on the side of the road with an overheating engine or debt car battery in central Indiana.

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance Jump Starts
Indianapolis Roadside Assistance Jump Starts 317-247-8484

Summer Car Battery Care

Most drivers assume that the winter low temperatures are most impactful to the performance and longevity the car battery, but really it is the high to pictures of the summer that can have the most impact. So many people think that the winter weather drains or damages their car batteries is because the summer heat begins the deterioration process. So, what seems like a winter car battery problem is really a summer car battery problem. For this reason, it is important to take care of your car battery by protecting it from excessive heat and high-temperatures.

Although no car battery is built to last forever and will eventually need to be replaced, there are some things you can do to protect it from premature aging. The two things to look out for are excessive heat and overcharging. These two things cause the most car battery damage in the summer season.

How to Extend the Life of Your Car Battery

Inspect your electrical system to be sure it is working at a normal rate. Undercharging will cause your battery to die, but overcharging will actually cause damage and shorten the battery’s lifespan.

If you have a fluid-cell battery, be sure it is topped off regularly. Always use distilled water when filling up your battery cells.

If you must replace your car battery, be sure to choose one of equivalent quality and that’s compatible with your make and model vehicle.

Keep the outside of your car battery clean and free of dirt, dust, debris, and moisture. If the top of your car battery gets too dirty, the dirt will act as a conductor and drain it quickly.

Use hot water to rinse away battery corrosion. Increase frequency during the hot summer months.

Signs Your Car Battery is Losing Power:

▷ Dim Headlights
▷ Dim or Flickering Interior Lights
▷ Car Accessories Won’t Work
▷ Check Engine Light is On
▷ Car Starts Slowly

Are you in need of a jump start or car battery replacement service in Indianapolis, Indiana? Contact Zore’s Towing for 24 hour tow truck and roadside assistance services you can afford. We serve all of Central Indiana, including Lebanon, Greenwood, and Avon areas.

You Might Also Read:

Why Did My Car Battery Die?
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Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis
Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis

Tips for Incorporating Heavy Towing Rescue Trucks

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Zore’s Inc. believes that as a company, we are a member of our community, which strikes a moral obligation in us to contribute to the betterment of our cities and neighborhoods. We feel that it is our responsibility to impart our services, skills, and resources for the sake of improving the well-being of our local municipalities. That is why we are actively involved in several important training and safety programs, as well as a variety of community sponsorships and causes throughout Central Indiana.

Examples of our community involvement include police, fire department, and first responders’ training and “awareness” programs, as well as, heavy towing rescue training, sports team sponsorships, emergency service, task force and wrecker service cross training programs, and much more. We also work closely with Hoosier Helper Tool and provide traffic incident management (TIM) services for collisions and storm damages.

If you are interested in incorporating heavy duty towing rescue trucks into your organization’s program this year, continue below to learn some tips that will get you started on the right track!

24 Hour Towing Recovery Roadside Assistance
24 Hour Towing Roadside Assistance Indiana

How to Incorporate Heavy Duty Towing and Rescue Trucks

▷ Visit local towing and recovery operators’ facilities.

▷ Carefully inspect the operators’ fleet and equipment.

▷ Learn the capacities and capabilities of their resources.

▷ Invite wrecker operators to observe your vehicle rescue training sessions.

▷ Provide the necessary materials (videos, books, etc.) Needed for operators to learn everything about your rescue training program.

▷ Schedule and coordinate joint training sessions with towing operators.

▷ Learn about towing operator training and certification programs.

▷ Invite towing operators to your “critiques of past emergency rescues” meetings.

▷ Advise operators about any personal protective equipment they may need.

▷ Provide first aid, blood-borne pathogen, CPR, and fire extinguisher training for tow operators.

▷ Create a written agreement that clearly specifies tow truck response for rescues.

▷ Provide an alert system for tow truck operators, such as pagers.

Would you like to speak with a member of the Zore’s Towing staff for personalized advice and recommendations for heavy towing rescue truck programs? Contact us today at 317-247-8484 to get started. We work with all organizations, administrations, municipalities, and more throughout the state of Indiana.

