How to Drive Defensively

Driving can sometimes be a scary ordeal. Aggressive, inattentive, and impaired drivers not only pose a threat to themselves, but to other drivers sharing the road with them. While you can’t control the actions of others, you have the power to make the roads safer while protecting yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle by being a defensive driver. 

Follow these tips to hone your skills and stay safe behind the wheel:

• Be Aware. Being aware of your surroundings may seem like common sense, but this is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and others while traveling the roadways. Check your side- and rear-view mirrors periodically (every 5-10 seconds is suggested) and when your changing lanes or turning. Scan your peripheral for other vehicles and potential obstructions for at least a quarter-mile ahead. For those driving larger vehicles or towing wider loads, make a conscious effort to scan your surroundings more frequently. 
• Delete Distractions. In today’s digital world, our main distraction is the cell phone. While hands-free calling appears to be safer, it takes your attention off the road and increases accident risk. Your best bet is to resist the urge to use your phone while driving. If you need to make or take a call, pull over in a safe area and resume driving once your call is completer. However, cell phones are not the only factor. Checking your GPS for directions, adjusting the climate or radio, and even eating affects our situational awareness. Plan ahead by programming your GPS prior to the start of your trip and mapping our restaurants and rest stops along your route. 
• Rest Up. Tired or sleep-deprived driving is considered distracted driving and thus has a negative impact on your attentiveness. When driving long distances, stop every few hours to walk around, stretch out, and recharge your batteries. If you have a travel buddy, alternate driving shifts. 
• Get a Grip. In driver’s education we were taught to keep our hands at “ten and two,” but times have necessitated us to change to “nine and three.” Should you get in an accident and the airbag deploys, the “nine and three” position gives you the range of motion to turn and react if needed with a higher chance of avoiding injury. 
• Be Ready to React. Follow the “three-second rule” while driving; maintain a “three-second” following distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Increase the distance inclement weather or other difficult driving conditions. This will allow you the necessary time to react to accidents or other unforeseen situations. 

Following these defensive driving tips will not only make the roads safer for everyone, but it also removes the fear-factor, allowing the drive to be an enjoyable part of the journey.

If you are driving a trailer this winter in the snow, contact Terry's Auto Body & Trailer Sales for all your trailer needs, repairs, and maintenance. Avoid disaster and keep your family safe while driving. Call 641-985-2536 or visit our website at www.ricevilletrailers.com. 

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Sources

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/driving-safety.html

https://driversed.com/driving-information/defensive-driving/defensive-driving-techniques.aspx

https://www.businessinsider.com/defensive-driving-tips-2017-2

How To Choose a Vehicle That Can Tow

When it comes to purchasing a new vehicle, there are a number of factors to consider. Does the car that I’m looking at have sufficient gas mileage? Is there enough storage to properly transport my everyday essentials? Does the manufacturer have a good reputation for consistently providing quality and reliability? Will I have enough cup holders to comfortably hold my morning cup of coffee and my water bottle?  (Okay, some questions are more serious than others!) 

Yes, there are countless things to think about when it comes to choosing not only a car that not only matches your personality but that functions in the best way to meet your unique lifestyle. But when it comes to selecting a towing vehicle, many people, even if they have previously owned a car with towing capability, may seem lost and frustrated. 

Here are the best ways to evaluate a vehicle to see if it can tow properly. 

Look at the Tow Capacity

According to our friends at Transwest, the manufacturer of a vehicle sets a towing capacity for that car, or what the maximum weight is that a car can safely tow. No car purchase should be made before knowing what this number is and if that number will work given your specific towing needs. 

Examine the Transmission

Trailerlife.com tells its readers that automatic transmission often has higher tow ratings than cars with manual transmissions. HD, or heavy duty models, the difference is generally 1,000 pounds maximum, and on LD, or lighter-duty vehicles, a manual might have a lower tow rating by approximately 2,000 pounds. 

Know the Drive System

Front or rear two-wheel driving vehicles tend to have a higher tow rating. Pay attention to a 4WD drive system-this often adds up to 400 pounds of weight for many HD pickups, and that extra 400 pounds tends to come off of the overall tow rating. 

