Did your car ever break down while en route to another corner of the country? It is not the best feeling in the world to see your car stop working. Now you need a quick solution to get the vehicle working which is towing it. But before you call someone to tow your car, do you know it will not damage your car? In the U.S thousands of vehicles are towed daily, you should know the risks and considerations around towing a car damage. In this detailed post, we will discuss the importance of towing, distinct types of towing, and how towing can damage your car.
If you don’t find out whether towing your car is good for you or not, you will never be able to decide at the time when the car breaks down midway. If it is confirmed that towing is bad for your car’s health, you will certainly find other ways to get it moved, such as, calling an auto transport company for hauling.
Another important aspect is, when you know you can tow your car, you will get to know what precautions you need to take to protect it from car towing risks while it is towed. You can find yourself a reputable and reliable towing operator which will handle your vehicle with proper care.
Here is a list of towing methods each with its own pros and cons. You are bound to know about them all so you can the right fit when you need it.
Flatbed towing is the most well-known and safest type of towing. In this method, a truck with a flatbed which is lowered to the ground or a bit tilted, is used. The operator places the truck in a certain position to drive the vehicle into the flatbed. They secure it by using chains or straps. When a vehicle is towed in such a way, it loses its contact with the ground, as a result it is saved from wear and tear because now all four tires do not touch the road.
The benefits of flatbed towing are that it can carry any type of vehicles; large vehicles, sports cars, bikes, and SUVs. Another big benefit is that it can get into narrow streets making loading and unloading easier.
Dolly Towing is a method when a vehicle is towed by a two wheeled trailer to lift only one set of its wheel; the front wheel usually, the other set remains on the ground.
This towing type is a great choice for short distance trips. You must avoid it for long distance routes because it puts an enormous amount of pressure on the vehicle’s suspension system.
A substantial advantage of dolly towing is that you don’t need a full sized tow truck to tow cars.
There was a time when the hook and chain method was a very popular towing method. But, its popularity faded away with time due to some serious disadvantages and car towing risks associated with it. It is also the Cheapest Way to Tow a Car.
In this method, you will have to use a hook or series of chains to attach your car from the other vehicle’s chassis. The cars with front-wheel drive are towed from front, while the cars with rare wheel drives are towed from the back side.
Nowadays most of the expert towers don’t recommend hook and chain towing methods; it is clearly risky.
When towing a car becomes inevitable, so does learning the factors that save you from risks and damages.
Checking the weight of your vehicle is great towing precautions. When your car weighs too much it can put extra stress and load on the car’s engine, brakes, and transmission. You should always make sure that the towing truck is weighed properly for the size and weight of your car.
A towing method impacts the condition of your car if the truck runs at a very high speed. Driving fast could easily put pressure on the car and increase the chances of accidents. But if you choose a reputable towing operator you can be sure that professional practices and proper protocols will be followed.
While a road condition is something which is not in your hands, it can seriously damage your car. That is why choosing the right towing method could save your car from wear and tear. You should always consult with a professional before choosing a method yourself.
How your car must be towed depends on the transmission type of the vehicle. If a vehicle has automatic transmission it must not be dolly towed or towed with a hook or chain. The best towing type for automatic transmission is flatbed haulers.
There can be serious car towing risks which could result in damage if not taken care of:
You are possibly aware that the suspension system is the most fragile component of a vehicle. Any damage inflicted on it could ruin everything. When a car is towed, the suspension system becomes prone to damage. The shock absorbers, struts, and springs may have to bear a lot of pressure. When towed the stress can result in wearing and tearing, it is possible the component gets entirely damaged. The reason is these components are not built for additional weight.
To catch these damages the car might also show signs that there is fault in the suspension, you can notice rough rides, unusual sounds coming, and wear and tear with odd proportions. The moment you suspect such issues, you should get it checked by a mechanic to avoid further damage.
Due to incorrect towing, the brakes are at risk of getting damaged. This leads to overheating when the brakes are engaged and the car is towed. While you dolly tow your car and the parking brakes are operating, it will cause almost permanent damage to your vehicle’s braking system.
When your car is being towed, its transmission faces extra pressure and stress. If not done the right way, serious damage can happen. Automatic transmissions are more likely to get damaged because they use pressurized fluid. If you need to tow your automatic car a long distance, like when buying it online and bringing it home, you must choose a flatbed tow truck instead of dolly towing. Flatbed towing lifts all four wheels off the ground, protecting your transmission from harm. For cars with manual transmission, the risk of damage is smaller even if towing isn’t perfect.
Now that you understand how improper towing can cause damage, you can avoid expensive repairs. Always pick a trusted towing company and talk to the driver about any special needs or concerns.
While millions of people get the car towing services every month, it cannot be concluded that towing is all risky. However, knowing the various towing methods, and the risks and benefits attached to each type will help you choose an appropriate method. That is why it is important to do your homework regarding car towing before taking to the road for a trip across the states. Once your car is broken midway, you will have to make a quick decision. Consulting professionals is also a good idea. That said, flatbed towing being the most famous and safest method of all, you could go for it if you cannot decide in the heat of the moment.
Yes, towing can damage your car if not done properly. It can put pressure on the engine, transmission, tires, and suspension. If you use the wrong towing method or equipment can also scratch or bend parts of your vehicle.
Towing can be bad for your transmission, especially in automatic cars. When the drive wheels are on the ground, it causes the transmission fluid to heat up and lose lubrication, which can lead to serious internal damage.
Towing can damage the transmission because it keeps turning without proper lubrication. When the engine is off, the fluid pump doesn’t work, causing friction and overheating inside the transmission, which can ruin important parts.
Flatbeds are safer, but dollies can cause issues if not used the right way. If the drive wheels stay on the ground, it can hurt the transmission or tires. Poorly secured cars may also slip or get scratched.
Yes, towing at high speeds can damage your car. It increases stress on the tires, brakes, and transmission. The towed car might sway or shake, making it unsafe and more likely to cause mechanical problems.
If you tow a car that is too heavy, it can strain your towing vehicle’s engine, brakes, and suspension. It may cause overheating, loss of control, or even brake failure, which is dangerous for both vehicles.
