When a car breaks down on the highway, a reputable towing service can safely transport it to a nearby repair shop. However, the safety of towing depends on many factors, including load weight.
Phoenix Towing puts extra strain on your vehicle and its components, so knowing it’s your truck or SUV’s capacity is important.
When your car breaks down or is involved in an accident, you need to be able to move it, and that’s where towing comes in. However, towing can be tricky and damaging to the towing vehicle’s components if it’s done wrong. There are several ways to tow, but the most common is using a trailer. Make sure your trailer, hitch, and safety chains are rated for the load, and double-check them all before hitting the road.
When you use a trailer, the towing vehicle is forced to work harder than usual, and this can take its toll on the suspension system. Ensure that your suspension is in good condition and regularly serviced. It may be a good idea to run the vehicle on a lower gear setting while towing – this will help with fuel economy, reduce wear and tear on your transmission, and enable engine braking on downgrades.
The most obvious change that comes with towing is that you have much less control over your vehicle when you’re behind the wheel. It takes longer to accelerate, and you have to plan ahead more carefully when passing other vehicles. You also need to make sure you’re driving on roads that are suitable for towing, and that you allow yourself plenty of space if you’re following another vehicle.
There are two main types of towing used to move cars around: flexible coupling and rigid hitch. Flexible coupling involves a tow rope that connects the towed car to the towing vehicle, with two of the towed car’s tyres on the road. Rigid hitch requires a special pipe that’s fixed between the towing vehicle and the car being towed. This eliminates the risk of the tow rope breaking, but it can be difficult to drive with the pipe in place.
When towing, it’s vital to drive carefully and never exceed 15 mph. Quick movements such as sudden braking are dangerous, and will only multiply the forces on the towing vehicle and trailer. And never be tempted to pass a car in front of you if it’s on a hill or in the middle of a bend, as this will require extra power and slow your vehicle down dramatically.
Safety
Whether you’re towing your offroad toys to the trails, hauling a horse trailer to competitions, or helping a friend move, there are some important safety precautions you need to take. Taking a few simple steps can help you avoid damage to your vehicle or the towed vehicle and ensure that both vehicles remain safe on the road.
Observe all traffic laws and avoid distractions while towing. This is vital for the safety of you and other drivers on the road.
Use hazard lights to indicate that you are towing and create a visible barrier for other drivers. This is also a good time to check that all your turn signals and mirrors are working properly.
Do not exceed your towing and payload capacities. If you’re unsure of your capacity, consult the owner’s manual for both your towing vehicle and trailer. Going over capacity can cause excessive wear and tear on both the towing vehicle and trailer, and it may be extremely dangerous for you and other drivers.
If you’re new to towing, it’s a good idea to practice in an empty parking lot before taking to the road. This will give you a feel for how your vehicle and trailer work together and allow you to identify any areas that need improvement. Practicing these maneuvers in an empty parking lot is much better than trying to do them at the boat ramp, campsite, or in front of a busy store.
Always leave enough space to pass a car or other vehicle. It takes more time and distance to pass a vehicle with a trailer behind it, so make sure you have plenty of roadway space available before passing. Also, remember that your combination vehicle will affect airflow and may cause the vehicle being passed to sway or move more than it would on its own.
Be careful when changing lanes, as your towed vehicle’s blind spots can be more pronounced than usual. When possible, use a turn signal and always check your mirrors before changing lanes. This will help prevent other drivers from being surprised by your movement and minimize the risk of a collision.
Insurance
If you own a tow truck, you’re probably aware that you need commercial auto insurance. But what you may not realize is that your on-hook coverage—which provides liability protection for vehicles that are being hauled by your tow truck—is also crucial. Whether you operate a mechanic’s tow truck, highway-rated tow trucks or flatbeds, your on-hook insurance will protect the cars you’re transporting from damage, theft and other issues that can occur while your vehicle is in transit.
Often, car insurance policies will cover trailers, but it’s important to review your policy carefully to understand exactly what’s covered and what isn’t. Car insurance typically covers the vehicle itself through collision and comprehensive coverage, which protect against unforeseen events. It does not, however, automatically include roadside assistance coverage, which is typically only available with a separate towing package.
Many companies that offer towing packages will include a variety of services in their coverage, including:
Versatility: Most towing coverage providers offer 24/7 availability, meaning that they’re always ready to help you out of a jam. This can be a huge relief for drivers who don’t want to be left on the side of the road after a breakdown, whether it’s a midnight accident on a lonely highway or a midday flat tire during rush hour.
The coverage will usually include a range of services, from jump-starts and fuel delivery to locksmith services and flat tire changes. Most policies will also have a maximum towing limit, which means that you won’t be left paying for hefty towing fees in the event of an unexpected breakdown.
If you’re unsure about what’s covered under your current policy, it’s worth talking to an experienced agent who can explain the details of your specific situation. It’s also a good idea to compare the benefits of different towing packages before deciding what’s right for your needs and budget. Tow truck operators also need to consider property damage liability, which will help cover any legal costs if an incident occurs when the business is in possession of another person’s vehicle. The coverage will typically pay for repair or replacement of the vehicle, as well as legal fees if the vehicle’s owner chooses to sue.
Getting Started
The towing industry requires a lot of money to start and to run. It’s essential that entrepreneurs are prepared for these costs and have the necessary startup funding before purchasing a tow truck. The best way to prepare for these costs is to develop a business plan. The business plan will allow the entrepreneur to determine their financial goals and establish the company’s budget for the first year of operation.
Once the business plan is complete, it’s important to select a unique business name and file the appropriate paperwork with the local government. Additionally, it’s essential to create a website that provides information about the services offered by the towing company. This will help individuals find the company when they are in need of assistance and will increase brand awareness.
Before launching the business, it’s important to decide whether or not you will be doing consensual or non-consensual towing. The former involves working with law enforcement and private property owners to impound vehicles. This can be a profitable business, but it’s also difficult to operate because you must follow strict rules and regulations regarding the length of time that a vehicle can be impounded for.
Choosing the right business structure is also important, as it will dictate your legal obligations and how you pay taxes. You can choose from a variety of structures, including a limited liability corporation (LLC), which offers the flexibility and tax benefits of a partnership/sole proprietorship while providing limited liability protection. Alternatively, you can opt for a corporation, which is a separate legal entity that’s owned by shareholders and operated by a board of directors.
It’s also a good idea to open a business bank account and charge all expenses to the account, rather than using personal credit cards or checks. This will keep your business finances separate from your personal accounts and will help you build business credit.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to invest in a GPS system that allows drivers to track their progress and provide customers with accurate ETAs. This can make a huge difference in customer satisfaction and overall operations efficiency. The right GPS system can also help you save money on fuel, reduce wear and tear on your tow trucks, and improve driver safety by reducing the need for aggressive driving. OptimoRoute is an excellent option for towing businesses because it optimizes routes and improves visibility into operations with features like live tracking.
