What a Driver Must Do to Tow another Car Safely

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Zores

There are many reasons why you might have to tow another vehicle with your own vehicle. Whether taking a cross-country road trip with your RV and primary vehicle in tow, moving to another state for work, or helping a friend transport their broken-down vehicle to their auto repair shop, the most important factor is safety. There are certain protocols that you, as the driver of the vehicle towing the other vehicle, must take in order to protect both people and cargo on the road.

Continue reading to learn some vital driving safety tips for towing another vehicle with your own.

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Safety Tips for the Driver of the Towing Vehicle

✅ Use Extreme Caution

Always drive with superior care and caution. Never exceed 16 miles per hour on the road, and be sure to stay alert of all surroundings, both in front of you, beside you, and behind you. Driving too fast with another vehicle in tow can create too much inertia, or force, that can easily turn into uncontrollable momentum. As a result, your vehicle might have trouble coming to a stop on demand.

✅ Utilize the Clutch Properly

When pulling away for the first time with the other vehicle in tow behind you, it is vital that you operate your clutch properly. Being gentle with the clutch, pull out delicately, and at a very slow pace. If you are not using a vehicle with a manual clutch, just be sure to pull out slowly and carefully. If you pull out abruptly, you can snap the towrope or towing pole that connects your car to the towed one. As a result, the towed vehicle can whip forward and smash into the back of yours, or worse, come off on the road and smash into another person or vehicle.

✅ Be Slow and Gentle When Braking

Never slam on the brakes, or brake suddenly, when towing another vehicle with your own. This can cause the same type of problems with pulling out too fast, as mentioned above, but it can also cause massive damage to both vehicles. Give yourself several hundred feet to brake slowly, before coming to a stop, turning, or yielding. Apply the brakes gradually and gently to avoid sudden braking. Likewise, use your turn signals far ahead of time to warn drivers around you.

If the Driver is Sitting in the Car Being Towed…

In the case that you are utilizing a towing method that allows the driver to sit inside their own car while your car tows it, there are certain precautions they must take as well. They should remain fully alert, watching all braking and turn signaling. This allows them to actively steer and brake in coordination with the other vehicle, as needed. Also, they should keep constant tension in the towrope or towing pole to reduce jerking and similar abrupt movements.

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FAQS About Tow Dollies

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Zores

There are various ways to transport a vehicle using another vehicle. From flatbed tows and trailer hitches, to crane towing, dingy towing, and more, the option you choose primarily depends on the vehicle you are using to tow and the equipment available to you. Continue reading to review some of the most frequently asked questions about tow dollies, and learn what you need to know before getting started on your towing job.

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Which Tow Dolly Do I Use?

Not only is it vital that your hitch and towing vehicle meet the particular weight rating of your tow dolly, it is equally important that you have all the other necessary components to go along with them. In order to choose the right tow dolly for your towing needs, you must refer to the towing vehicle’s owners’ manual for its specifications.

How Do I Install a Tow Dolly?

Tow dollies are installed in a very similar way to most hitch systems. In order to set one up on your towing vehicle, you will need to refer to the instructions laid out in your owners’ manual, as well as, the manufacturer’s instructions that come with the tow dolly. You will basically check the hitch ball height then connect the couple on it, and then attach safety chains and other necessary components, such as lights and brakes, to finish.

Do I Need Brake Lights on a Tow Dolly?

State laws regarding tow dollies vary, but most require vehicles in rear-end tow to be equipped with functioning lights for all operations, including stopping, turning, and running. Tow dollies are not required to have weight distributing, sway control devices

Can I Put a Car Backwards on a Tow Dolly?

The short answer to this question is no. Vehicles in tow should always be loaded facing forward. Not only can you be cited for an expensive traffic offense for loading a car on a tow dolly backwards, you can also cause serious accidents and injuries to other people and property.

Can a Car Tow an SUV or Truck on a Dolly?

