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How To Tow A Car Using A Tow Strap

Every quite often, your car will break down and become unable to move on its own. Such an issue may arise any day at any time and without any prior notice. Regardless of when, how and why it happens, you will have to tow your vehicle safely to your home, nearest garage, or any other place away from a busy highway.

Given the unpredictable nature of this event, it may not always be that you will just call the assistance of a towing company and get sorted out. For this reason, you will just have to know how to tow a car with a tow strap somehow.

This little-known yet significant undertaking is ordinarily a bit intriguing to perform. Luckily, we have come into your rescue. After conducting extensive research, we have been able to come up with the best way to go about this. Read on to find out how.

Tools and Materials Required

  • Tow strap
  • Towing vehicle
  • Assistant

Step-by-step Procedures

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Step I: Obtain a tow strap

This is by far the most important step. That is because the strap you use has a bearing on the quality of task or output you are more likely to obtain. Even though you may use ordinary ropes, you are advised to insist on specially designed tow straps due to their strength, reliability and overall quality.

To be on the safe side, the best tow straps you settle on has to be heavy duty. This is to ensure the strength which is necessary to haul the heavyweights of the cars. It is also to prevent the likelihood of breaking apart and inflicting some disasters.

Needless to say, you should refrain from using ordinary ropes, strings, clothes or any other loose material. Definitely, these items will break when subjected to the heavyweights of the vehicles and in so doing, inflict some damages to you.

Step II: Attach the tow strap to towing vehicle

After obtaining the right tow strap, you will now have to attach it to the vehicle which is to tow yours. Look out for the attachment point in the vehicle. In most cases, this attachment point is located right at the back of the vehicle.

These attachment points vary significantly from one vehicle to another. It is necessary that you attach only to the specific place where to hook a tow strap on the car. You will have to invest some time to understand the nature and the working mechanisms of the attachment of that particular vehicle.

It is only then that you will be able to fasten the strap as accurately as need be. You might have to refer to the maintenance guide of your vehicle in case you are mixed up or not really sure of what you are doing.

After understanding the working mechanisms of your vehicle, you now have to attach the hook of the tow strap onto this attachment. After that, fasten the strap appropriately and tightly for that matter. Test for tightness by pulling the tow strap repeatedly to determine how tight it is.

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Step III: Attach the other end of the tow strap to the vehicle to be towed

Proceed to attach the other end of the strap onto the place where to hook tow strap on the car of the vehicle which you intend to pull. This time around, you have to look for the mounting hook. Typically, this is located underneath your vehicle’s front side.

You will probably already know how it works and accepts the straps. If you happen to be mixed up or uncertain of what you are doing though, you are advised to refer to your vehicle’s maintenance manual. Ensure also that your tow strap is completely straight and not twisted at all.

After attaching the strap, tighten it. Thereafter, proceed to test the attachment to see to it that it is completely tight and reliable. Pull it off and back rigorously and note how it responds to your pulling actions. Make any adjustments if need be to ensure that it is completely tight.

Step IV: Tighten the tow strap

After you are confident that the strap is properly attached at both ends, you have to tighten it. To do this, let one person get to the vehicle which is to tow yours. Let him power the vehicle and accelerate slowly until the strap is completely tight.

This step is necessary as it prepares you for the subsequent role of getting your car off the road or ditch into which it may be located. At this stage, examine the attachment points of the tow straps on both vehicles one last time to ascertain that they are tight, secure, and reliable.

It is also at this stage that you will have to make any further adjustments if need be. Remember, once you start pulling the vehicle, it might be tricky for you to make any further alterations.

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Step V: Pull the vehicle

Your vehicle is now ready to pull. Let the person towing your vehicle get into the car. He should power the vehicle and accelerate slowly but steadily. Let him drive slowly and steadily. He should not accelerate or engage the brake abruptly.

You too should enter your vehicle and engage the neutral gear. Do not power yours though as you might lose control and possibly cause an accident in the process. Only be on the lookout for any issue and raise them to the attention of the driver of the towing vehicle.

Throughout the entire towing process, be sure to give your assistant enough time to digest the commands. Putting too much pressure might overwhelm him and possibly confuse him. This might normally lead to accidents if not properly mitigated.

CONCLUSION

Towing a vehicle is a very delicate undertaking. That is because any errors or mishaps may often lead to accidents which may, in turn, damage your vehicle or inflict more undesirable outcomes. You just have to exercise some great caution throughout the entire towing process. Performing some mock towing exercises may give you the skill and edge you need to do a good job.

That aside, the kind of the person whom you call to assist you can also make or break the situation. That is why you do not want to gamble with this choice at all. You now know how to tow a car with a tow strap well. Best of luck in your next car towing exercise!