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Often, drivers find themselves in situations where they must call for a tow truck. It could be a flat tire or another mechanical problem. If that is your current state, then it is likely that you’ll wait for a while before the truck arrives at the scene. Here are some things you should do in the meantime.
What Should You Do While You Wait For A Tow Truck Let Your Hazard Lights Work As you wait for the towing professionals to come, ensure that your hazard lights are on. One of the worst driving mistakes you can do is to assume that other motorists can see you when these lights are off. This can put you and your vehicle at a great risk. Get Out of the Vehicle When Necessary It is good to assess whether you can move your car as far away from the road as possible while waiting for a tow truck. If where you are is clear of traffic, quickly get out of the vehicle and try pushing it on your shoulder. Then, place some markers on the road to inform other motorists that you are waiting for towing services. Some of the greatest driving mistakes occur when people get out of their cars during dangerous moments. Ensure that you do not leave your car until you’ve pulled it over away from traffic flow. If you cannot take it out of harm’s way, stay inside. That would be safer for you. Put All Things Together When the tow company professionals arrive, they would need your car’s registration and insurance details together with your driving license. Arranging these important documents while you wait for them could help in saving time. Contact us today for tow truck services near you A common saying states that when you go to Rome, do what they do. This is no different from Portland. Inasmuch as the city shares most of its traffic rules with many other states, there’s some difference when driving here. The following are some tips that could make your trip easier.
Things You Should Know When Driving in Portland Speed Limits It is likely that you’ll see speed limit signs on the roads of Portland, OR. If unmarked, drive your car at 20 mph within the central business district. For residential districts, use 25 mph, while on highways and rural roads keep it at 65-75 mph. Within the limits of the city, use 55 mph for interstate highways. Turns Oregon traffic laws allow left and right turns while driving on one-way roads even if there’s a red light. However, ensure that you stop and wait for the traffic and pedestrians to clear the road before turning. Otherwise, you’d cause accidents or fall into the hands of the police. You’re likely to notice that there are many one-way streets while driving in downtown or the Pearl District. One important thing to consider is that these streets usually alternate directions. Therefore, you should be extremely keen on road signs. Use of a Cell Phone Oregon traffic laws permit adults to use cell phones with hands-free accessories only while driving. However, it is illegal for any person under the age of 18 years to communicate on a mobile device while they are behind the wheel. Take precaution that you do not get on the wrong side of the law. Contact us for more information about driving in Portland or for local towing services. Many people do not consider looking for the right company to tow their vehicles until they get stuck in circumstances that offer them no other choice. As a motorist, you should beware that emergencies are inevitable. The next person could be you. The following situations might force you to seek for help:
Accident No one wishes to get involved in an accident. However, if this unfortunate event occurs, it may leave your car immobilized or dangerous to use. Continuing to drive may even cause more damage to your vehicle. In case your car is in the middle of the road, find a company that responds quickly to move it out of the way. Vehicle Breakdown Your car might break down in the middle of the journey. The cause could be a mechanical problem such as brake and engine malfunctions. The car might not even be totally immobilized but continuing to drive can be dangerous. If you cannot find immediate help at such times, calling a towing service could come in handy. Locked Out of Your Car? What would you do if you found out that your car got locked with keys inside while you were outside? Don’t try to unlock it unless you are a professional. Otherwise, you would cause more damages to the vehicle. A towing service could help you out easily. Some companies have unlocking services for opening the door safely. Choose the Right Service Whichever the circumstance that makes you unable to use your car, it is important to find a company that is fast in moving the vehicle to the desired location. Find affordable services but consider their professionalism and customer care. Do enough research before calling for help with your car. Contact us for more information about our vehicle towing services near you. It is no secret that about 35 percent of roads in the US are unpaved. You have to deal with lots of dust and manage skids on such roadways. Although off-road driving is challenging, following the tips below could make you conquer the rough terrain.
