A Review of Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings

Posted on April 8, 2019 by Zores

Before towing a trailer, or any sort of cargo, it is important to have an adequate understanding of your GVWR, otherwise known as “gross vehicle weight rating.” Continue reading for a quick review on all things related, including how to calculate your GVWR, as well as, recommended trailer towing tips and more!

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – GVWR

A gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR, is the manufacturer-engineered maximum capacity of weight your vehicle can safely tow. By adhering to this manufacturer load capacity, you will ensure that your vehicle is not towing too much weight. If you were to exceed your gross vehicle weight rating, it could cause a wide range of damage to your vehicle’s drive train, transmission, brakes, suspension, engine, and more.

GVWR and Tongue Weight (TW)

To learn your vehicle’s GVWR, all you have to do is open the driver’s side door and look at the label on the door jam. Here, you will find the gross vehicle weight rating, as well as, other pertinent information for towing, hauling, and more. This figure is meant to encompass the weight of the passengers, cargo, persona affects, and the towing vehicle’s total weight. It does not, however, include the total weight of the trailer (also known as the vehicle’s gross weight) nor trailer tongue weight, which is where your calculations come into play. Keep in mind that proper tongue weight is approximately 10 to 15% of the total trailer weight when loaded with cargo. Read our blog, “A Brief Explanation of Tongue Weight (TW)” to review trailer tongue weight facts.

In order to calculate your towing vehicle’s true GVWR, you will need to do a little math; but not to worry, it’s merely some simple adding and subtracting. For instance, if your GVWR is 7,000 pounds and your trailer weighs 600 pounds, simply subtract your trailer weight from the GVWR, and then use that figure as your actual gross vehicle weight rating. From there, you will need to continue to subtract the weight of any passengers, cargo, personal belongings, and the towing vehicle weight.

Here is an example:

Towing Vehicle Weight – 5,000 lbs.
GVWR – 6,884 lbs.
Trailer Weight – 550 lbs.

✨ The towing vehicle, with the trailer attached, can safely haul up to 1,334 lbs. without exceeding the max weight rating. This figure must include the total weight of all passengers, cargo, and personal belongings in the whole convoy.

Where to Get Professional Towing Assistance

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

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484 — Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Basic Facts About Tow Bars

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Zores

Whether you need to flat tow a dinghy with a car, truck, or RV, you will most certainly require a tow bar. The tow bar is one of the most obvious and easily discernable components in a towing set up, as it is generally shaped in a large “V” formation, and lies between the towing vehicle and the dinghy being towed. It also happens to be one of the most central components, as it allows you to safely flat-tow your wheeled commodity. There are some important facts you should know about tow bars before setting up your own rig and hitting the road.

Continue reading to review some basic information about tow bars, including the two common types on the market and their benefits.

24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Types of Tow Bars

Tow bars come in a sorts of versions, all of which differ in towing capacity, mounting style, and overall design. The tow bar you will require for your dinghy set up will depend on these factors and more. Be sure to review the manufacturers’ instructions, as well as the owners’ manual of your towing vehicle, before setting up your tow bar. The two most common mounting styles for tow bars include car-mounted and RV-mounted tow bars.

🚌 RV-Mounted Tow Bars:

RV-mounted tow bars deliver precision and stability. Furthermore, they insert directly into the RV’s hitch receiver, which means there is no need for an additional connection point (a coupler) that most car-mounted types require. Although you won’t be using a coupler on an RV-mounted tow bar, you will need your hitch lock to secure the bar to the receiver. RV-mounted tow bars are also easy store, provide highly stable connections, improve safety, compatible with hitch adapters, and easy to adjust.

🚙 Car-Mounted Tow Bars:

Car-mounted tow bars are used on towing vehicles like cars, trucks, SUV’s, and vans. They came long before the introduction of RV-mounted tow bars, and still play a vital role in dinghy towing to this very day. They operate similarly to an A-trailer since they connect to the trailer hitch ball via an integrated coupler. Their integrated coupler can be locked to a hitch ball, adding more security and stability. Furthermore, they come in a range of sizes, including 2″ and 2^5/16” balls, and even pintle hitches.

24 Hour Towing and Recovery

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

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

A Brief Explanation of Tongue Weight (TW)

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Zores

When it comes to safe towing, the most important factor is knowledge. And part of this knowledge is knowing your tow weights. This includes the weight of your load, the capacity of your towing vehicle, and your towing trailer’s tongue weight. Most experienced towers are familiar with their load weight and capacities, but many tend to overlook tongue weight, which is equally important as the rest.

Continue reading for a brief explanation of these weights, with a primary focus on tongue weight.

What is Tongue Weight?

