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

Common Towing Issues

When towing a trailer, there are ample opportunities for problems to arise. It’s best to do your homework and know about the many problems that may pop-up before you head out, and how you can go about fixing them.

Trailer Sway

Trailer sway can be dangerous for many reasons, and it’s important to know how to deal with it if it happens to you. The most important thing to remember is to not brake, as this could make the swaying worse and harder to control. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and let your vehicle slow down naturally. Try to steer your vehicle in a straight line, and if possible, pull off to the side of the road and see if you can figure out the source of the swaying.

Level Towing

Making sure you’re towing a level trailer to ensure both your towing vehicle and trailer are stable. If you happen to have a load that isn’t level, you could throw off the center of gravity of your load, and this can result in rollovers if you’re not careful. Make sure your trailer is level, including everything in it, before you start on your journey, and check on it every time you make a pit stop.

Balance Your Load

We can’t stress the importance of this enough. A balanced load can eliminate any stressful swaying or pitching during your trip while keeping others on the road safe as well. When packing your trailer, make sure you’re distributing the objects inside evenly throughout the trailer. It’s also important to not overload the trailer. Pack everything in tightly and make sure it can’t slide around as this can lead to pitching and uneven towing.

Troubleshoot

Before even starting your trip, double check that all lights on your trailer work. This includes brakes, blinkers, and hazards. Check the tire pressure in each tire to make sure they’re at the right pressure, and double check you have everything you need should you need to replace it along the way.

If you notice something wrong with your trailer before a trip and need some things repaired, contact Terry’s Auto Body & Trailer Sales at 641-985-2536 to set up an appointment today. We can help you with brakes, wiring and lighting, welding, hitch replacements and installations, and bearing and seal replacement. If you’re looking for a new trailer, visit our website to browse our selection.

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References

http://www.trailersauce.com/information/trailer-towing-problems/

http://blueoxstudio.com/2016/05/31/troubleshooting-some-common-problems-with-a-trailer/

What to Remember When Towing Your Trailer

If you have ever gone through the process of towing your trailer before, you’ll know it’s not as simple as it might initially sound. If this is something that you have never done before, then this may seem like an intimidating task to accomplish. Whether this is your first time or your 100th time towing your trailer, it always helps to have a firm understanding of the steps involved to get you and your equipment to your destination safely. Failing to comprehend the risks associated with taking these best practices seriously could mean disastrous consequences for you and others on the road.

Here are a few crucial safety tips you must keep in mind when towing your trailer:

Prepare Properly, Buy Carefully

The key to safely towing your trailer starts when you purchase it; make sure your tow vehicle can properly and safely haul your loads. This means you have to know the trailer-towing weight ability of your vehicle and the gross combined weight rating (incorporating the tow vehicle, passengers, cargo, and the trailer).

Pick the Correct Hitch

Looking at the gross trailer weight and the trailer’s overall weight is the best way to choose from either a fifth-wheel hitch or a tongue hitch. While the fifth-wheel hitch mounts in the pickup bed, the tongue trailer is less prone to sway problems.

Buy Proper Trailer Brakes

This is a separate braking system for trailers that weigh more than 1,500 pounds when loaded. Get to know the two types of trailer brakes and choose which one is best suited for your needs. Electronically controlled brakes provide both automatic and manual control for trailer brakes, while surge brakes automatically applied when you slow the tow vehicle.

If you are a beginner or at towing trailers or if you need a refresher in the mechanics, following these safety tips is the best way to get the job done in a secure and timely manner. For more information on how to properly tow a trailer, trust your friends and experts at Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales -we’d be honored to assist you however we can. Call us at 641-985-2536 or visit our location on Highway 9 in Riceville.

What to Consider When Transporting Your Classic Vehicle

Fall is the perfect time of year to squeeze in a few more weekend getaways before the harsh, frigid conditions of winter arrive. But planning a mini-vacation doesn’t necessarily mean you have to leave everything you love behind. That includes your most prized possession: your classic vehicle.

It’s something that you are proud to own, and it shouldn’t be wasting away in your garage, even when you do go on vacation. While there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take your car with you, you do have to know that it is being transported to your final destination securely. Here are a few ways you can make sure your vehicle is properly transported on your upcoming get-away.

Decide the Best Type of Trailer for Transport

When it comes to transporting your classic vehicle, there can be a wrong choice. This is a decision that will greatly impact the condition of your car upon arriving to your destination. That’s why it’s so important that when it comes to trailers, one size does not fit all.

You’ll need to decide if your classic car is going to be carried in an open trailer or a closed one. While an open trailer transport might be the more budget-friendly option, the risk of damage on the open road is greater. On top of that, open trailers may not be properly equipped with a winch for non-running vehicles. That’s why, unless you are planning on having your car specially restored, we recommend investing in a closed trailer.

Properly Prepare for the Trip Ahead

Any well-organized trip centers around one very important element—a complete to-do list. When it comes to planning a vacation that involves transporting your classic vehicle, you must be especially prepared.

Every time you plan on using a trailer to transport your car, take a few minutes to carefully check the lights, brakes, wiring, and tires for wear and pressure on your trailer. It’s also recommended that you examine the hitch, chains, the breakaway wire, and the tightness of the lug nuts before departure. Once you are confident that those elements are secure, you are all set for your journey!

Don’t just Focus on the Dollar Sign

You may decide it is best to hire a professional service to transport your car. How you choose to transport your beloved classic vehicle should never be based solely on price. In fact, if a carrier service offers you an exceptionally low deal, that may indicate that that their service is poor or at the very least, unreliable.

Obviously, find out as much about a potential carrying service as you can before hiring them—we recommend you visit the Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website to look up a company’s insurance status and safety record. But no matter what professional carrier you decide to go with,  factor the cost out of your decision as much as possible. Keep in mind that most reputable carriers have similar cost structures.

Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales cares just as much about your classic vehicle as you do. We would be proud to help you transport your beloved car as safely and conveniently as possible with our wide array of trailer options. Call us today at 641-985-2536 or visit us in person off of Hwy 9 in Riceville.

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!