Can DIY Towing Be A Bad Idea?

Can DIY towing be a bad idea? We are always looking to save money and do things quickly.  In our previous blog, we looked at finding your vehicle’s towing capacity. If you’re going to be DIY towing, it’s important to know what your vehicle can safely handle. But, also, let’s look at what can go wrong and why you should call a professional towing company.

What Can Go Wrong

• Vehicle Towing Capacity
  Not knowing the towing capacity can cause severe damage to the vehicle towing. If what you’re towing is too heavy, it can cause strain to the engine and transmission. Also, ruin brakes, tires, and the chassis.
• Improper Towing
  When you don’t know what type of vehicle you’re towing, you can damage both vehicles. For example, AWD vehicles need to be towed on a flatbed. Pull behind towing can ruin the drivetrain, causing costly damage.
• Tow Ropes
  Tow ropes and tow chains are a common way to help a friend, but they aren’t actually for towing. In reality, they’re just for pulling a vehicle out of a ditch. If the vehicles aren’t properly and safely connected, one could come loose, bumper damage could occur, and others traveling behind may not be able to see turn signals or brake lights.
• Driving
  Amateur, DIY towing can be damaging to both vehicles. Not knowing to take corners wide so the towed vehicle doesn’t collide with the sidewalk or a parked car, quick acceleration or deceleration can cause the vehicle towed to damage your vehicle or crash into your bumper.

Why You Should Call A Towing Company

Towing companies have trucks that are equipped with specific tools and machinery to meet towing needs. The operators have licenses, certifications, and training to make sure everything is connected, secured, and transported safely. When taking a DIY approach, steps could be missed and safety precautions could be overlooked just to get the vehicle towed quickly or save a bit of money. 

Here For You

Enjoy your trip through Wyoming. Be cautious and prepared, however if you find that you need help on Wyoming’s open roads, we are Select Towing and Recovery. Located in Casper, Wyoming and serving the surrounding area with everything from car towing to heavy duty truck winch outs. If you find yourself broken down, call your 24-hour, local towing company at 307-277-0713. We will take care of you.