4 Reasons Why Towing Your Own Car Is A Bad Idea
Towing your own car seems like a good idea. There are numerous online articles and tutorials that explain how you can just hook your car up to the back of a truck or RV and tow away. We’ve all seen someone on the road trying to tow their own car using another vehicle and a common rope. This strategy is incredibly problematic and dangerous. The DIY towing process seems like it is easy and would save you money from having to hire a towing company, but the reality is very different than some online videos make it seem. Towing your own car has a lot of risks and can get you in a worse situation than the one you began in. In this post, we explain when you can tow your own car and the other times when towing your own car is a bad idea.
When You Can Tow Your Car
Before we explain the dangers of towing your own car, it’s important to note when it can make sense to tow your own car. If you are planning a cross-country move or other predetermined event, it is acceptable to rent a tow dolly or car carrier to tow your car. This is a responsible towing method as long as you follow all of the regulations from the company you rent from.
The Temptation of Self-Towing
Aside from towing your car with a rented dolly or carrier for a pre-planned event, you should never attempt to tow your own car. It can be very tempting to try your own tow job. Accidents or unexpected breakdowns are stressful and frustrating, and doing it yourself can seem like a quick. Some of the top reasons people attempt their own tow are:
They believe they will save money.
They have a DIY mindset and want to conquer the problem themselves.
The tow is such a short distance they believe it will be easier and faster to do it themselves.
In reality, a makeshift tow job carries many potential risks, and you should always think twice about attempting one. Here are some of the top reasons why you should not attempt to tow your own car:
Dangers of Towing Your Own Vehicle
Laws and Regulations
Each state has its own towing rules and laws. For example, many states require you to use safety chains and taillights. Additionally, some states also require extra precautions. There are also maximum towing limits for towing vehicles. Since the average person is not trained in towing, they are unlikely to know their state’s regulations or to have the proper equipment at hand. Towing your own vehicle could land you in legal trouble.
Risk of Damage
Towing your own vehicle is much more likely to lead to further damage, which is the last thing you need if your vehicle already has an issue. Professionals have all of the necessary equipment and expertise to hook up and tow your vehicle safely. The worst part is that some insurance companies will not cover damage that occurs due to DIY towing because they have rules about how your vehicle must be towed after a collision.
Complex Process
While the internet often makes it seem easy, towing is a job that requires proper education and tools. There are many different factors you must consider when towing a vehicle, including tow vehicle rating, tongue weight, and towbar ratings. If any of these factors are not handled properly, you are at risk of damaging your vehicle or the vehicle used for towing.
More Time and Stress
You only need your car towed a short distance and it will take much too long to wait for a towing company, right? Actually, it will probably take longer for you to attempt your own tow. Towing companies are teams of trained professionals, so they can complete a towing job more efficiently than someone without the proper training and equipment. It can be very difficult to wait for a tow company after a frustrating event when you only need a short tow, but it will save you time and hassle in the long run.
Top-Rated Towing
Towing your own car is rarely a good idea. Although it is tempting, you (and your car) will be better served by a professional towing company. For the best towing company in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, look no further than Stauffer’s Towing. Our family-owned and operated company has over 65 years of diverse towing experience, so you can count on us to get the job done efficiently and affordably. We have the equipment, knowledge, and expertise to handle any light-duty towing, heavy-duty towing, and recovery services. For towing you can trust, look no further than Stauffer’s Towing. Learn more about our towing services or request your free quote HERE.