5 Common Towing Service Myths Busted

It is important to understand that not all online sources can be trusted.

You might be believing a myth all this time through and some may cause you more damage than you can imagine.

That’s not all, it could also hurt your business reputation!

There are several myths that no one tells you about, so here’s a list of common myths about towing services you’ve been believing all along.

Busting these myths will help you take the right precautions while towing a car the next time.

5 Common Towing Service Myths

1. Tongue weight makes up ten percent of the towed weight

Most people have believed this for long enough. However, here’s a reality check. It’s false!

The safe amount of tongue weight is somewhere between ten to fifteen percent of the trailer’s weight. This depends upon several factors such as load distribution and the position of the trailer’s axles.

The tongue is essential as it prevents the trailer from swaying fast, and tongue weight plays a major role in preventing this swaying motion.

2. GVWR and GAWR are synonymous to each other

First, get your facts right.

GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This is nothing but the maximum weight assigned to your vehicle, meaning everything on the inside, including people.

This is a limit set by the manufacturer and should never be ignored for safety purposes.

On the other hand, GAWR is Gross Axle Weight Rating. This is the highest weight that can be applied to an individual axle.

The similarity GAWR shares with GVWR is that, like GVWR, this rating is also decided and enlisted by the manufacturer and by no means should be exceeded.

What happens if you cross this rating? Chances are you may face issues with your brake system, tires, hitch, or your car could lose control.

3. Adding suspension products can increase the vehicle’s payload capacity

More often than not, people believe that payload capacity increases by adding suspension products. But they are highly mistaken.

Don’t be ignorant the next time you hear someone say this to you. Make a note of this and remember it for life, that a vehicle’s maximum capacity ratings are assigned by its manufacturer and thus, cannot be changed.

However, you can always improve side swaying by using a device that pre-activates a truck’s leaf springs.

It’s also important to keep in mind that different types of tow trucks do not work the same, so do your research and be sure before believing anything.

4. “I can estimate the tongue weight”

Here comes the other misconception, that you, being the owner of the vehicle can estimate the tongue weight. Again, FALSE!

This often causes hitch failure.

You always start by first ensuring that the entire weight of the load is evenly placed across all the axles of the trailer with the help of a weight distribution system, or using professional assistance from A&G Customs.

5. You need not care about trailer bearings

This is the last of this list and by far the most believed misconception.

You shouldn’t ignore the upkeep of trailer bearings, as they too require timely inspection, cleaning, and greasing.

If kept outdoors for a longer period of time, they may rust away and this is extremely dangerous as it could cause on-the-road trailer breakdowns. The expenses involved in getting it fixed is another story altogether.

All bearings inside the trailer’s wheel mechanisms need maintenance and lubrication to prevent excess friction or extreme degradation on the trailer itself.