Towing a vehicle: some simple tips
The car broke down on the road. You’ll have to tow it to a service. But how? In a driving school, this topic is touched upon only in passing. Therefore knowledge about transportation of the car will be useful for everyone. And we decided to share with them.
First of all, it is necessary to decide, how exactly you will transport your car to the place of expected repair. There are several options: on a flexible coupling, with a partial or full loading.
Hard hitch
Towing on a rigid coupling is carried out with the help of a special design. Unlike a conventional cable, it provides a constant distance between the vehicles. This is a plus. As a rule, this method is used to tow heavy equipment and trucks. And quite rarely – cars. Usual towing eyelet of modern car will not withstand the rigid coupling – with regular jerks it can break off. And it is unlikely that someone will carry a device for rigid coupling of cars.
Towing on a rigid coupling is carried out with the help of a special design. Unlike a conventional cable, it provides a constant distance between the vehicles. This is a plus. As a rule, this method is used to tow heavy equipment and trucks. And quite rarely – cars. Usual towing eyelet of modern car will not withstand the rigid coupling – with regular jerks it can break off. And it is unlikely that someone will carry a device for rigid coupling of cars.
Partial loading of a car
Another method of towing is with partial loading. This method can be used to transport vehicles with a faulty braking system or steering system. There must be no passengers or driver in the towed vehicle, just as there must be no people on the tow platform.
Another method of towing is with partial loading. This method can be used to transport vehicles with a faulty braking system or steering system. There must be no passengers or driver in the towed vehicle, just as there must be no people on the tow platform.
The tow truck .
Moving the car by full loading method is the safest way, but also the most expensive. The car is loaded on the platform with the help of a winch or a crane and transported to the necessary place. If the budget allows, it is better to use the services of an evacuation service.
Moving the car by full loading method is the safest way, but also the most expensive. The car is loaded on the platform with the help of a winch or a crane and transported to the necessary place. If the budget allows, it is better to use the services of an evacuation service.
The most accessible from a technical point of view, and at the same time the most difficult for drivers is, of course, towing with a flexible coupling (rope). Recently, the Russian Government has even adopted amendments to traffic rules, according to which the novice motorist with less than two years of driving experience no longer has the right to tow a car. For the violation of this paragraph of the rules can be prosecuted under Part 1 of Article 12.21 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation (violation of the rules of transportation and towing). You will get a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.
Do not forget that the car towed by a flexible coupling is a full-fledged participant of road traffic, and therefore its driver must have a standard set of documents: a driver’s license, registration certificate or PTS, MTPL policy. And of course, the towed car must have the license plates. Otherwise, the traffic police inspectors will have quite reasonable questions.
Preparing .
The towing car must have dipped beam headlights on, regardless of the time of day. In fact, now all the cars are obliged to move with dipped beam or daytime running lights. But it is worth remembering once again. More about when and how to use the lights in accordance with the traffic rules, wrote Sergei Smirnov.
The towed car must have the alarm on. If it’s not working, you need to secure the emergency stop sign behind. The length of the flexible coupling should be four to six meters. It is in your own interest. The fact is that the need for towing usually arises from the inability to start the engine, which means you can forget about the brake booster, too. If the cable is short, the driver of the towed vehicle may choose the wrong amount of force on the brake pedal and “catch up” with his tow. If the towline is too long, it will be difficult to drive around corners.
Towing the vehicle
Before starting transportation, arrange with the other driver about the route, speed, and conditioned signs that will need to be given, such as for an unscheduled stop.
Before starting transportation, arrange with the other driver about the route, speed, and conditioned signs that will need to be given, such as for an unscheduled stop.
The vehicle being towed with a flexible coupling must have a functioning brake system and steering system. The speed of transport should not exceed 50 km/h. Remember also that towing is prohibited in icy conditions.
The ignition must be switched on on the towed vehicle so that the mechanical steering lock does not work when turning. Therefore, we recommend disconnecting the low voltage wire from the ignition coil – this will save battery power. In addition to the alarm, the driver of a broken down car may also need a horn, and in the rain, the windshield wipers. All of these things need power, and you need to conserve it.
tow rope.
You need to carry a tow rope in your car. Otherwise, if it breaks, you have to make it from rope and other stuff you find in the trunk.
You need to carry a tow rope in your car. Otherwise, if it breaks, you have to make it from rope and other stuff you find in the trunk.
