4 Things You Need To Keep In Mind When Hauling Your Car
Posted on: 16 October 2015
Thanks to the wide availability of rental trailers and DIY car haulers from places like Route 12 Rental Co Inc., it's easier than ever for the average Joe to haul a vehicle anywhere from across town to across the country. Many car haulers are fairly simple to use and as long as you have a pulling vehicle that's built to haul, you can do the heavy lifting yourself rather than pay someone else to move the vehicle for you. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before hitching up your own trailer to make that journey. Here are four things you need to keep in mind when hauling a car.
Your auto insurance coverage may not be adequate
Hauling a car (or anything else for that matter) involves the added risk of pulling a trailer or vehicle that could detach at any time and cause serious damage to other drivers. Some insurance companies include provisions for hauling in their standard policies, but many do not. Because the laws regarding liability insurance and towing vary from state to state, it's best to consult your insurance company before hauling anything behind your car, even if you are just hauling across town.
You may be required to purchase additional insurance in order to legally haul your vehicle. If you are renting your trailer, the rental company should offer this, but be sure to check. It isn't automatically included in your rental fees, so be sure to ask if it's offered before you rent the trailer.
Parking can be a nightmare
Imagine travelling to a strange city and trying to find a parking space when you've never been there before. It can be frustrating, especially if you need to park in a busy area. Now, imagine trying to park two cars simultaneously in a strange location. It's probably not something you look forward to doing, but parking is a practical necessity, especially if you're travelling very far. You'll need to take bathroom breaks eventually, and the last thing you want to do is get a ticket or hit another vehicle while trying to park your own.
Research your route ahead of time and pick the best places to park when you're hauling a trailer behind your car. This may mean stopping at places that are a little off your planned route, but it can save you a lot of headache if you aren't used to backing up and parking with a trailer attached. If you stop for gas, look for spots where you can just pull straight through to avoid trying to back up and maneuver your way around the tanks. Look for places that welcome RV's, because they'll usually have enough room for your car and trailer, too.
You need to check your connection frequently
When you first hitch your car hauler to your car, you hopefully spent plenty of time ensuring that the hitch was tight and the connections between the two vehicles were good. However, after driving only a few miles, the weight of either vehicle can shift slightly, and connections can loosen. Plan to stop after driving 20-30 miles or so and check that the hitch is still tight and the wires connecting the lights on your pulling vehicle are still connected to the trailer (so when you break, the person behind you can see the trailer brake lights working and not hit you). Both of these can come loose with just a few bumps in the road, so prepare to check them every time you stop for a break.
Be aware that you will need to refuel more often
Pulling the weight of an another vehicle and a towing trailer puts a strain on your pulling vehicle, making it work harder and use more gasoline. Be sure to keep an eye on your gas gauge if you are hauling over a long distance, and plan on refueling more frequently to avoid running out of gas.
Take the stress out of hauling your vehicle by keeping these tips in mind. They'll help you be prepared for a smoother and less-stressful journey so you can reach your destination safely.
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