How Are Motorcycles Towed?

August 9, 2021 By WebGuy

On any given day, vehicles that have broken down for one reason or another are spotted on the roadways. However, when it comes to motorcycles, that’s a rare sight. So, do motorcycles break down and need tow services in Raleigh, especially during riding seasons? The answer is a resounding yes, and sometimes it could be in out-of-the-way places where help is not so easy to access.

Non-functioning motorcycles need to be loaded onto a trailer or a truck and cannot be pulled like a car or truck. So here are the most important things to do to be prepared for that possible breakdown.

Tow Services in Raleigh: Options for Moving a Motorcycle

When your motorbike develops a problem and gets stranded by the roadside, you’ll need the right equipment to dock your motorcycle and move it to a safe place without causing any damage to it.

Many motorcyclists own a towing trailer or truck. If this is the case and you are near home, you can call a family member or friend to transport it to your location. If you do not own either, you may hire a trusted tow service.

Equipment Needed

Having a towing trailer or truck is not the only equipment you’ll need to move a motorcycle. Here are a few items to have available to assist with the operation.

Chocks: The purpose of the pair of chocks is to keep the bike still on the trailer while it’s moving. Many motorbike towing trailers have built-in chokes, but if not, having a set comes in handy.
Loading Ramp: The traditional method of loading a motorcycle onto a towing truck or trailer was using wooden planks. But lots of people have damaged and dented their bikes using this process. So the safest way for the loaders and the bike is to use a loading ramp to avoid slip-ups.
Straps: Using what’s on hand to secure the motorcycle is a common situation, but swap the ropes and bungee cords for webbed straps to secure the bike firmly. Doing this will prevent even the slightest damage.

Using A Motorcycle Towing Service

Towing a motorcycle might seem way more manageable than moving a vehicle, but the process requires trained hands, patience, and the right equipment. A towing service has the experience and trained personnel to do the job correctly.

Is It Necessary To Get Help From A Motorcycle Towing Service?

If your motorcycle develops a fault in the middle of nowhere, the only option before you is to get help. It could happen during the day or even at night. It’s best to plan and have a reliable tow service phone number on your phone; that way, irrespective of where and how your motorcycle malfunctions, you’re just a call away from getting professional help.

On a final note, towing your vehicle yourself may seem cost-effective, but when you consider the strain it puts on you and the high chance of damaging your bike, is it worth the risk?

Unlimited Recovery and Towing

Have you ever had motorbike trouble, and how did you handle it? If you ever need tow services in Raleigh, Unlimited Recovery and Towing are ready to help. Call 919-790-9393 for towing assistance anytime.

Different Types Of Towing Services

March 8, 2021 By WebGuy

When looking for tow services in Raleigh, it is essential to understand what is being offered and what you need. There are various types of towing services that provide different things. Here are some of the most common towing services offered.

Types of Tow Services

Flatbed Towing Services

Flatbed towing services utilize a flatbed truck. This truck has a hydraulic system that allows it to move up and down. It is one of the most popular towing methods because it offers safety and optimal functionality.

Once the hydraulic system tilts the bed to the ground, the vehicle is attached to an anchor. It is then steadily pulled to the rear of the tow truck’s bed. These towing services work the best for heavy-duty vehicles, cars, and trucks.

The best part about flatbed tow services is that you can tow your vehicle over a great distance. The car is under less stress and will not sustain damage while transported in this way.

Light And Medium-Duty Towing

Almost all towing service companies deal with light and medium-duty towing. These terms refer to lightweight vehicles. Such services include lockout, jumpstarts, towing, and other emergency roadside services.

If your vehicle is in an accident or runs out of gas, this is the service to call. These services are for vans, bikes, small trucks, and cars.

Wheel-Lift Towing

Wheel-lift towing services are best utilized for small, lightweight vehicles. The trucks that offer these towing services have a hydraulic boom with tow bars. The bars are placed under the back wheels of the car.

The car is lifted in the air with two of the wheels on the ground. These services are ideal for when you want to tow a vehicle for a short distance. If your car is stuck in a small space, this service is perfect for accessing tight areas.

