3 Failures That Could Complicate Towing A Vehicle
Although towing another vehicle with your car or truck is an option, it is not always the best option available. If the towing is not properly done, both vehicles could be damaged. To help you understand the problems that can occur, here are some of the top mistakes made by amateur towers.
Failing to Know the Tow Ratings
The tow rating dictates how much weight your vehicle can safely tow. If the weight is exceeded, a number of problems can occur. For example, the towed vehicle could cause both vehicles to swerve out of control. Towing a larger vehicle than recommended could also put undue stress on your vehicle's engine. Instead of paying a few dollars for a pro to tow your vehicle, you could face paying far more for a new engine.
Before towing any vehicle, check the tow ratings for your car and ensure the vehicle you are towing does not exceed the recommended weight. You also need to ensure the weight of the towed vehicle does not exceed the recommended weight for any towing equipment you are using, such as a hitch.
Failing to Check the Brakes
When you tow another vehicle with your car, your car has the responsibility of stopping for both vehicles. As a result, your car's brakes have a great deal of stress put on them. Unfortunately, if your brakes are not in good condition, they could fail when you need them the most.
Before towing a vehicle, you need to check the condition of your brakes. If the brakes need to be repaired, have it done before towing. If you are towing the other car a long distance, stop periodically to check the condition of your brakes.
Failing to Check Tire Pressure
As with your brakes, your car's tires are placed under a lot of stress when you tow another vehicle. If the tire pressure is over- or underinflated, towing the other car will be more difficult and you could be at risk of experiencing a blowout.
Prior to towing the other vehicle, it is important that you check the tire pressure and ensure it is at the recommended level. While traveling with the other vehicle, take the time to periodically check the tire pressure.
To avoid the complications that can come with towing a vehicle, consider contracting with a professional towing service. Hiring a professional now could help you avoid a costly tow-related repair later. To learn more, contact a company like Express Tow & Recovery.