How to tow your car?

Summary Steps to follow for towing Restrictions and advice related to towing a car

Steps to follow for towing

Before towing, you should to learn about your auto insurance. Your insurance may cover the trailer for damaged or broken down vehicles. If your insurance company covers this option, see if there is a minimum mileage for roadside assistance to travel and if there is a deductible to pay to have your car towed.

Choosing the right equipment for towing a car

It is important to choose the right equipment for towing a car in order to avoid any risk of damage to the towed car or the one towing the other. Ropes and chains should be banned as the distance between the two cars is not maintained and they risk colliding.

It is necessary to use a tow bar which allows to move a disabled vehicle without worries. To hitch up your car, there are 3 types of drawbars:

You must use a tow bar which allows you to move a broken down vehicle without worry. To hitch up your car, there are 3 types of drawbar:

The standard bar: this is the best known because it is easy to use. It has two hooks, each towing hook is attached to the ring of each car. The folding bar: it hangs the two cars together. It is often used when the broken down car and the towing car are not at the same height. It is especially practical to transport after use.The telescopic bar: it allows to manage the distance between the two cars. It offers better resistance than the folding bar. How to calculate the towable weight for a car?

It is important to adapt the choice of the tow bar to the weight of the broken down vehicle. This weight varies depending on the car model. To do this, you must find out about the vehicle's gray card, using the information given in the letters “F“.

F1 (PV) = unladen weight F2 (PTAC or PTC) = total authorized weight F3 (PTRA ) = permissible total rolling weight

To calculate the maximum towable weight of your car, you have to make a small subtraction: F3 - F2 = maximum towable weight (in kilos)

After having calculated the maximum load towable you will be able to determine which car to choose for towing.

Warning The towing vehicle must always be heavier than the broken down and towed car. This is necessary so that the towing vehicle has enough power to tow the car and especially to be able to brake both cars. The total weight of the two cars should not exceed 3.5 tonnes for a person with only the B license.

In order to help you choose the tow bar that suits your needs, please find below Below is a table which gathers the main market prices for the different towing bars.

Length in (m) Pulling weight (in kg) Standard Price1,801,802000250,020 € to 35 € 30 € to 43 € Foldable1,802 , 131800250020 € to 40 € 50 € to 120 € Telescopic 1.802.352500300030 € to 60 € 40 € to 70 € How to tie the vehicles together?

Once you have chosen the right material and you know the maximum weight to be respected to tow your car, you must now hitch your car to the one towing you:

Leave a space of at least two meters between the cars to install the tow bar.The rings are often located in your trunk with the spare wheel. Hang them on each tie-down point. They are located on the bumpers of both cars or in the grille. Unclip the protective cover to hang the rings. Then all you have to do is tighten the bar. Do not hesitate to follow the instruction manual for the tow bar that you have purchased previously. What lights should be turned on?

It is important to turn on the lights of the tow bar. distress on the tow car and the towed vehicle. This allows you to signal to other users that you are currently towing a car and thus avoid collisions.The vehicle must be equipped with its rear lights, if this is not the case, you must attach a plate with lights turn signals on the broken down car. It is not enough to turn on the lights on the towing vehicle.

Restrictions and advice related to towing a car

Before going to a garage or to a mechanic, make sure that the towed car is in neutral and that the handbrake is properly released.

To drive with the trailer, several restrictions apply to you:

Maximum speed authorized is 50km / h. This means that you cannot go to the freeway or use the express lane as you risk getting hit by other cars. Care must be taken not to exceed the authorized speed. Abrupt movements must be avoided so as not to cause collisions between the two very close cars. Therefore, avoid backing up or braking violently, even if you have a good braking system.When you turn, you must remove the hazard lights to activate your turn signal to signal your movements to other users. on the road.

Note that it is stipulated in the highway code that motorists must move away from vehicles with hazard lights to secure this type of movement. Failure to comply with this rule is liable to a fine and / or a fine.

If you have difficulty towing a trailer in the event of a car breakdown, you can also call a service automobile breakdown service which is responsible for transporting vehicles. This type of auto breakdown has semi-trailer trucks that can go anywhere, even at home. This will save you the hassle of towing but will also come at a cost.