Ultimate Recovery and Towing

If you need tow services in Raleigh, feel free to get in touch with us. Unlimited Recovery and Towing has provided these services for a long time and ensures your vehicles’ quick recovery. You can contact us at 919-790-9393 for more information on the towing services that we offer.

What Should You Do In a Roadside Emergency?

July 2, 2018 By WebGuy

You’re Stuck On The Roadside, What’s Next?

No one expects to be stuck in a roadside emergency situation. This can happen any time anywhere no matter how well maintained your car is – though car maintenance is a very important factor. To avoid getting overwhelmed and scared by the experience, you need to know what to do before you experience that flat tire or dead battery that might leave you stranded and put you in danger and you are left with no option but to call for an emergency towing service!

Carry Safety Gear

Every driver needs to carry a roadside emergency bag to help in case of any emergency situation that may arise. Pack essential items like air pump and jumper cables and be sure you have them at all times. Such gear can help you get your car back on track after a minor accident. You also need to carry stuff to help you stay comfortable when stuck on a cool or warm night. Put at least a blanket, a torch and a bottle of clean water in your roadside emergency bag.

Pull Your Car To The Side Of The Road

You need to pull over to a safe location then call for an emergency towing. In case of an accident or roadside breakdown, you need to take into consideration the safety of other drivers! If your car can start, pull over to the side of the road. If your car can’t start, call your roadside serviceto help you get to a safer location then start working on your vehicle.

Alert Everyone That You’re Pulled Over

After pulling over to that safe location, you should then make other drivers aware of your presence. You do this by increasing your visibility by setting up your flares or putting on your hazards while you wait.

Call For Emergency Help

Towing Raleigh In case of an accident, you first need to call the police and emergency services if you need it. Once all that is taken care of you should start setting up a tow for yourself. You always need to make sure you report your accident to the local authorities before anything else, both for your own safety and insurance/legal reasons. If you’re really unlucky you may find yourself stranded in the middle of the road, or even worse in the middle of nowhere. Call for emergency roadside service!

Give Clear Details

When calling for emergency towing, ensure that you give them clear details to help them quickly locate you and your vehicle. Give every necessary details that can quickly lead them to you!

Be Warned! Keep Off Strangers

In order to keep yourself and your car out of danger, be cautious when you’re offered help from a stranger. As you wait for your towing service to arrive, stay calm and wait patiently. You can ask your family or close friends to keep you company as you wait to get your vehicle towed to your desire location.

Need Help?

Are you looking for emergency towing services? We can help you find the most efficient and reliable roadside services to help you with unlimited recovery at affordable rates you need in case of roadside breakdowns or car accidents.

When you need a tow truck call Unlimited Recovery at 919-790-9393.

What Kind Of Tow Truck Do I Need?

March 5, 2018 By WebGuy

In most instances, hiring the services of a towing company is often the last resort and is not always a planned agenda. Despite this, vehicles can suddenly break down at any time and when that happens, hiring a towing company becomes inevitable.

What many do not also know is that towing a vehicle is a complicated process that requires using the appropriate tow. Towing trucks have specific designs, and each of them comes with their particular uses and benefits. It is therefore crucial that you know which type suits your needs so that you do not end up wasting your time, efforts and money.

Types Of Towing Vehicles And Their Uses

Flatbed Tow Trucks – this tow truck works using a hydraulic system. It is usually long and empty at the back. The hydraulic system makes it easy to drive a vehicle up an inclined plane, or if broken down, it can be pulled up quickly. Flatbed tow trucks are most suitable for vehicles that developed a fault on the roadside or with cars that have been in an accident.

Hook And Chain Tow Trucks – this one can be used to tow all kinds of cargo. A hook is attached to the vehicle, and it is lifted off the ground such that two of its wheel remains on the ground. Hook and chain tow trucks can apply a lot of pressure on the towed vehicle, and this sometimes results in further damage. All-wheel drive and 4X4 cars/trucks cannot be pulled using this type of truck. It is best suited for a wrecked car.

