With the summer holidays here, many people will jump on the road with their RVs, ATVs, Campers, and other machines which are towable to travel to their favorite places. Many of whom will be experienced drivers and would tow effortlessly. However, towing for a new person is quite tricky; there are many parameters that one must be aware of and act on them while driving.
This blog will share towing essentials to make a safe and easy journey for you. Best Tips to Make Towing Safer and EasierKnow your vehicleBefore you go on the road, you need to consider the towing capacity of the vehicle dragging the other machine. If the thing you tow has a higher weight than the vehicle can handle, you should not haul it. The weight will put stress on the engine and brake system, which can lead to permanent damage to the car or truck. Furthermore, it will create more chances of an accident. Tire CheckBefore starting the journey, check both vehicles' gears and tires. To cover up all the bases, check if the tires are aligned in the correct proportion. Use a pressure gauge to measure the air in all tires. There must not be any punctures or unnecessary bulges in the tire. A tire burst can cause death on the spot. Weight Distribution There must be equal distribution of weights to balance both the vehicles from one end. There is a trick for hauling cargo; put heavier things in it first and then the lighter stuff so that the center of gravity is low. Speed CheckWhen on the road, keep your speed in check. Do not be tempted to drive at high speed because the trailer towed behind will move at the momentum generated. As the physics laws state, higher momentum is generated at high speed, especially for the body carried by something. While driving, you must consider when to take a turn and at which angle to make the cut so that the trailer or any other vehicle behind you moves accordingly. It is safer to get professionals to tow your vehicle to the designated spots. Select The Correct HitchThere are two types of hitches, one carries the weight, and the other distributes it. If you are towing less than 35000 pounds combined, use a weight-carrying hitch. It is designed for lightweight towing. If you tow more than 35000 pounds, use a weight distributing hitch. It is designed to haul heavy equipment. Use of correct towing essentials and knowing what you are getting into is a must. If you want to enjoy a hassle-free vacation, consider asking a towing company to do the hard work for you because what is the point of taking so much stress for a break. It would seem a little paradoxical. You can't take towing lightly, whether you have been hauling large trailers for years or are about to leave for your family vacation with a small trailer. It requires a whole new skill set to operate a vehicle when another set of wheels is hitched to its back.
In addition, if you neglect some details, it can prove to be costly. However, there are plenty of ways to make towing safer and easier. Before hitting the road for a smooth towing experience, make sure you follow all these safety tips. 5 Ways to Make Towing Safer and EasierHere are five ways you can make towing safer and easier: 1.Be Wary of the Vehicle’s WeightYou need to learn about several weights when it comes to towing, with gross combined weight rating (GCWR) being the most important. You can find this weight in the vehicle’s manual and on a sticker located on the driver’s door. The next important thing you need to pay close attention to is the gross weight rating (GWR) of your vehicle. This weight refers to your vehicle's total load, excluding the trailer's weight. The third and final weight is the tongue weight, calculated as 10% trailer’s maximum weight. Make sure you avoid putting too much weight on the tongue, or else the tow vehicle may lose grip on the road. 2.Choose the Correct Ball Mount and HitchChoosing the right hitch to match the trailer and the tow vehicle is vital for safe towing. When it comes to trailer hitches, there are five types, and each is designated for the combined weight of the trailer and load. In addition to selecting the right hitch, choose the correct ball mount to match the receiver tube and adjust the hitch ball accordingly. 3.Check the LightsDouble-check the trailer's lights and wiring system before hitting the road. Inspect the wires manually to ensure they are loose enough to turn without getting disconnected from the tow vehicle. In addition to that, make sure the trailer’s hazard lights, running lights, and brake lights are all connected to the tow vehicle and are working correctly. 4.Check the TiresIt's essential to check the tires of both your tow vehicle and the trailer before hitting the road. You can inspect for any cracks or bulging using a pressure gauge. Here, one thing to note is that a blown tire can stop the trip faster than anything, so make sure you prevent it at any cost. 5.Know your Towing CapacityIt is incredibly crucial to know your vehicle's towing capacity before starting the process. If you tow more weight than your vehicle can carry, it can lead to numerous problems, including unwanted strain on its engine, tires, and brakes. The Bottom Line Towing any type of trailer, be it small or large, can be tricky even for the most experienced drivers. You need to follow the five critical steps mentioned above to ensure your towing process goes flawless. Or you can contact Tow Mesa for the best 24/7 towing service. Imagine you and your family are out on a road trip and enjoying the scenic views. Suddenly you notice the blinking light on the dashboard indicating you’ll be out of gas very soon. The thing about scenic routes is that it’s not easy to find a gas station nearby. Instead of panicking and making an already bad situation worse, you should remain calm and follow these steps:
1.Slow DownCars are at their most fuel-efficiency at 35 to 45 mph. Don't get tempted to speed up to get to the gas station faster. Slow and steady will actually win this race for you. While you are at it, lower the AC too. You need to save fuel as much as you can to get off the road. 2.Get to SafetyThe very first thing you should do is to move your car to safety. Park it along the side of the road where it is not a hazard to oncoming traffic and yourself because a stopped vehicle in the middle of the road is an accident waiting to happen. Set the emergency brake and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that you require help. 3.Determine Your WhereaboutsIf you aren’t sure of your location, you cannot check how far the nearest gas station might be. Google Maps and other navigation apps should come in handy here. If you’re out of coverage, road signs are your next best bet. 4.Call For HelpThe next step is to get out of the car, so there is no danger of collision from ongoing traffic and call a towing service. Their trained experts can come to your rescue if you are ever stuck in an unfortunate situation. Another option will be to call friends or family members who live close enough to drive over and bring you a gallon of gas. In case of no network, call 911. Remember, even a phone without signals can reach 911. ConclusionWhile we know prevention is better than cure, accidents do happen. It is better to keep an eye on the fuel tank while starting the journey to avoid getting into these situations altogether. If you’ve ever been stranded due to running out of fuel, you wouldn’t want to repeat that experience. However, if something like this ever happens, make sure to call a reliable towing company. Are you towing your car for the first time, or have you had a bad experience in the past? In both cases, you need to check this quick guide before moving forward. Here, we’ll share with you the basic tips to make sure you safely and successfully tow your car.