Unpaved Road Driving Safety Slow but Steady People who speed on unpaved roads are more likely to experience hiccups or accidents on their journey. Therefore, drive slowly across the terrain. This makes it easier for you to stop when animals, pedestrians, or other vehicles are passing. If you drive slowly, you’ll have more reaction time when dealing with problems such as huge bumps and potholes. This ensures that you limit the risk of straining your car’s shocks and alignment. Otherwise, you may require calling a tow truck on the journey. Understand Your Vehicle How well you maneuver an unpaved road depends on the type of your vehicle. For instance, you should consider avoiding severely damaged roads if your car is a rear wheel drive. Otherwise, you can get stuck and need the services of a tow truck down the road. Be Prepared for Emergencies You can never tell when your vehicle could get damaged on unpaved roads. Therefore, make sure you got an emergency kit in the car. It should include a tire jack, spare tire, shovel, and jumper cables. Also, travel with a cell phone to call family members, friends, or a towing company when the need arises. Modification If your case is that of encountering unpaved roads often, why not modify the vehicle? Buy high-quality shocks and raise your car with a lift kit. Purchase tires that are designed for rough roads. This can greatly improve your driving experience and safety. Contact us today for more information or if you need Portland towing services. Some of the topmost causes of accidents on roads are speeding, distracted driving, and alcohol consumption. Even the most experienced driver can make silly mistakes and mess with the safety of many people. If you’re going to be safe on the road, considering the following tips is important.
Safety Tips for Every Driver Focus is Key Do not multi-task while driving. Do not use your cell phone or any other electronic device when you are behind the wheel. Whether you are experienced or just a novice, distracted driving can cost your safety or that of other people on the road. Therefore, pay 100% attention on roadways. Observe Speed Limits The reason why there are speed limits is for your own safety. Speeding reduces your reaction time when facing emergencies on the road. You may easily lose control of your vehicle and crash at high speeds. This could waste your time and money when you have to call for road assistance. Call for the Right Assistance Modern technology has made it harder for vehicle owners to perform basic repairs when they get stuck. It is likely that you’ll require road assistance services at some point in your life, especially if you drive at night. It is better for you to spend on professionals rather than calling the people nearby who could be criminals. Have a Driving Plan Many drivers cause accidents because of fatigue which may lead to dozing off while driving. Others have a habit of picking up their cell phones all the time. For safety, you should schedule your trip to include special periods of resting, eating, and making important calls. Contact us to learn more safety tips or call for towing services in Portland. However much you’ve maintained your vehicle, some situations may arise that could force you to require professional assistance while on the road. You cannot avoid such things as running over a nail, sudden issues with engines, and abrupt battery malfunction. Here are some important things you should know about roadside assistance.
A Range of Assistance Programs Different companies offer different roadside service programs. Most providers do tire replacements, car lock-out services, towing, and jump-starts. Others offer additional services. It is, therefore, important that you read about each company’s program to know the range of their services and the charges. The Radius Factor Some situations may force you to hire towing services. In such a case, you need a tow truck. The best thing to do is check every service provider’s towing radius. Some companies charge a fee per mile after moving your vehicle for only three miles. If you cannot avoid these providers, locate the closest garage possible to cut on costs. Do Enough Research You have to do some deep research before choosing a roadside assistance service provider. Make sure you study each program carefully and the associated charges. Never assume that all companies offer the same thing. You could get stranded if you do so. Especially, read reviews of prospective service providers carefully before settling on one. Make a Wise Decision It is important to call a professional when you are stuck on the road with your car since some situations are complicated. After doing research, ensure that you choose fast, reliable, experienced, and affordable services. Always ensure that they ask for your consent before doing anything on your vehicle. Do you need roadside assistance? Contact us today to find out more about our roadside services. Vehicles do break down at unexpected times. At some point, you may have to hire a tow truck to either take your car to a garage or a junk heap. Depending on your situation, you can use one of the following types of trucks to tow the vehicle to the desired destination.