So long as the tow vehicle is at least 750 pounds heavier than the vehicle-in-tow, you are in good shape. But before you hit the road, be sure to refer to the towing vehicle’s owners’ manual for accurate maximum weight specifications for the vehicle-in-tow.

How Do I Drive Safely With a Tow Dolly?

The basic rules of safety for using a tow dolly, besides ensuring that your dolly is suited for your towing vehicle and applications, is to ensure all connects are secure and operational, reduce your driving speed, ensure all lights are working, ensure that the hitch, hitch-ball, and coupler handwheel are tight, ensure all mirrors are in place, ensure tires are inflated properly, ensure all ramps securely stored and latched, wear your seat belt, anticipate stops and brake early, and use your turn signals.

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Before and After Safe Towing Tips

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Zores

If you are planning to hook up a trailer and tow a cargo, it is important to know exactly how to do so safely, whether you are traveling a long distance or just around the corner. Keep in mind that towing safety starts before you leave the drive, and continues a long the journey.

Continue reading to learn some vital before and after towing tips that will help to ensure everyone’s safety, including your cargo.

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Before You Tow

There are several things you need to do before you even put the keys in the ignition and drive away. In fact, the safest form of towing involves a focus on preparation. Here is what you need to do before heading out on the road with your rig:

If you are towing a vehicle, place an “On Tow” sign in the rear window to alert other drivers to be cautious. Many towing ropes and poles come with this sign, but you may have to purchase it separately. Do not make your own sign; store-bought signs are made with safety features, like reflective technology.

Always do a full inspection of your towing ropes and poles. Look for damage, defects, abrasives, rips, tears, and frays. These are all signs that your equipment is unsafe to use. Do not use your towing ropes or poles if they show signs of damage like this.

If you are towing another vehicle, be sure to leave the ignition switch in the “ON” position. This will disengage the steering lock, allowing for more controlled towing. This is especially important for vehicles that have power steering and/or power-assisted steering.

After You Hit the Road

Once you are on the road with your cargo in tow, the responsibility to tow safely remains just as strong. The most important duty is to drive with extreme caution and care. However, there is more to it than that. Here are some important reminders for safe towing while out on the open road:

Maintain a minimal speed. If towing another vehicle, try to remain under 20 miles per hour. If you are towing anything else, stay 5 to 10 mph BELOW the mandatory speed limit for optimal safety. If you are driving too fast, you can lose control of your reaction times, and take much longer to come to a stop.

Relating to speed and caution, be sure to signal and plan maneuvers ahead of time. This helps to forewarn other drivers on the road. This includes using your turn signals and hazard lights. Furthermore, try not to brake suddenly, and instead, plan ahead in advance.

Operate the clutch slowly and carefully so to not snap or snag a towing rope. This can cause the towed cargo to jerk forward suddenly, which can cause all sorts of dangerous situations. For the same reasons, do not suddenly change direction or use excessive maneuvers.

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Important Advice for Safe Towing

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Zores

Towing a car or truck safely requires experience and knowledge because there are several potential issues and dangers that can arise during a routine haul. It is important to know the proper procedures and safety precautions required to perform a successful tow, as well as, how to use towing equipment since it can cause serious injury if handled improperly. Furthermore, a beginner should always be accompanied by someone who has experience towing vehicles and other commodities. And this is just the start; there is much more to safe towing! Continue reading to learn important safety tips when it comes to towing a car or truck with your own equipment.

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Safety Chains

Whether you are towing an SUV, jet ski, trailer, or car, safety chains are a must-have for every job. They are the ties that keep the connection solid between your truck and your haul. It ensures that your cargo will not get separated, potentially damaging other drivers on the road. Safety is the main reason why the use of safety chains is also the law.

