Even if you own a car or other vehicle, it is not a fact that you have ever had to tow it. On the one hand, this is a positive fact, since there is nothing good in this process. But on the other hand, such an incident can happen, and not everyone remembers the rules for proper towing.
The situation is such that not every driving instructor will give the student the opportunity to try himself in the role of a car driver who tows a vehicle. For this reason, difficulties may arise during towing in a real-life situation.
It is worth saying that according to the traffic rules, it is possible to tow both a trailer and a car. If we talk about types of towing, there are three types:
- towing a vehicle with a rigid clutch;
- towing a car using a flexible clutch;
- towing using partial loading method.
In our article we will talk about all types of vehicle towing, but we will focus in more detail on towing a car using the partial loading method.
Rigid coupling
Towing on a rigid hitch is carried out using a special design.
Unlike a conventional cable, it ensures a constant distance between cars. That's a plus. Typically, this method is used for towing heavy equipment and trucks. And quite rarely - passenger cars. The usual towing eye of a modern car simply cannot withstand a rigid hitch - it can break off with regular jerks. And it’s unlikely that anyone will carry a device for rigid coupling of cars with them in reserve. Towing on a rigid hitch is carried out using a special design. Unlike a conventional cable, it ensures a constant distance between cars. That's a plus. Typically, this method is used for towing heavy equipment and trucks. And quite rarely - passenger cars. The usual towing eye of a modern car simply cannot withstand a rigid hitch - it can break off with regular jerks. And it’s unlikely that anyone will carry a device for rigid coupling of cars with them in reserve.
Driving schoolhome traffic rules online
We have launched free distance learning on Youtube. Subscribe to our channel and watch video lectures.
Each of you will sooner or later be “towed” or “towed.” And here it is very important to act correctly.
If you request to be towed.
Firstly, be prepared for the fact that not everyone will be able to stop.
Although, of course, if a woman asks for help, then men, as a rule, stop. But as soon as it turns out that it needs to be towed, the knight becomes sad, lies that he does not have a tow rope, throws up his hands and leaves.
Therefore, when you buy a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a warning triangle, buy a tow rope right away.
And if trouble happens on the road, don’t just vote, but hold the tow rope in your hand. Now the first one to stop will help.
Just keep in mind that if your car has an automatic transmission, then you cannot be towed in this way - you will destroy the automatic transmission. In this case, you have only one option - you need to somehow get through to technical assistance and call a tow truck.
And let the tow rope (if you still bought it) be in the trunk. It will come in handy if you agree to tow someone. You can't be towed, but you can tow yourself.
If you are asked to be towed.
Since you agreed, it means that you are an experienced driver, you have been involved in towing more than once and you know perfectly well what needs to be done. The first thing you need to do is make sure that the vehicle you are towing has working brakes and steering. Then you need to instruct the towed person.
First, let him remember to turn on the side lights and hazard warning lights.
Secondly, let him always keep the cable taut (both while moving and when stopping).
And thirdly, let him remember that when the engine is not running, the vacuum brake booster does not work either. So you have to press the brake pedal as hard as you can.
After this, you can start, and you, as an experienced driver, know that when towing, you need to start, and especially brake, very, very smoothly.
Well, now directly about the content of Section 20 of the Rules.
First of all, you need to know that there are three types of towing.
The first type of towing is towing with a flexible hitch.
This is not the safest method of towing, but it is also the most common.
The rules allow towing with a flexible hitch, but contain certain requirements and some restrictions.
The length of the towing rope must be
at least 4 meters, but not more than 6 meters.
(You need to remember these numbers - they will be useful in life, and they will ask you during the exam at the traffic police).
In this case, the cable must be equipped with at least two warning devices in the form of square flags with red and white stripes applied diagonally with a reflective surface.
Secondly, you need to know that this towing method is not always applicable:
The rules strictly prohibit towing with a flexible hitch during icy conditions - this is dangerous due to the small distance between the vehicles.
And, of course, it is prohibited to tow a vehicle in this way if it has faulty brakes or steering.
But there is one significant advantage in this method of towing: passengers are allowed to be not only in the cabin of the towing car, but also in the cabin of the towed passenger car.
The second type of towing is towing with a rigid hitch.
In this case, as you understand, the distance between the cars does not change, and they move as a single unit.
This means that such towing can be done even in icy conditions, and you can even tow a vehicle with faulty brakes.
Another thing is that in the latter case, the tower will have to use his brakes to support both his own weight and the weight of the towed person. And here, guided by security considerations, the Rules introduced a restriction:
If there is a rigid hitch, it is allowed to tow a car with an inoperative brake system, but the weight of the towed vehicle
should not be more than half the weight of the towed vehicle.
That is, if the brakes fail on the road, but there is a rigid hitch, the driver cannot turn to everyone for help. In accordance with the Rules, in this case, only a vehicle whose mass is at least twice the mass of the towed vehicle can be used as a tractor.
The rules established one more restriction that drivers need to know and follow:
The distance between vehicles when towing with a rigid hitch should not exceed 4 meters
.
Well, everything else is the same as when towing with a flexible hitch. That is, as before, towing vehicles with faulty steering is prohibited and passengers are allowed to be in the cabin of a towed car.
The third type is towing using the partial loading method.
One of the varieties of such towing is a method in which the towing vehicle is equipped with a special device that allows you to hang either the front or rear axle of the towed vehicle.
