Tips to Protect Your Motorcycle from Theft

People who live in busy, crowded areas often prefer using motorcycles instead of cars for convenience and avoiding congestion. Bikes are easier to park, and easier to maneuver compared to automobiles. However, it is also easier for motorcycles to be stolen since they are exposed. Thieves are always interested in taking a high value, good quality motorcycle and selling it to make a profit. Motorcycle owners must do everything possible to protect their bikes. Below are some tips for protecting your bike.

Protect Your Bike Every Time You Park

Many motorcycle owners do nothing when they park their motorcycles. Bike owners should always do something to protect the bike before they walk away, even if it’s just engaging the security device and the steering lock.

Fit a Lock on Your Machine

You can use a U shackle, disc lock, clutch group, or set a functional alarm. Installing a quality chain on the front or rear can also prevent the bike from being pushed away. If your garage has a security anchor, make sure you tie your bike onto it.

Fit a Tracking Device on Your Motorcycle

Although tracking devices can be costly, real arrests have been made with their help. Owners can always research different types and brands to find the most reasonably priced devices. Before purchasing, ensure you ask about the previous success of those devices. Be sure the signal penetration is strong since thieves may carry the bike in a van. It is also important to start following the bike as soon as possible; Thieves may steal a bike and hide it somewhere to see if it is being tracked so they can get rid of the tracker. If your motorcycle is costly then a tracking device is worth buying.

Fit an Approved Alarm or Immobilizer on Your Motorcycle

Although signals differ among areas, some have proved to be effective in preventing motorcycle theft. You should therefore consider it a way to protect your bike. There are some areas, such as parking lots, where security officers might notice suspicious activity when they hear an alarm. In addition, if the immobilizer is recognized by your insurance firm, you could get a discount if the company offers one.

Secure Your Garage

Garage thieves mostly come to steal at night. Some thieves follow you home, so it is important to keep it secure. Maintaining a thick door, security cameras, security lights, and alarms are just some of the ways to make your garage safe. You should never leave your bike outside your house since it gives thieves easy access to it. If you are away from home for some time, ask your neighbor or friend to watch the garage for you.

Other Security Options

Parking in front of a security camera can deter thieves from considering your bike, and can also help in its recovery if it is stolen.

Covering your bike when parked helps ensure that your classy bike is not overly advertised.

If you have questions about motorcycle security, or if you’re in need of towing services, contact Will Tow located in San Marcos, TX.

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Avoid Being Towed at Apartments in San Marcos

Having your vehicle towed can be inconvenient and expensive. One of the many ways to accidentally end up having a vehicle towed is parking incorrectly in an apartment complex. Many of the apartment complexes in San Marcos, TX, especially those near Texas State University, enforce strict parking rules in an attempt to discourage student commuters from leaving their vehicles in the apartment parking lots during their classes. Apartment parking lots often have limited space and maintain just enough room to accommodate residents and their guests, so it can be difficult to find the right area to park. Here are some tips to make sure your car stays where you left it.

Non-Residents

If you are not a resident and you are not intending to visit a resident of an apartment complex, do not park there. Many apartment complex’s will immediately check to see if a parked vehicle has a permit for the lot if the driver is seen leaving the parking lot on foot without visiting one of the resident buildings first. While it may seem safe to park your vehicle in a visitor space for free for a few hours, being towed will cost you much more than paying for public parking.

If you are not a resident but you are visiting a resident of an apartment complex, make sure that you get information about the apartment’s visitor parking policy. If the resident that you are visiting is not informed about the policy, call the main office or visit their website. Some apartments require visitors to have a parking pass put on their dashboard. If this is the case at an apartment you are visiting, make sure that you or the person you are meeting visits the main office before they close to obtain a pass.

Other apartment complexes do not require passes but do ask visitors to park in a designated area of the parking lot. Most apartments indicate the visitor parking spaces by marking “Visitor” on the curb or in the space. Others have signs posted with arrows indicating how many spaces are reserved for visitors. Occasionally the pavement markings may have faded, or the signs may have been knocked over. If this is the case and you are unsure where to leave your vehicle, ask the staff at the main office. One quick trip inside could save you a lot of time and hassle.

Residents

It does not happen often, but occasionally even apartment complex residents can find their vehicle has been towed. The best way to keep this from happening is ensuring that you follow the apartment’s resident parking policies. If you are a new resident, make sure that your vehicle’s information has been provided to the apartment complex and is up to date. If the apartment provides a sticker to mark your vehicle as belonging to a resident, make sure that you place it in the proper place on your vehicle so that it is clearly visible to towing companies.

If you get new license plates for your vehicle after it has already been registered with your apartment, make sure to give them the updated information. You should also ensure that your inspection sticker is up to date as some apartment’s will tow vehicles that have not been inspected, even if they belong to a resident.

