Category Archives: Towing and Recovery

How to Use a Tow Dolly

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Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

There are three primary ways to tow a car: all wheels off the ground, all wheels on the ground, and just two wheels on or off the ground. To tow a vehicle with all four tires off the road, you would use a trailer. To tow a vehicle on all fours, you would require a tow bar. But to tow a vehicle with only two wheels in contact with the road, you would need a tow dolly. The type of tow you use depends on a variety of factors. Continue reading to learn these facts and how to use a tow dolly if it’s the right towing set-up for you.

Using a Tow Dolly

A tow dolly elevates the front two wheels of a vehicle in tow. Whether or not a tow dolly is the best option for vehicle towing depends on a few important factors. These factors include the size and weight of the vehicle you wish to tow, whether or not that vehicle has front, rear, four, or all-wheel drive, towing capacity of the vehicle doing the towing, and how much time and money a person is willing to spend setting it all up.

Any front-wheel drive automatic vehicle can be pulled with a tow dolly. This is one of their advantages. And in comparison to using a tow bar (four wheels down), it never adds mileage to the odometer since the front tires never make contact with the road. Some vehicles, if towed with a tow bar, will rack up miles even if the ignition is off. To safely tow a front-wheel drive automatic vehicle with four wheels down, certain towing accessories are generally required, like axle disconnects and lube pumps, in order to avoid damaging the transmission. This makes towing a vehicle on all four wheels more expensive than towing with a tow dolly. And towing with a trailer is even more complicated and expensive. For these reasons, a tow dolly could be the best option for your towing needs.

It is important to keep at least 750 pound weight difference between your towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed. And the width of the vehicle in tow should be within the tow dolly’s maximum width rating. These widths should never be exceeded. It is recommended to review your owners’ manual for recommended towing instructions and guidelines. Or contact a local wrecker service for immediate answers to your towing questions.

Zore’s Inc.

Indianapolis Auto Auctions 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Auto Auctions 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Indy at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour towing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our professional tow truck operators are highly trained and licensed to provide a wide range of towing and recovery services in Indiana. We are happy to answer any questions about our wrecker services and more. Call 317-247-8484 for Indianapolis tow truck services you can trust!

What Do I Do If My Car is Towed?

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Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

It’s a repetitive scenario faced by hundreds of Hoosiers every single day. A person parks their vehicle, gets out of their vehicle, and then comes back to their vehicle, but it’s gone. Now sometimes this is because their vehicle has been stolen; but as for the remaining 95% of missing cars in Indiana, towing is the actual reason. Cars and trucks are towed every day for several reasons, but mostly for illegal parking and repossessions.

Other reasons a car or truck might be towed away include prolonged abandonment, expired plates, suspended license, unpaid parking tickets, unpaid traffic fines, unregistered vehicles, and other violations of the law. So if you are ever one of the many drivers whose vehicles go missing one day, don’t panic. Instead, follow the simple three-step guide for what to do is your vehicle is towed in Indiana. Continue reading to review these three steps, and who to call for exceptional and friendly towing services or roadside assistance in your neighborhood.

Car Towed in Indianapolis

As soon as you are aware that your car or truck is no longer in the same spot you parked it in before, it is important to relax and take a deep breath, and then review your surroundings. Double check that you didn’t park somewhere else and forgot. If you are sure that your car was parked in a certain spot and is no longer there, always assume it has been towed, not stolen. For this reason, it is best to follow the next three steps to locate your vehicle.

First Step

As mentioned, never first assume that your car or truck was stolen. It is far more likely that it was towed for some reason or another. With this assumption, the first step to take once you are aware you vehicle is missing is to investigate the parking lot, road, or area for signs. And when we say signs, we mean actual street signs that indicate parking regulations. These signs are generally red and white (may vary from county to county) and contain information on parking rules and regulations for that particular parking district. It should contain times and days that parking is permitted, as well as, the contact information of the towing company that manages the lot or road. To find these signs, look at sides of buildings, poles, posts, and gates.

Second Step

Acquire the contact information of the local towing company assigned to the parking district your vehicle was parked in, and call the number listed. A receptionist or company representative will answer and ask you for some information. Be prepared to provide your name, vehicle make and model, your phone number, and the location your vehicle was parked at. If your car was towed for illegal parking purposes, then they should have it. If they do not have any record of your vehicle, then you may need to make some other considerations.

If you are leasing your vehicle and making monthly installments, it is still possible your car or truck was towed, but not by the parking district towing company. A leased vehicle can be repossessed by the dealership or bank for failing to make payments on time. Call your dealership and provide them the same information given above. If they too have no record of your vehicle being towed or repossessed, then it may have been stolen. At this time, you need to call the police to file a report.