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Why Choose Zore’s Towing for All Your Roadside Needs
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Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis
Zore’s Towing Towing Wrecker Service Indianapolis

3 Reasons Why You are Having Problems With Your Car Radiator

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Your car’s radiator is a vital auto part, so when it begins to show signs of distress or performance issues, it is important to take a closer look. Although there are many things that can go wrong with an automotive radiator, there are 3 primary reasons that contribute to radiator problems. Continue reading to learn the top three reasons why you are having issues with your car radiator, and how to avoid encountering such problems down the road.

Indiana Towing and Roadside Assistance
Indiana Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

What Your Radiator Does

Your car radiator is an important component because it helps regulate the combustion temperatures inside your engine as your car drives. The radiator makes sure that your engine does not overheat, which can damage several different inner and external components of the motor and any surrounding auto parts. For this reason, we fill our car radiator with anti-freeze, also known as coolant or radiator fluid, which brings us to the very first and most common reason why drivers experience problems with their car’s radiators: radiator overheating.

3 Radiator Problems and How to Prevent Them

Although natural wear and tear and simple old age can cause a car radiator to deteriorate and lose performance value, the top three reasons why most vehicle’s radiators experience issues, especially prematurely, are due to radiator overheating, rust accumulation, and leakages. In order to prevent radiator problems, it is important to stay current on all factory scheduled maintenance according to your vehicle’s owners’ manual.

❶ Radiator Overheating – Just like engine overheating, a radiator can run low of coolant, which can cause it to produce too much friction within the inner workings. Other causes of radiator overheating include broken or damaged auxiliary fans, damaged radiator structure, clogged or dirty radiator, and broken hoses that lead to coolant leaks. If your radiator or engine begins to overheat, immediately pull over to the right side of the road, and then call for Indianapolis roadside assistance service.

✔ Stay on top of all fluid refills and scheduled maintenance to avoid engine and radiator overheating.

❷ Radiator Rusting – Rusting, or oxidation, occurs when ferrous metal is exposed to oxygen and moisture in the environment. In the case of radiator rusting, such exposure can occur inside the radiator and on the exterior. To check for rust in the radiator, examine your coolant color. If it is brownish, you have rust in your coolant and should get a radiator flush as soon as possible. If you cannot see the color, take a look at the radiator cap. You will see rusty stains or brownish goo inside the cap if you have rust in your coolant.

✔ Be sure to always use a high quality anti-freeze to avoid radiator rusting.

❸ Radiator Leaks – If your radiator is overheating quite often, no matter how much you keep refilling the coolant, you could have yourself a leak. Cracks and external damages to the radiator can also lead to coolant leaks, which might occur after a car accident, or traveling on rough terrain. If your radiator is leaking, it is important to have it repaired immediately. It is not safe to operate a vehicle with a damaged radiator.

✔ Drive safely and on appropriate terrains to avoid radiator damages and coolant leaks.

Is your car radiator damaged or overheating at the moment? Contact Zore’s Towing for 24 hour roadside assistance and towing services in Indianapolis, today. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and serve all of Central Indiana.

You Might Also Read:

Will My Car Overheat in Hot Weather?
Why is My Car Engine Overheating?
Important Car Maintenance You Can Do Yourself

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

Do I Have to Have a Spare Tire in My Car?

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It is a common misconception that the only vehicles that do not come with a spare tire are used cars. And while most people assume that new cars automatically come with a spare tire, vast numbers of modern models do not, as they are no longer standard manufacturing equipment. Generally, only light-duty trucks and large SUV’s come with a spare tire these days. So, many people wind up buying a new car, only to find that it’s not equipped with the fitted spare tire. This leaves them asking, “do I have to have one?”

Continue reading to learn what you should know about spare tires, including whether or not they are required by law.