Types of Tow Trucks Flatbed Tow Truck This is one of the most popular towing vehicles that people use around the globe. Flatbed trucks have long empty beds with flat tops that you can move up and down using a hydraulic system. They are easy to use. You can opt to drive your car up the ramp or ask the operator to pull it up. Flatbed tow trucks offer the highest level of driving safety. Integrated Tow Trucks These are more specialized vehicles that are used for heavy duty purposes. Integrated tow trucks can transport buses or other rigs. They have extra axles to increase strength and stability and their arms are more embedded in the trucks’ core. Hook and Chain Tow Truck These were trucks of choice for many towing companies in the past. However, many operators still have them. For the company to pull your vehicle, they have to attach a hook onto it before hoisting it off the ground. Only two wheels of your car will be on the ground during transportation, potentially damaging the body. Wheel-Lift Tow Trucks These vehicles operate with the same principle that hook and chain trucks use. However, the operator hooks a metal yoke on your car instead of a hook, leading to less damage. Although it provides less driving safety than a flatbed tow truck, the use of a wheel-lift is a cheaper alternative. Contact us today to hire a truck tower for local towing services. Some people do not know how to change flat tires. Maybe that’s not you. You could have already removed the flat tire. However, the problem might be that your spare is flat. This is where road assistance could come in for you.
Flat Tire Changing Tires do not last forever. Unless you are extra careful on the road and do change them regularly, it’s likely that you’ll change your tires from time to time. Even brand new tires go flat when you accidentally hit an obstacle on the way. Important Tips If you are going to call a road assistance service, then ensure you do the following:
Assess the Damage on Your Tire It is advisable to always have a working spare tire after replacing the old one. You should not repair a tire if the damage is extensive, especially after a blow-out. However, if you’re lucky, you may not need to buy a new one. Just repair and use it, at least for a short period of time. Finding the Right Assistance Flat tires can get you at unexpected times. The best thing to do is arm yourself with the knowledge of the right roadside assistance service available. Research and find affordable and reliable companies that respond quickly no matter the weather condition. Looking for a flat tire changing service? Call us today to find out more about our pocket-friendly services. If you own a motorcycle, you probably know how beautiful and unique it is to ride it. It is a prized possession that you do not want to damage while transporting it. Using a proper towing procedure ensures that you maintain your bike’s structural integrity after transportation.
Tips for Motorcycle Towing There are three methods that you can use to tow your bike. All of them are safe and effective. However, you must use proper setups and equipment to accomplish this. Whether it is flatbed or two-wheel towing, it depends on your circumstance and preference. Flatbed Towing This is the most common method that people use in towing their bikes. The truck’s flat surface is unrestricted and boundless with four wheels and a sturdy frame supporting it. Moreover, operators use special straps, ropes, and locks to keep your motorcycle on the bed so that it doesn’t tip over. There are several advantages of using flatbed tow trucks. First, they are readily available. You can hire one from truck rental companies. Also, they are user-friendly. Moreover, their solid setup ensures that there are limited chances of errors. Two-Wheel Towing This is a very effective and perfect method for transporting motorbikes. Two-wheel tow dollies consist of two wheels that are connected to an axle with a frame supporting them. You can just push your motorbike up the ramp, connect it properly, and you’re ready to go. Towing Cradles This is a great choice to tow your motorbike. Towing cradles (also called bike trailer hitches) are user-friendly, compact, and cheap. They work excellently on tow motorbikes. All you need to do is attach the trailer to the vehicle’s back and the bike’s front end to the trailer. Contact us today to learn more about our local towing services in Portland. Most people prefer staying at home and sipping hot coffee down their throats when it rains. You could be one of them. However, some occasions may demand that you get out and drive your car no matter what. A typical example is during a rainy season. For safety and convenience consider the following tips.
Take it Slow Driving at a high speed when it is raining could cause accidents. If you are the type that doesn’t like your accelerator being far from the plate, you might get into trouble. The worst thing that could happen to your vehicle is hydroplaning. Here, you might lose control of your vehicle and brakes may fail. Monitor Your Car Battery The most common effect of a rainy season is on how fast your car battery drains and requires a jumpstart. Also, sharp changes in temperature and humidity may cause corrosion and affect your battery’s performance. Therefore, monitor your car battery consistently and do proper maintenance. Ensure Your Visibility Rains and the associated fog reduce drivers’ visibility. Always ensure that you have quality headlights as well as fog lights during a rainy season. They could really help you improve your visibility as well as driving experience. This could also keep you off of the wrong side of the law in many countries. Beware of Ponds of Water During rainy seasons, ponds of water form on many roads. Never underestimate such ponds. Even if you have a large vehicle, ensure that you slow down when you see them. Consider using other roads if the one you love has many ponds. Worried about driving during the rainy season? Contact us for more tips and towing services. |
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