Properly towing is very important for every vehicle. It will save you from getting stuck in any place. You can tow the car in many ways and each of them is important for various situations. Learning has no limitations. Although most people only learn to repair and maintenance a car, but knowing how to tow it will also be a lifesaver.
You can easily save your friends and family member when they need help. Being a rescuer makes everyone feels astonished. Properly transporting a car to another location requires some basic knowledge about towing. Do not worry about that, just keep reading.
Rules for Towing a Car
Before towing, you have to follow some basic rules so that no problem could occur when you are towing a car. Such as,
Law on Towing a Car
You can not just tow a car when needed. It depends on the experience and time of your driving. Also, you have to attach an “on tow” sign on the car when you are towing. The law also says if you are a beginner, do not be a rescuer.
Is Rope Allowed?
If you do not have a tow bar, it is still possible to tow a car using a rope or chain. The tow rope distance should be between 4.5 meters. It should also be visible to the other drivers. If possible, hang bright color cotton on the rope, especially red color is preferable.
Surely Make an Insurance
If your car has insurance, they will cover all the damages even when you need to tow your car.
Avoid Towing a Car on the Motorway
If your car did not damage at the motorway, avoid towing it on there. A busy road is not a good option for towing a car as other speedy drivers will feel disturbed. It is also dangerous too.
Is It Ok to Tow a Car That Blocking Your Way?
First of all, ask your neighbor about the car, then check the local council websites or police website to see if you are allowed to towing a car.
Use Tow Suited Car
The rescue car should be strong enough to tow a car properly. Choose a car that is heavier than the pulled car. The user manual provides the towing capacity of your car. Read it for a better understanding.
Turn on the Both Lights
If you have to tow the car at night, turn on the rescue car and broken car light so that other users can get a notification and able to see you.
Switch on the Ignition of the Towed Car
Always turning on the ignition switch even when the engine is dead. In this case, the steering will be easy to handle.
Make the Car Neutral
Before towing, make the car in a neutral position so you can turn the wheels freely. Do not leave the car in gear.
How to Tow a Car
There are three towing methods you can apply it to towing your car, such as
Method 1: Using a Tow Dolly
In this method, the towed car front sides load on the dolly while towing. The rear wheel will be working when you tow the vehicle. So it rolls as a motorhome.
Mainly the front wheel will roll, but when the transmission is a disconnect, the rear wheel rolls. If you have four wheels, it also requires the same process. Remember, the towed car must be weighted more than 750 pounds than the rescue car
Things You Will Need
- Safety chains
- Ratchet straps
Attach the Tow Dolly
First of all, take the tow dolly neat to the towed vehicle and hook it. Then flip off the hitch ball and insert the pin on the hole of the ball. After that, hook up the safety break with the towing car. The coupler should be properly seated on the hitch ball. Tighten the coupler and check if it is securely fastened by moving the tow dolly a little bit.
There are two safety chains you will see in the dolly. Hook up the chain by taking it underneath the car and hook it with the safety break. Hook up one chain on the left side and the other one on the right side. Make the two chains in a “cross” position. After that, attach the four pin that is called wiring harness with the car. Go to the other side and hook up the trail. Release the safety latch from the dolly.
Make a Line
Drive the towed vehicle near to the dolly and slowly drive it up. Keep in mind that, the tow car, dolly, and broken car should be lined up on the level ground. After that, load the car on the dolly by driving or pushing it. When the front wheels are up on the dolly, slow down the car and engage it. if the car still rolling, use the lip to stop your car. Do not accelerate otherwise the car will still roll.
Strap the Vehicle
Every tow dollies have ratchet straps, put it near the front tire. Wrap the front tire with that straps and tightened it with the ratchet. Open and close the ratchet to make it tight properly. Go to the other side and do the same thing to the other tire. Do not worry about the tow dolly model. They all work the same. After installing the towed car on the tow dolly, disengage the parking brake of the car so the rear wheels can roll freely. Disconnect the driveshaft before start towing.
Remember, when you have to stop, press the brake sooner than you did always.
Method 2: Using Car Hauler (Trailer)
If you have four-wheel drive vehicles, you will definitely need a car hauler to pull it behind your towing car. The trailer has 4 wheels and it loaded your whole car on it. It also has two axles. So it is a safer method but the towing car has to handle the trailer and the towed car as they both make heavy loads. This is why the tow vehicle should be rated to haul.
Equipment You Will Need
- Ratchet straps
- Ramps
- Brake controller
Attach the Trailer
First of all, attach the trailer to the hitch. The hitch should have an appropriate size ball hitch attached. Now lower the hitch onto the ball by rotating the handle. Tighten the lock so the ball would be secured. Remember, do not load your car on the trailer before it is attached to the towing car. now attach the safety chain to the car. put it underneath the tongue and twist them up and attach the two chains. Also connect the emergency brake, taillights, and brake lights. Check the turn signal and brake lights if they work.