Tongue weight is the downward force or pressure the trailer puts on the back of the towing vehicle (specifically on the ball by the trailer coupler). Why is this weight measurement important? Well, too much weight on the back of the vehicle can cause it to raise in the front, thus making the rear brakes work too hard. Too little weight can cause the trailer and vehicle to be unleveled, which is dangerous while taking turns or driving at high speeds.

Tongue weight should never be more than 15% of the total trailer weight, including the weight of its cargo. This weight calculation is referred to as “gross trailer weight”, which is the same as “gross vehicle mass”, or “GVM.” See our blog, “Towing Acronyms for Vehicle Manufacturer Specifications” to learn all the weight definitions for safe towing. For now, here are two additional towing weight definitions you need to know in order to tow a trailer safely:

➤ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – The acronym, “GVWR” stands for “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating”, which refers to the maximum recommended weight of the vehicle or trailer when it is fully loaded in adherence to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

➤ Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) – The acronym, “GCVWR” stands for “Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating”, which refers to the combined weight of a trailer and the towing vehicle, including all passengers, as well as, fuel, equipment, and the cargo on the trailer.

Unsure of Your Towing Weight Capacities?

If you are not sure what your weight capacities are for your trailer and towing vehicle, refer to the owners’ manual for both. See our blog, “What is a Compliance Certification Label and Where is it on My Car?” to learn more about the importance of calculating these figures. If you need to replace a lost owners’ manuals for your trailer and/or vehicle, you can download them online, sometimes for free.

Need Professional Towing?

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

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

How to Install a Trailer Hitch Adapter

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Zores

Our February blogs, seen to the right, “How to Transport a Car Across the Country”, and, “How to Test Tire Tread Using a Penny”, have certainly turned this month into the month of “How To’s!” So we why not end the month with one more “How To” blog?

After some thought, we realized that many novice towers are always asking questions about setting up hitch receivers and adapters. If you have a trailer and towing vehicle, you might want to review the steps for doing both. Continue reading to learn a quick guide to installing a trailer hitch adapter, as well as, some helpful tips for hitch receivers.

24 hour Towing Indianapolis IN — Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

Trailer Hitch Adapters

Trailer hitch adapters are great because they do just that: adapt. You can use them with a 2 inch hitch accessory with a 1 ¼ inch receiver. Even better, trailer hitch adapters can also be used with hitch-mounted bike racks and cargo carriers that are designed for a 2 inch receiver hitch. Keep in mind, you still must use cargo support straps to prevent your cargo from moving around or creating strain on your trailer hitch.

Before getting started, it is critical to DOUBLE CHECK the receiver hitch tongue weight rating. The tongue weight needs to be higher than the combined weight of the cargo and the apparatuses used to secure everything. See our article, “The 5 Hitch Classes and Their Maximum Load Capacities” to learn more about tongue weight (TW) and gross trailer weight (GTW).

Trailer Hitch Adapter Installation Guide:

Step ❶ – Insert the adapter into your vehicle’s receiver hitch. Then secure it with the pin and clip.

Step ❷ – Install the 2” hitch accessory, then secure it using the pin and clip.

Step ❸ – Secure the hitch accessory with cargo support straps.

Step ❹ – Periodically inspect the hitch accessory as you use it to ensure the trailer hitch adapter and cargo straps are still secure and in place.

When You Need Professional Towing in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

How to Transport a Car Across the Country

Posted on February 19, 2019 by Zores

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.

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!

What You Should Know About Dinghy Towing

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Zores

It is common to see vehicles flat-towing other vehicles on the road. This type of towing is called dinghy towing, and continues to be among the most popular and convenient ways to haul. The term, “dinghy” actually refers to yachts hauling small transit boats in their wakes. Dinghy towing has become a very efficient and secure way of towing cars, trucks, and SUV’s.

For this reason, an extensive line of specialized equipment was introduced to the market to support this type of towing. Parts like supplemental transmission lubrication pumps, quick-disconnect couplings for the driveshaft, light wiring, and supplemental brake actuators are towing components that make dinghy-style hauling safer and more efficient.

There are two ways dinghy towing is implemented: using a tow bar or using a tow dolly. Continue reading to learn the differences between these two styles, and gain a better perspective of the pros and cons of dinghy towing.

Using a Tow Bar

When you see, for example, an RV towing a sedan with all four tires making contact with the road, this is dinghy style towing using a tow bar. The tow bar is connected to the front bumper of the towed vehicle, and then trailer lights are attached to the back bumper. Although reliable, using a tow bar to tow can become complicated since cars are meant to drive on their own power, rather than be towed on the ground. Also, transmissions are designed to be turned by the car’s engine.

But when a car is being towed on the pavement, the tires will cause the transmission to turn instead, which could possibly lead to transmission damage. On the other hand, certain vehicles, like Jeeps, are designed with a 4WD mechanism that retains a transfer case, which places the car in neutral, isolating the transmission from the wheels. It is important to always refer to the towed vehicles owners’ manual for manufacturer recommendations before setting it up for tow bar dinghy towing.