Both cars should have towing lugs so there are no problems during transportation. Choose a reliable towing rope, with carabiners, and ideally – capable of stretching. This way it will absorb better, because jerks are possible when towing. An ordinary rope in such conditions may break, damage the bumper, headlight or fly into the window.
There are no rules for attaching the cable. The main thing is that it must be fastened securely. It is in the interest of both drivers. If the tow vehicle has no lugs at the back, the cable is attached to the towbar. If there is no towbar and the rear suspension is leaf-sprung, the cable can be hooked to the leaf-spring.
Then the so-called warning devices must be attached to the cable. They are described in paragraph 9 of the basic provisions of the Rules (“The basic provisions for the admission of vehicles to service and responsibilities of officials to ensure road safety”). These are 200×200 mm flags or shields with 50 mm wide red and white stripes printed diagonally. At least two of these flags must be installed on the cable. If there are no flags, and the coupling of two cars got in an accident – say, the driver of the car driving in the next lane, started to change lanes, and hit the tow rope – the driver of the towing car shall be declared guilty. He broke the paragraph 20.3 of the Rules.
The driver is to receive a warning or get a fine of 500 rubles for lack of the warning devices. The main question is where to take these very plates – the usual red rags are not suitable, as they have no retroreflective effect. Many cable manufacturers just don’t make flag tags, in auto parts stores this product is also rare, so you’ll have to look online.
tow rope.
What to do, if there is no rope? Let’s try to make it from what will be at hand, that is in the trunk of the car. Sturdy rope, seat belts and other things. The main thing is that such a “homemade” was the required length.
On the road
Towing is one of the most difficult moments when towing. The driver of the first car should start moving smoothly, so that there was no jerk at startup. If the car has a manual transmission, the moment the cable is stretched, you need to slightly depress the clutch pedal. This will soften the jerk. Then you need to add gas to prevent the cable from sagging right after the start.
Another important point is shifting gears. It is necessary to manipulate the lever of a mechanical transmission quickly, and the pedals – smoothly, especially in the moments of clutch disks closing. Otherwise the rope jerks are inevitable, and you will not be far from it.
It is necessary to remember, that the driver behind the car sees the road worse, than the driver of the first car, and besides has very limited opportunities for a maneuver. Therefore you need to move carefully in a coupling, avoiding braking and stopping as much as possible. But if a stop is necessary, blink your hazard warning light before braking. This will let the other driver know that you are going to stop. When driving around corners, if possible, make a large turning radius, because the towed car passes it on a noticeably smaller radius.
It is important to remember that careless towing can lead to an accident and possibly human casualties, so it is not necessary to approach this process lightly. If you don’t have towing experience, you shouldn’t start practicing on busy city streets. It’s better to entrust it to a more experienced driver, and when you get the chance, practice towing somewhere outside the city limits. Still, I wish you never find yourself in a situation where you could benefit from our advice.
Rules for Towing Vehicles
The previous article in the series, “Rules for Towing a Vehicle,” covered types of towing and their main features. Let me remind you that we were talking about towing on a flexible hitch, on a rigid hitch, by the method of partial loading.
This article will discuss the rules of towing vehicles that are common to all types of towing, as well as the possible penalties for violating those rules:
Towing and towing vehicles
To begin with, let’s look at the differences between “towing vehicle” and “towed vehicle,” which often cause confusion for drivers who first picked up the rules of the road.
A towing vehicle is a vehicle that is towing. It is at the front and pulls another vehicle with a flexible or rigid hitch. In the picture above, the towing vehicle is the blue vehicle.
The vehicle being towed is the vehicle that is in the rear, i.e., the vehicle that is being towed. In the picture, the vehicle being towed is the white vehicle.
Lights when towing
The rules of the road require that the vehicle being towed (behind) must be highlighted on the road:
- An emergency light (warning light) or an emergency stop sign. The emergency stop sign may only be used if the emergency light sign is faulty. The sign itself is then attached to the rear of the towed vehicle.
- The parking lights . When driving at night or in tunnels.
In addition, do not forget that in 2022, all moving vehicles must have daytime running lights, dipped headlights or fog lights on.
That is, both the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed must have one of these types of lights on.
Maximum speed for towing
The maximum speed for towing is 50 km/h (Section 10.4 of the TDD). This figure does not depend on whether the towing takes place inside or outside a built-up area.
Towing on the freeway
Towing on the highway in 2022 is not prohibited by the rules of the road.
However, I would like to remind you that if the vehicle being towed and the vehicle being towed cannot go faster than 40 km/h, it is against the rules for them to drive on the highway.
