Risks Associated With DIY Towing

When your vehicle breaks down on the side of the road or you need to move a large object, it’s tempting to grab your personal vehicle and attempt to handle the towing yourself. While DIY towing may seem convenient and affordable, it comes with significant risks that could endanger you and other drivers.

As your local towing company, in this blog post, we’ll review some of the risks associated with DIY towing and why leaving this job to experienced professionals is important.

Risk #1: Lack of Experience

Towing a vehicle or object safely and effectively requires experience and training. Without proper training, you may not know how to properly secure the vehicle or object, which could lead to it becoming loose or falling off during the tow. This can result in accidents, property damage, and injuries.

Additionally, without experience, you may not know how to handle the towed vehicle on the road. For example, even if the vehicle is securely attached to your own, it may be harder to brake and turn. If you don’t know how to properly navigate these challenges, you could end up causing an accident.

Risk #2: Improper Equipment

Another risk of DIY towing is the use of improper equipment. Without the right equipment, you may be unable to safely tow the vehicle or object. For example, using a rope or chain instead of a proper hitch could result in the towed vehicle becoming detached on the road.

Additionally, towing equipment is expensive and must be customized to your specific vehicle and towing needs. Renting or purchasing the wrong equipment could lead to equipment failure or damage to your vehicle.

Risk #3: Increased Liability

When you attempt to tow your own vehicle, you assume all responsibility and liability for any accidents or damages that occur during the tow. This includes damages to your own vehicle, the towed vehicle or object, and any other people or property that may be affected.

If an accident occurs during a DIY tow, you could be held personally responsible for all damages and injuries. This could result in significant financial and legal consequences, which could have been avoidable by entrusting the tow to a professional towing service.

Risk #4: Safety Risks on the Road

Driving a vehicle while towing an object or another vehicle adds additional risks to your drive. The added weight and length of the towed object require a longer time to slow down or stop. This can be dangerous in high-traffic areas and can lead to rear-end collisions.

Additionally, if the towed vehicle becomes unsecured on the road, it can cause accidents or obstruct the flow of traffic. This can put you and other drivers at risk and result in costly damages to both your vehicle and the towed object.

Risk #5: Damage to Your Vehicle

Even if you successfully complete a DIY tow without any accidents or incidents, your vehicle may still sustain damage. Towing any object puts additional stress on the vehicle’s suspension and braking system, which can lead to costly repairs down the line.

Additionally, towing too heavy of an object can damage your vehicle’s transmission and engine. This type of damage can be expensive to repair and may even require a full vehicle replacement.

Conclusion

While DIY towing may seem like a convenient solution, it’s important to recognize the significant risks associated with this activity. These risks not only put you and your vehicle in danger, but they also increase liability and potential financial and legal consequences.

To ensure a safe and successful tow, it’s crucial to leave this job to experienced towing professionals. They have the training, equipment, and expertise needed to handle any towing situation, keeping you and other drivers safe on the road.

Fife Service & Towing, Your Local Towing Company

Experiencing a breakdown can be a highly stressful situation, and the last thing you need is to add long waits and unprofessional tow truck operators to your day. At Fife Service & Towing, we understand your concerns, and that is why we offer safe, certified professional towing services in Tacoma and its surrounding areas.

Our team of professional truck operators takes great care of your vehicle as if it were our own. We believe that affordable towing rates and complete roadside assistance should be a standard, and we provide both.

At Fife Service & Towing, we are committed to providing exceptional customer service, which is why our drivers respond to every call with care and respect. We treat our customers like friends, and our goal is to ensure that you get to your destination safely and as quickly as possible.

Our services include:

• Lockout Assistance
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Commercial Towing
• Gas Delivery
• And so much more!

If you need any help, call Fife Service & Towing today!