What does 'carrying a car' mean?
3 Answers
Carrying a car is a practice aimed at saving costs such as toll fees, fuel expenses, and tire wear. It involves long-distance drivers placing one vehicle onto the cargo bed of another and driving it as if it were cargo, making it appear as though they are carrying a car on their back. While this method is effective and cost-saving, it is highly dangerous and can lead to major traffic accidents. It has been deemed illegal by some traffic organizations and is now prohibited. Below is additional information: Principle: Carrying a car is done to save on toll fees, fuel expenses, tire wear, and other costs. Some long-distance drivers place one vehicle onto the cargo bed of another and drive it as if it were cargo, making it appear as though they are carrying a car on their back.
I first heard about car carrying when I saw a large truck carrying a small car on the highway, thinking it was some new kind of performance. Later, a friend told me that car carrying means transporting one vehicle by loading it onto another, commonly used for towing broken-down vehicles or relocating cars to another place. For example, someone in my neighborhood moved house by using an SUV to carry a Mini to the new location, which saved the hassle of driving separately and also cut down on fuel costs. In terms of equipment, trailer boards or carrying racks are often used for securing the vehicle, but it's crucial to ensure everything is firmly fixed and the center of gravity is balanced. Otherwise, turning or sudden braking could easily lead to rollovers and accidents. From a safety perspective, beginners shouldn't attempt this casually—it's safer to hire a professional company for help. Now that I understand, I realize this practice is quite common among road trip enthusiasts, but it's important to first check whether local regulations allow it on public roads.
Having driven for over a decade, I often engage in vehicle towing—using one vehicle to tow another. For instance, my old pickup truck has helped friends tow cars that couldn't run due to minor issues to repair shops. When performing the operation, first select compatible tow hooks or boards, secure the ropes tightly, and test their stability. During long-distance towing, pay extra attention to slowing down and maintaining double the usual following distance, as the added weight affects braking performance. From experience, SUVs or trucks with higher ground clearance are more suitable for towing to avoid undercarriage scrapes. Towing a small car is straightforward, but for larger vehicles, professional mechanical lifting equipment is required. Overall, it saves time and effort, but extra caution is needed in rainy conditions or on rough roads to prevent skidding.