The seniority of drivers when towing
In 2022, only a person with a driver’s license for 2 or more years can drive a towing vehicle . That is, a novice driver cannot drive a towing vehicle. You can learn more about this April 4, 2017 change in a separate article.
Drivers of towed vehicles are not subject to such requirements.
Conditions under which it is prohibited to tow vehicles
1. The “driving with a trailer is prohibited” sign prohibits the towing of motor vehicles:
2. Towing of motorcycles without a side trailer, mopeds and bicycles, and towing of such vehicles is prohibited. That is, motorcycles, bicycles, and mopeds may not act as either a towing or a towed vehicle.
3. It is prohibited to tow more than one vehicle at a time.
Note. However, the rules do not prohibit towing multiple trailers at the same time.
Penalty for Improper Towing
At present the penalty for violation of towing rules is a warning or an administrative fine of 500 rubles (Article 12.21 of the Administrative Code).
Accident while towing
In case of an accident with the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle, the offender in most cases is the driver of the towed vehicle (towing behind) (Road traffic regulations, paragraph 10.1).
To prevent a collision of cars, you should adhere to the braking scheme agreed upon between the drivers in advance:
For example, the towing vehicle first briefly presses the brake pedal to indicate to the driver of the towed vehicle that joint braking is about to take place. Both vehicles then begin braking at the same time.
When changing lanes, the towed (rear) vehicle must change lanes first. Only the towing vehicle must change lanes after the towing vehicle. Otherwise, the towing vehicle may simply not have enough room in the adjacent lane.
Good luck on the roads!
Expert in automobile law in Russia. More than 11 years of experience in studying automotive regulations and advising drivers. Author of analytical articles and training courses. Head of the project PDD Master (pddmaster.ru).
A series of articles “Rules of towing a car” Types of towing Rules of towing vehicles
We also recommend you read: New amendments to the rules of the road (from November 20, 2010). Part 7. Traffic rules for cyclists 2022 Penalty for driving without dipped beam in 2022 New traffic police fines for truck drivers from November 15, 2015 Changes in automobile legislation 2012 Rules for cancellation of diagnostic inspection cards from March 1, 2021
So is it still possible to tow a deltatrake with a drawbar ? (trailer-rocket) on its own wheels ?
The driving vehicle, i.e. the towing vehicle (point 19.5 of the Russian Highway Code), must have its own running lights on. Fog lights can be used instead of them during daylight hours (Section 19.4 of the RF Traffic Code). The towed vehicle must be equipped with an emergency alarm (Section 7.1 of the RF Traffic Code). If there is no emergency alarm or it is faulty, the emergency stop sign shall be attached to the rear of the towed vehicle (Section 7.3 of the RF Traffic Code). In addition, in the dark or in poor visibility conditions, the towed vehicle must also be equipped with parking lights (Section 19.1 of the RF Traffic Code).
There is nothing in traffic regulations about the necessity of turning on running lights or dipped beam on the towed car, and it is logical, because the “tractor” in front is marked with its lights as a moving vehicle, and the “trailer” is marked with emergency lights.
I withdraw my question, the rules changed on November 20, 2010.
Is it legal to tow a disabled passenger car with a trailer (up to 750 kg)? Does this count as towing 2 T.C. Can a truck tow 2 trailers?
Can a truck tow 2 trailers?
Ever watch a truck lawn truck with 5-6 kvass tanks behind it?
Yuri :
20.4 Towing is prohibited:
.
Two or more vehicles;
“Trailer” – vehicleTrailer – a vehicle that is not equipped with an engine and is intended to be driven in conjunction with a motor vehicle. The term also applies to semi-trailers and trailers.
In other words, towing a car with a trailer is prohibited, as it is towing two vehicles.
wowick :
Carriage of heavy and dangerous goods, driving a vehicle with or without load exceeding 2.55 m in width (2.6 m for refrigerators and isothermal bodies), 4 m height from the road surface and 20 m in length (including one trailer), or driving a vehicle with load exceeding the rear clearance point of the vehicle by more than 2 m, and also 2.6.1. special regulations apply for the movement of road-trailers with two or more trailers.
I.e. 2 trailers can be transported, but subject to special rules.
Situation, there is a car, no plates, there is nothing, only a photocopy of the PTS and the contract of sale. how do I tow this car and not get the money?
I wonder, if I tow a trailer outside a city and there is a sign that limits the speed to 80 km/h. How fast can I go?
