Towing a car and truck – what qualifications are needed? Towing a car is only possible after meeting the appropriate road traffic regulations. Future Towing Company is fully qualified staff for Tow Truck Winnipeg. These already concern the technical requirements of vehicles. For example, the towing vehicle must have a greater total mass than the towed car. The towing vehicle should have an appropriately powerful engine. The towed car should have working lights, a brake system, and a steering system. Therefore, if the vehicle had even 1 damaged headlight, towing would not be possible (only with a tow truck).
Most of us have category B. This category allows you to drive vehicles with a GVM of 3500 kg. Additionally, we can drive a set of vehicles consisting of a car with this weight and a light trailer with a GVM of less than 750 kg. The total weight of the set cannot exceed 4250 kg. If it exceeds it, it is worth having category B + E, which entitles you to travel with larger sets.
What’s worth knowing?
To tow a trailer, you need a towbar. The towbar installation must be approved by the District Vehicle Inspection Station. The towbar must undergo an annual inspection. Before traveling, it is worth checking until when the technical inspection is valid so that you do not encounter a ticket or other unpleasant surprises on the road.
- Trailer Towing Rules
Towing a trailer is a very demanding task for the driver. There are a few basic rules that will help you travel safely with your rig. Some of them are:
- taking corners with a wide arc, as the trailer can cut corners
- early braking – the set brakes slower than the car itself
- careful overtaking – the total weight of the set causes slower acceleration
- braking through gears to relieve the load on the brakes.
In addition, it is also worth driving according to the regulations. By following the above tips, you will travel safely and enjoy, for example, a vacation in your caravan.
- When towing is useful:
After a collision (if the cars are not too badly damaged: no fluid or oil is leaking from them, only the bodywork elements are damaged and do not pose a threat to others when the car is damaged)
Good to remember:
- You cannot tow a vehicle with a damaged card (in newer cars) or a blocked station (in older cars) because the steering system will be blocked when turning.
- Before towing, it is worth checking the third-party liability and AC insurance. It is possible that under this insurance we have a free tow truck from the insurance company. We will not have to organize towing ourselves.
- The towed vehicle and the towing vehicle must have paid third-party liability insurance.
- It is not possible to tow cars with automatic transmission, electric and hybrid drive, pneumatic and hydropneumatic suspension, or cars with permanent four-axle drive (when towing cars with 4×4 drive, it is enough to turn off the drive on 1 axle).
Towing a passenger car
First of all, the 3 most important requirements must be met, i.e. both cars must have working external lighting, steering system, and brake system. The driver of the towed car should be careful, and press the brake pedal earlier and harder when necessary
Towing process from A to Z:
- We connect cars using a tow rope or a rigid tow bar in special places (e.g. through towing eyes).
- We attach a warning triangle to the left side of the towed car (to be visible, it can be inside or outside the car).
- In both cars, we turn on the low-beam headlights (we do not turn on the hazard warning lights and daytime running lights (DRL)).
- If the tow rope does not have a marking (red and white), we place a yellow or red flag on it.
- Drivers determine how they will communicate during emergencies (e.g. by honking or flashing high beams).
- Drivers get into their cars, place their keys (or card) in the ignition to unlock the steering system
- The driver of the towing vehicle starts the engine and drives off slowly, keeping an eye on the towed vehicle through the mirrors. He must avoid jerking while driving.
- It is good to choose roads with low traffic and difficult intersections and roundabouts.
- When making a turn, both cars must turn on their turn signals.
- The driver of a towed car must control the distance between the cars (to avoid a collision).
- When traveling on multi-lane roads, use only the right-hand lane.
How to tow a truck?
The method of towing depends largely on the manufacturer of the given truck model. The vehicle manual often shows the attachment points for towing devices. They provide the maximum load values. The type of towing is also determined by the individual truck systems (mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic) – sometimes they need to be connected or disconnected. Otherwise, the truck may be damaged. In winter you need Jump Start Service Near Me also available this services.
Towing a truck is not done with a second truck but with special towing vehicles (rigid tows only). It is not possible to tow a truck with a semi-trailer or trailer. They must be towed separately.