Look For A Reputable Towing ServiceIf you are calling the cheapest towing service every time you have a car breakdown and wondering why you are facing issues, then my friend, you need to change your service provider. You need to conduct thorough research online and choose the best towing service available by checking their reviews and asking for recommendations from your family and friends. Call at least three towing services and get a quote to have an idea of the price range. If you don’t want to go through all this hassle, just call your car insurance company and ask them to send a car towing service expert. Take Any Necessary Items Out Of The CarThe most common problem people face while getting their vehicle towed is forgetting their valuables like wallets or bags in the vehicle. Make sure you check your car carefully. Most towing companies don’t provide assurance or protection for any valuables left in the vehicle after getting towed. Therefore, the security of your valuable items is in your hands. Take PhotosMake sure to click pictures of your car and the damage that was previously caused. An expert towing service will try their best to keep your car in the same condition. However, in case of any damage, you can show them the proof and prevent further complications. Turn Off The Engine And All Other AccessoriesAnother important aspect should be to switch off all the electrical accessories and devices in your car like the A.C. or the radio to protect your electrical system. Any internal damage to these electrical accessories can be costly and increase your overall repair bill. Important Tips To RememberBefore the towing truck arrives, the first thing you should do is separate the car keys from other important keys as the towing operator would ask for your car keys. Always make sure that all the passengers are out of the car before the towing process starts, as while hooking up the cable or towing the car, there can be several bumps that can result in injuries. So make sure everyone’s out. Final ThoughtsIt would help if you considered all these tips before you start the process of towing your vehicle. You can also make your life easier and hire the best towing service that can guide you on every step of the process. Towing professionals can make a towing operation look fairly simple. The way they pull vehicles, take turns and park, makes it look extremely flawless. They do it because of the skills and the experience they have developed over the years. In reality, towing a vehicle isn’t really that simple. When towing a vehicle, it is better to seek help from a professional towing company in Chandler, AZ. If you plan to do it on your own, here are a few simple tips that will make your towing process simple and safe.
Let’s begin. Know Your CapacityThe first thing you need to do is to know your towing capacity. Failing to factor in the towing capacity, you can get into a lot of trouble. Some common scenarios that can arise include unnecessary strain on the brakes, the engine, and the tires, so take heed. Take Care of Weight DistributionThe next thing you must do is to distribute the weight properly. The center of gravity must always be low. As far as the sides are concerned, they must be balanced out with even weight distribution. If there is some cargo hauling to be done, the sequence should be taken care of. Heavier items should go first, followed by the lighter ones. This will keep the towing operation smooth and successful. Check the TiresBefore you hit the road, make sure you check the tires of your vehicle and the trailer on either sides. The tires should be properly inflated. To make the job easier, a pressure gauge can come in handy. Apart from checking the pressure, inspect your tires for cracks, and bulging. If you notice anything, wrong, the tire should be replaced right away. A blown tire can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, so check everything before heading out. If you want to get these things out of the way, contact a professional towing company in Chandler, AZ. Check the SpeedMake sure to keep the speed in check as you tow. Driving with a heavy foot is tempting and it helps you get to your destination faster, but refrain from it as much as possible. When towing a vehicle, your speed should always be low. Higher speed brings with it higher risks. Moreover, increased speed can make the trailer sway, which can make the job even harder. Use the Correct HitchIf you don’t know already, there are two types of hitch. While one distributes weight, the other one carries weight. Weight carrying hitches are for loads that weight around 3500 pounds, while weight distributing hitches are for even heavier loads. Using the wrong trailer can create a risky situation. The trailer can even sag due to loads that are beyond its capacity. When towing, make sure not to skimp on any of the following tips. Still, it would be better if you assign this task to professionals. We provide the finest and the most affordable towing services in Chandler, AZ. To benefit from our services, feel free to visit our website today. |
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