Never try to DIY Tow your Vehicle...
If you're a car owner, chances are you've had to deal with the hassle and expense of calling a tow truck at some point. Whether it's because you ran out of gas or got a flat tire, there are plenty of reasons why your car might need to be towed. And while it might be tempting to save some money by doing it yourself, there are several good reasons why you should never attempt to tow your own vehicle. Towing your own vehicle may seem like a great way to save some money, but it's actually a lot more complicated—and dangerous—than you might think. Here's why you should never attempt to tow your own vehicle.
1. It's illegal in many states. In most states, it's actually against the law to tow your own vehicle. That's because it's considered a commercial activity, and therefore requires a commercial driver's license. Not to mention, you also need special insurance coverage to tow a vehicle. If you're caught Attempting to tow your own vehicle without the proper license and insurance, you could be hit with some hefty fines—and that's not even taking into account the damage you could do to yourself or your vehicle.
2. It's dangerous. Towing a car is not as easy as it looks. If something goes wrong, you could end up causing serious damage to both your car and the one you're trying to tow. Not to mention the fact that you could put yourself and others in danger if you're not careful. Even if you manage to hook up your vehicle correctly (no easy feat), there's still a chance that something could go wrong while you're en route to your destination. If your chains break or your hitch comes loose, you could end up losing control of your vehicle—and that could lead to some serious accidents.
3. You could damage your car. If you don't know what you're doing, chances are you're going to end up doing more harm than good when trying to tow your own vehicle. Rather than trying to save money by DIY-ing the process, you could end up spending even more on repairs down the road.
4. It voids your warranty. Many carmakers void the warranties of vehicles that have been towed without the proper equipment—and that includes using the right hitches, chains, and straps. If something goes wrong while you're attempting to tow your own vehicle and you don't have the right kind of coverage, you could be stuck footing the bill for any repairs that need to be made.
5. It's not worth the risk. When all is said and done, is it really worth risking your safety—and breaking the law—in an attempt to save a few bucks? We don't think so.
As tempting as it may be to try and save some money by DIYing your own vehicle tow, it's not worth the risk. It's illegal in many states, voids your warranty, and is just downright dangerous. Play it safe and leave it to the professionals. The next time your car needs to be towed, resist the urge to do it yourself and call RPM Towing & Recovery instead. Trust us—it's worth the investment.