Here at Speedway Towing and Roadside Assistance we get many calls from customers who tried to tow their own car and were unsuccessful. It is easy to see why people think that they should try towing their own car instead of calling a tow truck. Towing your own car is free and you do not have to sit on the side of the road and wait for a tow truck to arrive. Though it may sound appealing it is not a great idea. Speedway Towing & Roadside Assistance have put together a list of some reasons why you should not attempt to tow your own car.
Vehicle Towing Capacity Ratings
Vehicle rating is the weight that your vehicle can pull behind it without any problems that will damage your engine. Each vehicle has a different rating. If you are do not know what your vehicles tow rating is you should be able to find it in your owner’s manual. If you tow too much weight for your vehicle you can have blown-out tires, overheated transmissions, broken suspensions, failing brakes, and more.
Trailer Tongue Weight Distribution
Tongue weight is the amount of towing vehicle’s weight that is borne by the tow ball. The tongue weight directly affects the steering mechanism in your car. If you have too much tongue weight your vehicle is significantly harder to steer. If your tongue weight is too little your vehicle might sway. Most people do not know how to properly figure out the tongue weight. This can make towing dangerous.
Incorrect Tow Equipment
When you are towing a vehicle it is important to use the right equipment. Using the wrong equipment can cause damages to both vehicles. Many people will attempt to use a tow rope or a tow strap to tow another vehicle. Tow ropes and straps are great for pulling a car out of a ditch in an emergency but they are not appropriate for extensive towing. Tow ropes and straps can fray or snap when they are used for long periods of time.
Accelerating & Decelerating when Towing
When you tow another vehicle it adds a lot of extra mass for you to think about when you are driving. Speeding up and slowing down both take much longer than normal. Your engine will have to work harder to speed up and slow down. Sometimes this causes problems with your engine. Many times people do not properly plan for how long it takes the vehicles to stop and they cause an accident or the car they are towing runs into them and causes damage to both cars.
Local Towing Laws & Regulations
There are different laws about towing in each state. Most states require a towing vehicle to use taillights and safety chains. Some states also require an additional rearview mirror and side mirrors as well. Frequently there are heavy fines for towing illegally.
Towing & Emergency Roadside Assistance in Irving, Fort Worth, Arlington, Carrollton & Plano Texas
We hope that you understand the dangers that are involved with towing your own vehicle. It is not worth the risk just to save some time and money. If you find yourself on the side of the road needing your car towed give Speedway Towing & Roadside Assistance a call. We will get to you as soon as we can.
