There are various options for getting your car from one location to another. Although driving is a viable choice for some, there are times when it’s not practical due to factors like distance, health, or simply not wanting to expose the car to the elements such as rain or dust.
Towing and shipping services are two of the most popular options provided by auto transport firms. While the two phrases share a similar ring, they differ in several important ways. Learn the differences between the two modes of transportation and pick the one that works best for you with the information provided in this article. Please click here if you’re interested in learning more about auto transport service.
When you transfer or tow an automobile, you move it from one location to another without using the vehicle’s engine. When comparing towing services to those of car shipping businesses, it’s important to keep in mind that towing services typically operate over shorter distances and at a faster pace. Typically, this is the result of some sort of unexpected circumstance. Calling a towing service is what you should do if your car breaks down on the side of the road and you need immediate assistance. It will be expensive because of the urgency of the service and the fact that they will travel to you.
Unlike a towing service, an auto transport firm can be employed strategically even when walking down the street, and they can carry vehicles over greater distances.
Different terms may be used, but they all refer to auto transport. There are many synonyms for “car transport,” including “car shipping,” “vehicle transport,” “vehicle shipping,” and “auto transport.” Remember that whenever you hear the term “long-distance towing,” you’re talking about transporting a car.
So, let’s look at when to use towing or truck transport:
What is Tow Truck?
Tow trucks were designed for making short trips picking up and dropping off passengers and automobiles. In the event of an unexpected breakdown, these are the vehicles you should contact. If the drivers can fix your car while you wait by the side of the road, they won’t have to haul it. They can also be used for repossession purposes or to relocate illegally parked vehicles. A tow truck driver’s daily earnings are directly proportional to the number of vehicles they can transport.
When distance is short:
This may be the ideal choice if you’re just going to tow a short distance, such as across town. However, as you’ll discover below, there are other factors to consider if your relocation is lengthy.
Current Damage condition:
Due to the fact that the tow dolly functions by keeping two wheels on the ground, hauling greater distances can cause premature tire wear. Some clearance concerns may arise when towing a vehicle with a low center of gravity or a long front end, resulting in body kits, bumpers, and undercarriage parts scraping the pavement.
Is it safe to tow?
A trailer can be towed safely, but it’s important to know the potential dangers. You may be unable to see your car or the trailer in the mirrors of the vehicle you’re using to pull it. The trailer you rent may not have brakes strong enough to support the weight of your vehicle because such systems are not required in many areas. It will be difficult to maneuver when pulling a car trailer and impossible to use reverse if you have to use a dolly. Swerving causes problems for the trailer and the hitch. If you overload the trailer, it could swing and cause an accident.
Vehicle compatibility:
A tow dolly can be used with most front-wheel drive vehicles. Tow dollies can be used to transport vehicles with various types of drive trains, including some with all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive. Weight limits on most tow dollies make them unsuitable for towing larger vehicles.
However, a car hauler trailer can accommodate vehicles of varying sizes, including motorcycles and small cars. When your vehicle is loaded onto the carrier, it will automatically adjust to the increased load.
To prevent exceeding legal weight limits, the number of vehicles loaded onto the trailer may be reduced if, for instance, the load includes a particularly hefty vehicle.