Stuck on the side of the road? One of the first things to do is have your vehicle towed to another location. When it comes to hauling cars, many people believe that it’s easy to perform towing themselves. For some people, hiring a professional towing company can be expensive. Here are some reasons why people attempt their own tow are:
- DIY towing is cheap, especially for short-distance towing.
- This is a more convenient option.
- There’s no need to wait for a tow truck to arrive.
- The DIY mindset has grown increasingly popular.
While do-it-yourself towing seems to be the cheapest option, this doesn’t provide the same result as hiring a professional towing company. Going down the DIY route has a lot of risks, which can make things worse. In this blog, we will explain why DIY towing is a bad idea.
Limited Access to Proper Equipment
If you’re trying to self-tow, you might not have the proper equipment and tools for the job. Towing companies have a selection of hitches and equipment for hauling vehicles. While it’s possible to tow a car using a chain or rope, this should be done with extra care. Ropes can snap because they aren’t strong enough to handle the load of the vehicle. The worst-case scenario is that the rope breaks under tension, resulting in a serious collision.
High Risk of Damage
Towing your own vehicle can cause further damage than you can imagine. When the towing process is not handled properly, this can be detrimental to your vehicle’s transmission. During self-towing, the drive wheels are usually on the ground. This is where damage can occur because the transmission is not lubricated properly.
To prevent any form of damage, the towed vehicle must be completely lifted off the ground using a flatbed tow truck. Professional towing companies have the necessary equipment and expertise to tow your vehicle without damaging it.
Mismatched Towing Capacity
Not all drivers know that ordinary cars are not designed for hauling other vehicles. A tow truck has specialized axles, robust engines, and frames necessary for towing. Each tow truck has a different maximum gross vehicle weight rating, which determines how much weight it can handle in a single tow.
If the load weight exceeds the maximum capacity, it could cause damage to the exterior, brakes, and transmission. Overloading the towing vehicle exerts excessive strain on the engine. Anyone who tries DIY towing may damage both vehicles and put the driver’s safety at risk. While the self-towing process may seem smooth, there are times when hidden damage can be incurred.
Lack of Experience
Towing requires skills and experience, which is why it shouldn’t be left in the hands of amateurs. Professional tow truck operators undergo rigorous training to ensure safe and hassle-free towing. With safety and technical training, towing operators can reduce the risk of accidents. They need to learn winching and rigging techniques while complying with state laws and regulations.
Having driving experience is not enough to know how to haul a vehicle. It can be challenging to safely tow another vehicle, especially for rookie drivers. Without experience, you may not be familiar with properly loading a towed vehicle. In addition, you are unlikely to know the specific weight limits of your vehicle or have the proper equipment at hand. Overall, we don’t recommend towing your own vehicle because this could land you in some serious trouble.
Rely on Our Towing Experts
You should never risk DIY towing! Given the dangers of self-towing, all the risks are not worth it. At Allentown Towing Company, we are the experts when it comes to 24/7 towing and roadside assistance. When something goes wrong on the road, our trained tow truck operators can provide you with excellent service at maximum convenience.
Aside from towing solutions, we can troubleshoot common issues like jump starts, lockouts, and flat tires. We have the equipment and expertise to handle both light-duty and heavy-duty towing. Our goal is to provide prompt service and make your emergency situation a little easier to manage.
Call us today for efficient and reliable towing services! Once we receive your call, we’ll send someone to assist you right away, no matter where you are. Our team will get you back on the road quickly and at a fair price.