Two Key Things That Everyone Should Know About Auto Towing
Posted on: 1 November 2019
Finding yourself in need of having your car towed is almost always a stressful situation. Unfortunately, as stressful situations go, it's common to lose sight of the details in the midst of trying to simply get the problem solved. When it comes to auto towing, this can be dangerous for your car. Here are a few things that you need to know and keep in mind when you are calling for towing service for your vehicle.
The Type Of Car You Have Matters
It's important that you are clear with the towing company about what type of car they are towing. You'll need to give them the car's year, make, and model. If the car is all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, you need to make sure you tell them that information as well. Towing an all-wheel or four-wheel drive car the wrong way can damage the drive train.
A front-wheel drive car can be hook-towed provided that it can be lifted from the front. A rear-wheel drive car can be hook-towed if it is hooked from the rear. This lifts the drive tires off the ground so that you don't bind up the axle and the drive train while towing.
With an all-wheel or four-wheel drive car, you do not have this flexibility. These cars will need to be towed on a flatbed tow truck to protect the drive train from damage. As a result, if you don't tell the towing company this detail, they may inadvertently send the wrong truck out to tow your car.
The Damage To The Car Is Important
If you are calling a tow truck as a result of an accident, be sure to explain to the dispatcher what kind of damage the car has suffered. If there is body damage that has affected the tow points, the company will need to send a flatbed instead of a hook-tow truck.
In addition, if any body parts are loose, whether it's the bumper or the fenders, you'll want to be sure they know this as well. Those panels will have to either be removed or secured with straps or chains to keep them from flying off in transport.
These are two crucial things to consider every time you call a tow truck. Especially if it's your first time calling, it's easy to lose sight of details like this. Take the time to talk with the dispatcher and answer their questions clearly to be sure that you get the truck that's right for your car and your situation. The more information you provide, the better it will be for you and the tow truck driver.
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