Towing A Car With Your Own Vehicle
Random vehicle breakdowns can happen to anyone, even the most experienced professional drivers. Since it’s such an unforeseeable occurrence, many people don’t know how to react once their car inevitably breaks down. More often than not, they will resort to calling their friends or family to come and tow the broken vehicle with their own car.
If you’re not sure whether towing a car with another caris a good idea, take a moment to check out some of the points we’ve made in this article. In case you’re looking for the short answer – it’s typically not a good idea to do this, and here is why.
Things You Should Know Before Towing a Car
Here are some useful pieces of information you should know before you contemplate towing a car.
The Importance of Vehicle Ratings
Every vehicle has a particular rating, which is closely related to towing capacity. As you can assume, towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can tow. You can usually find these ratings on the door jamb of your car or truck. However, if you don’t own a vehicle that is obviously foreseen to withstand and deal with a lot of force, chances are you cannot tow another vehicle.
Predicaments With Towbars
If you want to tow a vehicle, your car has to have a towbar installed. While that sounds pretty simple and straightforward, there is much more to it than meets the eye. Just like the vehicle itself, towbars also have ratings that have to be accounted for before any towing takes place.
Now, sometimes a variety of vehicle models can use a tow bar of the same rating, but many models require towbars of specific ratings in order to ensure safe operation. Either way, if you don’t know the specifics of your towbar and vehicle rating, it’s best to just call a team of professionals and let them deal with towing a carsafely.
Local Law and Regulations
Is it illegal to tow a car with another car?Well, the answer to this question depends on where you live and, more importantly – where you are when your car breaks down. As far as the United States laws go, every state has different rules and restrictions tied to towing laws. For instance, most states require a towing vehicle to have and use safety chains and taillights. A number of states might also require you to use some sort of signaling, for example – a yellow rotating light.
As you can tell, just outright hooking up another vehicle to your own and towing it is not a smart and viable option. You risk paying a hefty fine as well as probably some temporary license sanctions.
Separate Braking Systems and their Importance
By using elementary laws of physics, we can easily conclude that towing vehicles have extra momentum when hauling other vehicles. This puts significant pressure on the braking system, which is why most towing vehicles must have separate braking systems. So, rather than thinking to yourself “How do you tow a car” – you should be thinking about the mandatory equipment needed for the job. In most cases, your personal vehicle will not fulfill all the requirements.
If you’re still wondering, “Can I tow my own car” the answer is – you technically can, but you probably shouldn’t. If you need towing services, we at Phoenix Towing Service will be more than happy to lend you a hand and ensure safe transport.
If you’d like to read more about vehicles, towing, and some useful tips that will help you on the road, don’t hesitate to read our other articles! In case we’ve missed something, let us know by leaving a comment.
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Winter Towing Tips for Safe Trailering in Ice and Snow
Driving during the winter is completely different compared to driving during the spring or in the summer months. Slippery roads, dead batteries, and frozen stuff all around you is just a glimpse into the common burdens that come with frosty, cold weather. Whether you’re a professional tow truck driver or a roadside service driver, you ought to know everything there is about winters towingor else you risk jeopardizing your as well as the safety of other participants in traffic.
We have made a list of several tips and advice that should help you prepare for potential issues on the road so that you don’t have to waste time and wait for help in the middle of nowhere. Before we dive deeper into the subject, remember – good preparation is everything!
Snow Towing Tips for Safe Trailering
Check out some of these suggestions that should help you get from point A to point B safely.
Using Proper Tires
The first order of business for you whenever the seasons change is to swap your tires and use the appropriate type. Equipping your vehicle with winter tires will significantly improve traction and your vehicle’s ability to grip the road. It will also allow you to accelerate, turn, stop, and slow down with much more confidence, since you can be relatively certain that winter tires will provide necessary protection against a slippery, sometimes even frozen road.
Maintain Control by Installing Trailer Brakes
Contrary to popular misconceptions, not all trailers have independent brakes. Some of them rely on the tow vehicle’s brakes, which is typically acceptable, but not during snow towingWhile you could, in theory, hit a snowy road without trailer brakes and tow a vehicle safely from point A to point B, it’s not something we would recommend doing. Don’t go out on a snowy and potentially slippery road without previously installing a set of brakes on your trailer.
