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Towing Industry and its Future

In recent times social media has had one of the biggest impacts on our lives. Customers in the towing industry have been affected both positively and negatively. Due to this, they have grown smarter, and require better services. Some of the customers that are the smartest are the ones looking for a towing service in San Francisco, CA. This is because its such a competitive industry and everyone is so tech savvy. Companies bidding for city contracts is also one of the biggest changes.

Contract Bidding

When bidding contracts in the past, companies had to build relationships with the city officials, which had to be done alongside law enforcement. Simple procedures were followed, and, if the qualifications were met, they got the contract. However, a change occurred when single tow companies tried getting the entire contract for themselves, leaving many other companies out of it.

Challenges facing the Towing Industry

In Texas, a company with not a single tow truck got the contract. They bought tow trucks after having won the contract to be able to provide towing services. A sales pitch left lots of companies out of the rotation that had been made.

Tremendous opportunities are seen by people outside of the towing business. Buying trucks, paying damages, paying for fuel, providing insurance and other equipment are among the many expenses incurred by tow companies. Preservation, vehicle storage, vehicle parts, and others are all paid by towing revenue. Some companies only offer services like vehicle disposal and storage, while they want towing provided by the local contractors. With lots of money and a three-piece suit, they build relationships with city council officials. Through this they win contracts in the major cities, other companies through the growth of their success will pick the same approach aiming at their growth.

Towing laws

In addition to all this, the industry is known to have substantial potential for abuse. More often it occurs in difficult situations, and consumers have no other options to turn to. Due to this, certain operators may initiate unwarranted procedures for towing. They might also have high charges towards the consumer for the release of their vehicle. This led to the implementation of laws to protect the consumer by many jurisdictions for charges on predatory towing.

New towing options in the Towing Industry

Some options may come up for the tow companies as time goes by. The options include

  • Buying of three-piece suits and building relationships with city officials is not in their DNA system, which will be hard for the average tower.
  • Average towers will not get together in groups, due to the hatred they have against their competitors.
  • A line of revenue, new and never heard off may come up if relationships are built with companies that only need vehicle disposal and storage.

These will hurt the industry as a result of the new companies, which want to get in this business industry.

Owners of tow companies should be aware of changes taking place in this industry and should work on evolving with the change to avoid being forced out of business in these changing times of social media influence. Towers working together and marketing of their work would help ensure that some towers are not left out.

 

Different Types of Towing Hitch

There is a different towing hitch for different vehicles. Each class has a specifically designed trailer weight. Carrying capacity for towed vehicles may vary hence, dictating the type of hitch to use. To select a more appropriate hitch the loaded weight of the towed trailer must be less than the weight rating hitch. The receiver hitch is the most common. The design allows it to be mounted on to the tow vehicle’s frame and allow a tube opening that accepts the shank of a ball mount or any other inserts.

Each receiver hitch is designed uniquely for different vehicle models, and the hitches are vehicle-specific. Generally, receiver hitches are grouped as per weight capacity and tube size and are grouped into five classes;

Class 1 Towing Hitch

Generally they are designed for small crossovers and passenger cars. They have a “1 ¼ by 1 ¼” receiver tube opening, or a tongue fixed to mount a ball trailer instead of a ball mount directly. Class 1 hitches are capable of towing trailers up to 2,000 lbs. However, not all hitches are of the same capacity, and they don’t increase the maximum weight that a vehicle can tow. They are attached to the vehicle frame, bumper or the truck pan

Class 2 Towing Hitch

They have the same size tube opening as the class 1 receiver hitches and are for towing light-weight applications. The difference between the two is that class 2 trailers can tow 3,500 lbs gross trailer weight. A higher class drawbar cannot increase the hitches towing capacity. They are found on minivans, small sedans, crossovers, pickup trucks and small SUVs. The hitches can be found attached to the vehicle frame or the bumper.