Load the Vehicle
It is easy to load the running towed vehicles on the trailer. Just down the trailer ramps and drive or push the towed car on the trailer. Drive slowly until the car is engaged to the trailer completely. The towed car should be completely fit in the trailer. Keep your car front tire at the front side of the trailer.
Secure the Strap
The tire strap should be centered behind the wheel. Tie the front tire with the strap and connect the strap with the ratchet. Do the same in another wheel. Make sure the wheel should be against the forward stop. There is a safety chain at the front end of the car. Wrap the safety chain and snug it. Do not place it over the brake or any electrical line.
Now put the ramps back and locked them.
Go for a Ride
Check everything before you go for a ride. Drive slowly and do not increase the speed as your towing car handles heavy loads. Avoid sudden braking and of course, check the mirrors regularly.
Method 3: Flat Towing
In this method, you do not need any tow dolly or trailer to tow your car. Just tow straps are enough because your towed car and towing car both will be on the ground when you are towing. This is a very easy method but most of the vehicles do not have this option. You will need a big truck or RV for towing. Also, the car should have a tow bracket system and an electrical system installed.
Equipment You Will Need
- Tow bar
- Wiring kit
- Base plate kit
- Safety cable
- Supplemental system
Install the Bracket
You need to connect the tow bar assembly in your towing car. The towable car should have a receiver hitch with a bunch of cables connected to lights and safety. First of all, hook the towing bracket to the towed car. Install it on the receiver of the car. Now attach the safety cable so your car can not be detached and your car can roll properly. Just connect them with the eye bolts by twisting it.
Hook Up the Tow Bar
There are swivels in a different direction on the tow bar. It can keep the car on the roads. The bar has an arm that you can slide it in and out, secure it with the safety cables, and attach the arm with the bracket. Just put the handle on the hole and attach it with a big nut. There is also power and safety cables, attach them with the towed car. Check about the car and the tow bar. Before start driving, check the tow arms of the tow bar if they are fully locked in place.
Hook Up the Braking System
Use a proportional braking system that you will get in online or any store. The braking system has a piston, compressed air, and a brake pedal. This braking system slows down your car when needed. There is also has a power tear that connects with the remote. If you do not want to use the braking system, that is absolutely ok.
How to Tow a Car without a Hitch
It is a very common scene that you are stuck on a road and there is no possibility to save you and your car by towing it. Sometimes you do not need anyone to help you. You can be your lifesaver. Just read the towing instruction from the manual and go to the glove box. Although using a suitable hitch is safer. The manual has everything about how you can tow without a hitch. You have to protect the suspension system, driveshafts, brake line, etc. also check the vehicle’s exterior. If your car has maximum fuel efficiency, it can climb up a mountain, or swim across water.
Do not pull heavier trailers than recommended. Keep the required ball size and check if the bumper can be used. There is a hole you can insert a ball. Now attach the trailer ball to the tow ball and safety chains underneath the bumper. Connect the electrical wirings and pull the car.
How to Tow a Car Long Distance
Moving your broken down car a long distance is quite tough, but not impossible. It is a concerning thing that how you could get your car to your place. Calling a driver is necessary for long distance towing. Just follow some steps and you will find this work easy.
Choose a Perfect Dolly
You should choose the best dolly for your car that you will get from many rental companies. It is cheap things and can maneuver easily. But you can use it only recommended towing weight. It is also a good option for 4 wheel and bigger cars for long distance towing.
Select a Suitable Truck
For long distance towing, you will need a suitable truck for towing your car to make it maneuverable. A small truck will be better for towing. Move your towed car things to the moving truck.
Drive in the slow lane
The towing truck won’t be able to move fast because of slow acceleration. Also, it does not need to change the lane. So stay in the same lane while moving. Do not overtake any vehicle as it may cause destruction.
Hook and Unhook the Vehicle
When the road is busy and crowded, it is challenging for towing. Drive less busy sides on the road and when you reach your destination, unhook the vehicle from the dolly quickly.
Use Time Wisely
The braking time is different here. You can not brake quickly from a moving truck like a normal vehicle. Also do not brake a busy road. Choose a place where no car is around and press the paddle before you stop. Make a room for other vehicles.
How to Tow a Car with Tow Straps or Chain
Towing a car with tow straps is not difficult. First of all, you will need strong towing straps that are rated for enough weight. Heavy-duty tow straps will be good enough. Do not use any random ropes or chain for towing. It will be a disaster.
Step 1: Attach the Strap
Attach one end of tow straps at the front of the towed vehicle. There is a hook specially made for this purpose. Make a loop and attach the trailer hitch. Now hook the other end of tow straps at the towing car. At the underneath of the car, there is a mounting hook, use it. Do not twist the straps, keep them straight. Remember, do not use a bumper or any other place to attach the straps.
Step2: Pull the Vehicle
After attaching the tow straps, pull the vehicle. Tow straps are less visible from distance and it is very important to give notification to other cars that you are towing here. Put a bright color cloth on the straps so that other drivers can see it.
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