Breaking down in the middle of a trip is the worst thing any driver wants, particularly if they are travelling on a crowded freeway or, worse, an unfamiliar road. Fortunately, breakdown and car-pulling services are very effective these days in keeping you from becoming stuck. In Australia, this is frequently required for various reasons, including interstate vehicle movement and roadside breakdowns. It is crucial for all drivers to be aware of the nuances of car towing. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into every aspect of car towing in Australia.
What Is Car Towing?
Car towing is the process of employing another vehicle, usually a tow truck, to move an immobilised or disabled vehicle from one place to another. This procedure is used when an automobile cannot be driven safely because of mechanical faults, collisions, or legal concerns. It has many uses, from saving stranded drivers to moving cars to repair facilities or impound lots. It is an essential service that helps drivers who encounter unforeseen car problems and offers convenience.
Types Of Car Towing Services In Australia
There are three main types of towing truck techniques: dolly towing, two-wheel towing, and flatbed towing. Each approach has different advantages, depending on the kind of car being pulled and the particular situation. Let us examine each approach in more detail.
1. Flatbed Tow Truck:
The flat platform of a flatbed tow truck tilts down to the ground. It makes it possible to drive or hoist the car onto the bed. All-wheel-drive vehicles, luxury cars, motorcycles, and seriously damaged vehicles are the perfect fit for this towing truck. When it comes to automobile transportation, flatbeds are thought to be the safest option for your car roadside assistance. This towing truck performs about 60% of towing operations in metropolitan areas.
2. Hook and Chain Tow Truck:
These trucks fasten the car to the tow truck using hooks or chains. The front or rear wheels of the pulled vehicle are raised off the ground. This towing truck is ideal for older cars or circumstances where cost is a major consideration. However, because of the possibility of suspension and frame damage, it is generally not advised to use newer cars.
3. Wheel Lift Tow Trucks:
A metal yoke supports the vehicle’s front or rear wheels and raises the towed vehicle’s end off the ground. This car towing service is perfect for parallel parking or in confined locations where a flatbed truck would not be able to move. Compared with hook-and-chain trucks, it is less prone to damage.
4. Integrated Tow Trucks (Boom Trucks):
These are powerful tow vehicles equipped with winches and booms. They are made to retrieve bigger vehicles, such as construction equipment, buses, and semi-trucks. For recovery and heavy-duty towing, they are the best.
When A Car Needs To Be Towed?
Vehicle towing service is typically necessary if you find yourself in a scenario where your car cannot be driven or moved and must be moved to a different area. Such a situation could result from various circumstances, including the following:
1. Mechanical Failure-
Your car’s capacity to function can be greatly impacted by a mechanical failure, which could endanger you while driving or prevent you from driving at all. At this point in time, you need roadside assistance in Australia. Some examples of a mechanical failure include:
- Punctured tyre
- Engine breakdown
- Slack brakes
- Dead battery
Your car may need to be taken away by a towing tow truck for repair if the problem cannot be resolved on the spot, even if some mechanical faults can be addressed at the breakdown site.
2. Vehicle Recovery-
If you are driving and accidentally drive into a ditch or get stuck driving across difficult terrain, then a tow truck company can recover your vehicle. In the event that your car was damaged while you were stuck, it might be hauled away for repairs. If no damage was sustained, then you should be fine with getting back on the road again.
3. Accident Damage-
Motor accidents can frequently leave your car damaged and unusable, regardless of whether you were in a collision or crash. Naturally, you must contact the emergency services if you are in a serious accident since your health and safety come first. An auto towing service can pull your car away from the accident scene so that it doesn’t impede other drivers. Depending on its state, it can subsequently be repaired or written off, provided that you and any passengers are safe and unharmed.
Price Factors Of Car Towing Services
Cost for car towing in Australia can vary based on the following key elements that every driver should be aware of:
1. Distance from Pick-up to Drop-off Point:
One of the main factors affecting price is the distance your automobile needs to be transported. Unlike long-distance intercity or interstate towing, short-distance tows inside a city or town are typically less expensive.
