Towing a car isn’t a fun thing to have to do. But towing services are often required for a variety of situations. Sometimes a car is disabled and cannot drive. Alternatively, and more dramatically, cars can be involved in accidents and must be towed away because the driver and/or the Vehicle is disabled.

However, before worrying about transporting your vehicle safely, it is important to ensure your personal safety first. If you are on a busy road, make sure to turn emergency blinkers on before leaving the vehicle. Step far away from the vehicle to the side of the road before calling for help. If possible, and if you have equipped, place warning markers or even flares at least 100 yards behind to alert oncoming drivers.

Tow Truck Safety

Tow truck operators must deal with many different conditions. Today, cars, SUVs, and trucks are far more complicated than in the past, and tow truck drivers must be aware of all different considerations.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has created a Towing and Service  Manual, a handbook consisting of 350 pages for tow truck drivers to manage the vast number of situations and vehicle types that they may encounter.

Process for Towing

Safe towing is no longer simply hooking a vehicle up and pulling. When the tow truck shows up at the site, make sure he is following the instruction manual for towing your particular vehicle.

Always contact professionals to tow your car

The complexities of cars and trucks today have changed the situation because brakes, light, and steering may be affected when the engine is not running. Individuals have been killed and severely injured while towing vehicles. In one instance in Michigan, a Good Samaritan neighbor was killed by a flying chain that had broken loose from a snowbound auto.

Professional tow trucks have flashing lights, blinkers, and other warning devices to ensure that oncoming cars are aware of the presence of the tow truck and your vehicle. This is true also while moving along the road at a reduced speed.

Avoid Mechanical Dangers During Towing

Some vehicle manuals, like Subaru, state that none of their wheels should be touching the ground while towing. This is because the all-wheel-drive system may be severely damaged. The transmission or transaction may be ruined when the wheels are pulled behind the tow truck. Thus, these autos should be “flat-bedded” when being moved. Not all tow truck businesses have this capability, so it is necessary to check this out in advance.

Similarly, front and rear wheel drive vehicle may require that the non-drive wheels be the ones that can ride on the ground. For example, with a rear-wheel drive vehicle, towing the car backward may be the better option.