Never tie these chains to the bumper of your towing vehicle. This can cause the bumper to come right off! They need to cross under the tongue of a trailer instead, for proper connectivity. This way if the hitch comes undone, the trailer will still not separate. In order to make safe turns while towing a cargo, be sure to add a little slack to the chains. Manufacturer’s instructions define the proper procedures and safety precautions for hooking up tow chains. Be sure to refer to them as often as possible to reminders about safe towing.

Towing Capacity

Never exceed the tow capacity of your vehicle. This means towing a haul that weighs more than the vehicle itself. This action can quickly damage your vehicle’s drive train. An inflicted drive train is a dangerous situation; especially when it comes to uphill driving. Life threatening accidents and injuries can occur of a load is lost as a result of a damaged drive train. Be sure to brush up on your vehicle’s tow capacity and how to calculate your load weight accurately.

Turn Signals and Brake Lights

An area that is commonly overlooked by novice towers is light synchronization. When you hook up a trailer to your vehicle, your brake lights are not visible; instead, the ones on the back of the trailer are. It is important that these brake lights and signal lights are in sync with the actual brakes and other components. This allows other drivers to share the road safely while you tow. Lights that should be synchronized include hazard lights, brakes, turn signals, flashers, headlights, and fog lights. Don’t forget that this particular safety tip is also the law.

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Can I Get an Electric Car Towed?

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Zores

Electric cars are trickier to tow because they require some special attention and a certain type of tow truck. Continue reading to learn what these requirements are before your electric car or truck accidentally gets towed, improperly.

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How to Tow an Electric Vehicle

If you were to have your electric vehicle towed by a standard tow truck, you would encounter some costly problems. In order to tow an electric car, you must disengage the driveshaft from the electric motor first, so that the motor wheels roll along with the vehicle, freely. If you do not do this, your car will require some serious repair. You see, the majority of electric vehicles being driven lack a transmission, so there is nothing connecting the motor to the driving wheels. They also lack a neutral setting, so there is nothing that automatically disabled the drivetrain, which means the wheels do not automatically disengage from the motor. In a standard vehicle, the neutral setting takes care of this part.

Towing an electric car from its wheels is damaging because the motor will continue to spin and the cooling system won’t be turned on. The friction of the motor will lead to an accumulation of heat, which can be highly damaging to the motor, and can even total it altogether. Electric motors can run you an upwards of $5,000 or more.

Safe Towing

As long as you instruct your tow truck operator to disengage the driveshaft before towing your electric car from the wheels, you should be in good shape. However, if you drive an electric car and you need a tow, you can also request a flatbed tow truck. This is the perfect solution to towing electric vehicles since there is no need to tow from the wheels. It also saves time since there is no need to disengage the driveshaft, which takes and average of 20 to 30 minutes to do.

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Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour towing and recovery in Indianapolis, Indiana. We open a family-owned and operated business for 90 years, so you can trust us for prompt and professional service. Since 1901, we have provided 24 hour towing in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana, as well as, property management and roadside assistance services. Request a free estimate from a friendly office manager, anytime!

Should I Rent or Buy a Trailer?

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Zores

To rent or to buy? That is the question that many people are asking themselves when they are faced with a need to transport large or heavy materials. If you are asking yourself this same question, continue reading to learn some key points to consider in order to aid in your decision making process.

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Renting Versus Owning

Whether you are moving into a new home, planning some major landscaping renovations, or preparing for a long-distance road trip, it is likely that you will need to transport some heavy items. Although you can choose to rent a trailer for all of these needs and more, you also have the option of investing in one. In order to feel confident about your decision to rent or buy, here are some key points to consider:

⇛ Trailer Type – Which type of trailer will you need for your transportation objectives? There are several different types to choose from, including trailers designed for boat towing, motorcycle towing, dolly towing, flatbed towing, and more. All of these range in price as well. Once you determine which type of trailer best fits your hauling needs, you can move forward with the decision-making process.