Integrated Tow Trucks – this tow truck is specially built for heavy-duty purposes. It is used to transport rigs or buses, with its extra axles producing stability and strength.

Wheel Lift – its setup consists of a metal yoke that is placed under the rear or front wheels of a vehicle(depending on which wheels are the drive wheels). It lifts the automobile without place stress on the bumper. It is very cheap, and the weight of the yoke on the vehicle is evenly distributed. It is suitable for towing coaches, caravans, motorhomes, trucks, etc.

Knowing the tow trucks listed above are quite essential and will guide our decisions in those moments when our vehicles break down unexpectedly.

When calling for a towing service, be prepared to tell the company the type of vehicle and the condition of the vehicle being towed. With that information, the towing service will send the proper equipment to get the job done.

When you need a tow truck call Unlimited Recovery at 919-790-9393.

Stuck in the Snow? 5 Things To Try Before Calling A Towing Service

February 5, 2018 By WebGuy

It is not unusual at all to call a roadside emergency towing service when your car gets stuck in the snow, but depending on the weather there may be a long wait for help to arrive. Still, with a little bit of imagination and manual effort, a car can sometimes get unstuck without professional assistance. Here are five things to try before calling for professional towing help. However, it is strongly recommended to call roadside emergency towing if the car has met with an accident or is off the road in a ditch.

Rock the Car

You should straighten the wheels and start the engine. Using a low gear, drive forward. Then reverse and back the car up a bit. Again, move forward and then back. This back-and-forth motion (rocking) can tamp down loose snow causing the tires to gain traction. Continue this several times until you feel the tires grip. However, if the tires just spin (you’ll hear it), stop this method. Spinning tires will only make the situation worse.

Pushing

If you can find a couple of people to help, you can try pushing the vehicle. Be sure to start pushing the car and applying gas at the same time (like on the count of three). Again, using a low gear, apply the gas gently, so movement is slow and smooth. Also, be extra cautious about the safety of the pushers.

Chain Up the Wheels

If you have snow chains, this is the time to use them. In fact, the application of snow chains can get your vehicle out in most of the cases. If you don’t know what snow chains are, you probably live in the South so just move onto the next suggestion.

Add Some Traction

Sprinkle some sand in front of the tires to add traction. If you don’t have access to sand, any of these items can also be used to help with traction: kitty litter, newspapers, cardboard or car floor mats.

Reduce the Air Pressure

Try letting some air out of your tires. This move will increase the surface area of the tire in contact with the ground to create additional traction and may help a bit to move the car. Don’t let out too much; you don’t want a flat tire.

If none of the above tricks work, it’s time to call the nearest roadside emergency towing service. Call Unlimited Recovery and Towing at 919-790-9393.

I’m Going To Tow My Own Car – Not

December 4, 2017 By WebGuy

If you ever have a breakdown or have an accident, the idea of not using a car towing service might pop into your head. While it may sound like a good idea at first, it probably isn’t. Towing a vehicle using a ball hitch is unsafe and could cause injury to yourself or others.

Here are four reasons you don’t want to tow a car using another car.

Vehicle Towing Capability

Every vehicle has an amount of weight it can pull without issue. Many people who have trailer hitches assume that they can tow a car, but that isn’t necessarily true. A variety of incidents can occur when you pull something more massive than your car’s tow vehicle rating. Too much weight on the tires can result in blowouts. Going up a hill can result in an overheated transmission. Too much pressure on the frame can result in a broken suspension, and when you need to stop your brakes may not be able to handle the additional load.

Legality of Self Towing

Many states require towing companies to get licenses and insurance to be able to operate. You don’t have any of that. In addition to that, towing in many states requires safety chains, proper tail lighting, and sometimes warning lights. Visibility requirements might also be spelled out in the law and towing a car might violate that.

Braking System

Tow trucks are specifically designed to have exceptional braking capabilities due to the extra load they are pulling. Your car isn’t designed or equipped with that. Without the enhanced braking system you may be unable to stop, or the car you are towing could collide with you. Having a proper braking system while pulling is essential.

