Whether you’re experiencing a breakdown at midnight on a busy highway or need to transport your vehicle to another location, towing is one of the easiest ways to get your car from point A to point B. But how do you ensure that the towing service you choose is worth the price? Contact Azteca Towing now!
When it comes to towing, there are several things that you should understand before you take on this challenging task. While local and state laws will determine how and what you tow, some basic rules should be followed to avoid injuries while towing.
Towing involves coupling a power source and a load, including a vehicle, vessel, boat, or another trailer. The power source is usually a motor vehicle, though other methods of towing also exist. The connection between the power source and the load is often made through a hitch, towing bar, three-point, fifth wheel, drawbar, or integrated platform.
A key aspect of towing is understanding that the heavier the load, the greater its momentum and inertia are. Both of these factors make it more difficult to control the load when you are driving and can lead to accidents if not properly handled.
Before heading out on the road with your trailer, you should spend some time practicing common maneuvers in an empty parking lot. This will give you a feel for how the trailer handles during turns, braking, and backing up. For some maneuvers, you may want to work with a partner who can act as a spotter and help communicate pre-arranged hand signals. This will decrease the chances of miscommunication and confusion. You should also learn about the difference between your vehicle’s GVWR and its towing capacity, which is the maximum amount of weight it is designed to haul.
Safety
Whether you’re hauling an empty trailer to a repair shop or a loaded trailer full of camping gear to the lake, your safety and that of everyone else on the road depends on how well your towing system is configured, and on the way you operate it. Despite your best efforts and top-notch skills, accidents can happen on the road — other vehicles can cut you off, phone-zombie pedestrians may step out in front of you, and your cargo might shift while traveling. This is why it’s vital that towing professionals have liability insurance.
A by-pass system is a popular way to connect a vehicle to a trailer, but it should not be used in cars that depend on the presence of the trailer to activate their own built-in towing-related safety systems. This type of bypass simply takes a small current signal from the lighting harness of the towing vehicle and triggers a relay, which sends power directly to the trailer socket. It is not designed to replace the vehicle’s lighting harness and will overload it if you use a solder or crimp connector instead of the recommended plugs.
Another safety measure you can take is to install a breakaway system in your trailer. This will apply the trailer brakes if it becomes disconnected from the towing vehicle while driving. It is not a substitute for regular inspection and maintenance, but it can help mitigate the risks of an uncontrollable situation if you aren’t familiar with trailer handling.
In addition, you should always drive at a controlled speed to prevent sudden acceleration or deceleration, which can increase the stress on the towing vehicle and cause trailer swaying. You should also make sure that your towing vehicle is rated for the gross combined weight of the vehicle and trailer. Finally, you should use a properly rated hitch and a pair of crisscrossed safety chains to keep your trailer securely attached.
When you’re not towing, find an open space to practice parking and turning with your trailer in place. It’s a good idea to do this before you go on an actual trip. This will give you a feel for how the trailer handles and help you to become comfortable with it on the road.
Preparation
Whether you’re an experienced tower or have never hauled a load before, proper preparation is the key to a successful and safe towing experience. Skipping over the necessary steps can lead to dangerous mistakes that put you and other drivers at risk.
Towing equipment should always be properly maintained and ready to go when it’s needed. This includes both the towing vehicle and the trailer. Routine inspections can help identify issues that might not be obvious and allow them to be addressed before they become serious problems. In addition, a commitment to preventative maintenance can reduce downtime and increase the lifespan of your towing equipment.
It is also important to be familiar with how to use your towing equipment before you actually need to use it. If you’re unsure of how to secure a trailer, for example, be sure to look up helpful tutorials online and practice in an empty parking lot before taking on your first towing job. This will not only ensure your safety but will also help you save time and money on fuel costs by driving more efficiently.
Another thing to remember when preparing for towing is to make sure your truck is capable of handling the load you’re planning on hauling. This involves checking the owner’s manual for any specific instructions and ensuring that your towing capacity is sufficient. If you’re planning on towing a heavy or awkward load, it might be worthwhile to invest in a towing package that includes upgraded suspension, stronger brakes, and a transmission cooler.
Once you’re fully prepared for the towing process, it’s important to pay attention to your driving technique. When pulling a load, you should drive slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the vehicle being pulled or the tow straps. It’s also a good idea to wear comfortable, sturdy shoes during this process to prevent foot injuries.
Finally, it’s a good idea to use safety chains when towing. These will keep the vehicle being towed from falling off of the trailer in case of a hitch failure. In addition, they can also help to prevent the tongue of the towed vehicle from swinging too far and hitting other vehicles or roadside infrastructure.
Checklist
As with any large and complex system, the towing vehicle and trailer need regular maintenance to reduce the likelihood of breakdowns. Performing routine inspections and scheduling regular services can help minimize wear and tear and reduce the potential for costly repairs down the road.
While it is not necessary to check major parts like axles and transmissions before every trip, it is a good idea to perform some maintenance checks prior to embarking on a journey. Checking key components like the hitch, trailer brakes and safety chains can help ensure that these crucial pieces of equipment function properly and are safe to operate.
Check the hitch – this is arguably the most important component of any towing setup. It is essential to make sure that the coupler is a match for the ball mount and that both are in good working condition. Additionally, it is a good idea to verify that the safety chains are rigged correctly and that they do not drag on the ground when attached.
Ensure the trailer brakes are in good working condition and that they are synced with the towing vehicle. Similarly, make sure that all lights on both the tow vehicle and trailer are functioning and that they meet DOT lighting requirements. Lastly, it is always a good idea to carry a spare tire, a jack and lug wrench on hand in case of a roadside emergency.
If your towing vehicle is prone to issues such as bad brakes or an inoperable steering wheel, be sure to communicate these details with the AJ’s Towing representative who will be handling your delivery. This will allow our California towing company driver to take extra care with your vehicle to avoid any unexpected problems during transit.
Lastly, it is also important to make sure that the breakaway lanyard and other damage control equipment are functional and ready for the voyage. This should be included in the Route Plan and preferably inspected by an NDC Warranty Surveyor. It is also a good idea to confirm that there are sufficient transit crew onboard and that they meet the requirements set out in Noble Denton Guideline 0030/NDI.