This might be an unforeseen expense for some people, and many drivers are usually discouraged by the financial impact of this particular investment, but rest assured it’s something you simply must do. Once you install a set of trailer brakes, you won’t have to think about this step ever again.
Stay Vigilant and Alert at All Times
Being aware of your surroundings is one of the main things you should think about while you’re on the road. The fact that you’re on a snowy, slippery road should amplify your awareness and bring it to a whole new level. The idea behind this tip is pretty simple – always make sure not to forget that you’re driving on a slippery road that requires precision, alertness, and smooth inputs. This means no sudden braking, no tight turns, and no speeding. No matter how late you are or how eager you are to get to your destination, you should never rush with towing travel trailer in snow.
lways Be in Control of Your Vehicle
Many drivers are tempted to use cruise control and other convenient, modern options to streamline a long drive, but you should refrain from doing that, especially if you’re towing trailer in snow.While it’s great to let the computer take over the throttle controls and inputs, it’s dangerous to forgo the control of your vehicle on a slippery road. The computer is simply not capable of identifying potentially dangerous maneuvers, which could lead to serious issues on the road.
What are some of your personal tips for winter towing? Did you find our tips useful? Leave us a comment and let us know! If you’d like to read more about towing, proper road etiquette, and methods you can use to avoid potential mishaps, read some of our other articles!
The post Winter Towing Tips for Safe Trailering in Ice and Snow first appeared on Phoenix Towing Service.
How to Turn While Towing
Driving and towing seems like a pretty straightforward and simple task, but there are many nuances involved that could make your life much harder than it should be. Whether you’re a seasoned driver or perhaps just a beginner, you ought to know everything there is about the mechanics behind taking turns with a tow truck and how to be as efficient as possible with your safe driving techniques
If you’re looking for some driving tips for turning,you have come to the right place. This article should give you a better idea of how trailers work and things you should keep in mind while on the road. Naturally, these aren’t hard-written rules you should live by, but you never know what kind of new advice you might stumble upon. Here are some things you should keep in mind:
Safe Towing Tips and Tricks
As a responsible driver, safety should always be your number one priority. No matter how easy it is to maneuver your vehicle, you should always keep your safety and the safety of other participants in traffic in the back of your mind.
Plan Out the Turn
This may seem somewhat over the top and a bit dramatic, but planning out every aspect of your maneuver will significantly lower the chances of failure. It only takes a couple of minutes to plan out your maneuver, and it can save you from having to pay for damage caused by reckless driving. It’s not about the speed but rather about the precision.
Take Significantly Wider Turns
One of the first rules you will learn as a tow driver is to take significantly wider turns than usual because the outside edge of your trailer should clear all obstacles and hazards while turning. In simpler terms, your trailer will always cut a sharper corner than your vehicle, which is why it’s important to take wide turns and increase the chances of making it around the corner unscathed. When it comes to safe driving techniques, this one is a must-know.
Use Your Mirrors
Most drivers are aware of the importance of the mirrors on their vehicles, but many aren’t. There is no unique philosophy behind this tip, or any other tips towingfor that matter; it all comes down to using common sense and training. Ensure your mirrors are always properly adjusted and don’t hesitate to double and triple check your corners before you make the turn.
Train in Your Spare Time
If you’re a professional driver, chances are you don’t have much time to spare, but it’s also safe to assume that you already know how to turn while driving. However, if you’re relatively new in this industry, take a few hours off your free weekend to practice some turns. Put a couple of cones on an abandoned parking lot and spend a couple of hours practicing. This is, arguably, one of the best methods you can use to improve your driving skills.
Size Matters
While similar principles of driving apply to almost any trailer, the size of the trailer itself matters a lot. If you’re struggling to figure out how to turnwhile towing, start with smaller trailers and work your way up. If this isn’t a possibility, make sure you know everything there is about your trailer, its size, and best practices with similar-sized trailers.
Do you have any other advice to share with us? How do you deal with turns while towing? Leave us a comment and let us know! If you’re interested in reading similar guides, read some of our other articles!
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Russo And Steele’s Scottsdale Auction 2021 – The Epicenter Of The Collector Car Universe!
If you’re a fan of dynamic, action-packed auctions, this event is something you ought to check out! Not only will you have the opportunity to see a bunch of exotic vehicles, but you could also end up buying one for yourself!
