It is possible to deliver a car to a service station or destination point if it has lost its ability to move independently due to a malfunction by taking it in tow. What rules should the drivers of both cars follow?
What is towing
Cheapest Towing Service Winnipeg is the movement of a faulty vehicle by a car using a cable, a special mechanical device, or a partial loading method. In this combination, the leading car is the towing vehicle, and the faulty vehicle is the towed vehicle. Towing is considered a complex, potentially dangerous process, and the rules for its implementation are entirely devoted to Section 20 of the Traffic Regulations. Several provisions are also contained in Sections 7, 10, 19, and 24 of the Traffic Regulations.
Towing rules
Standard traffic regulations apply to both participants in the Tow Truck Winnipeg Near Me. In particular, the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle must have state registration plates (numbers), and the drivers of such a “tandem” must have documents for the right to drive this type of vehicle, as well as compulsory motor third-party liability insurance policies. According to paragraph 20.2 (1) of the traffic regulations, the driver of the towing vehicle must have at least two years of experience. There are no such restrictions for drivers of the towed vehicle.
Towing speed
P.10.4 of the Traffic Regulations limits the speed of the towing vehicle to 50 km/h.
Who should turn on the hazard lights when towing?
According to paragraph 7.1 of the Traffic Regulations, when towing, the hazard warning lights must be turned on on the towed vehicle. On it, at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of the road illumination, the side lights must be turned on (paragraph 19.1 of the Traffic Regulations). In the absence of or malfunctioning hazard warning lights on the towed vehicle, an emergency stop sign must be attached to its rear (paragraph 7.3 of the Traffic Regulations). The hazard warning lights are not turned on on the towing vehicle, since it must use turn signals to signal to drivers of other vehicles about the upcoming maneuver.
For violation of towing rules, Part 1 of Article 12.21 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation provides for a warning or an administrative fine of 500 rubles.
Types of towing
Towing is carried out in one of three ways, depending on the weight of the faulty vehicle, its design features, and the nature of the breakdown. Electric vehicles with synchronous motors and permanent magnet motors are prohibited from being towed for distances greater than 10–500 m if the wheels of the drive axle(s) are in contact with the road surface, as this may cause the battery to overheat and catch fire. In this case, a tow truck or the use of the partial loading towing method in combination with a special trolley on which the wheels of the drive rear axle are mounted is required. In other cases, the following types of towing are used.
Towing with a flexible hitch
Flexible coupling is towing with a cable or strap. As a rule, this method is used to tow vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tons. When choosing a winch-out service near me, a number of points must be taken into account. Towing cables are preferable to jerk cables. The latter are too long, and the materials from which such cables are made easily wear out on the asphalt. Secondly, the strength of the cable, expressed in tons, must be at least equal to twice the curb weight of the towed vehicle, which will provide a safety margin. The best materials for towing cables are Kevlar, nylon, polyester, polyester. Finally, it is necessary to make sure that the hook of the cable freely enters the towing eye of the car.
According to paragraphs 20.1 and 20.3 of the Traffic Regulations, when towing with a flexible coupling:
A driver must drive the towed vehicle.
The distance between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle must be within 4–6 m.
According to paragraph 9 of the “Basic Provisions for the Admission of Vehicles to Operation”, a minimum of two flags or shields measuring 200 x 200 mm with diagonal alternating red and white stripes 50 mm wide with a reflective surface must be on the cable/sling during towing.
Section 20.2 of the Traffic Regulations prohibits the transportation of people in buses, trolleybuses towed on a flexible coupling, as well as in the back of a truck. There are no such restrictions for passenger cars, but for safety reasons, it is better to transfer passengers (if possible) to the “tractor”.
Towing with a rigid hitch
Towing with a rigid coupling involves towing all types of vehicles, except for passenger cars and cargo-passenger vehicles, using a special metal structure, the requirements for which are specified in GOST 25907-89. Such a structure allows towing vehicles with a design gross weight of up to 50,000 kg. Clause 20.4 of the Traffic Regulations allows towing vehicles with an inoperative braking system on a rigid coupling if the actual weight of the towed vehicle is less than half the actual weight of the towing vehicle.