Liability for Car Towing

When you are towing a car, you are responsible for everything that happens. If you damage someone else’s car, you may be found at fault. In addition to that, many insurance companies will not cover liability when towing a car is done by anything other than a professional service. You don’t want to end up footing the bill.

Instead of using your car to tow a car, start by calling your insurance company. Some insurance plans include car towing service, as does AAA. If that fails, call a recovery company such as Unlimited Recovery. They can help you get your car where it needs to go, in one piece at a reasonable price. Call 919-790-9393.

How to Choose a Heavy Duty Towing Company

November 6, 2017 By WebGuy

Have you ever found yourself with a truck emergency where your vehicle needs towing and several attempts to reach a towing company proved unsuccessful? Imagine how frustrating this situation could be. Whether you have been in this situation or not, it’s just apparent that you need to know the right measures in choosing a heavy duty towing company to put things right in case of road emergencies.

The following points highlight how you can effectively choose a heavy duty towing company for efficient service delivery when needed:

Reliability

This step is the first measure to put in place when choosing a heavy duty towing company. Read about their reliability and customer service by checking reviews of customers that have used the company. Reviews can be found on the company’s website or on independent retail review websites such as YELP or Angie’s List. This way, you see if there are any repeated problems with their service (particularly if any cars have been damaged while being towed). You can also see if the majority of their customers were pleased or disappointed with their service and personnel.

Pricing

Find out the cost of hiring the company, make sure you go for a company with fair prices that you can afford. This way, you know you can always pay the operator in emergency road situations. Find out the paying methods accepted.

Equipment

Find out if they have the proper equipment that guarantees job success. This information will ensure that you won’t be disappointed when you need them in an emergency road situation that involves towing. Check what type of equipment they use. Do they use hook and chain, wheel lift or flatbed trucks? A flatbed truck is one of the safest as the entire vehicle is lifted onto the towing truck, but these can’t be used for larger vehicles like trucks and RVs.

Professionalism

Additionally, you should know if the company’s staff are well-trained operators. You want professional operators that can handle the towing of your vehicle amidst other technicalities. For instance, are they trained that some trucks are pulled from the front and others from the back?

Investigating a heavy duty towing service ahead of time will give you peace of mind if a roadside emergency happens. You will know who to call and that their service will meet your needs.

Are you looking to hire one of the best companies for heavy duty towing? Check out Unlimited Recovery for the best heavy duty towing service in the Raleigh, NC area. Call 919-790-9393.

Reasons to Hire a Tow Truck

October 9, 2017 By WebGuy

So many things can go wrong while driving regardless of how careful you are. Something unexpected can pop up, and you find yourself stranded on the side of the road. What do you do in such situations – Panic? No, keep calm and assess your options.

Is there something you can do to get back on the road (i.e. change a flat tire)? If so, then calling a tow truck is probably not necessary. But, there are times you should call a towing service. We’ve listed several scenarios in which hiring a towing truck is the safest thing to do:

Accident/Collision

We know these things happen – you’re driving as carefully and defensively as you possibly can then a driver from nowhere comes out and hits you. Ouch, it hurts, and you’re left with a fender bender or worse. What do you do? Calmly assess the situation and determine if your car is still drivable. If it isn’t, then you need to call a tow truck.

Run Out of Gas

Running out of gas can be embarrassing and stressful especially if you’re in the middle of nowhere or far from the nearest gas station. Calling a towing service like Unlimited Recovery can be your saving grace. Just inform them when you call that you ran out of gas, and they will bring you gas for a small fee.

Car Won’t Start

The car not starting is by far the top reason people hire a tow truck. If your car refuses to start due to mechanical failure the best you can do is get your car towed to your mechanic and have it checked out.

Car Overheats

Sometimes life takes on an unexpected turn and things happen. Yes, you may have done all you’re supposed to do – you checked the water level and all the other routine checks before driving off. But, the car overheated – don’t beat yourself up. Just call a towing service, they can add water to the radiator and assess if the car needs to be towed to a garage for an additional check.

