Many people, in instances where their car has broken down on the side of the road, wait in their car until help arrives. However, at times it might not be feasible to wait in the vehicle as you never know when the tow car might arrive. You may want to reach on time to your meeting or take your family to a safer place instead of the road if your vehicle has been broken down in the middle of the night. There are many situations where you may be required to leave your vehicle before your car is towed. In such situations, the majority of the people do not know whether or not it is okay to not be present before help arrives and their car is towed.

Is it important to be in your vehicle before your car is towed?

Yes, this is a question that many ask when they’re stuck in their vehicle. Many people perceive time to be highly valuable and these are the people that will not feel comfortable staying in their vehicle before the car is towed. Tow cars can take anywhere between 30 minutes to a couple of hours with many people complaining that they’ve waited hours for their tow to arrive. Time spent waiting before your car is towed also depends on the time of the year. During Christmas days, expect to wait longer than usual as during the holiday season things can get really busy.

In certain situations, when you can’t afford to be in your vehicle before your car is towed, be it to feel safe during the night or simply to reach your destination on time, you need to exit your vehicle and leave it on the side of the road for help to arrive. There is nothing wrong with leaving your vehicle on the side of the road as long as it doesn’t cause harm to anyone. However, before your car is towed, and before you head out leaving your vehicle behind, you need to take some precautionary steps to ensure the safety of your vehicle.

Things to do when you plan on leaving your vehicle behind before your car is towed

There are certain steps that you should be taking if you’re planning to leave your vehicle on the side of the road before your car is towed away safely.

Inform the police

Before you leave your vehicle, you need to know that parking your car or abandoning it on the side of the road for more than 24 hours can have your vehicle impounded. In some states, the law will allow you to park a vehicle (unmanned) on the roadside for at least 48 hours before the state impounds it. The time it takes before your car is impounded depends on the situation. So, for example, if your vehicle is obstructing traffic or causing citizens harm, then expect your vehicle to be impounded even before the 24 hours allotted by law.

If you’re planning to ditch your vehicle before the car is towed, then calling up the local police station or the sheriff’s department is the best thing to do. This can work as insurance for you. Notifying the police will alert active units who will ensure that your vehicle is safe and not causing any harm to the citizens. The best thing is that if your vehicle is vandalized and you’ve informed the local authorities, then you can claim damages as you passed on the responsibility to safeguard your vehicle to the authorities

Get in touch with your insurance company

The next step is to approach your insurance company as they might create hurdles for you if your vehicle is damaged while you’ve left it abandoned. Letting your insurance company know will work in your favor as well because once you’ve contacted them and informed them about the situation, they will ask you for the tow company’s contact details. While you’re away, it’s in their best interest to keep your vehicle safe. Hence, they will get in touch with the tow company until the tow car reaches the destination.

Inspect your vehicle before your car is towed

This isn’t something that you read in a responsibility 101 crash course but you need to inspect your vehicle for valuables before your car is towed. Many people take it lightly but human nature is a very sensitive thing. There are people in this world who will rob and steal your valuables to make a quick buck. Until and unless these things happen to you, you’ll never think of such things as we humans tend to trust each other easily. Hence, take it from us and never leave your vehicle unattended with valuables in it. Always, do a quick inspection before you’re ready to leave your vehicle behind.

Leave the hazard lights on

If you’ve made up your mind to leave your vehicle behind before your car is towed then ensure that you leave signs so that the tow company knows that it’s this vehicle that needs help. Leave signs like leaving your hazard light on or hang a high visibility jacket or bright color cloth on your vehicle. You can even let the car hood up so that passing vehicles know that your car is abandoned and waiting for help. This can help other drivers to avoid hitting your car if your vehicle is not properly parked on the roadside.

Ring the towing company

This goes without saying but you need to inform the towing company that you are leaving the car behind for whatever reason it may be. Let the company know that they should ring you when the tow car reaches the spot where your vehicle is parked. Ask them how long it’ll take them to bring the car to you or the destination you want it to be towed at.

What to do if your vehicle is impounded?

As mentioned before, state laws will apply to your vehicle and get it impounded if your vehicle is abandoned for more than 24 hours or 48 depending on the state you’re in. If you haven’t informed the relevant authorities about leaving your vehicle behind, your vehicle might get impounded. So, what to do if your vehicle is impounded?

Find your car

If you haven’t notified the relevant authorities then you may not have the right information as to where your vehicle has been taken. In such cases, look for signs around the area that might indicate where impounded vehicles end up. No luck finding the signs to where your vehicle could be taken? Call up the city office and ask the responsible person to check their records for your vehicle. For this, you need to have your vehicle registration number at hand. If they’ve impounded the vehicle, then they will have a record of it and will guide you accordingly as to where you may find your vehicle. If your vehicle is not in the records, give it some time as it will end up on the books or system eventually. The entry of your vehicle might be delayed due to towing to the lot for impound.