2. Vehicle Type / Size and Weight:
Car towing costs are also influenced by the weight and size of your car. Larger or heavier cars may be more expensive to tow because they frequently require more durable equipment.
3. Time Considerations:
The cost of emergency or after-hours tow truck services may be greater because of the need for prompt availability and response.
4. Location:
Car towing prices can vary depending on whether you live in an urban or rural region. Because of travel time and logistical difficulties, prices may be higher in remote or difficult-to-reach places.
5. Car Towing Company:
Different firms have different towing charges for cars. It can be beneficial to get quotes from multiple companies to find cheap towing services that are the most cost-effective option for your needs.
Basic short-distance car breakdown services typically cost between $100 and $200, but long-distance or speciality tows can cost anything from $200 to several hundred dollars. To prevent surprises and ensure pricing transparency, it is imperative to always ask the towing firm for a comprehensive quote and to make sure that all fees are explained upfront.
Safety Tips While Waiting for a Tow Truck
- Try to stay inside your vehicle if it’s safe. It’s recommended to have the seatbelt on.
- If you are driving on a busy road, try to move to the shoulder or a secure spot.
- Turn on your hazard lights.
Important Information to Provide to the Towing Company:
- Your exact location (street number, landmarks, or mile markers).
- A brief explanation of the issue (engine failure, flat tyre, etc.).
- Vehicle’s make, model, and condition (mobile or not).
Choosing the Right Towing Service
When you hunt for towing services in Perth, you must start by diving into customer reviews and company qualifications. It is like doing homework to avoid any nasty surprises like hidden fees. So, here is the checklist:
1. Check for Reliability:
Look up reviews and confirm that the towing company is licensed, insured, and plays by the local rules. A transparent pricing statement is a must. No one likes hidden costs popping up!
2. Experience Counts:
You should choose a company that has been around the block. They know their stuff, and that means peace of mind.
3. 24/7 Availability:
Because car troubles do not stick to a 9-5 schedule, ensure the tow service is ready to help at any time, day or night. They should give you an ETA post-haste after your call.
Before you agree to anything, get that warranty for the tow truck services in Perth to cover any mishaps. Also, double-check that the company’s fleet can handle your ride, whether a compact car or a hefty SUV. And those cost estimates? Get them upfront, especially if you are looking at a long haul.
Final Thoughts
Car breakdowns, accidents, and vehicle relocations all frequently necessitate towing a vehicle. In this post, we covered important facets of towing services in Perth.
It is critical to understand the capabilities of towing businesses and the appropriate equipment for both short-distance and long-distance tows. If you need a 24 hour mobile mechanic service company, you can consider Mobile Mechanic Perth. We are one of the most trusted and reliable firms in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Towing Process?
Answer:
Car towing service is the process of connecting two or more objects such that they can be pulled by a defined power source or sources. The load is anything that can be dragged, and the towing source could be a motorised land vehicle, a boat, an animal, or a person.
2. What is the legal towing length in Australia?
Answer:
Australia has laws governing the permissible towing length to maintain road safety. The total length of the load, trailer, and towing vehicle shall not be more than 19 meters. To lessen sway and preserve stability during towing, heavy loads should also be dispersed towards the middle of the trailer.
3. What is the best way to tow a car?
Answer:
A car-hauling trailer of a mobile car mechanic, either open or enclosed, is the best and safest option for towing a car with another car. With a car haulier, all four wheels of the towed vehicle sit on the trailer. Simply drive the car up onto the trailer and secure it with straps and/or chains.
4. Why is towing service important?
Answer:
Towing services can help you to tow your car if your car cannot be repaired on-spot due to any major issue. Mobile mechanic service companies can help with tyre changes, jump-starts, and winching services if your car gets stuck in mud or snow. Their versatility makes them an invaluable resource for drivers facing unexpected challenges.
5. What Is The Towing Function?
Answer:
Tow/Haul mode is a feature that controls the transmission to reduce the shift cycling in the transmission in order to assist in hauling heavy loads without mechanically damaging your truck.