The Russo and Steele auctionsoffer a perfect chance for buyers and sellers alike to spend a couple of days looking at some of the most beautiful, high-octane machines that are waiting for their next owner. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or just visit and have a lot of fun, the Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale sale is an excellent choice!
bout Russo and Steel Events
Russo and Steele was launched in Scottsdale, AZ, in 2001 by Drew Alcazar and his wife Josephine. The company’s trademark and focus is on selling hot rods, customs, European cars, and American muscle cars to a broad audience of avid car collectors who are well-aware of the prestige that comes with premium vehicles.
After two decades of being in the upper echelons of car auctions, Russo and Steele are once again holding an auction on Saturday, January 16th – Tuesday, January 19th, 2021, in Scottsdale, Arizona. With over 600 classic cars and the company’s signature “Auction in the Round” format, this event offers four days of action-packed selling and buying – a perfect opportunity for avid car enthusiasts and collectors to see, hear and feel some of the wildest high-octane beasts out there.
The schedule of events is available on the Russo and Steele official page. More importantly, if you’re looking for the ultimate enthusiast experience, they are always looking for volunteer drivers and operations personnel. You can sign up for these positions via a form that can be found on the official website.
What separates this event from the sea of other similar events is the authentic concept of “Auction in the Round” format. This innovation puts sellers, buyers, and spectators on the floor right next to the cars. It’s a unique experience that allows you to participate in a virtual “boxing ring” filled with excitement and unprecedented energy.
Russo and Steele take pride in being among the unique companies within the vehicle collecting realm, and as such, its primary goal is to provide a fun, dynamic, and high-level events catering to a broad demographic of collectors, enthusiasts, and fans of de-luxe vehicles.
The Role of Phoenix Towing Service
As one of Phoenix’s best towing companies, we are equipped to deal with emergencies and offer towing services to individuals who would like to attend events such as the Russo and Steele Scottsdale auction.
Our team of highly trained professionals is active 24/7 and ready to provide high-quality service at any moment. We offer some of the most competitive prices in the area, and if you’re looking to buy or sell a vehicle during this auction – we are your best bet!
Our fleet of vehicles is well-equipped to tow high-end vehicles safely and up to the highest industry standards. With us, you don’t have to worry whether your vehicle is going to make it to the show and whether it’s going to make it in one piece. We guarantee a safe and damage-free service to all our clients!
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Roadside Assistance for Electric Cars
There’s tons of benefits for using an electric vehicle, including lower vehicle emissions, and a reduced cost of operation. Today, an increasing amount of people are joining the electric vehicle market today, and tons of new electric cars are being developed that can even marry the best qualities of a typical combustion engine and electric varieties. However, electric vehicles experience issues just like normal vehicles do; in this blog entry, the roadside assistance experts here at Chicago Towing will details the most common reasons that electric vehicles require our services.
Battery Drainage
When an electric vehicle runs out of battery charge its the same of a regular vehicle running out of gas. While the majority of electric vehicle batteries have vastly improved in recent years, their ability to hold a charge is still limited, and since there’s very few public areas where electric cars can be recharged, it’s often hard for people to recharge their battery when they’re out on the road.
Broken Battery
A more serious issue than a battery simply running out of charge, the lithium-ion based batteries in electric vehicles can decay and break like any other type of battery. While newer models of electric vehicles have newer and better constructed batteries than older models, the batteries will still need to be replaced at some point – just hopefully not when you’re driving.
Brakes
Brakes in electric cars, just like those in cars with normal combustion engines, can wear down over time, and require their rotors and pads to be replaced. Electric vehicles utilize special regenerative braking systems that limit the amount / exponential increase of degradation – however their brakes aren’t immortal, and will need to be repaired or replaced at some time.
Tire Issues
Many electric cars are actually much heavier than normal combustion engine cars, due to the extra weight of the battery system. This can place additional force and pressure on tires, causing an acceleration in tire tread wear, and also potentially raising the chances of a tire puncture or flat. Tire issues can affect vehicles of all types, and electric vehicles are certainly no exception.
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Top Misconceptions about Towing
There’s a range of common myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes about towing companies and towing services widely held by the public today. In this blog entry, the towing experts here at Chicago Towing will detail some of the top forms of these misconceptions, and dispel them.
