Towing a car is the manipulation of towing F150 using the traction force of another vehicle and connecting parts. If your vehicle breaks down on the road, you can get to the nearest service center with the help of a tow truck or other vehicle that will perform the towing. To ensure safe travel, it is important to know and follow the rules for towing your vehicle. So, let’s find out how to flat tow an F150 4×4!
General Rules for Towing A Car
A car that is being towed is considered a fully functioning road user. It is compulsory for the driver inside the vehicle to have: a driver’s license, a vehicle registration certificate and an insurance policy. The towed vehicle must be equipped with license plates. How to properly tow a vehicle is described in the traffic regulations. The vehicle being towed must have a passing light and the towed vehicle must have an emergency warning light. If it is faulty, an emergency stop sign must be used.
The permissible towing speed must not exceed 50 km/h. The length of a rigid coupling is up to 4 meters, and a flexible coupling up to 6 meters. Each metre of a flexible coupling must have special signal markings measuring 200×200 mm with red and white stripes (50 mm wide) placed diagonally.
The rules for towing with a flexible coupling require that the brakes and steering controls of the towed vehicle are in good working order. When using a rigid coupling, the towed vehicle must have good steering control. The driver must be seated inside the towed vehicle. It is allowed to have passengers in the cabin (the rule applies to passenger vehicles). The driver and passengers are not allowed in the passenger compartment when the vehicle is partially loaded on the platform.
What Does It Take to Tow A Car?
A common way to tow a car is with a flexible hitch. This will require a sturdy rope with no mechanical damage and a secure latch. Ribbon cables with all-metal hooks are ideal. Metal ropes can damage the body and paintwork if broken. The cable is secured diagonally.
Before towing begins, vehicle drivers should coordinate with each other on speeds and ways to communicate along the way. The following signs are popular means of communication between drivers:
- flashing headlights – forced stop;
- horn blinking – to attract attention;
- turning on – planned maneuver;
- light pressure on the brake pedal by the driver of the towing car – warning of the planned braking.
Ways to Tow A Car
There are three ways to tow a car:
- Flexible hitch. A kapron or metal rope is used. Towing with a flexible hitch is not permitted if the steering or brakes are not working properly. Failure to do so may result in a serious accident.
- Rigid hitch. It is a metal construction in the form of a triangle. Thick metal is used for its production. This method is more common for trucks. The rules for towing a car on a rigid hitch allow towing vehicles with faulty brakes. Vehicles with steering problems are prohibited. Prohibited for drivers with less than two years’ experience.
- Partial loading. Is used when the car has no steering, or has an automatic transmission. This method of towing applies to trucks and cars. It is ideal for cars after accidents and with non-working brakes or engines, or when further movement is impossible because of a malfunction.
A truck with a special body and a powerful engine must be used in order to fully load the vehicle onto the loading platform. The method of loading is not regulated.
Lights When Towing With The Best Shocks For Towing
The rules of the road require that the vehicle being towed (behind) be highlighted on the road:
- An emergency light (hazard warning light) or a stop sign.
- The emergency stop sign may only be used if the emergency light sign is faulty.
- The sign itself is then attached to the rear of the towed vehicle.
The Parking Lights. When Driving at Night or In Tunnels
In addition, do not forget that in 2022, all moving vehicles must have daytime running lights, dipped headlights or fog lights on. In other words, one of these types of lights must be on both the vehicle being towed and the vehicle being towed.
How to Tow A Car with An Automatic Transmission Correctly?
To prevent accidents on the road, you should know how to tow a car with an automatic transmission and variator. Towing such vehicles is carried out with full or partial loading of the drive axle on the platform. In order to minimize the negative impact on the gearbox, the selector should be in the N position. Permissible driving speed is up to 30 km/h. The maximum distance is up to 40 km. The use of a flexible/hard hitch is permitted if specified in the service booklet. Variator vehicles are towed with full or partial load. All-wheel-drive automatic transmissions must be towed by full loading method.
Peculiarities of Towing A Mechanically Driven Car
It is always possible to tow a car equipped with a manual transmission. To do this, you will need to engage neutral gear and keep your foot on the brake pedal while driving. Towing can be done by all available methods.
Bottom Line
Vehicles with automatic transmissions are not recommended for towing with the engine turned off. This is because the automatic transmission has a pump that does not work when the engine is switched off. Because of this, the parts of the transmission are subjected to severe wear and tear as a result of insufficient lubrication. In this case, the best option is to use a tow truck.