With this method, it is possible to tow a car with any malfunction, including a faulty brake system and faulty steering. But!
for people (including the driver) to be in the cabin of a towed vehicle!
Well, and of course, the mass of the towing vehicle must be at least twice the mass of the towed vehicle.
Finally, if the entire car is loaded onto a tractor platform, then this is no longer called towing.
This is called
transporting the car.
In conclusion, a few words about towing motorcycles.
If the motorcycle is three-wheeled, it can be used both as a towing and as a towed one. But towing two-wheeled motorcycles is prohibited!
For the simple reason that they behave unstably at low speeds.
partial loading of the car
Another way to tow is by partial loading.
This method can be used to transport vehicles with faulty braking or steering systems. In this case, there should be no passengers or driver in the towed car, just as there should be no people on the towing platform. Another way to tow is by partial loading. This method can be used to transport vehicles with faulty braking or steering systems. In this case, there should be no passengers or driver in the towed car, just as there should be no people on the towing platform.
Recommendations for towed
It is very important to constantly monitor the sling - it should not sag. To prevent this, at the moment of weakening they slow down a little. At the same time, at minimum speed, lightly press the pedal to tighten the sling.
If the towing vehicle has stopped, do not drive close to it. The force of pressing the brake pedal must be calculated. You will have to press harder because the vacuum booster will not work. You also need to calculate the speed of the steering wheel, because the power steering doesn’t work either. Any maneuvers must be carried out according to signals from the tug. It's better to rebuild in advance.
Tow truck
Transporting a car by full loading is the safest method, but at the same time the most expensive.
The car is loaded onto the platform using a winch or crane and transported to the location desired by the owner. If your budget allows, it is better to use the services of an evacuation service. Transporting a car by full loading is the safest method, but at the same time the most expensive. The car is loaded onto the platform using a winch or crane and transported to the location desired by the owner. If your budget allows, it is better to use the services of an evacuation service.
Conversation on the shore
It is good that in the age of technology there are various communication devices. But still, the two drivers need to hold decisive negotiations before they set off. It is important to discuss the route and develop a signal system, especially when braking.
Before you start driving, you need to check the steering, brake system, and install an emergency stop sign at the rear . Heavy traffic roads or difficult intersections should be avoided. It is important to check that the key is turned when inserted into the ignition switch, so that the steering wheel does not lock when performing maneuvers. It is also important to consider that when the engine is broken, the load on the braking system increases.
Towing a car
Before starting transportation, agree with the other driver about the route, speed of travel and the signs that will need to be given, for example, for an unscheduled stop.
Before starting transportation, agree with the other driver about the route, speed of travel and the signs that will need to be given, for example, for an unscheduled stop.
A vehicle towed on a flexible hitch must have a working brake system and steering system. Transportation speed - no more than 50 km/h. You must also remember that towing is prohibited in icy conditions.
On a towed vehicle, you must turn on the ignition so that the mechanical steering lock does not work when turning. Therefore, we recommend disconnecting the low voltage wire from the ignition coil - this will save battery charge. In addition to the emergency signal, the driver of a broken down car may also need a horn, and in the rain, windshield wipers. All this requires energy, and it must be conserved.
Features of towing a car with an automatic transmission
More attention should be paid to the case of transporting a car with automatic transmission. The design features of such a gearbox determine that the entire mechanism will be involved in the neutral position. When transporting with the engine turned off, the oil pump will also not work, that is, lubricant will not flow.
As a result, transportation may cause failure of the automatic transmission. Please note that automakers provide recommendations for towing and some indicate the possibility of only transporting when fully loaded. Therefore, you should study the car manufacturer's recommendations.
In conclusion, we note that you should always have the new edition of the traffic rules with you and, if towing is necessary, study all the features of the rules relating to a particular case.
Didn't find the answer to your question? Find out how to solve exactly your problem - call right now: +7 (Moscow) +7 (812) 309-53-42 (St. Petersburg) It's fast and free!
Free online consultation with a car lawyer
Didn't find the answer to your question? Find out how to solve exactly your problem - call right now: +7 (Moscow) +7 (812) 309-53-42 (St. Petersburg) It's fast and free!
tow rope
You can make a towing rope with your own hands.
Let's say, from a climbing rope. You can make a towing rope with your own hands. Let's say, from a climbing rope.
What to do if there is no cable? Let's try to make it from what is at hand, that is, in the trunk of the car. Strong ropes, seat belts, etc. The main thing is that such a “homemade” be of the required length.
Let's hit the road
Starting is one of the most difficult aspects of towing. The driver of the first car must start moving smoothly so that there is no jerk at the start. If the car has a manual transmission, at the moment when the cable is tense, you need to slightly depress the clutch pedal. This will soften the jerk. Then you need to add gas to prevent the cable from sagging immediately after starting to move.
What do you need to know first?
Towing a car requires some preparation. The first car should not differ significantly in weight from the second car. The tug must also have a good clutch and a working cooling system. During such evacuation, the engine experiences greater loads, which means it heats up more. Next, you need to find a thread or eye in the rear bumper. If there is a thread, you need to screw a ring into it. The towing sling will cling to this element.
It is recommended to install the cable so that it is oblique to the towed vehicle. The rules also provide for turning on the headlights and hazard lights on the first and second car, respectively, when towing. If it does not work, a corresponding sign is attached to the rear surface.