⇛ Trailer Cost – You must set a realistic budget for yourself, whether you plan to purchase new or used. If you purchase a used trailer from a private seller, it is important to ensure that is in good condition in order to make your investment worthwhile. If you feel like purchasing a trailer is out of your budget, you may want to stick with occasional rentals until your budget expands.

⇛ Trailer Storage – Owning a trailer is one thing, but storing it is another. Many people make the mistake of not thinking their purchase through. They get the trailer home and then realize there is nowhere to keep it, which leads to unexpected additional costs, such as a storage unit or shed installation. You must also check with your neighborhoods HOA to ensure they allow trailers in driveways.

⇛ Frequency of Use – If you only need to use your trailer for one job, renting is the best option. However, if you feel confident that you will get a lot of use out of your trailer, owning one is more lucrative. Create a list of all the possible tasks you can do with your trailer to see if it is worth the investment.

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The 7 Keys to Hooking Up a Load for Towing

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Zores

When it comes to towing, you want to take your time and go slow. That includes slow acceleration, deceleration, and wide turns. Everything movement needs to be eased into while towing a vehicle or other type of load. By gliding into turns, lane changes, accelerating, and stopping, you will have better control of your vehicle and the load it’s towing. Towing is not too complicated, but it does require some forethought, knowledge, and practice. One place to start is to learn the basics of how to hook up a load and tow safely. Continue reading to review the 7 keys to hooking up a load for towing.

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7 Reminders for Tow Setups

❶ Hitch and Ball

It is important to check the hitch and hitch ball to ensure they are the proper size and capacity. You see, hitches and hitch balls are available in several different “Classes”, each one with different weight limits and maximums. You can purchase the correct capacity hitch receiver and ball at any local automotive parts store at a relatively inexpensive price. Prices will vary among retailers and manufacturers.

❷ Weight-Distribution Hitch

Aside from choosing the right size hitch and ball, you need to make sure your load does not require this additional part. If you are towing more than 5,000 pounds, you will need a weight distribution hitch, which evens out the amount of weight to deliver smoother transportation and control. Refer to your owners’ manual for information about your vehicle’s recommended weight distribution hitch.

❸ Lights

You always want to check all exterior lights on both the towing vehicle and the trailer or vehicle being towed. This includes tail lights, head lights, brake lights, turn signals, flashers, and more. You will need an electrical wiring kit to connect the power of your vehicle lights to the towed vehicle. Be sure to plug these in before you leave for every tow.

❹ Ball Hook Up

Never forget to hook the hitch ball up all the way and make sure it is not loose on the receiver. Always clamp it down all the way and insert the pin and clip for added safety and security.

❺ Safety Chains

Always use and hook up your safety chains after hooking up the hitch. Do this before every tow, and be sure they are hooked on securely. These will prevent your load from coming detached in the case the something in your towing setup malfunctions or defects.

❻ Balance the Load

Before you leave the drive, be sure your load is balanced and evenly distributed. This will help reduce the possibility of shifting while in drive. You must also ensure that your hitch and trailer are lined up and sitting level. You don’t want the back end to stick up, or the hitch to be pressing down.

❼ Tires

Tires are very important when it comes to towing safety and efficiency. Check your tread to ensure optimal traction, especially in wet or inclement weather. Be sure they are properly inflated before every tow as well, and replace them as needed.

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If you are in need of a professional tow, call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 to get back on the road fast. Since 1901, we have provided 24 hour towing in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana, as well as, property management and roadside assistance services. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis towing, today.

Helpful Advice for Towing in Snow and Ice

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Zores

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Aside from hazardous snow and ice, towing can be a challenge all on its own. Safe and effective towing requires a certain level of focus, preventative maintenance, and knowledge. But in the wintertime, drivers need to take on a whole new level of precautions, as well as, practice a separate set of techniques to manage snow, ice, and slippery conditions. Continue reading to learn some helpful advice for winter towing.

