When a car is unable to run and breaks down on the road, it is likely in need of a tow. There are many situations when you should call a towing service and usually, towing is done on vehicles that are on the side of the road. Furthermore, various kinds of tow trucks can be used to move them to storage or to an auto shop.
However, there are certain cases when additional specialized tools and equipment may be needed to retrieve the car. It is possible that the car is stuck off-road, it has fallen off a ditch or has rollover because of an accident. This is what recovery towing is all about.
Recovery Towing
Any vehicle that is driven off-road paths is at risk of getting stuck. No matter how experienced the driver is or whether the car is a 2-wheel drive or a 4-wheel drive, there is still a chance of getting stuck. Additionally, cars may veer out of the road and into the side when they are driven at very fast speeds. Losing control of such vehicles could lead to an accident that places the car off the road.
The first step to recovery towing is to get the car back on the road with a wrecker or other equipment. However, that is much easier said than done. Different situations call for different types of equipment and the ones used will greatly affect the success of the recovery. That is precisely why it is best to call experienced professionals when it comes to recovery towing services.
Such equipment may include chain saws for removing tree branches, D-rings for securing connections, towing dollies, nylon straps, chains, and a winch. Moreover, safety equipment are also needed by everyone who is going to try and recover the vehicle back to the road.
The Winch Method
Those who usually go off-roading may already have their own winch fitted on their 4-wheel drive. This is an effective tool that can get the vehicle unstuck in various scenarios. It usually has a steel cable that’s to be attached to the vehicle through straps. Towing companies can use the winch to reel in the vehicle and get it unstuck.
When recovering a vehicle, recovery straps are used. These are not to be confused with tow straps because they are different. The recovery straps usually stretch to about 10-15%. This results to a smoother and more productive pulling. Winching a car may also need some preparation. Many prefer to flip it back to the right side up in case it has rollover.
The equipment used for recovering a vehicle are governed by strict regulations. The equipment used should be regularly inspected and maintained. This is because there is a risk for them to go terribly wrong and when that happens, it could result in fatalities. Before recovering a vehicle, it is best to assess the situation and come up with a plan first before taking action.
Recovery Towing For Heavy Vehicles
In case the vehicle to be recovered is a heavy-duty one, then you can expect more equipment and additional crew to succeed. Trailers are quite heavy even if they are unloaded. They are tons in weight and can easily crush anyone or anything in their way.
In order to make sure they are recovered properly, lots of experience and a well-skilled team is needed. Big rig recovery often requires the use of straps plus spreader bars together. This helps with the distribution of the pulling. Additionally, snatch blocks may also be used to aid in angle pulls or dual-line. Furthermore, there are also airlift bags that can be used in certain situations to aid winches in the recovery.