Another good idea for ensuring that your vehicle is not towed as a resident is to make sure that it is properly maintained. Many apartment complexes will tow vehicles if they are deemed “non-running.” If your vehicle has not been moved in a few months, or if your vehicle has a flat or a missing tire that has not been addressed, some complexes will have the vehicle towed.

For more information on avoiding having your vehicle towed from an apartment complex, visit Will Tow in San Marcos, TX, or click here.

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Towing Myths Debunked in Three Minutes

Going online is a great way to educate yourself on some much-needed information. Not everything you read online is true, though. There are many times the information gets mixed in with false data. The same can be said for the data out there about towing and the services many companies provide.

Here are 7 myths about towing that require some truth seeking and a little bit of tweaking:

1. Is it true you can increase the payload component by adding more products?

   No, this is not true. A person cannot add in extra suspension products in hopes it will increase the ratings. Are you worried about the suspension payload? There is something that can be done. Level your truck. Decrease the poor handling. Gain access to the leaf springs before you take your journey. Another thing that can be done is work on getting rid of the side-to-side away.

2. It is not necessary to learn the towing terms?

   This is another myth that needs to be corrected. You do need to learn the terms. There are differences between the two most common terms, GAWR and GVWR. The first one details the maximum weight you can put on the axle. The second one refers to the gross vehicle weight. This includes the vehicle and every passenger on board. This limit should not be exceeded at any time. There are other terms you should educate yourself on. Click here for more details on this.

3. I can increase the capacity by increasing my trailer hitch.

   The manufacturer has put in a maximum capacity for a reason. At no time should it be messed with. Let us say that you have a capacity of 35,000. There is an exception to this rule. Let us say your hitch is at a capacity of 20,000. At no time should you go over the 20,000 limit. In this case, the hitch capacity will override the actual capacity.

4. Can you go by the tongue weight?

   This is the one primary cause of failure with towing. There is an incorrect estimation of the tongue weight. You should click here to find out what the tongue weight for your tow truck is. This is the only way to be sure.

5. Is it true that tongue weight is always 10% of what is being carried?

   It is usually between 10 and 15 percent. There are many variables to consider here. Two to trucks are not one in the same. Do not place most of the weight at the front, towards the hitch. This is placing too much pressure on the hitch. You need to know the exact percentage.

6. The bearings do not need any kind of upkeep 

   This is wrong information, once more. The bearings are outside 24/7. They need constant upkeep and maintenance. Do you want your truck to break down?

7. You can get any old hitch extension, right?

   No. You need a proper extension for your tow truck. Not all trucks are made the same in this respect. Most are ready and available in 8 lengths. They measure between 21 and 60 inches a piece. It is best to get specific measurements for this. Your tongue weight needs the proper extension. A shorter one will be more fitting, but you still should check it out.

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Are You a Conductor?

Alignment

A conductor of an orchestra has a very important job. Everyone knows they direct music, but it’s much more important than that. A conductor knows every note, the placement of every instrument and every musician and if something or someone is out of alignment in this well-oiled machine of an orchestra, it is his or her job to rectify it. It is important for you to be as diligent as a conductor with your car. If your car is pulling more to one side or the other or it is vibrating on the road, it needs to be properly aligned. Riding around with poor alignment continuously will cause you to have an uneven wear pattern on your tires. Rotating your tires helps you save money on tires and extends the life of your vehicle. You will also save money on fuel because there will be less stress on the car.

Towing, Jump Starts and Fuel Delivery

If you are in need of a tow in the Central Texas area, some companies provide 24 hour live dispatch, long distance towing, off road recovery, tire changes, lockouts, fuel delivery and jump starts. Check with your insurance to see if towing is covered or discounted. 

Separate Lockout Services

Separate lockout services provided by trusted locksmiths for Central Texas are also available. They have a quick response time for a sensible price. These locksmiths will also change locks and make new locks (for businesses or homes) while providing high quality and friendly customer service. They are available 24-7 for roadside assistance. They also offer emergency door unlocking services called PALSavesKids in case your child or pet is locked in the car. This service is free of charge. 

There is a free roadside assistance program available to motorist throughout Central Texas provided by the Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO). HERO responds to those who need help on I-35 and US 183 who have flat tires and need gas. They also assist with vehicle removals from travel lanes that have been in crashes. HERO also assist with the following: jumping dead batteries, transporting motorists to a safer location, providing cell service to persons in a broken down vehicle, removing trash from travel lanes and shoulders, helping emergency response personnel, calling tow trucks or emergency vehicles and performing minor vehicle repairs.