70 km/h. – Clause 10.3 of traffic rules.
Please tell me who is at fault in an accident when braking sharply with a tow. Who should reimburse the damage to whom in case of emergency braking?
Yulia-104, most likely, the driver of the towingtowing The driver of the towing car. There is a clause 10.1 in traffic rules, which excludes the options of sudden braking (taking into account 10.5(4). More recently, the legislator has banned towing by novice (not novice) drivers. Apparently, the words from that song – sound like this – novice driver, in the opinion of the legislator, is incapable of evaluating the speed limit when towing, which would preclude the possibility of ACCIDENTS (heavy braking). To repeat, every car accident is impossible Evaluate the monitor, if you have the materials of the accident, attach them to your comment.
Such a question. If you tow a faulty car in an emergency condition.on a rigid coupling.Emergency lights in the form of signs on the back of the windshield is.Is it necessary to buckle up in this car the driver who is dragged in a tow.
You must. And to the driver and to the passengers of the towed car.
And is it possible to tow a lorry with a semitrailer by a single?
I’m not quite clear – what does it mean single?
Clause 20.4 prohibits towing two or more vehicles.
A truck is the first vehicle. Semitrailer is the second vehicle.
Clause 1.2 of the DTS “Trailer” – a vehicle, not equipped with an engine and designed to move as part of a motor vehicle. The term extends also on semitrailers and trailers-rollers.
A friend of mine had this situation while driving through an unregulated crosswalk while towing a vehicle on a soft hitch. When approaching the zebra both cars stopped to let all pedestrians through, when they started moving and when the first car passed the zebra, on the zebra ran out the grandfather of 79 years, the second car made emergency braking and the grandfather tripped on a tightrope on the zebra. The medics made a conclusion of a moderate degree of injuries, he had a fracture of the left side of the zygomatic bone. the grandfather was discharged from hospital on the third day. and came to the squad marked on the road and the scheme of the accident only the second car. waiting for the trial, almost three months, the case was extended for another three months. not wished a large fine or deprivation
Vladimir , if at the time when the grandfather stumbled, the cars were standing, then the incident is not an accident. And what kind of violation did the traffic police officers see in the actions of the driver?
GDW nik, in general you cannot drive at 70 km/h when towing, the maximum speed limit is 50 (clause 10.4)
Olga, 50 is when towing mechanical VEHICLES. Trailer is not a mechanical vehicle, the rules allow towing a trailer a little faster.
Hello, Is it necessary to have E category, if I tow a truck with a driver on a rigid coupling, with the total length of 24m?
Maxim , hello.
The category E only applies to towing a trailer. You do not need to have E category for towing a motor vehicle (it is not mentioned in any normative document).
Good luck on the roads!
Isn’t it necessary to hang red flags with reflective elements on the cable when towing a vehicle?
9. Warning devices for marking flexible coupling links when towing motor vehicles must be made in the form of flags or shields 200 x 200 mm in size with red and white alternating diagonal stripes 50 mm wide with a light-reflecting surface.
On a flexible link should be installed at least two warning devices.
Good afternoon! If the vehicle is category D, is it possible to tow vehicles with category B, C?
Pavel, hello.
The normative documents do not impose any restrictions on categories. The towed car is driven by its driver, and he must have the right category.
Good luck on the roads!
The driver of the towed car is at the wheel
Not always – see clause 20.1 of the Highway Code.
Hello, what is the penalty if the truck is pulled by a rigid coupling tractor?
Oleg-257 , hello.
This is an interesting question. Unfortunately, I could not find information on how such actions are considered in practice.
As for the text of the traffic rules, there are some contradictions:
20. Towing mechanical of motor vehicles
20.4 Towing is prohibited:
Two or more vehicles;
In the title of Chapter 20 it refers to motor vehicles to which a semi-trailer does not belong. However within this chapter in the paragraph 20.4 we already speak about any vehicles. And it is not clear what exactly the authors meant. Did they mean towing any vehicle (including trailers), but then there is a contradiction with clause 1.2 of the Traffic Code, which allows several trailers in a road train:
“A road train is a motor vehicle coupled to a trailer(s).
Or the authors meant that it is forbidden to tow several mechanically driven vehicles (according to the title of the chapter), but for some reason they didn’t wrote about it directly in the point 20.4.
The penalty for violation of the rules of towing – a warning or 500 rubles (article 12.21 of the Administrative Code).
