Do I Need a Hitch Ball When I Buy a New Ball Mount?

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Zores

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

With the proper hitch and towing accessories, any vehicle can be made into a road-trip worthy, ready-to-go, hauling machine. Depending on the type of vehicle you intend to use for towing, you will need to be sure to properly match the right hitch and accessories and set-ups for safe and effective towing.

One of the most common questions drivers have in regards to towing has to do with ball mounts, hitches, and hitch balls. When a person buys a new ball mount, they often wonder which accessories they need to purchase along with it. Continue reading to learn more about ball mounts and hitches, and who to call for towing service and advice you can trust.

Ball Mounts

Ball mounts are commonly referred to as draw bars or stingers. They are the piece connected to the receiver that holds the hitch ball. They are a long, hollow square tube with a curved plate bolted at the end. The curved plate is the piece that holds the hitch ball. The come is a wide range of sizes and drop/lift levels, each fitting a certain type of trailer ball. Many are reversible, making them capable of providing drop and lift by simple turning them upside down.

Towing Accessories

The accessories that connect the ball mount to the receiver and keeps it in place are the hitch pins and clips. These are inserted through pre-made holes in the square-end of the ball mount that allows the pins and clips to hold the ball mount to the receiver. It is recommended to always use a hitch lock to prevent trailer theft.

What You Need

When you purchase a ball mount, most generally come with a hitch ball, hitch pin, and hitch clip. For this reason, there is usually no need to purchase extra towing accessories when all you need is a ball mount. However, it is highly recommended to buy a hitch lock, as mentioned before, to prevent people from simply removing the hitch pin and clip, and riding off with your trailer. Also, it is important to always use safety chains no matter which class receiver you are using. These ensure added safety and maneuverability on the road.

For professional towing advice or service, contact a local wrecker company with experience. An experienced and established towing company can provide the safest and most secure towing services for any type of vehicle, bike, equipment, and more.

Zore’s Towing

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for professional and prompt tow truck services in Indianapolis. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured wrecker company that has been in business for more than 75 years in Indiana. Are highly trained and licensed tow truck operators provide all types of towing; from light-weight to heavy-duty, to emergency towing, disaster response, traffic accident clearance, recovery services, and more. Call 317-247-8484 to learn more about our towing services and service areas in Indianapolis.

What Can Professional Wrecker Services Offer You?

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Zores

Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

Wrecker services are a great advantage to our cities; keeping our roads clear of wreckage, illegally parked cars and trucks, and broke down or abandoned vehicles. On top of all of this, they serve our communities with other useful wrecker services as well. There is much more to wrecker service than towing. Continue reading to catch up on what wrecker services can offer you in a variety of different circumstances and scenarios.

Jump Starts and Roadside Assistance

When your car engine dies on the road, a tow truck operator can offer jump starts any time of day. This is extremely helpful for people out of town, on long road trips, or anyone without jumper cables when their car battery dies. On top of jump starts, wrecker operators also offer additional roadside assistance services, like tire changes, lockouts, and fuel re-fills on a 24 hour schedule, 7 days a week. They can even offer rides to nearby gas stations or service centers for people in need.

Towing and Recovery

There are three separate towing categories that local wrecker services generally offer drivers on the road. These three categories are light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty towing services. Light duty towing includes cars, small and mid-sized trucks, vans, and motorbikes. Medium duty wrecker services includes recovery missions for trailers, SUVs, full-size trucks and vans, school buses, and tractors. Heavy duty towing is on a much larger scale. This includes towing services for commodities such as air crafts, semi-trucks, commercial buses, farming equipment, manufactured homes, construction, demolition projects, and much more.

Disaster Response Services

In the case of a devastating storm or other catastrophic disaster, veteran wrecker services are known to be there to provide recovery missions for the city. Hauling large debris and fallen trees is one way wrecker operators can assist in emergency situations. In addition, they can offer assistance with bridge repair, major flood damage, river damage, explosion cleanups, hurricane disasters, fires, and more. Typically, towing companies that have been operating for more than a few decades are qualified to assist in this type of recovery. It takes years of training and experience to undertake emergency wrecker services safely and effectively.

