Tips for Loading Towed Vehicles

Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

Learning how to drive a towing vehicle is one feat, but learning how to properly load the towed vehicle is another. And one commonly overlooked in terms of towing safety. Not only can improper towing cause serious accidents and losses, improper loading of trailers can also cause these types of damages. When it comes to towing, don’t stop at learning the basics; instead, be sure to cover all towing safety hazards and precautions, as well as, proper connecting and loading methods.

Continue reading to review some important tips about safely loading a trailer before you tow it.

Trailer Loading Physics

Loading a trailer takes some rudimentary understanding of physics, namely inertia. Inertia is the theory that objects in motion tend to stay in motion, whereas objects that are stationary tend to stay still. This idea can directly relate to the items loaded in a moving trailer or vehicle. Even if the brakes are initiated properly, trailers and their cargoes will still want to continue moving in the direction they have been. This is why it is important to position them in the trailer correctly, to avoid tipping accidents and other damages caused by imbalanced cargo.

There are several wrong ways to load cargo into a trailer. Too much weight in the front, or top-heavy loads, can cause a trailer to dive forward, and the towing vehicle’s front end to raise off the ground, when the brakes are applied. However, too much weight in the back can cause the trailer to violently sway, leading to traffic accidents and cargo damages. Weight distribution plays a major role in towing safety, and can make or break a towing journey. Here are a few tips to remember when loading cargo in a trailer that will be towed:

• Read vehicle’s owners’ manual for weight capacity.
• Glue mats down to the floor of the trailer to increase friction and reduce slipping.
• Distribute and spread cargo out as evenly as possible.
• Always place heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top.
• Keep loads as low as possible for flatbed tows.
• Use straps and ropes to tie down large cargo items.
• Do not let anything protrude from the back of the trailer.
• Use a public scale to weigh your trailer after loading it.

Tips for Unloading:


• Always park on level ground.
• Use cement blocks if you must unload on an incline.
• Utilize ramps and dollies to reduce exertion and back injuries.
• Move heavy items slowly.

Zore’s Towing in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Towing

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for fast and friendly tow truck services in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. Our towing company retains an extensive fleet of towing trucks and equipment, allowing us to provide a wide range of tows for all vehicles and commodities. We offer 24 hour towing for all Indianapolis counties and neighborhoods. Call 317-247-8484 if you want reliable towing service at a reasonable price.

Safely Tow Your Boat to Winter Storage

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

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

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.

Towing Services Can Be More than Just Tows

Roadside Assistance Services 317-247-8484

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

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.

Did Your Car Just Break Down in Indianapolis, IN?

What Should I Do When My Car Breaks Down on the Road?

Roadside Assistance Services 317-247-8484

Roadside Assistance Services 317-247-8484

Hopefully, while driving, your car will hint to you that there is a problem. If this is the case, then you have a tiny bit of forewarning to start getting on the right side of the road in case you need to pull over and stop. This goes especially for highway driving. When you’re pulling your car off to the side of the road because you are hearing or feeling something abnormal, follow these safety tips:

Attempt to roll or coast along the shoulder of the road or highway, avoiding turns and curves in the road behind you. That way, oncoming traffic will see you in advance and have time to react and drive around you. This also helps when you are ready to get back on the road, you can see the oncoming traffic too.

Let’s say your engine dies directly in the middle of the highway. What do you do? Well, you DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR! It is very dangerous to get out of your car on a busy highway.

Even if the road seems remote, you never know what’s going to come flying out of nowhere. It is important to remain safe. Every feels embarrassed and anxious when your car is dead in the middle of the road and there is traffic piling up behind you, but there is no other option when it comes to safety. You have to remain on your car until help arrives. Trying to cross a busy highway on foot is basically suicide.

Now, if it is dark outside, keep your interior light on so that you are able to be seen by oncoming traffic. If the vehicle is still operating, keep the engine on so that you don’t juice out the battery from keeping the lights on.

The good thing is, most busy highways are heavily patrolled by local police officials and they will more than likely spot you and come to your aid if you don’t have a phone to contact help.

Safety Tips for When Your Car Breaks Down:

So, whether you are stuck in traffic, or parked along the shoulder of the road, always remember these safety tips:

1. Roll a piece of white cloth or paper in your driver’s side window to signal you need help. Be sure you roll the window back up and secure that cloth or paper in its place.

2. Use your cell phone to contact family, your auto insurance, or a local and professional towing company to come to your assistance. If you are not carrying a phone, look to see if there is an emergency call box near your vehicle, it is not safe to get out, but if it is close, try to safely reach it and contact help. Always get right back into the car after using a call box. Keep the doors locked and continue waiting for help. If there is no call box that you can see, do not try to walk down the road and find one, just remain in your car with the white cloth and wait for highway patrol to stop and help you. They will see you, it is their job!

3. If it’s a flat tire or something you can work on yourself, never do these adjustments on the side that’s exposed to busy traffic. IF you can, try to drive the car a little more off the road so that you may reach the side that needs fixed, without being exposed to the traffic.

4. If it is daytime, turn on your hazard lights to warm oncoming traffic. Do not do this at night, it can cause another accident.

5. If it is nighttime, when traffic dies down, quickly place emergency triangles and warning light around your car if you have an emergency car kit. This will warn people that you are broken down and to avoid running into you. If you don’t have an emergency car kit, just keep your interior lights on, but keep your engine running as well if you do this so your battery doesn’t die. If your car engine can’t run, go ahead and keep your interior lights on anyway because it’s safer.

6. Always keep in mind that you are more protected when you are carry a cell phone, and have a road-side assistance company protecting you on the road. Otherwise, a trusting tow company can do all the things road-side assistance can do for you, and usually at a better cost.

Towing in Indianapolis

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Zores Towing can offer you exceptional and speedy roadside assistance 24 hours a day in Indianapolis, Indiana. Check out our new Indiana towing press release. Call us for help if your car breaks down in Indianapolis, IN at 317-247-8484, or visit our website at https://www.zorestowing.com today.