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The 5 Components Need for Flat Towing

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Drivers tow vehicles mostly out of necessity, but also for convenience. By taking your own personal vehicle with you on your trip, you can save money on taxis, Übers, Lifts, trains, trolleys, buses, and fees to professionally transport a car long distances. If you are planning a road trip that requires you to tow your car, truck, or boat, be sure you know exactly what you need to set everything up correctly. There are 5 basic components you need for a flat tow, plus several other accessories that can enhance both safety and control on the road.

Continue reading to review the 5 basic flat tow components, and who to call for trusted flatbed towing in Indiana if you don’t feel comfortable towing on your own.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

❶ Tow Bar

The tow bar is the ultimate basic component because it is the piece that essentially connects your towing vehicle with the towed vehicle. Read our blog, “Basic Facts About Tow Bars” to get understand tow bar assembly better, including popular types of tow bars to choose from.

❷ Base Plate Kit

Base plate kits are vehicle-specific, which means you must be sure you get the right one that matches your make and model vehicle. These custom-designed base plates are installed on your car’s frame, which fits perfectly and provides attachment points for a tow bar.

❸ Safety Cable Set

You can never have too much safety or control when towing a trailer or vehicle on the open road. A safety cable set will provide this assurance and keep you in adherence with state law. They are designed to keep your dinghy attached to your towing vehicle, and prevent swaying.

❹ Tow Bar Wiring

Another state law required component for your flat tow set-up is tow bar wiring, which is a lighting system on your dinghy that operates in sync with your towing vehicle’s tail lights. Choose from removable exterior light kits, separate tail light bulb kits, and more.

❺ Supplemental Braking System

The importance of a supplemental braking system for your flat tow operation is explained in the name. Having an extra set of back-up brakes on your dinghy provides added braking power and reduces wear and tear on both vehicle’s brakes. Furthermore, they are requires under law in most states.

Indiana Towing Experts Here to Help

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for prompt, 24 hour towing and roadside assistance in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Our licensed towing and recovery division retains an extensive fleet of over 35 tow trucks and wrecker equipment, allowing us to assist drivers 24 hours a day, 7days a week, and 365 days a year, rain, snow, or ice. Request a free estimate, anytime.

What You Should Know About Dinghy Towing

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It is common to see vehicles flat-towing other vehicles on the road. This type of towing is called dinghy towing, and continues to be among the most popular and convenient ways to haul. The term, “dinghy” actually refers to yachts hauling small transit boats in their wakes. Dinghy towing has become a very efficient and secure way of towing cars, trucks, and SUV’s.

For this reason, an extensive line of specialized equipment was introduced to the market to support this type of towing. Parts like supplemental transmission lubrication pumps, quick-disconnect couplings for the driveshaft, light wiring, and supplemental brake actuators are towing components that make dinghy-style hauling safer and more efficient.

There are two ways dinghy towing is implemented: using a tow bar or using a tow dolly. Continue reading to learn the differences between these two styles, and gain a better perspective of the pros and cons of dinghy towing.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

Using a Tow Bar

When you see, for example, an RV towing a sedan with all four tires making contact with the road, this is dinghy style towing using a tow bar. The tow bar is connected to the front bumper of the towed vehicle, and then trailer lights are attached to the back bumper. Although reliable, using a tow bar to tow can become complicated since cars are meant to drive on their own power, rather than be towed on the ground. Also, transmissions are designed to be turned by the car’s engine.

But when a car is being towed on the pavement, the tires will cause the transmission to turn instead, which could possibly lead to transmission damage. On the other hand, certain vehicles, like Jeeps, are designed with a 4WD mechanism that retains a transfer case, which places the car in neutral, isolating the transmission from the wheels. It is important to always refer to the towed vehicles owners’ manual for manufacturer recommendations before setting it up for tow bar dinghy towing.

Using a Tow Dolly

In contrast to tow bars, tow dollies only allow the rear tires of a towed vehicle to touch the ground. When you see a car being towed with its front wheels raised and its back wheels rolling on the ground, you are witnessing dinghy style towing using a tow dolly. Tow dollies are popular for RV’s that need to tow a car or SUV long distances. A notable downside to tow dolly towing is uneven tire wear. However, routine maintenance and regular tire rotations can help slow this process down.

Indianapolis Tow Truck Help

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for safe and affordable Indianapolis tow truck services you can trust. Our licensed and insured tow truck operators provide punctual and prompt tow truck services, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! We also provide numerous community services, roadside assistance services, wrecker and recovery services, and much more. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate, anytime!