Zore’s Towing

Towing Company Indianapolis, Indiana 317-247-8484

Towing Company 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for professional and prompt towing service in Indianapolis, Indiana today. We are highly trained, licensed, and experienced tow truck operators that provide a very wide range of affordable wrecker services at the fairest prices around. Call our office today at 317-247-8484 for free estimates, emergency towing services, roadside assistance, and more in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties.

Safely Tow Your Boat to Winter Storage

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Zores

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Now that summer has come to an end, we can expect cold weather to hit us soon! Fall is a good time of year to pull boats and water crafts off the dock and place them back into storage for the winter. Since it’s been a few months since the last time you towed your boat, it may be a good idea to review some helpful boat towing tips to ensure the safety of your truck, your riders, and of course, your beloved boat! Continue reading for tips on safely towing your boat back into winter storage.

Boat Towing Safety Tips

Whether you choose to use a car or truck, you should realize that once you connect the trailer and begin to haul your load, the vehicle will drive differently. It will respond slower to brake signals, accelerate slower, turn wider, and drive heavier altogether. Getting used to this feeling is part of the towing learning curve, and simply takes time. With enough practice, you will be able to maneuver and navigate a tow without any anxiety or hassle.
It is also important to remember how to back up properly when hauling a boat and trailer. It can be confusing knowing which way to turn the wheel and tires. Be sure to review the owners’ manual for these particular instructions, and practice a few times in an open space before the real reversing happens.

Here are some more tips to remember:

Be sure your load is balanced and the weight is evenly distributed on all sides. If you have loaded your boat up with a bunch of supplies and extra equipment, be sure to disperse them evenly for even weight distribution.

Always check the tongue weight to be sure you are not overloading the hitch. Use the ten percent formula: If a boat and trailer weighs 5,000 pounds added together, the tongue weight should be 500 pounds.

The towing vehicle, trailer, and boat should be nearly parallel to the ground.

Be sure all ratchet straps are secured. The trailer winch strap should be secured to the bow eye.

Check that all vehicle and trailer lights and signals are working. This includes turn signals, flashers, brake lights, parking lights, reverse lights, and more.

Always do a final walk-around inspection for loose straps and obstructions before getting behind the wheel. Pull over and do these every 50 miles as well.

Always have a spare trailer tire, as well as, a lug wrench, grease gun, and tire gauge in the case that you get a flat.

Call a licensed towing company for professional boat towing services for long distance towing or heavy boat towing.

Indianapolis Boat Towing

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for professional boat towing in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our tow truck operators are highly trained, licensed, and experienced within the towing and recovery industry. We offer a wide range of towing services for all vehicles, boats, water crafts, equipment, and more. Call 317-247-8484 for free price quotes and information regarding boat towing services in Indianapolis, IN.

How to Avoid Tow Truck Scams

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Zores

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Just because their number is listed or they have a website doesn’t mean they are a trustworthy or even legitimate towing company. There are towing scams taking place every day, all over the country. People are being swindled, lied to, and conned by dishonest tow truck drivers and fly-by-the-night towing companies. The number one tip for using wrecker services is to choose a towing company with years of experience and establishment within your community. But it doesn’t stop there.

There are more things you need to know to avoid tow truck scams. Continue reading to learn tips for preventing towing scams from happening to you or your loved ones.

Tow Truck Scam Tips

Tow truck scams usually involve some sort of passive-aggressive financial inflation and/or deceit. This includes charging outrageous prices for small-duty tow services, adding in hidden fees to final invoices, and holding vehicles hostage in their storage lots. For example, a simple flat tire can end up costing a person over $1,000 if they are conned into storage fees, lot charges, and more. Here is how to avoid letting something like this happen to you or your family:

• Choose a licensed, experienced, and well-established towing company.

• Choose a towing company that has been pre-screened and approved by your roadside assistance carrier.

• If you or law enforcement did not call the tow truck driver on location, do not give them permission to take your vehicle to their lot.

• Always have a vehicle towed directly to a private residence or auto repair shop. Never have a vehicle towed to a towing lot unless you have no other option.

• Do not give insurance information to a tow truck operator.

• Double-check that the name, logos, and signs on the company vehicle and paperwork are consistent.

• Request a printed copy of written documentation stating where the vehicle is being towed to, as well as, a price list of all fees and charges.

• Always sign below the quoted price or dollar amount, not on the dotted line. Scam artists can go back and add on extra charges after a person signs their agreement at the bottom of the paperwork.

