Essential Safety Guidelines for Towing a Car

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Zores

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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

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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.

What Can a Tow Truck Tow?

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Zores

We see them all the time and they are always there when we need them; yes, tow trucks! There is much more to towing than picking up cars on the side of the road, or removing illegally parked vehicles from commercial properties. Continue reading to learn about the world of towing, or at least the types of commodities tow trucks are capable of hauling.

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Cars and Trucks

This is the most obvious type of towing referred to all over the country, tow trucks are capable of towing any make or model car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle. Although this is the most familiar towing job, this does not mean they are the easiest. All tows are different and it depends on a number of variables. Things like the condition of the vehicle, the location of the vehicle, and much more. Class I hitches are typically used in tows under 2000 pounds; but some companies use flatbed tow trucks, which are just as safe and effective.

Boats, Trailers, and RV’s

There are many different make and model tow trucks on the road today. Some of these trucks are able to tow things like boats, campers, recreational vehicles, jet skis, and trailers! On top of cars and trucks, many tow operators retain the appropriate hitches or beds to transfer these commodities from one location to another. For items between 200 and 3500 pounds, a class II hitch is usually required; unless using a flatbed.

Semi-Trucks and Air Planes

Many people are unaware that there are tow trucks that even provide heavy duty tow jobs, such as planes, semi-trucks, and even houses! Duplex homes, large trucks and vans, and even air planes are all things that have required tows in the past. The correct truck can handle these heavy duty jobs with no problem. It does, however, require a towing professional and meticulous expertise to successfully and safely carry out these types of towing projects.

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If you would like to know more about light to heavy duty towing, or how to tow something using a particular tow hitch, call a professional for advice at 317-247-8484 today. Zore’s Towing is Indianapolis’s leading tow experts that can cover any type of tow, from cars to planes. We offer free estimates, advice, cash for cars, and much more. Visit our website for more information about our services, any time. Quality towing in Indianapolis is just a phone call away!

What to Do if Your Vehicle is Missing in Indianapolis

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Zores

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Have you ever come out of a restaurant or retail store, maybe even the office, only to find that your car or truck is not parked in the spot you originally designated as your own?

The answer is most likely yes; this situation has happened to most of us in our lifetime. Illegal parking, expired tags, outdated license plates, theft, and more are all possible reasons as to why your vehicle has gone missing.

Continue reading to learn what to do when your car or truck is missing in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Call All Local Towing Companies

The first thing to do is not panic. Although you may think there was no way or reason your car was towed, you never know. I had a friend get pulled over on Valentine’s Day because his plates were expired by two years! He is a very responsible business man, but because he relocated from a different state, the BMV wasn’t able to contact him with a reminder to renew his plates. He would never have thought that was the reason, but anyone can overlook these kinds of things; it’s human nature.

Once you have contacted some tow companies, they can give you information from their databases, as well as, contact dispatchers to see if your car has been towed by their trucks. If you call around to all the tow companies in the area and they all say no, then look around the parking lot for signs about restricted parking. Sometimes, there are signs that explain the restriction on parking in certain lots. On those signs is usually information or a phone number to call if you think your vehicle has been towed. Some commercial properties can have private wrecker services working for them, and they are the ones to contact about re-retrieving your car.

Call the Police

If all this fails to produce any information about your car, then perhaps it was simply stolen. Your next duty is to call the police and file a police report. An officer will show up shortly after you call to take down as much information as you can give them. They will obviously need a description of the car, plate numbers, registration, and any other information you can give. They will file the report and start an investigation to find your missing vehicle. Be sure to consider family and friends with spare keys as well. See if maybe they came to borrow your car without asking, and failed to return it in time. This could happen.

Car Towed in Indianapolis?

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For more information about what to do when your car goes missing in Indianapolis, call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484. As a professional wrecker company, we offer a wide variety of services; such as lock outs, jump starts, light towing, heavy duty towing, tires changes, junk car removal, cash for cars, and much more. Zore’s Towing has been serving the Hoosier communities for over 80 years! We are the experts to trust with all your towing needs. Visit our towing website for details about towing services in Indianapolis, IN today!

