What do you do when you have car trouble in the middle of the road? When your car doesn’t start or is stalled, you may need to have it towed. The best way to tow your car is to call a reliable towing company. They have the right tools and equipment to safely tow your vehicle.
However, sometimes, we simply want to DIY car towing. Whether we feel like we have something to prove that we can do anything or we are trying to save on the towing expense, towing the car on your own is such a bad idea. This is especially true when you use a rope or some chain to do the process.
Chains and ropes may seem tough but do you really think you can successfully tow a car with them. If you are planning to tow a vehicle with a chain or rope, let us stop you right now. That is a bad idea. We know it’s pretty hard to simply believe us when we say that so here are some reasons to help convince you that it is a bad idea.
It Is Illegal
Did you know that towing a car with a rope or chain could be considered illegal in some states? That’s because it is dangerous for you and for others on the road too. It is so dangerous that there have been laws saying that you can’t do that, especially on the freeway.
Check your state laws before you even attempt to do it or just don’t do it at all. Also, check if there are certain requirements about the type of towing equipment you should use when you plan to DIY. There are other materials that are allowed by the state because they are more durable and are rated for towing.
Apart from knowing more about the towing equipment requirements, you should also figure out if there are additional requirements such as the presence of taillights, signage, or the maximum towing limits. There are lots of things you should know before you decide to tow another vehicle.
Ropes And Chains Will Break
Ropes seem tough but when used on a heavy material such as a car, they are bound to break. The car weighs thousands of pounds and the rope just can’t withstand that. It will fray and break eventually.
Chains seem stronger because they are made of metal. However, they can break too because they are not meant to be used on towing cars. Due to the lack of flexibility, the chains will not be able to handle the multiple pulling directions and tensions that are present while towing.
They Can Damage The Vehicle
Instead of towing the vehicle to safety, they can cause more damage to your vehicle when you use them. One of the things you need to figure out when towing another car is the part where it should be attached. That can be difficult to find, especially for cars that are newer models.
If you simply tie the rope in the bumper or wrong spot, it could pull off that part and damage the car instead of helping it. Those kinds of damages may not be covered by your insurance provider. You’d have to shoulder the cost of repairing yourself. That may be worth more as compared to the charge of a reputable towing company.
It Is Not Safe
As we’ve mentioned above, there are some states where towing with a rope or a chain is illegal because of the dangers it brings. There are lots of safety risks not only to the person who is towing the vehicle but also to those who are on the road.
When the rope or chain breaks as you are towing the car, it can get stranded in the middle of the road. That is dangerous to other people because they can crash. Additionally, the car towing the other vehicle should be very careful when driving. Suddenly stopping will likely cause the towed car to rear-end the towing vehicle. That’s because it doesn’t have active brakes.
The Alternative And Safer Solution
The best alternative solution is to call a professional towing company to tow the vehicle. They have vehicles that are powerful enough to tow other cars. The professionals also know how to safely load and unload the car by making use of various equipment that ensure the safety of your vehicle and the other people around it.
You could also use towing straps, towing ropes, or towing chains. These are much tougher than the usual ropes and chains you have lying around. However, they are also rated and you should know which to use. Along with it, you should have a powerful vehicle to tow the other car. Additionally, you should know where to attach them and how to properly prepare the car to be towed. If not, the car will simply get more damaged.
When you have a car emergency on the road and are in need of a tow, whether a short one or for long distances, you should not hesitate to call Durham Towing Company for their short or long-distance towing services…