Flat Tire

Tires do lose pressure with time. To avoid getting stranded on the road with a flat tire; it’s always recommended to check your tires’ pressure periodically and reflate when appropriate. However, if you find yourself with a flat tire and no spare, just call a tow truck to come to your aid.

If you ever find yourself in any of the situations listed above and you’re within the Raleigh Triangle area, contact Unlimited Recovery and we’ll be right there to tow you to safety. Just call 919-790-9393.

Preparing for a Long Road Trip

October 4, 2016 By WebGuy

Unlimited Recovery - Raleigh NC Towing

Ending up on the side of a long lonely road in the wee hours of the night with no cell service is the worst nightmare of any driver. Without cell service, it is impossible to call for a towing company. The best way to avoid ending up in such a predicament is by preparing adequately for your road trip:

Check your car fluids

Car fluids are important for your vehicle to perform well and you must check all of them before taking off for a long trip. Remember to check your engine oil, gas, transmission fluid, radiator coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and coolant and power steering fluid.

Check your hoses and belts

The hoses and belts are crucial checkpoints as they hold almost everything together. If they are worn out and frayed, you should consider replacing them before you set off. If they are not tightly secured, you may have to walk the rest of the trip.

Check your tires

Your tires are crucial for vehicle handling and safety. If they are damaged, there is no way your vehicle can move. Remember to check all the tires including the spare in the boot. Ensure that the vehicle treads are deep enough, the tire pressure is correct and the rims are well aligned. Also, carry tire-changing equipment in the trunk in case you need to change one along the way.

Check your brakes

Along with your tires, your braking system is also an important safety feature that should be checked before you start on your long journey. You should get your brakes checked by an expert inspector. Your brakes may have a problem if you notice any unusual squealing if the brake pedal becomes softer than usual.

Check your battery

Although they say the more you drive, the more your battery is charged, once your battery is at its expiry it will be impossible to start your vehicle. Ensure that you check the condition of your battery and that it is properly charged. The electrical and ignition systems should also be in great condition. You’d certainly won’t like calling towing services in Raleigh NC to be a part of your itinerary, so do your homework.

Carry a map and guide book

If you are going to be driving on hours on end, you need to know exactly where your next stops are going to be for refueling, bathroom breaks of even a power nap. Maps help you organize your journey so you can always keep your supplies in check. Also, carry extra fuses and oil just in case it takes a long while before you get to the next gas station.

For reliable roadside emergency services in the Triangle area, get in touch with us here at Unlimited Recovery.

Basic Road Safety Tips

September 9, 2016 By WebGuy

towing While you may have learned many things from your driving instructor, you can never learn too much information about driving safety. Here are a few important reminders to ensure you and your vehicle are always safe on the road.

Get Enough Rest

Ensure that you get lots of sleep the night prior to the trip, particularly should you be intending to have a long-drive. A lot of people frequently believe ingesting caffeine may assist. At the start, you might sense attentive, but shortly the results will wear off and you will end up too sleepy to drive safely and right back to feeling exhausted.

Inspect the car

Before driving, always check for any faults in the car. Actually if the car is fresh and it is another evening if you are leaving the home or you simply parked it for several hours. Some thing may have happened to the automobile that you didn’t detect from the previous or while you weren’t around. Simply take a wander around your car to make sure everything is right especially with the wheels.

Bad weather & night time driving

Make sure in case it is pouring hard to maintain extra space between you and the car in front of you. In normal climate, maintain a space of at least 3 seconds between you and the car ahead, double it in bad weather. While driving at nighttime decrease and dim your lights when approaching an on-coming car. It truly is a standard courtesy that a lot of people neglect to recognize. It permits the other motorist to correctly see what is ahead without your lights blinding them. Once you are past them and also the road it obvious, you are able to turn your lights back up.

Overtaking

The left lane is simply utilized for overtaking. Also if you should be travelling faster than everyone is, it will not mean you should stay on the lane. Simply over take a vehicle and return back to the correct lane they may be hindered by you from performing so and because other cars behind you might want to overtake also.

In case you’d need towing services in Raleigh, give us a call here at Unlimited Recovery. Check this out for more information.