Third Step

If you have made it to this step, it means you have contacted the towing company and received confirmation that it was indeed towed for illegal parking purposes. Now you need to locate all the necessary legal documents to prove ownership of the vehicle, and present these documents, as well as a cash fine in the amount requested by the company (anywhere from $100 to $500 usually), to regain custody of your vehicle. Documents include the vehicle’s title and registration (must be in your name), proof of insurance, your driver’s license, and perhaps more depending on the county and tow company. Get a ride to the tow yard and present these documents and payments and the car is yours again! Keep in mind that fees increase by the day. So the longer it is in the tow yard, the more costly it is to get it out.

Zore’s Indy

Zore's Inc. Indianapolis Indiana

Zore’s Inc. Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for all your Indianapolis towing needs. We are highly trained and licensed tow truck operators with decades of experience in the industry. Zore’s Inc. has provided quality towing services and more for over 75 years! Call 317-247-8484 for prompt, professional, and affordable tow truck services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

Basic Towing Terms and Definitions

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If you are new to the industry, or have never towed anything with a car, truck, or trailer, then you might come across some industry terms that you haven’t heard of or learned quite yet. It is important to understand the basic terms and towing language, as well as, all the necessary parts and safety rules, before attempting to tow or haul any size load. Review some basic introductory towing terms and their definitions below, and improve your towing knowledge and understanding even more!

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

Common Towing Terms:

Trailer

A trailer is anything that is built to be towed behind another vehicle. The most common types are designed with wheels and a flat bed, but there are several other versions as well. There are commercial trailers, farming trailers, and recreational trailers, all used for different loads, freights, and purposes. Examples of trailers include RV’s, campers, livestock trailers, auto haulers, gear haulers, flatbeds, open utility trailers, watercraft trailers, car-towing dollies, and tow bars.

Tow Dolly

A towing dolly is a light-duty half-sized flatbed trailer with only two wheels. The front end is without wheels and lifts off the ground so to connect to another vehicle, while the two wheels in the back remain in contact with the ground. These are best used for short distances.

Tow Hitch

A tow hitch is the connecting point between the vehicle doing the towing and the trailer itself. There are several types of hitches available on the market for light, medium, and heavy-duty towing. It is one of the most vital components in the towing assembly. It is important to match the proper size hitch to the vehicle’s towing capacity, and match all that with the trailer’s specifications as well.

Hitch Ball

The hitch ball is part of a flexible joint that permits a towing vehicle and its trailer to make turns and take bumps in the road. Hitch balls are manufactured in many different sizes, from 1 7/8th inches to over 2 5/16th inches.

Coupler

The coupler makes up the other half of the flexible joint that is also the hitch ball. It is mounted above the hitch ball and circulates around it for smooth transport over dips, bends, and bumps in the road.

Hitch Ball Mount

Hitch mounts are also referred to as draw bars or stingers, and connect to the hitch using hitch clips and pins.

Hitch Pin/Clip

Metal devices that are used to secure connections between hitch mounts and hitches.

Tow Bar

Also called a sway bar, this V-shaped towing accessory is used to prevent trailers and other loads from swaying back and forth on the road during a tow. It keeps the trailer in a straight line behind the tow vehicle. They are used in conjunction with a tow coupler for dinghy towing or flat towing another car or SUV.

Safety Chains

These are an important towing accessory because they make sure nothing will come apart on the road. In the case that a towing component defects or comes loose, the safety chains ensure that the trailer or vehicle doesn’t disconnect from the tow vehicle and harm other drivers on the road. Never tow anything without them!

Indianapolis Towing

Towing and Recovery Indianapolis Indiana

Towing and Recovery Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s at 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional towing services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We have been in the towing and recovery industry for more than 75 years! Our tow trucks are state-of-the-art and out wrecker operators are highly trained, licensed, and courteous to all customers. Call 317-248-8484 when you need fast and friendly Indianapolis towing services or roadside assistance.

Tips for Safe Towing

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Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

No matter what it is you need to tow, it is vital to know how to do it safely. Towing safety should be your number one priority when it comes to towing a vehicle, watercraft, motorcycle, or any other load. Not only can you jeopardize your own safety and the safety of your load, you can put other drivers in danger with poor towing practices. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ instructions for towing hitches, safety chains, sway bars, and all other parts and components of your towing equipment.

Then be sure to practice in an open and empty lot, several times, before heading out on the open road. Turning and other driving maneuvers are different when hauling a trailer. For example, when backing up, the trailer turns in the opposite direction. Practice and knowledge are your best defense as far as safe towing goes. It is equally important to obey all traffic signals and road rules, and maintain a lower speed when towing a load. Continue reading to learn some principle safety tips for towing, as well as, who to call for a professional tow in your neighborhood.

