Essential Steps to Prepare Your Vehicle for Towing

Every motorist at one point or another has needed to call a tow truck near me. This is especially true when you’ve experienced a total vehicle breakdown or have been engaged in an accident before. When in such dire need of help, it is best to request the services of a professional towing company.

Tow trucks are not only relevant if your vehicle breaks down or you are involved in an accident, but they are also very efficient when you are moving or relocating as they decrease the hassle by simply towing your vehicle to your desired destination.

Regardless of your reason for needing a tow truck, one thing is certain, you must prepare your vehicle before it is towed. The big question is, what should you do before your vehicle is towed? How do you prepare your vehicle?

1. Remove All Personal Items  

When preparing a vehicle for towing, the first step is to remove all personal belongings from the car. By doing this, you lower the risk of losing your belongings or having them damaged during transit. While several towing companies explicitly state that all personal items left in the vehicle at the time of towing are at the owners’ risk, some others do not. As such it is necessary to play safe by making sure all valuable items are removed.

2. Take A Few Pictures of Your Car

We advise that before the tow truck departs, take a few snapshots of your vehicle paying attention to details. Also, ensure to take pictures of any existing damages, by doing this upon receipt of your vehicle at the desired destination you can easily spot any damage that was not there before the tow. In case of any major damage arising from rough handling by the drivers, by crosschecking your vehicle against the pictures on your phone, you can insist that insurance cover for such damage.

3. Release Your Emergency Brake

To avoid damage, once your vehicle has been loaded onto the tow truck, the next step is to release your emergency brake. While professional towing companies make sure your emergency brake has been disengaged before towing, it is best to make sure you have done this before your vehicle is towed. This is particularly crucial when you are ordering for an ‘unattended tow’. Unattended tow refers to when you will not be with your vehicle when the towing company will be loading it onto the truck to tow.

4. Ensure All The Car Windows Are Closed

This is another very crucial step in preparing your vehicle for a tow. By closing all your vehicle windows, you can ensure no dirt or debris gets into the car during transit. Additionally, in case of a storm. Closed windows help to avoid any form of damage.

5. Arrange For Access To Your Vehicle

It’s always best to plan to avoid any form of confusion between you and the tow company. If you won’t be on the scene when your vehicle is picked up, then you should find a way to ensure the towing company has access to your car. You can do this by simply dropping your car keys for them. A perfect position would be under the foot mat, it is however crucial that you inform the towing company where you are leaving the keys.

Ensure Safe and Secure Towing for Your Vehicle

Nobody wants to experience towing their vehicle, however, if the need ever arises then it is best to take the right steps to avoid further damage to your vehicle. By following the tips above, you can significantly reduce the chances of confusion or any potential damage to your vehicle.