If you don't know how to drive or if you are afraid of opening up the hood of your car so you can tinker with the engine, you are in the right place. I started this blog because I don't want anyone to miss out on the fun of maintaining and driving their own auto. I am not a professional and I don't work in the automotive industry. However, for the past 10 years, I have been repairing and driving cars as I have travelled around Australia. I hope that the words I have written here will inspire you to get involved with your car.
In theory, towing a vehicle is not a complicated process. However, the conditions on the road are often unstable and unpredictable. So, the simple towing process can quickly become challenging. If the circumstances on the road are not managed sufficiently, the towed vehicle can sustain significant damage. Fortunately, you can avoid any incidents when towing by taking the appropriate precautions. Here are simple tips to help you minimise vehicle damage when towing.
Utilise a Flatbed Truck
The type of vehicle chosen for towing will determine the risk of damage. In general, if you use a hook and chain towing setup, it is a guarantee that some damage will occur to the car. Under ideal circumstances, all vehicles should be towed using a flatbed truck or a tilt tray. A flatbed tow truck is designed to allow the vehicle to rest on top of the truck as opposed to being dragged across the road. The tilt tray is similar to the flatbed but the truck bed can be tilted, allowing the damaged vehicle to be driven up.
Use Suitable Restraints
It is important to use suitable restraints when transporting a damaged vehicle on a tow truck. The right restraints will minimise the risk of the vehicle moving around on rough roads. In addition, it will limit the risk of the vehicle being dislodged from the truck. Wheel restraints are essential because they ensure that each wheel is strapped to the flatbed. It is also possible to have the entire vehicle strapped to the truck using high-strength restraints. Choose restraints designed for this purpose instead of chains and ropes, which can cause more damage.
Shift to Neutral
The drivetrain in the towed vehicle can experience significant damage when towing if the wheels cannot roll freely. Remember, the vehicle cannot remain completely stationary while on the road even if there are restraints in place. If the wheels are forced to move when the vehicle is in park, a little damage is inevitable. Therefore, you should shift to neutral to allow the wheels to roll freely when the vehicle rolls back and forth on the road.
Confirm Truck Rating
Finally, you should confirm that the weight rating of your towing truck is suitable before use. The rating indicates the load transportation limits put in place by the manufacturer. If the load exceeds the desirable maximum capacity, both the towing and towed vehicle will suffer. The flatbed will experience malfunctions and even break down due to strain, and the towed car could roll away due to instability.