Many people think that towing your own car is a simple task. Well, it’s actually a bad idea as it could be very dangerous and can even be illegal in your state. Furthermore, there are many things you need to keep in mind, which can make the job even harder. A lot can go wrong if you don’t take certain precautions when towing your vehicle. Here, New Image discusses DIY towing and why you should always call a professional and local towing company like New Image Towing.
5 Reasons Why Towing Your Own Car Is A Bad Idea
Tow Rating
Vehicle tow rating is the weight a vehicle can pull without any problems. Every vehicle has different tow ratings. If you don’t know your vehicle tow rating, then you risk overloading your vehicle when attempting a tow. Such things like blown-out tires, overheated transmissions, broken suspensions, failing brakes and more can occur. Check your owner’s manual to learn more about your vehicles proper tow rating.
Tongue Weight
The amount of towing weight that is borne by the tow ball is known as tongue weight. Tongue weight directly affects your steering mechanism. Too much tongue weight will make it hard for you to control your vehicle. It’s a complicated measurement that must NOT be ignored. That’s why it is not a good idea to tow a car with your own vehicle unless you know the proper tongue weight. Leave towing up to the professionals. Call New Image Towing today!
Towbar Confusion
Towbars are essential to have when towing a vehicle. Towbars have their own ratings and sometimes a variety of vehicles can use the same rated towbar. However, other vehicles require a specifically rated towbar. So you will need to be really careful when purchasing a towbar as you will want to avoid the one that is not legal for your car. A quick way to avoid all the confusion is to call a professional towing company like New Image Towing. Our fleet of trucks can handle any vehicle, big or small.
Local Regulations
Towing laws and restrictions vary from state to state. As you may already know, most states require a towing vehicle to use taillights and safety chains. However, what you may not know is that some states also require you to use extra precautions such as additional rearview and side mirrors, etc. Apart from this, there are specific maximum limits for towing vehicles. Most people that tow their own vehicles do not know all these rules and regulations, so they end up being heavily fined by the local authorities. Never get in trouble with a licensed and professional towing company like New Image Towing!
Braking System
Towing vehicles become extra heavy when they are hauling equipment or other vehicles. This extra weight causes the braking system of the towing vehicle to be less effective. This means it takes longer to come to a complete stop. Because of this safety hazard, many states require towing vehicles over a certain weight to have a separate braking system. If you are unsure about your weight and brakes, consider a towing company like New Image Towing. Our fleet can handle any and all tows needed.
Made The Mistake Of Towing Your Own Car? Call Us For Help!
New Image Towing is available to provide you with roadside assistance in any situation or vehicle emergency. We offer a wide array of services to our motorist customers, including car towing and emergency roadside service. New Image Towing provides emergency towing to the metro Atlanta area, and our “on-call” fleet of tow trucks and service vehicles guarantee a prompt response. When wintery roadside conditions or physical impairment prevent you from changing your own tire or doing what is needed to fix your vehicle, our emergency roadside assistance gets you back on the road quickly.
New Image Towing provides light-duty towing services for automobiles that are disabled. This may involve recovering an automobile damaged in an accident, returning one to a drivable surface in a mishap or inclement weather, or towing or transporting one via flatbed to a repair shop or other location.