Winter Towing Tips

All of the fundamentals of telling remain the same, in terms of setup, parts, hitching a trailer, and more. The difference between standard towing and winter towing is simply a matter of changing your towing techniques, attaching safety chains properly, and using snow chains. Let’s take a closer look!

Snow Chains

Snow chains are an excellent accessory for winter driving because they allow your tires to gain extra traction on the road and slippery conditions. Snow chains are available at any automotive parts store or local home improvement store with an automotive department. Depending on the size you need, prices will vary but typically remain reasonable. Be sure to choose the proper size chains for your towing vehicle, vehicles, and/or trailer. It is helpful to practice fitting and removing your snow chains so that you are efficient when the time comes to use them.

Safety Chains

Also called towing cables or straps, safety chains are a common accessory used during the winter to provide extra security when towing. In fact, it is recommended to use safety chains for every tow, not just wintertime towing. Safety chains help to prevent uncontrollable swaying, swerving, and diverging of your trailer or the vehicle being towed. You can find them any automotive parts store or local home improvement store with an automotive department. Just be sure to choose the proper size for your towing vehicle.

Towing Techniques

Towing in the snow and ice is very similar to standard towing; however, you will need to invoke some additional precautions. You will need to give yourself more time to come to a stop, and you’ll also need to give yourself more time to take turns, accelerate, and decelerate. It is recommended to visit a large vacant parking lot to practice all of these maneuvers in your full towing setup. If your towing vehicle gets stuck in the snow, contact a reputable Indianapolis towing company for professional recovery services you can trust.

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Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour towing service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We are highly trained and certified to truck operators that retain a large fleet of wrecker equipment that allows us to recover and tow all make and model vehicles and commodities. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis towing and recovery, today.

How to Use Your Mirrors When Towing

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Zores

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The most important part of towing is safety. And one area of towing safety to practice and perfect is your ability to use your vehicle’s mirrors. They are there for a very good reason: to provide a wider scope of vision for drivers on and off the road. They should be used for backing up, driving in reverse, changing lanes, and more. Are you guilty of the head turn? Or perhaps the popular twist and turn to see behind you? These are poor driving habits that can cause minor to major accidents, muscle strains, and backaches.

If you are a driver, especially one that tows a trailer on a regular basis, you ought to learn the right method to using your mirrors when towing. Continue reading for tips to do just that!

Clean Mirrors

It may sound obvious, but it is a step that can be easily overlooked in the tedious process of hooking up and loading your trailer. Keeping your mirrors clean will give them more clarity, and will provide better depth perception and detailed view. It can be easy to forget, and often, mirrors won’t even appear dirty enough for a wipe-down. But don’t let that fool you. After grabbing a paper towel and some glass cleaner, you will be surprised to see just how much dirt actually comes off!

Install Bigger Mirrors

If you are towing loads with a trailer recurrently, consider larger mirrors. The general rule is for every 10 feet of vehicle, your mirror should be 1 inch in diameter. This includes the length of your towing vehicle plus the length of the load or trailer you are towing. So if your towing vehicle and trailer’s total length equals 50 feet, your mirrors should be 5 inches in diameter. Be sure your mirrors are the proper height and width, and if they are not, it is wise to replace your stock mirrors with larger ones. You can find specialty-sized truck and vehicle mirrors that are wider, bigger, and fold backwards, all for a reasonable price.

Adjust Mirrors Properly

It is important that your mirrors are not only big enough, but adjusted properly as well. While in the driver’s seat, you want to maximize the visible ground area below the vehicle. This improves on blind spots and enhances child safety. Test or reset the position of your mirrors by first sitting in the driver’s seat with the mirrors pointed straight so they are perpendicular (think of the letter “t”) with the road. Then one at a time, starting with the left, begin to move the mirrors outwards. Stop when you can see at least 200 feet behind the left side of your vehicle. Have a friend sit in the passenger seat to help with the right side.

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Tips for Loading Towed Vehicles

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Zores

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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.

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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.