Professional Towing Services in Indianapolis

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

The easiest and most dependable way to ensure reputable and honest tow truck services is to call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer 24 hour towing and recovery services, 7 days a week and 365 days a year! Our fleet is fully-equipped to provide a wide range of tows for all vehicles, equipment, and commodities. Call 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional towing services in Indianapolis you can trust!

Towing Services Can Be More than Just Tows

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Zores

Roadside Assistance Services 317-247-8484

Towing companies do a great job keeping our streets and express ways clear of stationed vehicles. Scrap cars, illegally parked vehicles, and cars that have broken down, are all examples of the obstacles they reduce on a daily basis. Although towing companies are known for primarily towing, there are other services that are often times overlooked and forgotten about. Read on to get to know the other side of towing companies that goes unnoticed by so many.

Roadside Assistance

Many tow businesses provide a variety of roadside assistance services. Whether you are a commercial road driver or a soccer mom on her way to the pick up the kids, these companies provide services for everyone. Roadside assistance is a great commodity in big cities and even the more remote communities. You never know when you will be in need on the side of the road. These extra services include jump starts, tire changes, fuel delivery, lockout assistance, and sometimes, mobile auto repair mechanics too!

Light Towing

This lighter duty towing includes tows for smaller to mid-sized cars, and sometimes, mini vans. Circumstances with junk cars, abandoned cars, scooters, motorcycles, and other similar sized vehicles require this lighter type of towing that every tow company provides. This service allows are roads to stay clear of scrap and junk. It promotes safety and is more environmentally conscience.

Medium Tows

Most towing companies go above and beyond light duty tows, like illegally parked cars and wrecked vehicles. Towing companies have larger and more sustainable equipment and resources to tow heavier loads. Some examples of medium duty tows would include, jet skis, speed boats, vans, mail trucks, tractors, and pickup trucks.

Heavy Duty Towing

For extremely equipped towing companies, heavy duty towing is on their list of services as well. This type of towing involves heavy, and sometimes dangerous, tows. For example, school buses, semi-trucks, yachts, and even small homes! It also includes major storm damage removal and recovery services for things like fallen trees or vehicles submerged in a body of water.

Commercial Wrecker Services

It can be possible that some towing businesses offer extended commercial tow services. These are special towing services and requests that can only be handled by certified and experienced professionals. These special services include airplane towing, duplexes, steel transporting, and more.

Zore’s Towing

Towing Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional towing services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We are experts and leaders in the wrecker industry and offer a wide variety of towing services. With over 80 years of experience here in Indiana, towing all sorts of vehicles from personal cars to semi-trucks, Zore’s Towing has the knowledge and resources needed for every kind of tow. Call 317-247-8484 anytime for 24 hour towing services and roadside assistance in Indianapolis, IN anytime.

The Benefits of Loading Ramps

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Zores

Loading ramps are useful apparatuses that allow us to lift or raise heavy items from the ground, up into the back of a truck or trailer. They can be used for several other purposes as well, like covering small flights of stairs, creating bridge-like paths, and more. This makes them a worthwhile investment for anyone with a truck. As for heavy lifting and loading, loading ramps are the tools that make it all possible.

Loading a Truck

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

There are several types of cargoes that commonly need transported, but cannot be easily lifted and loaded into a trailer without the use of a loading ramp. Things like vehicles, water-crafts, horses, large livestock, motorcycles, construction equipment, machinery, large appliances, large furniture, golf carts, forklifts, and more are all examples of things that could not be simply lifted and loaded onto a truck or trailer. But with a ramp, cars, livestock and more can be walked, driven, or pushed up the ramp with ease and effectiveness. Even heavy large boxes can be impossible to lift from the ground into a trailer without the use of a ramp. Not only does this ease the tension of the weight, it relieves stress on the lower back muscles, reducing injury and soreness.

Types of Loading Ramps

You can purchase loading ramps at almost any hardware or automotive store. You can also find them for sale online. Store-bought loading ramps generally come in one of two ways, pre-assembled or in a kit. Both types typically come with all the necessary accessories to safely load a trailer, like straps and chains. Nylon straps or chains allows ramps to connect to the safety hooks in a trailer, providing added security. Both types fold up too, so they can be stored more efficiently, or kept in the back of trucks and trailers for next time. It is recommended to purchase a few additional accessories to help in the loading process like moving dollies, back braces, and moving gloves.