Towing Companies Tow Illegally Parked Vehicles Only
Many people wrongly assume that towing companies mainly focus on parking illegally parked vehicles. However, although many municipalities tow illegally parked vehicles, the main trade of towing companies is much more altruistic. Towing companies mostly rescue people stranded on the side of the road by providing roadside assistance service – and provide a range of other, non-towing related services as well, from vehicle jump-starting to fuel delivery.
Towing Companies Aren’t Available 24/7
Many people think that if their cars break down in the middle of the night that they will have to wait until towing companies open up in order to receive service. This is a myth! Professional towing companies, like the expert team here at Chicago Towing, specialize in providing service to our customers on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year, even during holidays. This is to ensure that you get the service that you need, when you need it!
Towing Companies can’t Tow Large or Unique Cars
Many people think towing companies stick to servicing SUVs or sedans, but this is another misconception! Towing companies can provide expert towing services to a wide range of vehicles, from RVs and campers to semi-trucks and motorcycles. We even tow busses, antique cars, and exsotic vehicles here at Chicago Towing!
Tow Trucks Take their Time
In actuality, towing companies make efficient service and fast-arrival windows their priority! This is an ideal for customers who find themselves broken down or stranded in poor weather, on the side of the road, or in dangerous areas. Chicago Towing prides ourselves on rapid-arrival times, ensuring that you will swiftly receive custom-tailored service at the direct location of your vehicle, as soon as you need it.
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Benefits of 24/7 Towing Service
Chicago Towing provides the highest quality, fastest arrival, most affordable, and top professional 24/7 towing service available anywhere in the Chicagoland area. In this blog entry, our expert towing technicians will detail the priceless benefits offered by utilizing our 24 hour towing service.
Constant Availability for Roadside Assistance Service
Nobody plans for an accident – but sometimes they do occur. Even breakdowns can prove majorly inconvenient, if not dangerous – especially when they occur in strange areas, during inclement weather, or in the middle of the night. Before 24 -hour towing service, people had to hike to the nearest area to ask for help, or wait until morning to find a working towing service. By utilizing a 24/7 towing service like Chicago Towing, you can ensure that your car will be brought to the nearest mechanic for repairs as soon as you need it done, and no later.
Rapid Arrival Times
Chicago Towing’s licensed automotive recovery technicians make it one of their highest priorities to arrive at your location in as speedy a manner as possible as soon as we receive your call. Here, we understand that the longer you’re stranded in (or worse, outside) your vehicle, the more dangerous – if not frustrating – it gets. That’s why we pride ourselves in our instant arrival times, coming straight to your location to provide you with instant solutions, with ultimate efficiency that never dwindles regardless of the time of day or night.
Professional Training Quality
Chicago Towing employs a team of towing expert technicians that have received the highest level of industry training, robust licenses, and the vast industry experience necessary to provide you with professional, on-the-spot solutions to your roadside assistance needs, regardless of the complexity of the automotive issue. When you work with Chicago Towing, you work with professionals that can handle every type of issue, and understand how to do their job with maximum skills and efficiency.
Cost Effectiveness
The 24 hour towing and roadside assistance services offered by Chicago Towing aren’t just high quality and efficient – they’re cost effective as well! The full range of our services, whether they be towing, vehicle recovery, and even fuel delivery, are priced at a competitive and budget friendly rate, ranging from your vehicle type and the service distance coverage. Our affordable service ensures that you can receive the solutions you need and deserve, all without burning a hole in your wallet. When you work with Chicago Towing, you can rest easy in the knowledge that your automotive service requirements will be taken care of in as efficient, precise, and affordable fashion as possible.
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What to do during Sudden Brake Failure when Driving
Brake failure – especially when it occurs in the middle of driving, is a major safety risk – and one that unfortunately can occur suddenly when car mechanical operation is overlooked for a while. In this blog entry, the towing and vehicle recovery experts here at Chicago Towing will detail exactly what to do if your vehicle’s brakes suddenly fail while you’re in the middle of driving.
Remain Calm
Make sure to stay even keeled and try not to panic – this is vital to keep you and those around you safe. By staying safe, you can act well under pressure. Just breathe deeply and try to be aware of your surroundings and regain as much control of your vehicle as you can to get it safely off the highway or road.