Don’t Forget Bed Length

Trailerlife states that in some cases, a long bed truck may have a 150-250 pound lighter towing capacity. That’s because the longer the bed, the more weight tends to be adding. 

When it comes to selecting your next vehicle, you need it not only need it to get you and your essential materials safely from place to place. That’s where your friends and experts at Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales can help. Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales is your headquarters for exemplary customer services. We take every measure to ensure you are satisfied with all your trailer needs and will do whatever it takes to earn your business and remain lifelong clients. Terry’s Auto Body has been serving the  Riceville and McIntire area for over 30-years. We pride ourselves on being large enough to provide professionalism and reliability, yet small enough to provide personalized service. Contact Terry's Auto Body & Trailer Sales for all your trailer needs, repairs, and maintenance. Avoid disaster and keep your family safe while driving. Call 641-985-2536 or visit our website at www.ricevilletrailers.com.

Sources:

https://www.transwest.com/blog/7-features-you-should-look-for-when-shopping-for-a-towing-vehicle/

https://www.trailerlife.com/towguides/choosing-the-right-tow-vehicle/

What Type of Maintenance Does My Trailer Need?

Spring is here and trailers everywhere are being pulled out of storage to haul a variety of goods. The best time to check over your trailer and take care of any maintenance issues is now! Towing a trailer can be tricky business and confirming it so it’s safe should be a priority. To get started, check out these common maintenance tips and tricks:

Tires & Brakes

Be sure to take a look at the tires and brakes on both your trailer and the truck you will use to tow. Correct load rating and proper inflation of your tires can be critical. Look out for dry rot and wear on your trailer tires. Tires older than five years need to be observed closely, you can check the manufacture date on the sidewall of the tire. The DOT alphanumeric code includes the date of manufacture stated in the last four numbers. For instance, 2709 tells you tire was manufactured in the 27th week of 2009.

Make sure your brakes are working properly. You need more stopping distance while towing so having brakes that are even slightly spent could be a real hazard. Riding the brakes while towing can lead to overheating your brakes and possibly losing control.

Hitch & Safety Chains

Confirm the towing capacity limits on all gear and be sure the hitch ball is still firmly attached to the drawbar. Make sure that the coupler and hitch ball is sized correctly and fit together snugly. Your second line of defense is your safety chains, which are required. When choosing the thickness of your safety chain, confirm they will prevent the trailer from drifting, while still allowing it to turn easily. Also, crisscrossing your safety chains underneath the trailer's tongue can prevent the tongue from striking the ground in case the trailer becomes unhitched.

Wiring

Whether your truck and trailer came prewired or whether you needed to do your own trailer wiring, you need to confirm that nothing has short-circuited before you tow. Have someone stand behind the trailer while you run through a test of the brake lights and turn signals.

Contact Terry's Auto Body & Trailer Sales for all your trailer needs, repairs, and maintenance. Avoid disaster and keep your family safe while driving. Call 641-985-2536 or visit our website at www.ricevilletrailers.com.

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References:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/advice/car-truck-mods/10-towing-maintenance-tips

https://trailerguys.com.au/faq/trailer-maintenance/

Driving During Deer Season? Learn How to Stay Safe

The change in landscape during the fall season is famous for its vibrant colors and incredible scenery.  While you are driving and enjoying the beautiful fall foliage, keep in mind that it is prime deer season. Educate yourself so that you stay safe on the road.

Knowing where deer live will help you know when to be more alert. At times, deer may wander into suburban neighborhoods. They are most frequently found on the outskirts of towns and in heavily wooded areas. They also will be seen near farms that grow fruits and vegetables.

DEER FACTS

• Deer are herd animals and travel together.
• During the fall harvest season, deer will be searching for food and not watching for vehicles.
• It is mating season, bucks will be chasing does across roadways.
• Hunters will be clearing deer out of the woods.
• They are most active at dawn & dusk.
• They are mesmerized by lights.
• They are unpredictable, especially when frightened.
  
  

DRIVER SAFETY

• Always wear your seatbelt.

