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If you don’t already know, the United States is one of the most vehicle-dense countries around the world with 890 cars owned per 1,000 people. Our reliance on these four-wheel pals isn’t just because of some cultural characteristic unique to our country. It’s because of America’s sprawling geography and how infrastructure is built. That being said, the higher number of vehicles also means a higher number of accidents, breakdowns, and sudden failures.
Whether you are commuting to work, traveling across the country with your family, or simply running a personal errand, out-of-the-blue vehicle malfunction or accident is never a welcome sight. It’s extremely frustrating and worrisome, particularly if you are stuck with your family right in the middle of nowhere. That’s when moving your car becomes your priority and towing it becomes the only option.
Many people believe that it would be simpler and more affordable to tow their car to the garage but often end up underestimating the risks and challenges.
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Risks Involved With Towing Your Own Car
When towing your own vehicle, there are a few inherent risks that you should be aware of, including the following:
1. Damage to the Towed & Towing Vehicles
It is possible for the vehicle that is being towed to sustain damage while it is being moved if it is not adequately secured. This may involve damage to the suspension and alignment of the vehicle, in addition to external damage such as scratches and dents. Similarly, towing another car creates extra strain on the towing vehicle, which may cause wear and tear on the tires, gearbox, and brakes of the towing vehicle. In addition to this, it may place stress on the engine, which may result in the engine overheating.
2. Poor Understanding of Tow Rating
There is always a maximum weight capacity that a vehicle can tow without jeopardizing itself in any manner, and this limit varies from vehicle to vehicle. Tow rating is an industry term that the vast majority of people are unfamiliar with. If you are not familiar with the towing capacity of the vehicle you want to use, there is a high possibility that you may overload it and cause damage to it during the transportation process. When you do not take into account the rating factor, you run the risk of experiencing a heat-exhausted gearbox, damaged suspension, exploding tires, and failed brakes, among other potential issues.
3. Accidents
When a vehicle is towed behind another vehicle, the total length and weight of the combination accumulate, which may make it more challenging to steer and navigate. This can increase the likelihood of getting into an accident, particularly on highways with a lot of traffic or when the weather is poor.
4. Absence of Correct Tongue Weight Distribution
The term “tongue weight” refers to the downward force that is exerted from the hitch of the towing vehicle onto the tongue of the vehicle. It might be anything between 10% and 15% of the overall weight of the trailer. If you go above these restrictions, you will notice that it is more difficult to maneuver your car. When you drive the car with incorrect tongue weight levels, it will wobble from side to side. It is essential to do a second check to ensure that the tongue weight is set at the specific values.
5. Safety Hazards
Towing a car raises the possibility of potential safety concerns, in particular, if the vehicle that is being towed is not securely fastened or if the towed vehicle does not have its lights and brakes functioning correctly.
6. Legal issues
It is against the law in several jurisdictions to tow a car without the required permits or equipment in those areas. In addition, if you are involved in an accident while towing a car, you may be held accountable for any damages that result, even if the accident was not your fault. This is the case regardless of whether or not you were towing the vehicle.
To reduce the likelihood of these negative outcomes occurring, it is essential to check that the vehicle that is being towed is properly secured, that all of the lights and brakes are in good working order, and that the vehicle that is doing the towing is capable of towing the load in an effective and risk-free manner. Towing is subject to a variety of local rules and regulations, therefore it is essential to familiarize oneself with them beforehand and get the appropriate licenses and permissions, if necessary.
The other alternative is to hire the services of a professional towing service provider which is almost always safer and hassle-free. A professional tower wouldn’t only enable you to stay safe from the aforementioned risks but will also provide several benefits and value-added services that you might not enjoy otherwise.
7 Key Advantages of Hiring a Professional Tow Service
There’s nothing more frustrating than having your automobile break down or getting into an accident. People often think they can save money by towing their own vehicle, but the reality is that hiring a professional towing service is the best option. The advantages of choosing a reputable towing service are as follows:
1. Safe Transportation
Your car will be moved safely and securely if you choose a professional towing service. An experienced professional with all the knowledge and skill will know how to safely transfer your car onto the flatbed or tow truck. This is especially crucial if you drive a high-end or exotic automobile since these cars have unique handling needs.