Towing Guidelines

The first tip for towing is to use the right towing set-up. This means matching the load weight with the right capacity trailer hitch, and using the right type of vehicle for the tow. Be sure your car or truck is capable of towing the weight you need to haul. If you need to tow loads up to three thousand pounds, then be sure to purchase a vehicle that can tow that weight.

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

One rule to always get right is to use safety chains, and good quality ones that are in good condition. Follow all the instructions laid out in the manufacturer’s manual for assembly and operation. Safety chains are not an option, they have to be used for any type of tow. They should cross in both directions underneath the trailer tongue. This way, if it detaches from the tongue, the hitch will not drop the load.

Safety chains should never be attached to a bumper under any circumstances. A bumper cannot withstand or hold the weight of a trailer or load. Attaching chains to a bumper can lead to major vehicular damage and put other drivers in serious danger. There should also be enough slack in the chains for turning, but not so much that they drag on the ground. This is a commonly overlooked detail when assembling safety chains for a tow.

Before taking off on the road, always check the lights on the car or truck, as well as, the trailer. Be sure the brake lights are working, the flashers are functional, and the tail lights all work. The truck or car and the trailer lights should all be in sync with each other. This is the law and you will be pulled over, sited, and fined for failure to have working lights on your vehicles.

Zore’s Indy

Wrecker Services Indianapolis Indiana

Wrecker Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s at 317-247-8484 for professional towing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are long-time veterans in the towing industry, and can provide a wide variety of towing services for anything and everything! Airplanes, recovery jobs, buses, boats, mobile homes, semi-trucks, and construction equipment are just a few examples of the towing services we offer. Call 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional towing in Indianapolis you can afford.

Wrecker Companies Offer More than Just Towing Services!

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Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Wrecker companies are more than just a towing service. They offer a wide variety of roadway, transportation, and recovery assistance. Sure they are equipped and eager to provide tows for illegally parked vehicles, broken down cars, abandoned vehicles, and more; but they are also equipped and trained to provide much more than that! Continue reading to learn what a wrecker company is truly capable of and the standard services they offer their local communities.

Wrecker Services

When it comes to wrecker services, towing is not the limit. Most well-established and veteran wrecker companies retain an extensive fleet of trucks, rigs, trailers, wreckers, and more that allow them to provide comprehensive towing and recovery services for anyone and everything in town. This means impounding, airplane towing, accident and traffic clearing, disaster emergency response, general roadside assistance, and much more. Here is a breakdown of the principle categories for towing and recovery, and the additional services offered by most wrecker companies near you:

Roadside Assistance

Wrecker companies generally offer roadside assistance options for individuals who experience minor vehicular issues or breakdowns on the road. If someone gets a flat tire, a wrecker service will provide tire changes and replacements. If a battery goes dead, a roadside assistance technician for a wrecker company will drive to them and provide a jump-start. If someone is locked out of their vehicle, a wrecker service can get them back in! With just one simple phone call, a short wait, and a small fee, you can have a professional wrecker company provide roadside assistance services any time, 24 hours a day.

Light-Duty Tows

Light-duty towing includes regular vehicle towing and recovery. Cars, trucks, vans, small to mid-sized vehicles, motorcycles, jet skis, and more are all included in this category. If a car accident happens, a professional wrecker service is called to promptly remove the damaged vehicles and clear the roads of traffic congestion as soon as possible. Illegally parked vehicles and property management towing also fall into this category of light duty tows. These services are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week; like most towing services.

Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Tows

Medium and heavy-duty tows include larger-scale recovery and towing missions. Trucks, semi’s, rigs, trailers, boats, airplanes, mobile homes, construction materials, piping, and more are included in this category of towing. Wrecker companies extensively train their technicians to be able to clearly and efficiently react and handle sudden recovery emergencies, disasters, and situations. They are fully prepared to recover large equipment or vehicles on dangerous terrain or hazardous conditions. Severe storm damages, fallen trees and power lines, erupting dams, and more are all circumstances when a professional wrecker company is needed and called on.

Special Services

Wrecker companies often work together with their local municipality in road and traffic management. They also buy and sell junk cars and trucks, and offer auto auctions open to the surrounding communities. On top of auto auctions, junk car buying, light towing, medium towing, and heavy-duty towing, wrecker services also train and provide disaster response as mentioned before. Mostly wrecker companies that have been around the longest are the ones capable of offering these kinds of services because they have the local community trust, the proper and specialized equipment, licensing, and training.

Zore’s Indy

Wrecker Services Indianapolis Indiana

Wrecker Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Indy at 317-247-8484 for more information about our Indianapolis wrecker services, towing, and recovery. Our company has been serving the Hoosier communities for more than 80 years, and continues to hold a first-class reputation in towing and recovering services among the local communities, and throughout the state. We offer light towing, heavy duty towing, roadside assistance, auto body repairs, auto auctions, and much more!