Keep your Car On
Don’t turn your car off, even if it seems like a good idea to slow it down – this can cause it to skid further by disabling your steering or even fully locking your steering. This will cause you to have LESS control of your car. Keep the engine running until you’re fully stopped. Also, keeping your car on will make it easier to bring it safely to the side of the road.
ctivating Hazard Lights
Turn on your hazard lights to let other drivers on the road know you’re broken down – especially at night! If there’s people around you, also honk the horn to warn the people around you to steer away from you.
Turn Down the Shifts
Try to downshift your car gradually, one gear at a time – don’t downshift to the 1st gear of the car at once, as this can cause skidding. If your car is automatic, removing your foot from the accelerator will help it shift. This will help you get your car to a safe distance where you can safely activate the emergency brakes.
Trying Brakes Again
Try applying steady and hard pressure on the brake pedal and see if you can get at least one half of your dual brakes to slow the car down – sometimes, only one half of the brakes have failed. Be careful doing this and don’t press TOO hard, just steadily and firmly.
Careful Emergency Brake Application
Emergency brakes will slowly slow down your vehicle – but they must be engaged carefully in order to keep as much control of the car as possible, since they are separate from the normal hydraulic based braking system you’re used to. They will take longer to slow your vehicle down.
Calling for Assistance
Once your car is in a safe area, fully stopped, or off the road, call your trusty towing provider like the expert roadside assistance team here at Chicago Towing for rapid assistance and instant, convenient solutions!
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How to Avoid Car Accidents
In this blog entry, the towing and vehicle recovery experts here at Chicago Towing will detail the top reasons that car accidents occur, and the best ways you can stay safe driving and avoid them.
Lackluster Vehicle Maintenance
If your car is in poor condition and hasn’t been maintained well – including issues such as worn down tires, regularly overheating engines, radiator issues, shock problems, or broken car mirrors – you shou;dn’t take in on the road as it can be dangerous. Ensure your tires and engines, and other vehicle parts, are working properly before driving.
Rear End Collisions
This common accident occurs when people don’t have a good amount of distance between the car behind or in front of them. Its common that the rear driver is liable for this accident, as they’ve driven too close to the front car. Make sure you leave a time distance of 3 seconds to pass through the same area as the car in front of you, and that your brake lights are working properly.
Red Light Accidents
Crossing through a red light is a common cause of car accidents. Always follow all traffic rules and make sure nobody is approaching the intersection as you cross it – and be careful approaching yellow lights! It’s not a bad idea to be careful and aware when crossing green lights as well.
Weather Condition Based Accidents
Rainy, snowy, and slippery roads can cause accidents due to hydroplaning. Worn out tires make this more of a risk. Thick fog is another common weather based issue that causes accidents. You can avoid these issues by ensuring proper maintenance of your vehicle, checking that your tires are in safe condition, and driving slowly in bad weather.
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Common Causes of Winter Vehicle Breakdowns
Cold weather can have a strong effect on vehicle operations, sometimes leading to mechanical errors and even breakdowns that come with their own safety and security implications. In this blog entry, the towing experts here at Chicago Towing will detail the main reasons that vehicles suffer breakdowns during frigid Winter weather.
Batteries Dying
A common reason for people calling for Winter roadside assistance is a dead car battery. During cold days, the car’ battery might not be able to make enough energy to trigger the engine when keys are turned when this happens, often the car was left outside in the cold for too long. You can use a voltmeter device that allows you to check the voltage of your car battery, to verify that it’s not getting too cold. If the voltmeter reading is between 12.40 and 12.75, you can still start your car – but if it’s anything but this range, you’ll likely need to replace your car’s battery.
Tire Issues
Many people change their tires in Winter in order to be prepared for the potential driving and tire issues associated with cold weather or driving through snow. Properly maintained normal tires can do the trick even in cold weather though – sometimes. Makes sure to check your tire treads, and make sure that you’re not driving on tires with worn down treads. Tire treads provide traction and grip that allows you to better steer and control our car without road skidding.
Frozen Car Fluids
Car’s require filing with a range of fluids for proper operation. Many of these fluids won’t freeze as solid as water, but can thicken into a viscous texture in cold weather that interferes with the proper operation of your car, as it prevents the fluid from circulating right. This is the reason cars can still overheat even in Winter weather! If this is the case, have a mechanic check the fluid of your vehicle to verify everything is in shape – and consider switching to thinner car oils during cold Winter months.
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