• Look for Deer Crossing signs.
• Slow down if  you are driving through an area known for high deer populations.
• Use your high beams when there is no oncoming traffic.
• If you see one frozen on the road, slow down and flash your lights.
• One long blast of the horn will scare deer out of the road.
• When you notice a deer, tap on the brakes and slow down to alert drivers behind you that you are slowing down.
• If you do strike a deer, don’t approach it. Stay in your vehicle and call 911.

DID YOU KNOW?

• 60% of fatal animal crashes occurred when the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large animal-vehicle collisions resulted in an average of 187 fatalities in recent years.
• Deer whistles that you can mount to your car have not been proven to work.

Accidents can still happen, even though you know about deer and what to look for. If you need body work please call Terry's Auto Body and Trailer Sales at 641-985-2536 or visit us at  413 E Main St in Riceville.

Sources:

www.afgroup.com

www.schaeferinsurance.com

www.geico.com

Terry’s Auto Body Wants You Prepared for the Dangers of the Season

Winter has officially arrived, and even though we are only in the month of December, there is no doubt that the weather outside is frightful. The frigid temperatures and the constant snowfall mean hazardous road conditions for you and your loved ones. No matter how many winters you have seen and no matter the number of times you have driven through a snowstorm, that is no excuse for being unprepared for what dangers and challenges this winter can present you with.  While many consider the most wonderful time of the year, some could argue that it is also one of the most dangerous times of the year.

Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales wants to make sure you are driving as safely as possible at all times, but especially during these upcoming winter months. A big component of being safe on the road is being prepared for emergency situations. 

Take a look at some of our top tips this winter to keep you and your family safe on the road, especially in case of an emergency!

Have a First Aid Kit on Hand

You never know if you are going to need it—we pray that you don’t, but just in case, it is essential to be ready for anything. As well as an assortment of Band-Aids, the first aid kit in your vehicle should include adhesive tape, gauze pads, aspirin, antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream or ointment, and anything particular to you or your family.

Stock Your Car with Items Needed for Roadside Assistance

Having items such as a spare tire, orange cones, flashlights, a fire extinguisher, and a minimum of three reflective warning triangles will be very useful to you in case of a roadside emergency. 

Is your Cell Phone Charged?

Your phone needs to be prepared for an emergency just as much as you need to be! Before every trip you take, whether it just be down the street to the grocery store, or if you are going on a cross-country trip, make sure your phone has a full battery every time. A portable power bank is great to have in a pinch as well.

For other important winter driving tips, visit the Iowa Department of Transportion's website to bring these important things top of mind as we battle the winter elements. If you have teens that are new drivers this info should be reviewed regularly with them. 

Terry’s Auto Body Wants You Driving Safe This Holiday Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—the time when the weather outside is frightful, city sidewalks are dressed in holiday style, and sleigh bells ring. The holiday season has arrived!

Something else that has arrived with the holiday season is holiday shopping. For many, that means one (or several) trips to your local mall or department store, in search of the perfect gift for everyone on your list. With plenty of people to buy for and not enough hours in the day, it is understandable to become flustered. But just because the holiday errands you run can occasionally lead to stress and frustration, that shouldn’t mean that the quality of your driving has to be sacrificed.

Luckily, many new vehicles today feature plenty of safety features. Here are a few of our favorites that make holiday driving as safe as possible!

Backup Cameras

Sometimes, finding the perfect parking spot at the mall doesn’t necessarily mean backing out of it will be a breeze—especially when you have three other people waiting to claim that spot for their own holiday shopping! Backup cameras can help holiday drivers be aware of all possible obstacles surrounding them in a crowded parking lot.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration all vehicles over 10,000 pounds will be required to have backup cameras by 2018.

Parallel Assist

Are you a parallel parking expert, or does it take you a few tries to successful enter a parking spot? No matter what your skill level, cars that feature parallel assist give you extra protection to make sure you are parking correctly and don’t damage surrounding vehicles!

Forward Collision Warning Systems

A forward collision warning system scans the road ahead using radar beams, laser beams, or cameras. When the system determines that the vehicle is closing on an object at an unsafe speed, it alerts the driver and either readies the braking system for full braking power, or automatically brakes the car.