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Flat Tire Roadside Assistance Indianapolis IN 317-247-8484

Spare Tire Laws

It is up to you to choose whether or not you would like to have a spare tire in your car. There is no law or state requirement that mandates all drivers have a spare. However, it is strongly encouraged by all car care organizations and authorities to always have a spare tire in your vehicle for those just in case types of situations.

Where to Get a Spare for Your Vehicle

You can purchase a spare tire for your particular make and model vehicle at any local auto parts store or tire shop. You can choose to purchase a brand-new tire, which will deliver optimal performance and efficiency, full tread, and perhaps even come with a warranty. You can also choose to purchase a used tire, which are available in good enough condition to be used in an emergency flat tire situation.

Why are Spares Less Common Now?

There are many reasons why automotive manufacturers are not including spare tires as a standard piece of manufacturing equipment any longer. The 4 top reasons that new cars don’t come with a spare tire include initiatives to: 1) improve gas mileage and fuel efficiency, 2) give more room inside the vehicle interior, 3) increase storage space (namely trunk space), and 4) reduce manufacturing costs.

Run Flats and Self-Sealing Tires

Run flats and self-sealing tires are common alternatives to having a spare in your vehicle. Run flats are a tire system that allows a flat tire to travel a short distance without causing further damage to the wheel or rim. Generally, run flats will allow you to drive up to 50 miles or so under the speed of 45 miles an hour. Self-sealing tires are designed to automatically repair any punctures or holes to the tire caused by running over something sharp, like a nail, using a special sealant inflator kits are another common alternative to having a spare tire, but they are not always dependable.

Are you a Hoosier who is stuck with a flat tire right now? Contact Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for prompt and affordable roadside assistance service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and serve all of Central Indiana.

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How Long Can I Drive on a Spare Tire?
Common Types of Spare Tires
How to Patch a Flat Tire Using a Tire Plug Kit

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

Take These Steps if Your Car or Truck is Overheating

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❶ Do Not Drive!
❷ Pull Over Immediately.
❸ Call a Tow Truck.

The most important thing to know about an overheating vehicle is that it should not be driven until the underlying mechanical issue is resolved, and the engine is repaired. Attempting to drive an overheated car can put you and others in danger of an accident, plus cause further, possibly irreversible, damage to the engine. This can lead to costly repairs that could easily be avoided.

Continue below to learn details on how to deal with an overheated car engine on the road.

24 Hour Roadside Assistance Tow Truck Indianapolis Indiana
24 Hour Roadside Assistance Tow Truck Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Why You Should Never Drive With an Overheated Engine

Never attempt to drive a vehicle that is overheating.  Doing so poses several dangers to you and your passengers, and can also cause severe engine damage. As a result, you might require an entire engine replacement. Replacing or purchasing a new engine can be very expensive, which is why people turn to rebuilt engines in order to save some cash.

DO THIS IF YOUR CAR OR TRUCK STARTS TO OVERHEAT:

Stop driving and safely pull over as soon as your car engine begins to overheat. If smoke is bellowing out from underneath your hood, your car is no longer safe to drive, even if you top off the coolant. Instead, you will need to contact a local Indianapolis IN towing company to have your vehicle towed to the nearest auto repair shop for inspection and service.

Or…..

If your dashboard shows low levels of overheating, you may just need some more coolant. If you have some in your car, you can refill it on your own. First, let the engine cool completely. Stay in your car while you allow it to come to a safe, workable temperature. Once your engine has cooled, 10 minutes or so, safely exit your vehicle while watching out for oncoming traffic. Open your radiator fluid cap and pour in your antifreeze (coolant). Re-tighten the cap and be sure your hood is locked into place before starting up the ignition.

Letting the Engine Cool

In minor cases of overheating car engines, you may be able to let the engine cool completely and drive the car home yourself.  But if this is a far distance, it is safer for you, your car, and other drivers on the road, to have the car towed back by a towing company.

Have Your Vehicle Serviced ASAP

After contacting a local tow truck company, have them tow your vehicle to the nearest auto repair shop, or the mechanic of your choice.  Some auto repair shops offer pickup and towing services, but these are not always free. Be sure to ask first because you are probably better off calling for professional tow truck service.