Using a Tow Dolly

In contrast to tow bars, tow dollies only allow the rear tires of a towed vehicle to touch the ground. When you see a car being towed with its front wheels raised and its back wheels rolling on the ground, you are witnessing dinghy style towing using a tow dolly. Tow dollies are popular for RV’s that need to tow a car or SUV long distances. A notable downside to tow dolly towing is uneven tire wear. However, routine maintenance and regular tire rotations can help slow this process down.

Indianapolis Tow Truck Help

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 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!

Top 4 Signs of a Faulty Alternator

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Zores

As a local company that provides 24 hour roadside assistance, we get a lot of calls for jump starts. And on several occasions, what seems to be a dead battery issue is actual an alternator one. Our customer’s discover that their vehicle doesn’t need a jump start, but rather, a tow to the nearest auto shop for alternator repair.

Symptoms of a failing alternator often disguise themselves as something else, which is why it is important to always consult a professional for all of your automotive maintenance, repair, and recovery needs. If you suspect that your vehicle is having problems with its ignition, electrical systems, or battery, it could very well all be a result of a faulty alternator.

Continue reading to learn the top 4 signs of a failing alternator, as well as, how to contact us for emergency roadside assistance.

❶ Dead Battery

When an alternator is not functioning properly, it will quickly drain all of the battery capacity. As a result, the battery will die every time you drive your vehicle. This leads many people to mistakenly believe an alternator issue is a dead battery one. If this sounds like your car, you may think you need a jump start, when really you need your alternator repaired or replaced.

❷ Electrical Malfunctions

One of the most common signs that a car alternator is failing is electrical malfunctioning. This applies to lights, power seats and windows, stereos, navigation systems, and any other components powered by electricity. If you notice that your power seats are moving too slowly, your lights are dimmed or flickering, or your radio shuts off and on, it could be due to a failing alternator. An illuminated check engine, ALT,” or a battery icon indicator is another tell-tale sign.

❸ Strange Sounds

If your car makes strange noises while idling or driving, be sure to listen closely for sounds that indicate an alternator problem. If you hear squealing, grinding, or growl-like noises, it could be due to a faulty alternator. Most often, these sounds are caused by loosened or over-stretched serpentine belts, which cannot provide sufficient charge.

❹ Stalling Engine

If an alternator is not working properly, the fuel injection cannot not get the amount of electrical power needed to operate the engine, causing a vehicle to shut off instantly in the middle of driving. If this has happened to you more than once, you may be in need of alternator repair or replacement.

How to Get in Touch With Us

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for safe and affordable Indianapolis tow truck and roadside services you can trust. Our licensed and insured towing 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!

Types of Customers We Serve at Zore’s Towing

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Zores

Here at Zore’s Towing, we serve a wide range of customers with our extensive fleet of tow trucks and recovery vehicles. Continue below to view all the different types of customers we serve, and see just where you fit on the list!

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

👫 Single Customers

Whether you are a vehicle owner, renter, leaser, or somewhere in between, Zore’s Towing provides individual towing and recovery services for anyone in the state. When you have a car accident, we can provide the towing and clearance services in a moment’s notice. If you need to transport a vehicle or large commodity across the city or state, we have the fleet to manage your cargo safely. We also provide 24 hour roadside assistance for flat tires, lockouts, no fuel, and more!

🚚 Commercial Accounts

Commercial accounts are another big part of who we serve here at Zore’s Towing. Such clientele primarily includes large commercial trucking companies who require 24 hour roadside assistance for breakdowns, emergencies, recoveries, and more. We know how impactful it can be having a commercial truck out of service, which is why we promptly manage such cases with your bottom line in mind!

🏢 Private Property Customers

Anyone who owns private real estate, whether commercial or residential, does not want abandoned vehicles or illegally parked cars on their premises. This is where Zore’s Towing can help. We are on call, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, to assist private property owners with unwanted vehicle removal. We retain comprehensive knowledge of all local and state statutes and legal requirements, allowing us to provide safe and secure property management services.

🚓 Government Contracts

Zore’s Towing retains comprehensive knowledge of all evidentiary and local government requirements. This allows us to work alongside various fire and law enforcement departments and government agencies to provide vehicle impound and transportation services, city and state training and safety programs, traffic incident management (TIM) services, controlled rolls, water recovery, wrecker service, and more. We are also involved with several community services and work closely with the Hoosier Helper Tool.

🚙 Automotive Repair Shops

It is common practice for auto repair shops to get customers who need to have their car towed to their lot. In such cases, many automotive shops choose Zore’s Towing for their on-call towing account. With a wide fleet of tow trucks available 24 hours a day, we are always prepared to get your customer’s vehicles to you as soon as possible, regardless of their car’s condition or location. We serve all of Indianapolis, as well as, all areas within Central Indiana.