Loading Ramp Safety

One of the biggest concerns with loading ramps is safety. If they are not properly used or securely connected, loading ramps can fail, shift, or move, causing dangerous conditions. This can cause serious injuries to people, and damages to the cargo as well. Serious falls, slips, and broken bone injuries can occur when loading a heavy object on a ramp that loses its placing. When loading cars, it is important to pay close attention to the measurements of the vehicle and the ramp. Injury and death can occur from a vehicle that tips over or falls off the side of a loading ramp.

For safe and secure moving, loading, and hauling, call a professional towing company and leave the heavy-lifting up to them! Towing companies retain all the latest and necessary technologies and equipment to provide fast and secure loading and hauling services for large cargos and more.

Zore’s Towing in Indianapolis

Towing Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for fast and friendly tow truck services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer prompt and professional wrecker services at the most competitive prices in town. Our licensed tow truck operators provide towing and recovery services for all vehicles, watercrafts, construction equipment, airplanes, storm damage, and more! And we service all of Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Call 317-247-8484 for Indianapolis towing services you can trust!

Popular Boat Trailers and Kits on the Market

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Zores

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Summertime brings sun, fun, and laughter; and there is no better way to celebrate this time of year than with seasonal boating! Boats are a wonderful and entertaining asset for friends and family, so taking them with us on trips is certainly a must! Fortunately, anyone can tow a boat to wherever they’re headed! So long as drivers have the right towing accessories and setup, knowledge, and a little practice under their belts, they can tow their boats to any lake or ocean!

Although there is a first time for everything, it is best to have a little experience with towing before attempting a cross-country or extended road trip. One of the most important aspects to boat towing is the trailer. Choosing a quality trailer to tow your boat or watercraft is a sure way to provide safety and security for everyone on the road, as well as the assets in tow. Continue reading for some recommendations of popular boat trailer kits on the market, and who to call for professional towing advice.

Trailex SUT-220-S Boat Trailer

The Trailex Ultra-Light Duty boat trailer, model number SUT-220-S, comes with leaf springs that allow for easier travel. It is designed to carry smaller boats like canoes, kayaks, and similar types of watercrafts that measure up to 17 inches in length. Although a slightly-hefty initial investment, costing anywhere between $900 and $1000, this trailer setup is highly durable, carries as much as 220 pounds, and can be used as a launching dolly as well! Aside from leaf springs, it also comes with submersible lights, an adjustable v-cradle, and matching coupler.

Ironton Personal Watercraft and Boat Trailer Kit

Although this trailer requires assembly, it is a highly recommended choice for towing heavier watercrafts. With a maximum weight capacity of 600 pounds, the steel-made Ironton trailer allows people to tow jet skis and other personal watercrafts with ease. The come road-ready and cost anywhere between $400 and 600 dollars. Also comes with lights, fenders, and coupler.

Bear G3 Single Axle Boat Trailer

This highly durable steel-made model can carry a maximum load weight of 4300 pounds, making it perfect for medium and large speed boats. Works with drum brakes and comes with lights, protective fenders, coupler, adjustable winch, and non-adjustable bunks. You can expect Bear trailers to cost anywhere from one to two thousand dollars or more, depending on the retailer and model number.

Zore’s Towing

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for professional towing services in Indianapolis you can trust. We are licensed and insured towing contractors that tow everything from boats to trailer homes, airplanes, construction equipment, and more! We offer the fastest and friendliest 24 towing services around, and at the most competitive prices too! Call 317-247-8484 if you need an Indianapolis tow truck or roadside assistance services you can afford.

How to Patch a Flat Tire Using a Tire Plug Kit

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Zores

Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Flat tires happen to the best of us, no matter how well of a driver we may be. Snow, ice, fog, and other uncontrollable weather can reduce our vision on the road, so driving on hazardous paths, like construction zones and high-traffic areas, can lead to nails and other damaging shrapnel in tires. Fortunately, a nail in a tire is not a costly repair if you choose to take your vehicle into a tire center or auto shop. But a hole in a tire can repaired on your own, and it’s easier than you think!

Continue reading to learn how to remove a nail from a tire and repair a hole using a
tire patching or plug kit.

