So, you have a car breakdown. You sit there wondering how you’re going to get it back on the road before Monday morning, and you need some towing help. But should you go with a friend? Should you call an Uber? Maybe leave the problem for tomorrow… Or maybe not.
If regret isn’t enough reason to freak out at the very thought of breaking down on an empty freeway or overnight parking lot, then not knowing the basic towing risks should. Luckily, in this guide, we highlight the top risks to avoid when towing a car.
Mismatched Equipment
Whenever you’re towing anything, it’s crucial to use the right equipment. If the equipment used is not matching correctly, you might run into some serious issues on the road.
To be safe on the road, follow the steps below:
- Consult the owner’s manual for your vehicle and see how much weight it can tow safely. Don’t exceed this weight. Remember to take into account the weight of the towing rig itself. Pulling a heavier load can increase your risk of accidents as well as cause damage to your vehicle.
- When using a trailer hitch and coupler, be sure the parts fit together correctly. If you use a car-towing setup that doesn’t match your car’s design, there is an increased risk of accidents and car damage. A vehicle can be attached with just a ball hitch, but the car’s frame may sustain damage in this case because it’s not made to handle that kind of load. There are built-in methods for attaching car parts (e.g., car coupling). Make sure you use these if possible.
- Also, make sure your car is adequately prepared for car towing. If your vehicle isn’t set up for it, you’ll need to do some work before you start pulling things around behind you. Get an inspection done on your transmission and engine cooling systems; make sure everything’s in working order.
- Make sure the trailer is level. When using a tow bar to tow another vehicle, check to see if the tow bar is parallel to the ground. If the tow bar or trailer is at an angle, you could have problems when braking. Braking suddenly can result in jackknifing or other accidents.
- Never use a tow rope or tow strap. Tow ropes are good for emergency use, such as pulling a vehicle out of a ditch, but they aren’t meant for extended towing.
Limited visibility
Before you embark on towing a car, you need to consider the length, width, and height of the item you’re towing. It’s worth noting that an increase in the vehicle’s overall size has an impact on its visibility. Therefore, choosing the right towing trucks comes in handy.
Similarly, visibility plays a critical role when it comes to maneuvers such as making turns and changing lanes. As a rule of thumb, when towing a vehicle, examine the towing rig carefully before hitting the road. Besides, you need to take all safety precautions to ensure everything is in check.
So, you have a car breakdown. You sit there wondering how you’re going to get it back on the road before Monday morning, and you need some towing help. But should you go with a friend? Should you call an Uber? Maybe leave the problem for tomorrow… Or maybe not.
If regret isn’t enough reason to freak out at the very thought of breaking down on an empty freeway or overnight parking lot, then not knowing the basic towing risks should. Luckily, in this guide, we highlight the top risks to avoid when towing a car.
Mismatched Equipment
Whenever you’re towing anything, it’s crucial to use the right equipment. If the equipment used is not matching correctly, you might run into some serious issues on the road.
To be safe on the road, follow the steps below:
Limited visibility
Before you embark on towing a car, you need to consider the length, width, and height of the item you’re towing. It’s worth noting that an increase in the vehicle’s overall size has an impact on its visibility. Therefore, choosing the right towing trucks comes in handy.
Similarly, visibility plays a critical role when it comes to maneuvers such as making turns and changing lanes. As a rule of thumb, when towing a vehicle, examine the towing rig carefully before hitting the road. Besides, you need to take all safety precautions to ensure everything is in check.
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