2. Prompt Assistance When Needed
When your automobile breaks down, the last thing you need is to wait around for repairs. A reliable towing service will reply promptly to your call and arrive at your location as soon as feasible. They can also securely tow your vehicle to the closest service center or your final destination, reducing the amount of time you spend waiting around for repairs or reaching your goal. This means you won’t have to spend too much time on the roadside worrying about all the different things.
3. Comparatively Affordable
Professional towing services may really be less costly than doing it yourself, despite the common belief to the contrary. When it comes to loading and transporting your car, a professional towing service will often have the necessary equipment and knowledge, saving you time and money. If you have roadside assistance coverage, you may not even have to pay for the tow. Besides, if you cause any sort of damage to the vehicle by trying to tow it on your own, you will just end up spending more money for going through the trouble.
4. Legal & Regulatory Compliance
Towing a car without the right permits and gear is unlawful in several jurisdictions. To safely transfer your car without violating any rules or incurring any penalties, you need to use a professional towing service. Legal considerations may not be your top priority when you are stranded but overlooking them can land you in further trouble wasting more of your valuable time and money.
5. Presence of All the Necessary Towing Equipment
Expert towing services may be counted on to be there when you need them, day or night, any day of the week. Your car will be moved quickly and securely since they have the most up-todate equipment available. Even if you know how to safely tow your own car, a lack of proper equipment can make it extremely challenging. In addition, towing service providers have a staff of professional drivers that have been well-educated to deal with any kind of automobile and towing emergencies.
6. Complete Peace of Mind
The peace of mind gained from using a professional towing service is substantial. Your car is in capable hands and will be moved quickly and securely. The peace of mind you need in a tense circumstance can be found in the towing service. This is especially true in a situation where your vehicle has crashed or you’ve gotten into an accident. Your first priority in that situation should be to focus on your physical health and keep yourself from getting behind the wheel for at least a few hours, even if you feel fine.
7. Value-Added Services & Insurance
Winching, heavy-duty towing, and off-road towing are just some of the specialized services provided by professional towing companies. Regular towing services don’t usually include these features, but they might be invaluable if your car needs immediate repair. Another major benefit of hiring a towing company is that they are covered by insurance in case of any mishaps or damage that occurs while they are transporting your vehicle. Knowing that your car is covered and that you won’t have to pay for any repairs or replacements is a huge relief.
How to Find a Reliable Towing Company?
You may locate a reliable towing service in a few different ways:
- You may search for local towing providers in online directories like Yelp and Google. A comparison of the services offered by various businesses may be made via reading evaluations written by previous customers.
- Use a search engine to look for “towing service near me” or “tow truck near me” in the area where you need assistance. You may use this to get a list of towing service providers.
- Towing services are often included in auto insurance plans and roadside assistance plans. To discover a reliable towing business, you may ask your insurance or roadside assistance organization for referrals.
- If you need a towing service near you, ask around to see if any of your friends, family, or colleagues have used one they would suggest. When looking for a trustworthy service provider, word-of-mouth referrals might be invaluable.
Once you have a shortlist of possible towing services near you, it’s time to do some research on their reputation. Verify that they have the required registrations, licenses, and insurance to do business in Illinois. Now you have a shortlist of potential towing service companies, it’s time to start comparing rates and services. You shouldn’t base your selection only on price, since some services may seem to be more affordable upon closer inspection.
Professional towing services vary greatly in price, so it’s vital to go beyond the quote for further information about the company’s history, reputation, and qualifications. Investigate their towing practices and reputation for happy customers. Finding a reliable, professional towing service near you that you can trust to get your car to its destination swiftly and securely only takes a little bit of time and effort on your part.
Use Towgrace to Find a Towing Partner in 30 Seconds
While all of the above ways can help you find a professional tow service, more often than not, you won’t have the time or energy to locate the right service provider. When your car is down and out and you are stranded, all you want is a number you can call and someone trustworthy to get the towing job done. That’s what Towgrace is for. Just go to the Towgrace and input the following information:
- Your pick-up location
- Your drop-off location
- The make and model of your vehicle
Usually, it’s easier said than done but with Towgrace, it will be easier done than said.
Final Word
To put all of it into perspective, there are a lot of positives associated with hiring a reliable towing service. A skilled towing service can have your automobile back on the road in no time, and they will do it safely and affordably. They provide you peace of mind and follow all the rules in your area, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the law while they’re towing your car. Professional towing services have the personnel, knowledge, and tools necessary to safely and effectively tow any car.