Maintaining Proper Coolant Levels

The most common reason why cars overheat is lack of coolant fluid, or antifreeze, in the engine.  Fortunately, this is a simple issue that can be resolved with a quick refill. Do not attempt to check the car’s radiator fluid while the engine is warm. This can be very dangerous and can cause serious burns and other injuries. When the vehicle is cool, be sure the car is on level ground, so you are getting accurate reading levels.

Did your car break down on the side of the road and now you need some help? Contact Zore’s Towing for 24 hour roadside assistance and towing services in Indianapolis and its surrounding locations. Request a free estimate, anytime!

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Why is My Car Engine Overheating?
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Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

What to Do if You Just Locked Your Keys in the Car

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With so many things happening at once, like the coffee in your right hand and the car keys in the other, not to mention your toddler running around the other side of the car, the groceries in the cart, and so much more, it is no wonder you just locked the keys in the car by accident. Locking your keys is nothing to be frustrated about, so do not panic and add to the stress. Because this scenario is so common and happens every single day, there have been several methods conceived that are proven to rescue your keys in a hurry.

Continue reading to learn what to do if you just locked her keys in the car.

Indianapolis Indiana Roadside Assistance Tow Truck 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Indiana Roadside Assistance Tow Truck 317-247-8484

Always Hire a Pro in Hazardous or Emergency Situations

The best resource for retrieving your keys out of the locked car is to contact an emergency roadside assistance company. It is especially important to use this resource first and foremost if you ever lock your keys in the car while in a hazardous or emergency situation. They have the fleets and innovative equipment to instantly unlock your car doors and retrieve your car keys within minutes. In an emergency situation or unsafe circumstance, there is no time to waste. Always contact a 24 hour roadside assistant service if this ever happens to you.

For Normal Roadside Situations

If you find yourself in a normal situation where you’ve just locked her keys in the car, and you’re not in an unsafe position in any way, you can attempt a few creative methods of retrieving your own car keys out of your locked car.

First, and this may seem obvious, but be sure to check every single door to your car to make sure they’re all locked. You would be surprised to learn how many times roadside assistance technicians report this happening. Avoid the embarrassment and check that all doors are actually locked.

If in fact all doors are locked, you can begin the process of manual retrieval. Start by sticking your fingers in the gap between the door frame and the top of the window and create an opening about ¼ of an inch wide. If your fingers are not strong enough to do this, find some sort of plastic lever to create the gap for you.

Next, you will need a blood pressure cup. If you have just locked her keys in the car at the grocery store, you are in luck because you can just go inside the pharmacy and buy one. Otherwise, use your other car or transportation service to go to the store, or order one to be delivered online.

Once you have the blood pressure cup, stick it in between the gap you created with your fingers or lever. This should hold the gap open.

Now, expand the blood pressure cup by squeezing the bladder. As it slowly expands, the gap you’ve created will open up even wider. Do not worry, this will not damage her car. Just be sure not to over inflate the bladder, and you should be fine.

Next, grab yourself some sort of retrieval tool. The most commonly used is an unwound wire hanger, but you can also use a stick or any type of probing tool that is similar. Slide the tool into the opening and hook your keys the best you can. Then all you have to do is pull it out of the hole, remove the bladder, and unlock your car.

Do you prefer instant and professional roadside assistance instead? Contact Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We also provide wrecker services and emergency response.

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Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

Do You Need a Special License to Tow a Trailer?

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Towing a trailer with your vehicle is a serious undertaking, and therefore, requires some serious preparation and forethought. Not only should you ensure that you are well-practiced setting up your trailer and operating your vehicle while pulling it, but you should also review our state laws and regulations for towing. You should review towing regulations and requirements for any states you might be driving through as well.

You see, the towing laws in one state could be entirely different in another; while your rig is legal in Indiana, your rig could be in violation once you cross into Illinois or Ohio. For example, if you are towing a caravan that is also towing a small fishing boat, your rig would be perfectly legal in Mississippi, but as soon as you cross into Alabama, you are breaking the local towing regulations.