Advantages of Wrecker Services

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Zores

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Let’s pretend we are out on the road, and all of a sudden; boom! You are struck in the rear by a car with a blown tire, and now you are sitting in a ditch. What do you do? In another situation, picture yourself in traffic on a Friday afternoon. There is a 15 car pileup ahead. Who’s going to move these stalled vehicles and clear the road for other drivers? The answer to both questions is easy; the town’s local towing company. Continue reading to learn more about the advantages of wrecker services in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Wrecker Services

Indianapolis wrecker services are the best way to get your vehicle, boat, or trailer to your destination of choice, fast. A professional Tow Company can move your property anywhere it needs to be. There are so many benefits to using a reputable wrecker service in Indianapolis; read on to learn them all!

A professional towing service retains the proper permits, licenses, and certifications to run as a reputable and reliable business. They are generally highly trained and experienced wrecker operators that can tow almost anything that drives. They also retain the proper equipment and industry knowledge to successfully tow boats, trucks, cars, semi-trucks, and more, in the safest way possible. There are more advantages too!

Wrecker services are crucial to have around when it comes to traffic accidents and emergency towing situations. If there is a huge highway pileup, like the example before, a professional wrecker service would be the ones to clear the road in no time at all. In other instances, wrecker services are there for people who are stuck in snow, slid of the road, broke down in the middle of nowhere, and people moving across state.

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To learn more about wrecker services, call Zore’s Towing in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are highly qualified tow experts that can tow anything from boats to semi-trucks. We have been a family owned and operated company since 1927. Visit our website at https://www.zorestowing.com/wrecker-service-indianapolis.php, or call us at 317-745-2245 for free estimates on wrecker services in Indianapolis, IN today.

What Should I Do If Someone Keeps Parking in My Private Parking Spot?

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Zores

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Many people live in city areas where parking is limited. In these situations, it is common for someone to pay a steady monthly fee for a private parking spot. This is common in apartment complexes, condominium multiplexes, and office buildings in downtown areas. But what do you do if someone is consistently occupying your reserved space without permission? Continue reading for tips on how to reclaim your parking space.

Towing is Always an Option

The first thing that comes to a persons’ mind when they see illegal parking is calling a tow service. If you want to call a tow truck, refer to your parking lot’s company. They will usually have signs hung or posted in and around the parking lot with instructions on how to contact them. They may have a tow service that performs these private jobs for them full-time. If they do not, call a local tow company and give them the information you have about the vehicle in question. They can even look into your parking lot’s jurisdiction and see if there is a tow company already assign to that area.

If you do call a tow truck, the person will have to pay a fine to reclaim their vehicle from the lot or impound. This can be quite a hassle. Calling a tow truck can be a quick and full-proof solution; however, there are others that are a possibility too. Towing can always be a last resort if you prefer a friendlier approach.

Alternative Solutions

If you are a person that prefers to do things the less aggressive way, you have some other options. For example, you can contact the company that owns the parking spaces and talk to an office manager or representative. They can typically have someone tag the car, or give the person a warning to not park in that spot anymore. If the office or company responsible is not able to do anything about the situation, then calling a tow company may be your only option. You can try to contact the police, but they will most likely refer you to a local towing service.

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If you would like more information on this topic, call our professionals at Zore’s Towing in Indianapolis, IN. We are happy to offer free estimates, DIY advice, and general information about towing related topics. Visit our website at https://www.zorestowing.com/property-towing-indianapolis.php, or call us today at 317-247-8484 anytime. We are the Indianapolis towing service you can trust!

Steps to Take Directly After a Non-Fatal Auto Accident

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Zores

Auto accidents happen suddenly and are never planned, so being scared is normal. After an auto accident has occurred, it is important to take the necessary steps to start repairing the situation. Continue reading for more information on what to do after you have been involved in a car accident.

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Auto Accident Instructions

❶ Take Safety Precautions and Protect Yourself from Further Danger

Be sure that you, and anyone else in the vehicle with you, are safe and away from oncoming traffic. If the vehicle still drives, pull it to the side of the road. If it does not, walk away from the car and get off of the road as soon as possible to avoid getting hit. If you are in a situation where you cannot exit the vehicle due to safety (such as a cliff or ravine), clasp your seat belt and remain in the car until emergency services arrive.

❶ Make an Accident Report

If there is someone that is seriously injured in the accident, call 911 immediately. Otherwise, proceed to call the police. Your local police station will dispatch officers to make a police report of the accident, as well as, emergency vehicles in case of minor injuries. Be ready to give general information to the police, such as name, phone number, description of the accident, persons involved in the accident, location, and the health status of each individual in your party. Once this information is passed along, the operator will give you further instruction and may even stay on the line with you until their units arrive.

