What does a towed motor vehicle mean?
3 Answers
A towed motor vehicle refers to a vehicle that is being pulled by another vehicle in front due to a malfunction. Vehicle towing can be divided into soft towing, which uses a towing rope as the tool, and hard towing, which uses a sturdy towing frame as the tool. Regardless of the towing method used, before driving, it is necessary to establish communication methods and signals for starting, driving, turning, decelerating, stopping, and encountering special situations during towing. The towed motor vehicle must not carry passengers other than the driver, must not tow a trailer, and the width of the towed motor vehicle must not exceed that of the towing motor vehicle. When using a soft connection towing device, the distance between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle should be greater than 4 meters and less than 10 meters. For a towed vehicle with failed brakes, a hard connection towing device should be used.
I've been in the auto repair industry for many years and frequently see towed vehicles - simply put, when a car can't move on its own due to mechanical issues and needs another vehicle to pull it, whether using tow ropes or a tow dolly. Common reasons include vehicle breakdowns like engine failure, dead batteries, or post-collision immobilization. I've handled countless such cases - once getting a midnight call about a young man whose car wouldn't start due to an aged battery, later towed to my shop by his friend's truck after stalling on the road. These situations can be quite dangerous, as improper towing may damage the suspension or transmission. To avoid becoming the towed vehicle, I recommend regular battery and cooling system checks. If it happens, remember to activate hazard lights, park in a safe location, and use proper tow hooks - this reduces accident risks and can save on repair costs.
As a car modification enthusiast, my fellow gearheads and I often encounter towed vehicles, meaning a car that can't move on its own and needs to be pulled by another. For example, during track days, if someone's beloved ride overheats and stalls, we use tow straps to haul it back to the garage. I once pushed my car too hard while racing, blew the engine, and had to be towed home by a friend's off-roader. The key is to keep the speed moderate—too fast and the steering wheels might lock up, causing an accident. It's best to use specialized tools like tow bars for a rigid connection, which are safer than ropes. I've also heard that urban highways often have towing services for breakdowns. To avoid such mishaps, always test your modified car's condition and carry an emergency toolkit. In short, towing might seem simple, but it requires teamwork and caution—otherwise, you might end up damaging your ride.
