Drivers mostly associate road towing with problems that happen several kilometers away from their residence. A flat tire, a dead battery, or any other mechanical problem always implies taking a car to a nearby repair station. Still, there are many circumstances under which standard local towing will not suffice.
Whether you have bought a car in some other city, found yourself far from home due to a breakdown, moved interstate, or have a vintage car that needs special care when being transported, long-distance towing can become a viable option to get your car to the destination point safely. Vehicle transport needs are to be understood carefully.
Contrary to local recoveries, long-distance vehicle transport requires certain planning and special equipment, which makes it crucial to understand when it becomes necessary to use such services in order to protect your vehicle and save money.
This article will explore common reasons for long-distance towing services, how they work, and why it is important to choose a good recovery company. Know when do you need long distance towing.
Long-distance towing is a service that includes transportation of a vehicle over a much larger distance compared to an ordinary tow. Although there is no clear definition, for most towing companies any distance beyond 100 kilometres qualifies as long distance towing.
Unlike regular towing services that simply move the vehicle to the nearest service point, long distance towing may include movement between cities, regions and even states. Professional services of moving a vehicle include the use of flatbed tow trucks or special vehicle transport equipment, which minimizes the strain on the car.
The patterns of vehicle ownership in Australia have been transformed in the last decade. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), more people in Australia are moving for jobs, studying, and quality of life reasons. In addition to that, the growth of online sales sites has made it possible to buy vehicles from dealers or individuals living far away from the location where one lives. Thus, the need for long-distance towing services grows day after day.
There are cases where you should definitely consider this service as the safest and most reasonable solution.
Not all breakdowns happen nearby. For example, a family is traveling hundreds of kilometres for their vacation, and their transmission stops working on a deserted road. Although the problem can be diagnosed by a local mechanic, the car owner would rather have it repaired by his mechanic at home.
Emergency towing services will be very helpful here since you won’t need to hire tow trucks twice and take your car to different workshops, but have a professional towing company deliver the vehicle right to your garage.
Internet marketplaces have changed the rules of car selling significantly. These days it’s pretty normal for buyers to look for their dream cars at distant dealerships and private sellers. Instead of wasting one of your weekends traveling to and fro, you can simply book the delivery of your car through professional transport services. This is extremely convenient when buying:
Often moving home entails planning for removalists, finding a place to live, finding work, and dealing with family matters. If more than one car will need to be moved—or one of your cars isn’t suitable for such a trip—long-distance towing services can be used to make the move easier.
For example, a family moving to another state might decide to drive their own car while shipping their second family car elsewhere. This way the stress on the driver—and the stress on the vehicle being shipped—is reduced.
In the event of an accident, the insurance company will recommend that you tow your car to a repair center. Sometimes these repair centers will be situated far away from the place of the accident itself.
Professional towing operators who specialize in emergency towing distance know how to safely tow vehicles to ensure no extra stress is placed on the vehicle during transportation. Such care is particularly important if the suspension, wheels, or steering have been damaged.
There are some cases in which vehicles can’t be registered because they are not roadworthy or are unregistered.
They include:
Most of the time, professionals advise using a flatbed for long-distance towing. As opposed to wheel-lift towing, the whole vehicle remains lifted by a flatbed above the road surface.
It gives some benefits:
Flatbed towing is usually advised for luxury cars, electric cars, sports cars, and cars having any mechanical problems.
Let us consider Daniel, who buys a vintage coupe which is located 600 kilometers away from his house. At first, he thinks about driving it back. After discussing the situation with the mechanic, he discovers that the car has worn-out tyres, no information on the history of its maintenance, and a cooling system that is not properly maintained. Instead of getting stuck somewhere in the middle of the way, Daniel orders long-distance towing services. The vehicle arrives undamaged and without adding unnecessary miles to it and to rare mechanical parts.
Most people believe that towing fees depend only on distance. However, several factors determine the cost of services. The size and weight of the vehicle must be considered because a bigger vehicle needs stronger tools. The type of car also makes a difference, as luxury, modified, vintage, and electric cars need special handling procedures.
Accessibility can be another factor. Recovering a car from distant locations, steep driveways, or the scene of an accident can involve extra tools and labor. Lastly, urgency is one of the factors that affect fees. Emergency towing is usually more expensive than regular transport booked several days ahead. Having knowledge about these factors helps to compare different quotations more effectively.
Before the actual transport starts, it is useful to prepare your vehicle for transportation whenever possible. This involves removing your things from inside the car, taking pictures of its current state, checking the level of fuel if asked by the tow truck operator, and securing loose accessories. If the car doesn’t work, it is important to inform the towing service so that they can prepare the necessary loading equipment.
Not all towing companies handle long-distance transportation. In assessing companies, look at their experience in moving vehicles over long distances, licensing, insurance, equipment, customer reviews, and communication during the booking process.
The best towing companies will explain the scheduling, timing of delivery, how your vehicle will be handled, and costs before starting transport. Transparency often speaks volumes about professionalism.
Today’s vehicles come with sensitive electronic parts and sophisticated suspension, among other features. Improper towing can lead to expensive mechanical damage to the vehicles, especially all-wheel drives, hybrids, and electric cars. Professional vehicle transporters know how to move such sophisticated vehicles using recommended loading techniques.
If you understand when do you need long distance towing, it will be easier for you to deal with sudden circumstances. There are numerous cases when long-distance towing is the best and most efficient way to ensure that your car will be recovered safely. No matter whether you experience car problems outside your area, need to deliver your newly purchased car, or have to transport a vintage car for relocation purposes, there are professional tow truck operators who are capable of delivering your vehicle at long distances.
By identifying your requirements for transporting your car and comparing various specialists, you will be able to save your time and money while protecting your property from any potential harm. Towing should be arranged according to the vehicle transport needs. For towing services, you can definitely trust Express Towing Services.
While the definition may differ from one service provider to another, long-distance towing usually implies towing of a car over 100 kilometers or across cities, regions, and even countries.
Vehicle transportation is generally recommended for a car that cannot be driven, requires maintenance and repair, was bought newly, is a classic or luxury one, or if you have to drive over very long distances.
Yes, because during flatbed towing all four wheels are kept off the road, thus, avoiding any tires wear, transmission strain, and damage from road debris. Flatbed towing is best suited for all-wheel-drive, electric, luxury and performance cars.
The price may vary depending on the distance, size and weight of the vehicle, accessibility, time constraints, and other considerations. You should always ask for a detailed written quotation.
Yes, as professional towing companies possess winches and special loading equipment that allow moving any non-operational vehicle.