❶ Write Down a Detailed Description of the Accident Scene

As you are waiting for emergency and police services to arrive, begin taking detailed notes of the scene of the accident. Write down everything you remember from the start of the accident to the finish. This allows you to recall particular details of the incident later on without any trouble. It can help when filing insurance claims and the police report as well.

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For more information about what to do after being involved in an auto accident, call Zore’s Towing in Indianapolis, Indiana today. We are an expert fleet of tow trucks that provide accident towing services for all of Indy. Call us at 317-247-8484 for auto accident instruction information and accident towing in Indianapolis, IN.

3 Simple Steps to Follow after Your Car is Towed

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Zores

Has your car just been towed in Indianapolis, Indiana? If so, simply follow these steps provided to get you back into the drivers’ seat. And remember you are not alone! This situation happens to thousands of people every day right here in Indy. As long as you act fast a make the right decisions, this mistake will be far behind you before dinner time.

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Step One

As soon as you determine that your car has been towed and not stolen, check the parking lot for signs about towing violations. These are in every parking lot and should be easy to spot. They are typically white with red letters, but vary from county to county. The sign will have the name of the tow company assigned to that area of town or parking district. It will also have the contact information listed.

Step Two

After you find the towing company’s contact information, call the number provided. A receptionist or customer service rep will answer the line and ask you for some standard information. You will most likely be asked to provide the following information: Your name, number, vehicle model, and the location or address it was towed from.

If the tow company does not have any record of your car, it has probably been stolen or repossessed by the dealership. If you do not lease or finance your car, then call the local police department because it has most likely been stolen. Do not call 911 because it is not a life or death emergency. If your car is financed, call your auto provider and check to see if your last car payment went through. Sometimes there can be mistakes at the bank or billing departments. They will give you further instruction if your car has been repossessed.

Step Three

Once you have determined that your car has been towed and is in the custody of the tow company, begin preparing the necessary documents and resources you will need to regain access to your vehicle. The first thing you will need is a ride to the tow yard. Call a friend, family member, or taxi cab to get to the tow lot. You will need to present to the desk your drivers’ license, proof of insurance, car title in YOUR name, and the fine associated with the tow. This can be anywhere from $50 to $500. The cost increases by day.

If you can provide all this information and the fee along with it, you can regain possession of your vehicle in as little as one hour. If your car hasn’t been towed, be sure to take the necessary precautions to prevent the situation in from happening. Be sure your plates are up to date and your car is registered properly. Do not park in designated or reserved areas, and refrain from illegal parking.

Towing in Indianapolis

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For more information about towing and wrecker companies, contact a professional at Zore’s Towing in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about how to tow, tow laws, and general towing information. Call us today at 317-247-8484, or visit our Indianapolis Towing Services website anytime!

Wrecker Services Offer More than Tows

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Zores

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Along with towing, wrecker companies typically offer a variety of related services for automotive assistance. Towing is the most common service provided by wrecking companies; however, it is not usually the sole service available. These services are generally overlooked because of the prevalence of roadside assistance programs offered through popular insurance companies. For those who do not have the luxury of twenty four hour roadside assistance, wrecker services are there to provide the same services around the clock!

Light-Duty Tows

Full service wrecker companies always include light towing services. This type of towing refers to regular automobiles, jet skis, small trailers, and motorcycles. This is the most common tow service utilized in residential communities. These wreckers provide service for situations such as illegally parked cars, car accidents, breakdowns, junk car removal, and more.

Medium/Heavy Duty Tows

Trucks and trailers are common hauls for heavy to medium duty towing. More medium to heavy tows include boats, RVs, animal trailers, buses, mobile homes, and more. Professional towing companies are specialized in performing these more complex tows because they are industry trained and experienced, as well as, have all the proper equipment to carry out tows safely.

Jump Starts

Professional towing companies are likely to offer jump start services for dead car batteries. If a person has left their headlights on for a long period of time, they may discover their engine won’t turn; this is because they have extinguished all the juice in their car battery. In this case, a professional full-service wrecker company will come out and offer you a jump start at a low cost. Be sure to use a 24 hour tow company because they are usually the more reputable choice.

Lockouts

Not all, but a few, towing companies will offer lockout services. If someone has lost their keys to their car, or locked them inside of it, the tow company may come out and unlock the vehicle for you at a lower cost than a standard lock smith. Be sure to do your research before committing to a locksmith for vehicular lock outs.