🏆 Motor Clubs

Another valued towing client includes Motor Clubs. All those fancy cars you see at shows and exhibits are not usually driven to their destination. In order to retain the aesthetic and mechanical integrity of specialty cars, careful transportation is required. Here at Zore’s Towing, local motor clubs know that we retain the proper fleet of flatbed tow trucks to safely transport exotic and high-valued vehicles, safely and efficiently.

Your Indiana Towing and Recovery Service

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

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

Why Choose Zore’s Towing for All Your Roadside Needs

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Zores

Here at Zore’s Towing, our family owned and operated company has proudly served the Central Indiana communities with safe and efficient towing and recovery services at the most competitive prices. Learn why you should choose us for all of your towing and roadside needs!

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Towing, Recovery & Roadside Service

It’s simple; we are your simple, hassle-free solution to affordable towing and recovery services in Indianapolis, and throughout Central Indiana! With more than 90 years in business, you can trust our pledge to provide safe and efficient service at a fair price. Our certified and experienced drivers carry out a wide range of professional towing services, including light to heavy-duty tow truck service, property management, roadside assistance, towed car searches, emergency towing, long-distance towing, heavy equipment transport, and much more.

More Precision & Faster Response Times

On top of a full fleet of advanced tow trucks and wrecker equipment, we only employ state-certified wrecker operators who work around the clock, providing roadside protection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year; even on national holidays! This means that Zore’s Towing is your roadside security team for emergency vehicle assistance at all times. Best of all, all of our tow trucks are radio-dispatched from a live representative, and even equipped with the latest GPS technologies, all of which ensures accuracy and improves response times.

A Hoosier Family You Can Trust

As a member of the community ourselves, we are committed to providing the quality and security you come to expect from a local towing service. In fact, we are active in our surrounding neighborhoods in many ways. Not only are we involved with several community services, including city and state training and safety programs, as well as, local community sponsorships and causes throughout Central Indiana, we are also partnered with various fire departments and 9 different law enforcement departments for the purpose of providing traffic incident management (TIM) services, controlled rolls, water recovery, wrecker service, and more. We also work closely with the Hoosier Helper Tool, and have even won prestigious awards for our respected credentials, achievements, and service.

Contact Us Anytime!

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484, today. On every call, you can expect a prompt hello and a warm greeting from a pleasant company representative who is ready to assist you. Our friendly staff is waiting by the phones, ready to help you get back on the road, safe and sound. Request a free estimate, anytime!

Tips for Towing With an Automatic Gearbox

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Zores

In the past, towing with an automatic gear box was considered to be in poor practice. But today, it is the most common method of towing for many. If you are preparing to tow with an automatic gearbox, continue reading to review some helpful tips that will keep you and your cargo safe.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

Modern Automatic Electronic Gearboxes

Modern automatic electronic gearboxes are popular for their performance value, durability, and efficiency, making it no surprise that they are consistently being improved and innovated every year. The recent introduction of tiptronic-style shifters has really increased their popularity since they provide an added level of convenience.

These shifters basically deliver the best features of a manual gearbox by allowing drivers to control shift points and gears in accordance to the situation. Maneuvering corners, rough terrain, narrow turns, and steep slopes are all navigated at a much higher level of control with all the recent innovations of modern-day auto electronic gearboxes.

Tips for Using an Auto Gearbox

The way you use your automatic gearbox largely depends on the terrain you are driving on. For softer, resistant roads or substrates, you might not want to lose momentum, otherwise you can risk damaging your transmission. In these situations, like mud or sand, you want to use “drive” and let the gearbox work in the low or second gear. In these same situations, if you require more speed (40 mph or more) to cover a longer distance, third gear is recommended.

If you are driving through terrain that requires navigating around obstacles, such as creek beds or rocky trails, it is helpful to put your vehicle into drive and allow the gearbox to choose the proper gear type. Although it may take a few minutes for the gearbox to make a choice, you only need to focus on the path ahead in drive mode.

When driving downhill, take advantage of the manual over-ride features of your auto electronic gearbox. To decrease the load on your brakes in a down-slope course, choose a lower gear. This is especially important for turbo diesel engines.

Watch out for torque conversion slips when driving at high speeds on a flat surface, and then approach a hill. Although the vehicle is at the same speed, the engine revolutions can greatly increase, causing many problems with the torque converter. This can cause increased fuel consumption and high heat levels in transmission fluid, thus leading to overheating.

Be sure to have your automatic gearbox professionally inspected and serviced once every year, or every 15,000 miles. If you do not tow, you can go every two years instead. It is also not recommended to trust the manufacturer when they claim the gearbox is sealed does not require fluid changes.

Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484