Even after you’ve given the city office enough time to update their records and your vehicle is still not there then it’s time that you started considering the thought that your vehicle may have been stolen. In such cases, head to the local police and explain your situation to them. They will be more than glad to assist you in locating and retrieving your vehicle if it was stolen.

Ring the lot up

Now that you’ve located where the lot your vehicle is at, ring them up for some details. Before you head to the lot, you need to fill some forms or complete paperwork. Hence, it is important to get that done before you reach the lot otherwise it would take time to compile the paperwork. This is because the impound lot is very crowded most of the time with citizens lining up to retrieve their vehicles. You may have to wait a considerable amount of time depending on the rush at the lot. This is why it is wise to get all your paperwork done because if you don’t the hassle caused and time wasted itself can be a huge bummer for anyone. Paperwork can be your driver’s license, insurance details, and other relevant documentation depending on your local lot requirements.

Pay the relevant fees

If your vehicle has been impounded and you’ve successfully located the lot it is parked at, head over there. Be prepared to pay some fines. We can’t exactly guide you on how much fine you have to pay as it varies across states and even cities. However, do note the longer your vehicle sits at the impound, the higher the fines. These lots may charge impound fees by the day so make sure you head to the impound as soon as you can otherwise be prepared to pay some serious cash to release your vehicle.

Proof of insurance is important

Your proof of insurance is the main document that will help you release the vehicle from the impound lot. Your car insurance contains all the details of your vehicle such as the registration number, make, model, and more. Some states will allow the submission of documents including your proof of insurance electronically through fax. However, there might be lots that require physical copies instead of electronically. Therefore when you call up the place to inquire about the submission of documents.

In the case that you don’t have car insurance, you can not have your vehicle released. However, don’t worry. You can quickly apply for car insurance. There are so many online insurance companies that will gladly offer a quick quotation. In situations like these, vehicle owners panic and cause more financial loss to themselves by going with a company with a higher quote. We recommend staying calm and getting many different quotations before making up your mind about which insurance company to go with.

There are a lot of insurance companies on the market who will provide you instant quotes upon providing a few details about your vehicle. Collect at least three quotes before analyzing the details and selecting one that works best for you. Don’t forget to ask for discounts as insurance companies do provide discounts. It works in their favor to have as many customers paying a certain amount a month. So, they won’t turn you away if you were to ask for a discount. Since you’ll be using the insurance company for the next couple of years, try to get a good one that provides you the most benefits. There is no such insurance requirement to have your vehicle released. Minimum insurance is more than enough to have your vehicle released from the impound lot, however, do not just go for minimum insurance as you will be using this insurance for the next few years or until you sell your vehicle. You’re already facing impound fines of who knows how much hence it is always better to save money financially to compensate for these kinds of fines.

In conclusion, there might be many different situations that might force you to abandon your car if the tow truck is taking a while to get to your vehicle. You can leave your vehicle behind as there is no need for you to be present in your car, however, there are risks to leaving your vehicle behind hence follow the steps mentioned earlier to ensure that you do not face any financial losses.

Looking for a vehicle for flat towing but you are not into big cars? Wondering if there are small cars that can tow? Then your search is over as you have come to the right place. Here we have listed some of the most popular small cars that can tow. Enjoy reading the whole piece and get what you are looking for.

How to Tow a Car with a Tow Bar

If you are searching for mall cars that can tow, then it is obvious that you want to tow! Jokes apart. Whether you are going to use a small car or a big one to tow, first you have to learn how to tow a car with a tow bar. There are some necessary steps like drilling, mounting, and fastening the tow bar when you want to install the tow bar in your car.

If you want to know the detailed procedure follow this guide.

Small Cars That Can Tow

Towing puts a strain (if not intense) on your car. So, there are various factors that you have to keep in mind before choosing a car for towing. Cars that come with transmission disconnect steering override functions are best suited for flat towing.

Though people think that only big vehicles like AWD and 4×4 are perfect for towing (they are almost correct), there are plenty of small cars that can tow without breaking a sweat. Here is a list of small cars that can tow smoothly and economically.

1. Mercedes Benz E200

Yup, you guessed it right. This popular model from Mercedes is at the top of our list. Mercedes Benz E200 is built solid and can tow pretty heavy loads smoothly. It has a starting price of around $15k.

The Benz E200 is an awesome vehicle when we are talking about power. Though it’s a lightweight executive class car, it packs some solid power. It has a 3L turbocharged engine with 6 cylinders that can produce a whopping 577 horsepower which makes it a great choice for towing. If you are looking for an economical car for towing, go for this one.

2. Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI

Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI is another impressive vehicle for towing. This lightweight car is not only elegant in looking and comfort but also rich in raw towing power. The Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI will also cost around $15k.

The Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI is not as powerful as the Mercedes Benz E200. It has a 2L engine that can power up to 150hp. The engine produces torque up to 320nm. Though it produces less power, it makes up for that with it’s impressive 2500+ mm ground clearance and a large luggage loading capacity.

3. Kia Soul LX

In third place on our list is the Kia Soul LX. It’s not a small car exactly. You can call it a hybrid crossover between SUV and a compact car. This car has been redesigned and looks pretty impressive. Though this car looks robust and pricey, it’s actually pretty affordable. The starting price of this car is around $17k.

In terms of power, the Kia Soul LX has a 4 cylinder 2L engine. The engine can power up to 147hp. This car has a variable manual and automatic transmission. It has a large wheelbase thanks to its 18-inch wheel rims. The Kia Soul LX can tow up to 1200 lbs. Impressive right?

4. Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Elantra is a great lightweight vehicle for towing. Though it does not have a rugged look, it is an agile car that can meddle terrains without breaking a sweat. So, don’t fall for its mild look. It’s a rugged car in disguise.

Hyundai Elantra has a 4 cylinder engine that can produce up to 192 nm torque and 150 bhp. This compact car can tow up to 2800 lbs in brakes and 1100 lbs in unbraked capacity. The starting price for this car is around $20K.

5. Toyota Corolla SE

Maybe all of you were wondering if a Corolla is on the list or not. So, here it is. Behold the Toyota Corolla SE, the cheapest car on this list. It is built pretty solid and can tow an impressive amount of load. S the cheapest car on the list, its starting price is around only $9.5K.

Toyota is known for its fuel-efficient cars and the Corolla SE is no different. It is one of the most fuel-efficient cars of Toyota and also the most fuel-efficient car on this list. Being the most fuel-efficient among the cars on this list, its 4 cyl 2L engine can produce only 125 hp, which is the lowest on this list too. Though it’s not that powerful like other cars, it still can tow up to 1500lbs.

Verdict

There is a saying that good things come in small packages. You can say that about the cars on this list too. Though they are small, they can tow pretty smoothly. Select one of these according to your budget and you should be good to go.

When was the last time when you opened the boot of the car and it had a tow bar in it? Most don’t even carry the necessary tools like a jump starter kit in case of emergencies let alone a tow bar. But when we’re stuck in such situations, all of us wished that we had jump starter cables or a jack or a tow bar.

The reason behind not carrying such tools is simply because they’re bulky, take too much space and we’re not DIY experts so we can’t tell which tool is perfect for us. Don’t worry, we will guide you on what makes a great tow bar and introduce a harbor freight tow bar that will put all your worries of owning these tools aside.

What makes a great tow bar?

A tow bar needs to tick a couple of boxes before it can be considered as a great device for pulling or towing vehicles. So, what are some of the things that one should look out for when purchasing or deciding which tow bar to get?

Weight

The amount of weight that a tow bar can support is mentioned on the product or in its specification. It is important to have a tow bar that can support as much weight as possible. A tow bar does not take the entire weight of the car but simply takes some weight (which is referred to as pulling weight) and lets the tires do all the hard work.

However, this does not also mean that any tow bar can pull a car. You need to have a sturdy tow bar that is able to pull some weight hence a tow bar with a capacity between 4,500 pounds to 5,500 pounds should be perfect. Anything below that would be too little and could potentially break the tow bar and anything above that is frankly not necessary.

Length

The length of the tow bar is another aspect of determining a good tow bar. You may feel that any length of the tow bar will do the trick but that’s not how things work. A short tow bar will always put more pressure on the tow bar and front vehicle while a longer tow bar can affect the handling of the vehicle towed and even break if the bar is long enough. Anywhere between 20 inches to 45 inches should be just great for a tow bar, not too long and not too short.

Convenient

A tow bar should be convenient. Let’s face it, we’re not what they would call DIY experts. Having a tow bar that is built around convenience can really save you time and also effort. Many tow bars can become complicated to set up and attach to the primary and secondary vehicle.

In such stressful times when you’re waiting for a vehicle to give you a pull, you need the process to be as smooth as ever. Having a tow bar that is not complicated will easily save you time and have you on your way to the nearest mechanic for repairs.

Easy storage

Another feature of a good tow bar is also something to do with convenience, easy storage. Yes, you do need a tow bar that is compact and can easily hide it in the boot of your vehicle. The reason why most of us don’t have tools to help us out in such sticky situations is that they’re too big to store.

