Wear and Tear Considerations

The Impact of Towing on Your Car: Wear and Tear Considerations

Cars breaking down in the middle of highways and roads is a regular occurrence in the US. However, people in these cases get increasingly frustrated and stressed out, not knowing what to do and how to pull themselves and their car out of that mess. 

Solutions vary, from calling an auto transport company or using a tow dolly to asking for help from another driver on the way, also known as towing. The latest is the most common, affordable, and reasonable, as rope or chain is the only tool required. Nevertheless, this strategy isn’t as simple and easy as it seems; it involves limitless negative effects, especially on the towing vehicle.

So, in this article, we will highlight the top critical impacts of car towing, so a driver can consider them the next time they tow a vehicle.

What is Car Towing?

Car towing is pulling a broken car behind another vehicle by attaching it to a chain or rope. Towing has many types that vary based on the car’s state and available options, including recovery towing, off-road towing, trailer towing, etc.  

Does Towing Damage the Car?

Car towing could be lifesaving when a car breaks, and there’s no chance of seeking professional assistance. However, this act involves many challenges and dangers, especially on the towing vehicle, and here’s how:

It Hurts the Engine

The engine is the car’s heart and one of its most important parts. But it’s the most influential one regarding the towing process. The effect differs whether the broken car’s engine is running during the towing; a dead engine requires extra towing capacity from the tower. However, in general, towing causes the engine to heat up, negatively affecting its components and might even cause them to seal up. Consequently, towing will also shorten the engine’s lifespan.

To minimize damage possibilities, a driver must turn the car’s engine, towing rope must be picked carefully, and towing speed mustn’t be exceeded.

Ropes or Chains Might Break

Car towing is a sensitive, complicated process that requires a high level of expertise and consideration. And even what seems to be a simple process, picking the tow tool, isn’t as easy. 

An inefficient rope might break in the middle of the process, causing an accident that doesn’t only hurt the towing and the towed vehicles but other cars on the way. An incorrect tow bar will usually result in brake failure and overheated transmission.

Inconsiderate Towing Rating

The towing rating is the maximum weight a towing vehicle can safely pull; however, major damages can occur if its driver pulls a weight higher than its capacity. The car’s body may be damaged, the engine will wear out, tires might deflate or even explode, brakes might fail, and the list goes long.

More Challenging Breaking

A vehicle has more inertia and momentum when it pulls an additional weight behind it. That, as a result, will put additional wear on the towing vehicle’s brakes. Coming to a complete stop will need more time than usual, increasing chances of jackknifing or skidding, consequently, an accident.

Varied Regulations

Towing rules and regulations aren’t the same in all states in America; some are a little easy on the matter, while others require additional safety precautions with a safety chain, breakaway breaks, license plates, insurance, etc. breaching these laws involves massive fines, again, varied according to the state. So, both drivers involved in the towing process must be familiar with the rules.

The Safer Alternative: Hiring an Auto Transport Company 

In cases of a car breaking down in the middle of a highway or similar cases, towing is the inevitable solution. But some car owners use this risky method to transport their car to a distant location or even another state; in this case, towing isn’t a healthy solution, nor will it benefit the towing and the towed cars. Instead, one must hire an auto transport company; their car will be hauled on an open or enclosed carrier, off the ground, with minimal damage possibility.

An auto transport company must be picked wisely, though, as a bad one might cause more severe damage to the car than a tower can. Super Auto Transport is one recommended service provider collaborating with a seasoned group of drivers, an advanced fleet of carriers, and long years of experience. 

It’s licensed and registered; it operates all through the US and has transported over 45,000 vehicles of all types since it entered the auto transport industry. Their instant cost calculator is free; one can order and receive a cost estimation in a minute, and their customer service team is highly collaborative and empathetic. 

The bottom line

The risks and dangers associated with car towing affect the two cars involved, and they’re many. However, it will go smoothly if the towing job isn’t very long and the driver follows the safety precautions. Hiring an auto transport company is always the safest option, though.