Best Way to Tow a Vehicle
Whether your car has broken down or if you are going on vacation and need to tow your car behind your camper, there are many safety issues to consider. Knowing how to properly tow your vehicle greatly reduces the risk of accidents and possible damage done to both the tow vehicle and the car it is towing.
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Instructions
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Use the correct tow vehicle. Determine the weight of the vehicle you are towing and match it with the weight of the tow vehicle. If you attempt to tow a vehicle that outweighs the vehicle towing it, you could easily damage or blow up the motor of your tow vehicle.
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Place the vehicle to be towed in neutral. This allows for the tires to spin freely while going down the road.
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Use safety chains. The use of safety chains is required by law. Knowing how to apply them is critical. Never attach them to the bumper of the tow vehicle. They should be crossed under the tongue on the hitch of the tow vehicle. This prevents the tongue from dropping to the road if it happens to become separated from the hitch. Always leave some slack with the chains so that the chains do not drag on the road.
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Check your lights. Be certain that the brake lights, tail lights, and turn signals on the vehicle being towed are working in sync with your tow vehicle. This is a law in all 50 states and is a major safety issue.
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Brake early. Always remember that you have extra weight behind you. If you attempt a sudden stop, chances are you will rear-end your tow vehicle with what you are towing. This means twice as much money in repairs.
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Account for extra length. If you are traveling on the highway, always account for the extra length the vehicle being towed adds. Before changing lanes, be completely certain that you are clear. It could be disastrous if you are not extra cautious.
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Practice steering. When backing up, the vehicle being towed will turn in the opposite direction from the tow vehicle. By placing your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and turning it in the desired direction for the vehicle being towed, you should be in the clear.
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