At some point in time, you may need to tow a vehicle. With the right equipment, knowledge, and technique, you can tow it safely and without any logistical worries. However, certain towing techniques are better for some vehicles than others, and if you are not careful you may end up causing damage to either the tow rig or the vehicle on the hitch behind you. With enough preparation and research, though, you can tow your vehicle without any glitches.

If you are unsure of the towing method that is right for your vehicle, here are some common towing methods you should be acquainted with.

Flatbed Car Towing

Flatbed towing is one of the towing methods that can be used to move your car from one point to the other. It is probably the safest of all towing methods. Flatbed towing uses a special kind of truck with a flatbed mounted behind to place the vehicle on before it is securely tied to the hitches to prevent any movement during transportation. This means all the four wheels of your vehicle will be not come into contact with the ground during the haulage.

This method is effective as it does not involve adding any mileage on your vehicle. It is also good for your vehicle since chances of any damage occurring to the vehicle is minimized with all the wheels of the vehicle being on the flatbed.

Two-Wheel Car Towing

This method involves towing a car with the two front wheels off the ground. The tow truck used for this purpose comes with ramps and slots that are used to pull your vehicle on two wheels while hitched onto the carrier. This method is advantageous if your vehicle's power from the engine is only delivered to the front wheels, since the two back wheels will just spin with ease. Also, your mileage tracker will not register any mileage. This method can cause severe damage to your engine if your vehicle is a rear-wheel drive, though, because there are not many lubricants flowing through the parts causing friction. However, this method, if frequently used, can prove costly due to wear and tear of both the back or front wheels on the ground.

Flat Towing with a Tow Bar

This method uses a tow bar, which is basically a steer bar that is attached to the rear of the coach vehicle and to the front of the towed vehicle so as to drag the towed vehicle along.  The tow bar is easier to connect and disconnect as compared to the other methods of vehicle towing. 

Flat towing causes your tires to wear out evenly, unlike in two-wheel car towing where only two wheels touch the ground. Fortunately, flat towing provides less friction due to even lubrication throughout the trip.

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