Towing Services in Indianapolis

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For more information on towing services in Indianapolis,, contact the experts at Zore’s Towing. They 24 hour emergency wrecking services, as well as, advice, free estimates, junk car removal, and more! Call them at 317-247-8484, or visit their Indianapolis Towing website today!

Tips to Towing a Trailer Safely

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Zores

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If you intend to haul a car, motorcycle, or anything else with the use of a trailer, you should know all there is to know about hitches, trailers, towing, and safety. Safe towing requires this type of knowledge, and preferably, experience as well. Everyone has seen that amateur tower on the road, and goes to great lengths to avoid his swaying trailer. Do not be this amateur ever. Once you have learned to be a towing expert, here are a few extra tips to towing your trailer safer.

Avoid Parking on Grades

Try to avoid parking on steep grades. If you have to park in a spot with a slight grade, be sure to have someone outside before you place the gear into park. Have them put down wood or cement blocks on the downhill side of the trailer wheels. Once the blocks are set, shift the gear into park and then release your foot from the brakes. This is the way you should park a trailer on a grade so that it cannot get locked into the parking gear due to the excess weight on the transmission.

Drive at Moderate Speeds

Driving at higher speeds while towing a trailer causes the dangerous swaying showcased by the above mentioned “amateur”. These are the drivers we typically avoid, so do not become one yourself! Driving at slower speeds reduces the potential for sliding, skidding, and slipping when approaching bumpy roads or stopping.

Adjust Your Braking

A larger vehicle and heavier load will need more time to come to a stop on the road. Be sure to adjust your braking times so that you have enough time to come to a complete stop, and avoid the risk of running red lights and intersections. Keep in mind that approaching a stop at the bottom of a hill will need even more barking time.

Passing Other Vehicles

When planning to pass someone on the highway or road while towing a trailer, be sure to signal far in advance. Often times, other drivers will neglect to cooperate with larger trucks, vans, and trailers, and not pay attention to them. By letting them know your intentions far ahead of time, they will be able to react accordingly. Also, be sure to allow extra distance when switching lanes, and keep in mind the traffic behind you.

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The importance of safety on the road while towing trailers, bikes, cars, and other loads, is limitless. Be sure you consult an experienced tow truck driver before attempting a tow on your own. For more information on towing trailers or if you need a tow in Indiana, visit our Indianapolis Towing Service website and give us a call today!

The Three Main Types of Tow Trucks

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Zores

Tow trucks are seen everywhere on a daily basis, pulling and hauling other vehicles to safer places. Do you notice that tow trucks can sometimes look different from each other? Well, the reason is that there are different types of tow trucks for different types of tows!

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Flat Bed Tow Truck

These trucks are sometimes referred to as “rollback” trucks. This truck has a long empty truck bed that has a flat top. The truck itself has a hydraulics system in place to move the flat bed up and down and tilted into a ramp. This allows easier loading for cars because a person can just drive the car onto the ramp. For boats and stationary vehicles, a winch can be used to drag them onto the bed. Once the vehicle is set, the hydraulics are used again to even out the ramp so that the truck can hit the road with the car in tow. This is usually the preferred way of towing because it avoids having to drag the vehicle, as well as relieves pressure from it.

Hook and Chain Tow Truck

This type of tow truck is exactly as it sounds. A hook and a chain are used to tow the cargo. In a more detailed explanation, these trucks are called sling trucks at times. They aren’t as popular as they once were, and are not used very often anymore. They work by wrapping chains around axles and frames of vehicles to tow them. This type of towing causes scratches and damage to the vehicle, so they are mainly used to tow wrecked and junk vehicles.

Wheel-Lift Tow Truck

These trucks are similar to the hook and chain tow trucks, but cause much less damage. The difference is, instead of using chains, they use a metal yoke. It hooks under the front or rear wheels to be towed away. As the vehicle is towed, a pneumonic hoist or hydraulic lift suspends the front or rear side of the vehicle so that it is lifted from the ground. This reduces potential damage to the car.

Indianapolis Towing

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For more information on towing and tow truck services in Indianapolis, IN, call Zore’s Towing. They are the leading experts in the tow industry, and provide the most courteous customer service in town. Call us at 317-247-8484, or visit our Indianapolis Towing website today!