Sometimes, I wish I would tow stranded trailers...

dereksbicycles

dereksbicycles

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I see a lot of vehicles break on side of road. Few of them are towing trailer. It would be a camper or enclosed trailer. I wonder what happens when vehicle breaks down. How does tow truck tow both the vehicle and trailer? Sometimes, I feel tempted to pull over and offer to help haul the trailer or something like that. You know to make it easier on tow truck and also the driver. I would imagine it would cost arm and leg to tow both the vehicle and trailer.
 
Taking work away from a tow truck driver is NOT the solution. On the other hand, keeping tools in your vehicle to help someone with a flat or jump start is perfectly OK.

Just be careful, there are a lot of people just looking to rip people off or rob them out there.
 
Not your problem, Derek! If you get involved and help tow for them and if the trailer gets damaged, your taking high chance of getting liable for the damage. So, don't be sucker. I know my truck can pull out "anything" BUT I won't due to liability issues.
 
diehardbiker said:
Not your problem, Derek! If you get involved and help tow for them and if the trailer gets damaged, your taking high chance of getting liable for the damage. So, don't be sucker. I know my truck can pull out "anything" BUT I won't due to liability issues.
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^ this is a good point.
 
VacationGuy234 said:
Taking work away from a tow truck driver is NOT the solution. On the other hand, keeping tools in your vehicle to help someone with a flat or jump start is perfectly OK.

Just be careful, there are a lot of people just looking to rip people off or rob them out there.
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I was thinking that too , it could be a setup to rob someone or use the trailer to steal a car.
 
I don't offer tow disable vehicle or with a trailer, want to save transmission life. Better leave to a towing driver....
 
Yeah, I didn't think of this for most cars, van and light truck because the transmission in these vehicles were engineered to the minimum so that it is sufficient for just vehicle with stamped towing limitation information. I bet no one can find modern cars and minivan, even modern SUV that can pull more than 5K lbs. Mine up to 10,000 lbs. Heavy duty or SuperDuty should be fine. Just that the liability can be scary, damages, possible injury to others and can be sued. For example if trying pull out with steel chain or yellow strap with steel hook and if it breaks, can cause whiplash and injury anyone that is in it's path.

deafsmogtech said:
I don't offer tow disable vehicle or with a trailer, want to save transmission life. Better leave to a towing driver....
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What if the yellow strap or chain snap out while towing a disable vehicle, can throw and hit rear window or dent body maybe tail lights or hit incoming vehicle. Too risk.
 
Thats what I am saying, if you know what your doing then ok. But the chances of you knowing what you're doing may be lower than you think. These yellow strap does have built in indicator where it shows that its beyond the wear and tear line. When it start to lose yellowish color, I get nervous about using it. That is why it is best for me not to deal with strangers. Just friends that I know and trust, I would and have done already. I made my friend get in my truck when pulling something out using yellow strap, and made sure nobody is around. I do have one that don't have steel hook, save for times where there is too dangerous to use steel hook.

deafsmogtech said:
What if the yellow strap or chain snap out while towing a disable vehicle, can throw and hit rear window or dent body maybe tail lights or hit incoming vehicle. Too risk.
Click to expand...
 
diehardbiker said:
Yeah, I didn't think of this for most cars, van and light truck because the transmission in these vehicles were engineered to the minimum so that it is sufficient for just vehicle with stamped towing limitation information. I bet no one can find modern cars and minivan, even modern SUV that can pull more than 5K lbs. Mine up to 10,000 lbs. Heavy duty or SuperDuty should be fine. Just that the liability can be scary, damages, possible injury to others and can be sued. For example if trying pull out with steel chain or yellow strap with steel hook and if it breaks, can cause whiplash and injury anyone that is in it's path.
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How many people would do towing 10,000 lb for everyday as personal as Chicago, NYC, LA? Not so many.
 
diehardbiker said:
Thats what I am saying, if you know what your doing then ok. But the chances of you knowing what you're doing may be lower than you think. These yellow strap does have built in indicator where it shows that its beyond the wear and tear line. When it start to lose yellowish color, I get nervous about using it. That is why it is best for me not to deal with strangers. Just friends that I know and trust, I would and have done already. I made my friend get in my truck when pulling something out using yellow strap, and made sure nobody is around. I do have one that don't have steel hook, save for times where there is too dangerous to use steel hook.
Click to expand...

Oh, I didn't read the last paragraph cuz my mechanic called me to see a service manager as I was hurried to sign off.. Sorry...
 
Not worth the risk. Enclosed trailers are always being stolen and heck could be carrying drugs.

Your "help" could land you in hot water with the police. Carrying drugs or stolen trailer. Not worth the gamble. A legimate tow can handle legal issues if one arises.
 
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