You might need to tow your car, whether traveling in an RV or buying a vehicle. While there are many ways to transport a car without driving it, there are some things you should know to avoid damage or accidents.
Tips on how to safely tow a car
It may seem not very easy, but here are simple steps you can take to ensure safe towing.
Towing capacity
Towing a car is a complicated business. First, it is crucial to understand how heavy the vehicle can tow. Each car has a towing limit that the manufacturer sets. You must adhere to it. It is also essential to know the exact weight of the vehicle. Never assume your truck can carry a full-size car. This action could cause damage to your tow vehicle.
Drive wheels
It is also essential to determine whether your car is a front- or rear-wheel drive. Keeping the drive wheels from touching the ground when towing is vital to avoid damaging your vehicle. If you cannot lift the drive wheels off the ground, you can purchase several accessories, such as lube pumps or drive shaft couplers. These additional devices depend on how you tow and your drive wheels.
Towing
There are many options for towing your car. It is easiest to load your vehicle onto a flatbed trailer. If that’s not feasible, you can use a tow bar or tow dolly. Tow bars are triangular sets of bars that attach to both cars. You will require additional accessories if you don’t remove all four wheels from the ground. Tow dolls lift the front tires from the ground and are an excellent option for front-wheel drive vehicles.
Learn the laws
Towing laws in each state will vary, so make sure you are familiar with them. Towing laws differ from one state to the next. Some are more strict than others, with weight, license class, lightweight breakaway brake, and weight requirements. You will not be allowed to use an excuse you don’t know, and the penalties for improper towing may be severe.
Routine tire maintenance
In any situation, it is wise to check your tires. Tires, like other components of an automobile, wear down over time and require regular maintenance and replacement. It is dangerous to ignore tires as a flat tire can cause injury or leave you stranded.
You should be just as careful with your tires while towing. Aside from looking after the vehicle, you must also consider the other wheels that are attached to the car. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure that you properly inflate your tires. Over- or under-inflated tires will cause trailer sway. Make sure to add just the right amount of pressure. You should also check the lug nuts for tightness.
Slow down
We all need to speed up from one time to another. Feeling a rush when the car accelerates can be as simple as pressing down on the pedal. The feeling is probably familiar to those who have ridden in powerful, fast sports cars. However, towing is a different matter.
The added weight and length of a tow vehicle means that it will be more dangerous the faster your car travels. Speeding up will cause trailer sway to increase behind you, making it more difficult to stop quickly and without risking fishtailing or flipping. Speed can also make it difficult to maneuver in traffic. Therefore, it is essential to stay alert and safe while towing.
Light your way
It’s a requirement that all lights must work when you drive at night. If you have broken brake lights or headlights, it can pose a danger to pedestrians and other drivers. In addition, the police can pull you over and issue a ticket.
It is doubly vital that you have working lights while towing. You also need to double the number of your lights. Many states require that any tow vehicle, whether a boat trailer, car trailer, or camper, must have operable lights. This aspect includes turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights. These lights must also be compatible with your vehicle so that both brake lights are simultaneously lit when you brake.
Select the right hitch
While some tow vehicles have factory-mounted hitches, it is unnecessary for all others. However, it is crucial to find the right hitch for your car.
There are two main types of hitches: weight-carrying hitches and weight-distributing hitches. For trips where the total weight of the trailer and cargo is less than 3,500 pounds (1.588 kilograms), weight-carrying hitches will be recommended. For heavier loads, weight-distributing hitches are preferred. This action is because the tongue weight, the downward pressure the tongue exerts upon the hitch ball, can become too high when there is too much weight in the trailer. As a result, the trailer and tow vehicle can sag, and the entire setup can look like the shape of V. A weight-distributing hitch distributes the tongue weight to both the trailer and tow vehicle axles. This aspect keeps the vehicles parallel or level.
Keep cool
Towing more weight on your vehicle will increase the load on its drivetrain. In addition, additional weight can cause heat to build up under your car, which can strain the transmission and cause it to wear out too quickly.
A transmission cooler can be added to your vehicle, especially if it is automatic. This action will lower the temperature of the oil that circulates through the transmission. You can also save money by installing a more prominent radiator or an additional cooling fan to reduce the cost of replacing worn-out parts.
Please do it!
Practice driving before you go out on the road.
Pick a spot far from traffic, like a parking lot, and do simple driving tasks with everything towed. Back up, use your mirrors, and be aware of the vehicle’s turning radius. Remember to break slowly on longer roads. The more weight you have, the longer it will take to slow down.
These simple tips will make a bumpy ride more bearable once you have the right tow vehicle and equipment.
Contact a trusted company
If you don’t want the hassle of adhering to all these tips, you can hire a towing company to do the work for you. Find towing companies that offer all types of towing and roadside assistance services, including emergency towing, accident and flat tire towing, and flatbed and heavy duty towing as well as those with modern vehicles and efficient staff. Some towing companies may even have equipment for all vehicles, such as a tow truck for lowered cars and bigger ones. Companies with an expert team will help you determine your towing requirements and arrange a group and towing vehicle according to them.