 

While these are all exceptional safety features that we highly recommend you use, we also know that these only work when you are driving safely. From all of us at Terry’s Auto Body, have a safe and happy Holiday season!

Tips to Use a Trailer Safely

Trailers are an excellent way to haul extra equipment if you do not have the space inside your vehicle. From utility trailers to moving units, they are a convenient solution for moving, recreation, travel or for contractors, businesses or events.  Understanding how to properly load and use a trailer is crucial to the safety of both the individuals in the hauling vehicle, and others with whom you share the road.  Here are eight tips to help you safely use a trailer: 

Weight distribution for your trailer.

•   Load Front First – Unless otherwise noted by the trailer manufacturer, load the heaviest items to the front of the trailer. This will make the unit more stable when on the road. Load 60 percent of the weight to the front of the trailer.
•   Tie down items – Regardless of whether you are using an open trailer or closed unit, it is crucial to tie down any loose items. Items can shift, causing the weight to redistribute, creating a potentially hazardous driving condition.
•   Slow down – Drive at a slower rate of speed when you are hauling a trailer.  It is also not recommended that you exceed 55 miles per hour.
•   Don’t tailgate – Towing a trailer adds extra weight to your vehicle. This increases the amount of distance you will require to come to a full and complete stop.  It recommended you leave at least 4-5 seconds of stopping distance between you and any vehicles you are following.
•   Watch braking – If the trailer starts to sway, remove your foot from the gas but do not brake or speed up. Let your vehicle slow down on its own.
•   Pass with care – Remember that the trailer will add more length to your vehicle. Be sure to allow more passing space and do so carefully.
•   Check gears – When traveling in hilly areas, use the same gear to ascend the hill as you do descending. This will help to control your speed as you start down the hill.
•   Wider turns – Turning a corner with a trailer will require a bit more room.  Pull up into the intersection a bit more and take the turn wider than you normally would to avoid hitting a curb.

Incorrect and correct way to load your trailer.

Do you have questions on how to properly use a trailer? Contact the experts at Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales today! We are happy to service trailers and provide you with flat decks, dumps, car hauler and much more. Visit our website to learn more.

Driving Tips for a Safe Summer

It’s only a month before school is out, drivers are rushing to get to their weekend getaways and road construction is in full-force.  Summer driving is here!  The dangers of driving in summer are just as hazardous, but less obvious, than the dangers of driving in winter.  In fact, the Department of Transportation reports that summer is the most dangerous driving season of them all.

Before you hit the road this summer, take a look at our tips for safe driving:

Be Cautious – When warm weather arrives, you can expect to see an increase in motorcycles and bicycles on the road.  The most important thing to do is to pay attention to cyclists and give them plenty of space.  You should also be cautious of stop-and-go traffic in construction zones and rush hour.  If possible, anticipate heavy traffic and choose a different route with less traffic.

Manage the Heat – No matter the season, your car should always be packed with emergency essentials. When disaster strikes, travel gear and supplies can make a huge difference in your safety. Good emergency supplies to have in your car include a flashlight with extra batteries, booster cables, first aid kit, bottled water and non-perishable food.  It’s always a good idea to keep sunglasses and water at within arm’s reach.

Summer Storms – Summer storms are dangerous and deadly.  If possible, avoid driving in strong winds, heavy rain, hail and lightning.  If you must drive during a storm, be cautious and drive slower.  Rain can loosen grease, creating a slippery surface for wheels. In addition, rain can be particularly dangerous when water pools on top of pavement and causes hydroplaning.

Proper Trailer Techniques – Are you hauling a boat or recreational vehicle for some summer fun?  Driving a vehicle with a trailer hitched behind you is very different than driving a car alone.  Be sure to follow the proper rules and regulations enforced by the Department of Transportation.  You can find a complete list of Iowa DOT trailer regulations here: http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/dlmanual/section7.pdf

If you are in need of a new trailer or service to your old trailer, stop into Terry’s Auto Body & Trailer Sales!  We can help get your trailer prepared for a busy summer season.  Any questions?  Give us a call at 641-985-2536.