Tire Plug Kits

A tire plug kit can be purchased at most automotive stores or stores with an automotive section or department. They are generally inexpensive, ranging anywhere in price from $10 up to $50 or more, depending on the brand and size of the kit. For anyone with an emergency car kit, a tire patching kit is a smart addition. In fact, many store-bought emergency roadside assistance kits contain tire patching tools and products.

There are various brands and styles of tire patch kits, but most should or generally include a needle-hole applicator tool, a reaming tool, a set of repair strips, and rubber cement. Larger tire patching kits may include additional items and parts. But the mentioned accessories should be all you need for a simple nail removal and hole repair. Here is a list of the tools you will need for both tasks:

• Socket Wrench
• Car Jack
• Knife
• Pliers
• Tire Patch Kit

Here’s How to Get Started:

1. Lift the vehicle off the ground with the car jack.
2. Remove the damaged tire.
3. Use pliers to pull out the nail or other shrapnel.
4. Apply a few drops of rubber cement to the reaming tool.
5. Widen the hole using a twisting motion with the reaming tool. Do Not Over-Ream!
6. Remove a plug strip and insert it into the needle-hole plug tool so that its length is even on both sides.
7. Apply the rubber cement to all areas of the repair strip and the tip of the plug tool.
8. Insert the plug all the way into the reamed tire hole.
9. Now remove the plug tool.
10. Cut off any remaining portions of the plug.
11. Allow the rubber cement to dry completely.
12. Re-attach the tire.
13. Re-fill the tire with air.
14. All Done!

Zore’s Towing and Roadside Assistance

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 when you need 24 hour emergency roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana. If you have a flat tire, we can promptly arrive and repair your tire for an affordable price. We also offer 24 hour towing and recovery services for abandoned, stuck, wrecked, or illegally parked vehicles all throughout Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Call 317-247-8484 today for Indianapolis roadside assistance services you can trust.

Tips for Cross-Country Car Towing

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Zores

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

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

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

Towing a Car Long-Distance

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

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

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

Zore’s Towing

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

What Happens to Abandoned Vehicles?

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Zores

A deserted vehicle is usually the result of a breakdown or wreck. Sometimes car owners cannot afford to have the vehicle towed away and repaired, while others just don’t have the storage space available. In other cases, people are lazy or negligent and simply neglect to check on or retrieve their vehicles. Whatever the reason may be, it is not legal to leave a car or truck on the side of the road or on private property for an extended period of time; generally no longer than 48 hours depending on the proprietor and the county regulations. If a vehicle is deserted on public property, after 21 days the community can protest and have it removed.

Deserted or dumped vehicles are considered public nuisances and safety hazards, which is why they are prohibited. Once they are discovered by patrolling officers, they are “tagged” with a ticket that lets the car owner know they have three days to relocate it before it is seized by the city. If the title-holder of the vehicle fails to retrieve it, it is legally confiscated and relocated to an abandoned vehicle lot or impound. To get a vehicle out of the impound lot, a car owner must have the desire, the motivation, and the means to do so. The steps taken from this point depend on whether or not the vehicle owner wants their car back and if they have what it takes to get it back.

Retrieving an Impounded Vehicle

Towing Services in Indianapolis, IN

A car or truck owner must follow a certain procedure and retain all the necessary documents to get their vehicle out of the impound lot. These documents include proof of ownership and valid identification, as well as, all the necessary release forms provided by the impound company. On top of these requirements, they must also be able to afford and pay cash for any related fines and penalties for deserting their property. These fines can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars, to a few thousand, depending on the length of time the vehicle was impounded and the company’s individual impound rates.

The most important document the impound lot needs to see before a person can take back their car is the vehicle’s title. Without proof of ownership, along with valid personal identification, a person cannot get their vehicle back. If they lost the title, they can apply for a new one, which can take several weeks to receive. This is a common reason why people have high impound fees. The longer a vehicle sits in the impound lot, the higher the storage costs will be. The message here is to never abandon a broken down vehicle. For a fast and secure tow you can afford, contact your local wrecker company.

Zore’s Towing

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for tow truck services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are highly trained and licensed wrecker contractors with decades of experience in the towing and recovery industry. We provide all types of tows, from heavy-duty to lightweight, and more. For more than 75 years, we have helped Hoosiers with all their towing needs. Call 317-247-8484 anytime you need a fast towing company in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.