Although all of these resources are available in case something should go wrong with your vehicle, a responsible car owner keeps up regular maintenance on their vehicle. Regular tune ups, oil changes, brake checks, tire rotations, alignments and car inspects are just a few things that will keep your car in working order. Keep up to date service records in case of any emergencies, such as an accident or break down. Become a good conductor and orchestrate the longevity of your vehicle. 

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Preparing for a Long Distance Trip

If you are planning on taking off for a road trip anytime soon, it is imperative to make sure that your vehicle is in proper working order, as you want to make sure everything is functioning correctly before taking off. This is particularly true if the trip is going to be very extensive, as you are definitely going to be putting more exertion on the car than normal. In order to get ready for your trip, here are a few things you should do prior to leaving.

Inspect the Vehicle

A few things that should be done before the trip are checking the oil and the coolant in the vehicle. If they are low and you take off on a long trip, your car may overheat or break down, so make sure they are filled. Another thing you are going to want to do is to go around the car and check the tire pressure as well on each tire and it is always a good idea to bring a spare tire and a jack in case you do blow a tire on the road. You are also going to want to check that the headlights and the brakes are working properly, as well as making sure that the windshield wipers are in proper working order. Also, make sure that you check to see if water and fluid for your windshield wipers and make sure you have more than enough gas to get to wherever you are going.

Have an Action Plan if Something Goes Wrong

Far too many people do not think about what they are going to do if they do in fact run into a bad situation, such as a car breaking down in the middle of nowhere, or any other type of car trouble situation. A few things you should make sure you always have with you are a cell phone and the phones actual charger, with a plug that fits into a car outlet. A ton of people bring their phones with them, but forget to bring the charger, which may be of huge importance if you break down.

Getting the Car Inspected

There are few things that are wiser when it comes to taking care of a vehicle that preventative maintenance, as taking the steps to prevent a problem from developing is going to give you the most lifespan out of your vehicle. You should always take your car into the shop to get it checked out every now and then, even if you are not planning on going on a long trip. If you do find that you are going to be driving a long distance, it is a perfect time to take the car into the shop to have a mechanic thoroughly inspect the car and repair anything that may need some fixing or tuning up. If you do run into a major problem with your vehicle while out on the road, you may be surprised at how many times the problem could have been averted by simply taking the vehicle into a shop before leaving, simply to make sure that everything was working up to par.

What Jackknifing is and How to Prevent it

If you’ve ever had to tow something, you may be aware of the risks associated with having to haul something. Perhaps you’ve even seen accidents involving 18-wheelers and wondered how it happened. One of the biggest risks while towing is jackknifing. This incident can be frightening and very dangerous for you, as well as other drivers.

What is Jackknifing?

Jackknifing can occur when your vehicle skids due to lost traction and moves in a direction that is different from the direction that your trailer is moving. For instance, imagine you are traveling smoothly down the road when suddenly your vehicle begins to skid towards the left. Your trailer will continue to move forward, and as a result, your vehicle will not just skid, but spin and collide into what you were towing. When this happens the trailer may continue to drag forward and veer off-road, invade other lanes, or even head into oncoming traffic.

Jackknifing can be avoided by following some simple guidelines while towing. Following these tips can help put you and other drivers in the safest situations.

Prior to hitting the road, make sure to perform a walk-around of your vehicle, and check the following:

• Weather – Rain is common in Texas and can impair your visibility and reduce traction. Monitor weather patterns before you head out.

• Tires – Are your tires properly inflated? Check the manufacturer specifications regarding inflation and check the tread as well. Do this for your vehicle and trailer. If your tires are in poor condition, they can greatly increase the risk of jackknifing.

• Brakes – Have your brakes been serviced recently? Brakes are essential in allowing you to reach your destination safely. Ensure that your brakes are in operable conditions and can endure the added weight of your vehicle and cargo.

• Payload – One big cause of jackknifing is poor weight distribution. If you’re towing a trailer, distribute any items inside so that the weight is spread throughout all areas of the trailer. Having too little weight may also cause a trailer to jackknife. Ensure your cargo is properly weighted and distributed before departing and after any sudden movements you may have made while traveling.

An important rule to follow in any situation is following the speed limit, but even more importantly is to drive below the speed limit while towing. By doing so you increase your reaction time to multiple variables such as unexpected traffic, a reckless driver cutting you off, or unexpected road conditions. While driving, you should constantly monitor your rear and side-view mirrors to check for payload sway, especially while braking. When you brake you can cause your trailer to sway and increase the odds of your vehicle jackknifing. If this happens, release the brake; this increases traction and may correct the trailer. Other methods that will prevent you from jackknifing include slowing down adequately before performing any turns. Never attempt to turn and brake at the same time. Instead, slow down ahead of time before a curve. Apply the brakes gently and never attempt any sudden maneuvers.

Following these easy tips can greatly reduce your chances at jackknifing and having a safe, enjoyable trip.