A good tow bar should have an easy storage feature allowing users to easily hide the tow bar in the boot of the car without taking too much storage space. There are many tow bars on the market, however, the one that we feel gives the best price-value proposition is the harbor freight tow bar.

Harbor freight tow bar

Harbor freight started off as a small family business and now expanded all across the United States. It has earned its reputation as “America’s favorite tools shop” and has more than 1,100 stores making it easy for consumers to get great quality tools at the lowest price possible nearby where they live.

Harbor freight tow bar, like many other tools they have on display, is made to the highest quality. Harbor freight tow bar is made from steel and has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds which is perfect for most of the vehicles on the road.

Harbor freight tow bar is not too long and is not too short. The arms of the tow bar are adjustable allowing users to extend the arms from a distance of 24 inches all the way up to 43 inches. Any more than that can be dangerous and therefore not recommended.

Users can also take advantage of the quick connection feature with the mounting brackets it comes with. It is great for those who have no shred of experience when it comes to DIY. Simply follow our guide on how to use a tow bar and quickly mount your vehicles using the harbor freight tow bar quick connection feature.

That’s not all. The tow bar is efficiently designed and can easily fold away for easy storage. This is great if you have a small boot or usually have a trunk that is always filled to the brim. A foldable tow bar makes carrying such tools easier.

Almost everyone has towed their vehicle at some point in their life. Whether it’s about taking your beloved car on a road trip along with you or transporting it from one place to another, you may need to tow it. Whatever the reason is, you need to know how to tow a car with a tow bar.

There are 10 simple steps given below that will help you learn how to tow a car with a tow bar easily.

Read on

1. Choose The Best Tow Bar for Your Car

Before you learn how to tow a car with a tow bar, you have to choose the best tow bar for your vehicle before starting the process of towing. There are a few factors that you should keep in mind while choosing the best tow bar. They are:

• The amount of weight you want to pull
• The make year and model of your car
• Make sure that your tow bar has its complete user instructions with it
• Make sure you are not voiding any warranty by installing the bar

2. Find a Proper Mounting Area

After you got the best tow bar, it’s time to find a suitable spot for attaching the tow bar. Your bumper is one of the most sturdy places in your car. So, it is perfect for the tow bar. Look closely at the bumper and you should be able to find a good strong spot. Try to put the bar up against the bumper to see if it can be directly attached to the bumper or not. And don’t forget to get someone to help you with this process otherwise the alignment can get messed.

3. Drill Out Holes for Mounting the Bar

This is a very crucial process and you have to be very careful while doing it. If it is done wrongly, it can damage parts of your car such as the radiator. You can use an indent in the spot you want to drill so the drill won’t slide off from the desired drilling spot. And try to drill holes of the same size as your bolt. Otherwise, they won’t fit properly and can get loose. You can even use a ruler to measure your bolt if there is no manual came with it.

4. Clean the Surfaces

For long term use, clean the surface of the tow bar while attaching it to your car. Also properly treat the drill holes by applying an anti-corrosive substance. Then both the surface of the tow bar and the holes will remain rust, dirt, and corrosion-free for a longer period.

5. Install the Mounting Brackets

After cleaning the surface it’s time to install the mounting brackets. You can find detailed instructions on the tow bar manual. Don’t forget to use lock washers of the right size to prevent the bolts from getting loose.

6. Ensure All the Fasteners Are Tight Enough

Tightened fasteners help the tow bar to stay attached to your car. Make sure that all of the fasteners are tightly attached. Use ratchet and wrench to tighten the nuts and bolts as tightly as possible. Check every one of them after you are done tightening them and recheck them after traveling a few miles. If they have started to loosen, tighten them again.

7. Wire The Tow Bar

You have to wire the tow bar to ensure the braking flows perfectly between both of your vehicle’s electrical systems. Make sure that both of your vehicle’s turn signal and brake lights are working in tandem. Or else, people on the road can get confused and can cause an accident.

8. Install The Tow Bar

After completing all the necessary steps, it’s time to install the tow bar. Your previously installed mounting brackets have a hole through them. You have to slide and align a linchpin into those holes and drop a linchpin in each hole. It will connect the bar to the mounting bracket.

9. Attach Safety Chains Between The Two-Vehicle

Use safety chains to avoid any unexpected accidents and trouble from the authorities. These chains will protect your vehicle from careening in case the tow bar gets unhitched. It will also give you more confidence on the road.

10. How to Tow a Car With a Tow Bar: Final Inspection

Last but not least, do a follow-up inspection. After finishing all the steps mentioned above you should check each process again. You have to make sure that every step has been done properly. And don’t forget to get someone to help you while installing the tow bar. Otherwise, the alignment can get messed. If everything is at its place perfectly, your car is ready for towing. Congrats you’ve learned how to tow a car with a tow bar.