Class 3

They have 8,000 lbs.  Weight capacity. It has a “2 by 2” receiver tube opening. Hitches in this class are attached to the frame of the vehicle only.  It’s one of the most common and installed on SUVs and full-size pickup trucks. Unlike in the first two classes, class 3 hitches are used together with the system weight distribution, offering a weight capacity of 12,000 lbs.

Class 4

These are usually installed on SUVs and full-size pickup trucks. They have a two by two receiver tube opening and 10,000 lbs carrying weight capacity. They can also utilize a 14,000 lbs. gross weight trailer, this is used for weight distribution and a weight distribution system is required. The hitches are only attached to the vehicle’s frame.

Class 5

They have the highest ratings when it comes to weight. They are built on handling immense weights. However, a weight distributing hitch can tow a vehicle and also help level the trailer. They can also be used on commercial trucks and full-size pickups. They carry a weight capacity of 12,000 lbs. with a trailer tongue weight of a maximum 1200 lbs. Their hitches are only attached to the vehicle’s frame.

Class 4 and class 5 hitches can have some real concerns if you aren’t a trained operator. In these classes its very important that you have been towing other loads previously. This will ensure no one or vehicle gets hurt or damaged.

Major Concerns for Towing and Transport

Towing has its risks. Careful consumers and drivers may minimize risks and make a less stressful experience. There are various mistakes to avoid while towing, whether it’s a boat, horse or travel trailers. By working on this major concerns about towing, we can be able to save our roads from accidents and for tow driver’s to be able to gain some necessary skills for use in this field.

Mismatched equipment

When towing, using the right equipment is highly necessary, mismatched equipment can cause major road problems. Consult the owner’s manual to see how much weight can be towed safely. The hitch should match the vehicles tow ratings before towing anything. Ensure the compatibility of the trailer braking system to that of the trailer in use. How stuff works also has a great article that discusses mismatched equipment as well as other concerns too.

Limited visibility

Towing mirrors should be attached to the side-view mirrors of the vehicle. The mirrors are useful when the towed load is wider than the vehicle. Without the extended mirrors, traffic approaching from the side to the rear won’t be seen and could be a major concern for towing.

Accelerating and speeding are Major Concerns for Towing

A vehicle has more mass when a load is being towed. This means the vehicle has higher inertia and momentum than normal. Mass in motion is also referred to as the momentum, while inertia is the resistance of change to a motion. The massive an object is the greater its resistance to change. Hence, more energy required to start or stop a massive object.

Turning

Sharper turns should be gradually taken. Towing equipment can be strained while taking fast turns. Slowing down and carefully taking turns can reduce these risks.

Braking

Some of the trailers come equipped with breaks. The brakes are connected to the tow vehicle, which should have a control system by the driver’s side and functional. Less wear and tear will occur when the brakes trailer are in conjunction with the vehicle.

Huge Concerns for Towing include Tire pressure and blowouts

Ensure the tires pressure is right. Under-inflated ones are dangerous. Having blowouts is serious, but more dangerous when towing loads. If by chance a blowout is experienced gradually slowing down and pulling out of the traffic is necessary.

Vehicle not related to towing

Not every vehicle can tow a load. Vehicles not rated for towing can cause damage if towing is attempted. The vehicles engine and brake system may fail to handle the strain. Tow vehicles have weight limits of loads to carry. Hence, difficult to control the vehicle with a heavier load.

Unbalanced Loads

Before starting a journey towed loads should be properly balanced. Heavier objects should be placed at the front of the trailer. This reduces trailer sway risks. Weight should be evenly distributed on the trailers either side to avoid swaying on one side.

Damaging a towed car

Wear and tear of the towed car is minimized by the trailer. When a tow trailer is used the towed cars transmission should not be damaged.

Swaying

Swaying can result from carrying of heavy loads. To avoid swaying, carry balanced loads and also be a highly cautious driver, also pay attention to the trailers behavior while in motion.