According to paragraph 20.1 of the Traffic Regulations, when towing with a rigid hitch:
The towed vehicle must be driven by a driver, except in cases where the design of the rigid coupling ensures that the towed vehicle follows the trajectory of the towing vehicle when moving in a straight line.
The distance between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle must be no more than 4 m.
Clause 20.2 of the Traffic Regulations prohibits the transportation of people in buses and trolleybuses towed on a rigid coupling, as well as in the back of a truck.
Towing by the partial loading method
Towing by the partial loading method is a method in which one of the axles of the towed vehicle is placed on the platform or in the body of the towing vehicle. According to paragraph 20.4 of the Traffic Regulations, the partial loading method allows towing vehicles with inoperative steering and/or braking systems. In the latter case, the actual mass of the towed vehicle must be less than half the actual mass of the towing vehicle.
Clause 20.2 of the Traffic Regulations prohibits the transportation of people in the cabin or body of a vehicle that is being moved using the partial loading method, as well as in the body of a towing vehicle.
Towing a car with an automatic transmission
A car with a classic hydromechanical automatic transmission can be used as a “tractor”, but it is necessary to take into account that the gearbox is designed to transmit a certain force; therefore, the mass of the towed vehicle should not significantly exceed the mass of the towing vehicle.
It is also possible to tow a car with this type of transmission by moving the selector to neutral. However, there are quite strict restrictions on distance and speed (specific values are specified in the operating instructions). This is due to the fact that when the internal combustion engine is not running, the automatic transmission oil pump does not work either, which can cause serious damage to the gearbox design elements during long-term towing. Similar restrictions exist for cars with other types of automatic transmissions – CVTs and dual-clutch robots. Models with such transmissions (especially with CVTs) are not recommended for towing heavy vehicles due to the sharply increasing load on the traction transmission mechanisms, which can lead to their accelerated wear or breakage. Mono-drive models with CVTs are often allowed to be towed only by partial loading, including installing the drive axle wheels on a special trolley. To move all-wheel drive models with CVTs, it is necessary to use a tow truck.
How to tow a manual car
Manual transmissions are generally reliable enough that models with this type of transmission can be used as a towing vehicle. Cars with manual transmissions can also be towed for significant distances by moving the transmission lever to neutral.
How to tow a car correctly
Towing is a process in which the coordination of the actions of the drivers of the towing and towed vehicles is important. Therefore, before starting to move, you should:
discuss the route;
Put your phones on speakerphone or hands-free mode to coordinate your actions once you start moving; you can also use commands given by the horn or high beams.
If a towing eye with a threaded part is used instead of a welded one, it should not be screwed in all the way so that after towing is complete, the eye can be easily unscrewed.
Hang some heavy object (there are special covers) on the cable so that if it breaks, its hook (if any) does not damage the cars.
The driver of the towed vehicle must:
turn on the ignition so that the steering wheel does not lock when turning;
Give a signal of readiness to start moving.
Be prepared for the fact that with the engine off, turning the steering wheel and braking without working boosters will require significant effort.
When driving, keep an offset position relative to the towing vehicle to have a better view.
Be the first to start changing lanes to reduce the risk of not being able to complete the maneuver in time.
The driver of the towing vehicle must:
move off smoothly so that the cable is tensioned without jerking;
overcome climbs without stopping;
turn smoothly over a large radius without cutting corners;
accelerate smoothly to tighten the cable if a drop in load is felt on it;
brake smoothly so that the driver of the towed vehicle can reduce speed in time;
Do not try to rush through a yellow traffic light.
When giving way, make sure that the movement will be safe for the driver of the towed vehicle.
After towing is complete, move the vehicle back a little to relieve the tension on the cable.