Continue reading to learn some important information about towing regulations, as well as what to do if you have trouble out there on the road with your trailer setup.

Indianapolis IN 24 Hour Roadside Assistance
Emergency Towing and 24 Hour Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

U.S. Towing Regulations and Requirements

To tow a trailer, you do not need any special licenses, permits, or formal education. You do, however, require a valid drivers’ license. If you are planning to tow a trailer for the first time, it is in your best interest to learn your states towing laws and regulations before hitting the road. And if you are planning to tow your trailer across state lines, it is wise to learn the towing laws for any state you will be driving through. However, as it goes for all 50 states, here are the basic towing regulations you need to stick with:

► Safety Chains – You must have safety chains hooked up to your rig in order to ensure its security. Otherwise, your trailer is at risk of separating from your towing vehicle and causing serious accidents and injuries on the road.

► Trailer Lights – Trailer lights are mandatory for road safety. This includes the taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and even reflectors on the trailer. This means you will also need an electrical hookup so that your towing vehicle’s braking system, turn signals, and more are synced with your trailer lights.

► License Plate Light – Although commonly overlooked, it is necessary to have a license plate light on your trailer. The license plate must be lit up at night, so it is clearly visible to other drivers on the road, namely law enforcement.

What Do to in the Case of a Roadside Emergency

If you get stuck in a ditch, or your trailer pulls a flat, rely on a 24 hour roadside assistance company for help. In fact, if you are planning a long-distance trip, you might want to consider buying a roadside assistance policy or package, either through your insurance carrier or a third-party provider. These companies can help you out in all kinds of jams, such as getting stuck in mud or snow, running out of gas, flat tires, dead batteries, trailer hitch problems, and even locking the keys inside the car!

Who can you trust for prompt response and affordable roadside assistance in Indiana? Contact Zore’s Towing for 24 hour roadside assistance and towing services in Indianapolis and its surrounding locations. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year!

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Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

How to Calculate Your Towing Weights

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When it comes to safe towing, whether hauling a trailer full of your friend’s furniture or towing your Jetski back to the dock for the summer, the most essential element to ensure is on point is your towing weight. Towing weight doesn’t just include the weight of the cargo you are pulling; it also includes how much weight your towing vehicle can pull. Specifically, you will need to always calculate three towing weights: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Tongue Weight (TW), and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).

Continue below to learn what these weights and ratings mean, and how to do the math for your towing setup.

24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484
24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Towing Weight Calculations

You weren’t the best at arithmetic in school? That won’t pose a problem. Calculating your towing weights is easy as long as you have a calculator nearby; and if you are like most, you have a smart phone with a calculator application already on it. Again, you will be calculating your tongue weight, gross vehicle weight rating, and the gross combined weight rating.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is how much weight your make and model towing vehicle can safely haul. This includes the capacity of the weight of the trailer and the weight of the cargo. An F-150 will have a higher gross vehicle weight rating compared to a Mini Cooper. You can find your vehicle’s recommended gross vehicle weight rating in the owners’ manual, or online on your dealership’s website.

Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)

The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total weight of everything involved in your intended towing job. This includes the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), as well as the weight of the trailer, cargo, passengers, and even fuel.

Tongue Weight (TW)

Tongue weight (TW) is the amount of force, or weight, being pushed down onto the hitch ball by the trailer coupler. You don’t ever want to put too much weight on this ball, or your car will lift off the ground in the front and your brakes will go into overdrive. This can all damage your car, as well as your towing gear.

How to Do the Math:

Add up everything you plan to haul to get your Gross Combined Weight Rating GCWR.
Take this number and compare it your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Your total should be less than your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

Do you need professional towing service for long-distance relocations or roadside trailer emergency? Contact Zore’s Towing for economically-priced towing and recovery service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve all of Central Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

Towing Acronyms for Vehicle Manufacturer Specifications
A Brief Explanation of Tongue Weight (TW)
A Review of Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484