How to Tow a Car – What Equipment Should You Rent?

Wondering how to tow a car yourself?
If you need to tow your own car, this article should provide some valuable insight about the various options you have, the nitty-gritty of actually towing the car, as well as safety precautions and on-road driving guidelines for making your tow a safe and hassle-free experience.

What equipment do I need to tow my car?
The first thing to consider is what kind of equipment you will need for towing your own car. This will depend on the vehicle which you are towing, as well as the degree of security you want to have while towing your car. Here are the various options available to those who need to tow their own car, as well as a breakdown of when these options will be suitable:

1.) Tow dollies. Tow dollies are two-wheel dollies that can hold two of your car’s wheels while the other two roll freely on the ground. The other end is hitched to whatever vehicle you will be using to tow the towed vehicle. Because two wheels will be on the ground while you’re pulling your car along, it’s CRUCIAL that these be free-rolling wheels. Otherwise you can cause some serious transmission damage to your vehicle which will be costly or impossible to repair. But for two-wheel drive vehicles, car dollies are a great option. All-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive vehicles may also be towed, but your drive shaft will need to be disconnected first, and if you’re not comfortable doing this yourself you’ll need to consult a mechanic. But there are other options that don’t require you to disconnected the drive shaft. Read on.

2.) Tow trailers. Both open and enclosed tow trailers are good options for all-wheel / 4-wheel drive vehicles. All wheels will be off the ground, so you don’t risk transmission damage while towing your car. And if you opt to use an enclosed trailer, you will have the benefit of added protection from elements as well as increased security for your vehicle. Renting trailers will be more expensive than renting a dolly though, so make sure you really need these features.

3.) Tow bars. (Not to be confused with tow hitches). A tow bar is a system designed to connect the towed vehicle with the towing vehicle (called the coach). The tow bar will connect to both vehicles in such a way as to allow swiveling so that the vehicles may turn independently and make turns on the road. In addition to being connected directly, safeguards such as connection by chains are usually needed as well. Tow bars are probably the least expensive option, but are also less sturdy and secure than the other option. If you’re traveling long distances over bumpy roads or at high speeds, you may want to go with one of the previous options.

4.) Towing accessories. Additional accessories are usually needed to tow your car safely and abide by towing regulations. It will at least be necessary to have tow lights (tail lights, brake lights, and turn lights) attached to the rear of the vehicle which is being towed. You may also want to see which other accessories are available, depending on which towing option you choose.

We hope this article has been beneficial and will help you decide on which option to use when towing your car. Remember to always check the safety guidelines included with your equipment and abide by all driving safety rules when towing your vehicle. Safe travels!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6503811

What Factors Influence Car Transport Cost?

Movement across locations in terms of a state, country or even overseas has become the norm nowadays and what bothers the owners the most is the car transport cost. Since most of the people are proud owners of a four-wheeler, it becomes an imperative to assess the expenses that would be associated with relocating to another location. As opposed to earlier days when people preferred driving down to their destinations, nowadays due to the excessive luggage movement in a car does not seem to be a viable option. Many individuals avail the services of companies which transport cars across locations.

In certain cases, wherein families are out for a vacation, they prefer driving their own cars. In such cases, car companies which offer transportation facilities are a boon. Most of the times, there are two options which can be utilized by the owners; allowing someone to drive the car between the locations or have it shipped it across through transport carriers. The car transport cost through shipping is based on the distance across which the car needs to be driven, fuel expenses are inclusive of the fee depending on the mileage. However, this option cannot be availed for overseas transportation.

Another factor which needs to be kept in mind while car transportation takes place is the safety of the vehicle. Car transport cost in case of car carrier is much more as compared to the cost incurred in shipping the vehicle. However, the former is a much safer way of transporting the car. The shipping can be undertaken in an open or an enclosed trailer truck. Quite obviously, the enclosed method is much safer and therefore costlier. In case the individual plans to transport a Vintage car, an enclosed trailer is always preferable as opposed to an open one which increases the likelihood of damage to the vehicle.

Apart from the wear and tear which can be caused by the shipping vehicle, even the climatic conditions such as rain, dirt, sunlight and dust can spoil the sheen of the car. In case of International movement, choice can be made between sole use and shared containers. Car transport cost for sole use container would be fairly higher than that of the shared one. But for a car which in itself is expensive; with an extra fee, the services of a container which is of sole use can be availed. This would reassure the safety of your precious asset.

Before availing the services of such companies, one should inquire about the Insurance which is provided mostly by the reputed shipping firms. Prior to signing the contract for such shipping corporations, you could have a better understanding of the factors which have been outlined in the contract. There might be certain car carriers which charge an additional fee for the services offered by them including Insurance. Car transport cost is certainly essential while gauging the cost of movement but it should not exceed beyond your budget and should also safeguard your assets.

How to Get Better MPG Out of Your Car

The cost of gas has been a constant worry for Americans, especially in the last few years. For many, it’s necessary to own a car in order to commute to and from work and they simply can’t avoid the pump. Many people have switched to buying smaller, more fuel efficient cars and big gas guzzling vehicles are no longer prominent staples on the road, but sometimes that’s still just not enough.

Here are 5 tips to get better MPG out of your car:

Be Safe

If your safety and the safety of your passengers (and others on the road) isn’t enough reason to be a safe driver, it also helps to conserve gas. Your gas mileage decreases the faster you drive. Really, is a few minutes going to make that much of a difference? Because it can make a difference on your wallet. Other forms of aggressive driving like accelerating rapidly and constant braking also wastes gas. If you have a speeding problem, consider using your cruise control on the highway and set it at a reasonable (and safe!) speed.

Don’t Live Out of Your Car

Actually living in your car will not affect your MPG, but carrying around all of your belongings in your car as if you lived in it can. The more weight that your car needs to carry as you drive around affects your MPG. Think about it- do you really need to keep your golf clubs, camping equipment, and tool kit in the car at all times? Every little bit adds up.

Keep Up With Maintenance

Follow the maintenance guidelines in your car’s manual. Problems can arise if your car isn’t given the care that it needs. Not only will it run smoother and last longer, but problems that are left unfixed can affect your MPG.

Check Your Tires

It’s a good habit to check your tires on a daily basis. Keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure level is important. Under-inflated tires lower your gas mileage. Remember, under-inflated doesn’t mean flat. Even if it’s just slightly low and still drivable it still affects your MPG.

Don’t Use It

For some, this is nearly impossible. However if you are able to, try carpooling with others or use public transportation a few times a week. For short trips, consider walking or biking to your destination. It’s good for your car and good for your health!