Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Towing light, police light bulb, ambulance light bulb finder for federal signal product
Federal Signal Bulb Selection Chart
for Towlights, Strobes, Tow Truck lighting systems, police lights, flashers, ambulance flashers, loading dock lights
questions email msaks@ectts.com
Monday, May 3, 2010
Best Tow Truck Insurance
From Auto Buying Tips.com
by Robert Osborne
Auto Insurance
You could consider yourself to be in the towing business if you receive income from repairing vehicles, towing disabled vehicles, providing roadside assistance, or even repossessing cars and trucks. As with any business, to protect yourself and abide by state and government laws, you will need the best tow truck insurance. But tow truck insurance isn’t like typical commercial truck insurance. Not only do have your investments to think about, but you are also responsible for the property of another person. Let’s take a look at what kind of insurance you will need for your tow truck.
Like any other vehicle, you’re going to need liability insurance. Should you be at fault for an accident, this type of insurance will cover injuries or damage sustained by another person or object. A portion of your liability insurance can cover hospital or medical bills, funeral expenses, and perhaps even lost wages as a result of the accident. This portion of your liability insurance is referred to as “bodily injury.” The “property damage” portion of your liability insurance will cover items lost or damaged in the case of an accident, such as other vehicles, lamp posts, personal property, and, in some cases, even pets. Liability limits are set by you, the policy holder, and can be designated into split limits or as a combined single limit. Split limits are decided as maximum bodily injury per person, bodily injury for all those involved in an accident, and total for all property damaged in the accident. With a combined single limit, no distinction is made between how much money is spent on persons versus property. In most cases, liability insurance is required by law.
Medical payment insurance pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers in an accident regardless of who is at fault. Just like liability insurance, you will need to select a limit for your medical payment coverage. Some states require commercial tow trucks to carry this kind of truck insurance while others do not. A knowledgeable broker will help you determine if you need this type of coverage or not.
Physical damage coverage deals with deductibles rather than limits and pays to repair your vehicle in the event of an accident, a tree falling on your vehicle, or vandalism. You will choose an amount that you can pay out of pocket at any given time as your deductible. Once your deductible is met, the physical damage insurance will cover the rest. To keep monthly premiums down, some people choose a higher deductible, but again you have to consider how much you could pay up front should something happen to your truck. Just like regular vehicle insurance there is a collision part to your physical damage coverage. This addresses collisions and rolled vehicles. Comprehensive trucking insurance is another subcategory of this type of coverage and covers pretty much anything the collision insurance won’t. Bigger trucks will need fire and theft with combined additional coverage insurance, which can also be referred to as specified perils insurance or limited comprehensive insurance. This type of coverage will protect your large truck from the elements, theft, vandalism, collision with an animal, and can even repair or replace your truck while it is being transported from one location to another. If you are leasing your tow truck, you may be required to carry this kind of insurance. If you have a newer, more valuable tow truck, this type of insurance would be a wise investment.
Uninsured motorist insurance will protect you and your passengers in the event of a hit and run. It will pay for damages sustained in an accident, lost wages, and perhaps even pain and suffering caused by persons with inadequate or no insurance. Rules and regulations pertaining to this type of insurance are mandated by state, and again you will need to ask your broker for assistance in obtaining the right amount of uninsured motorist insurance for your business. Uninsured motorist property damage insurance will pay for damages inflicted upon your vehicle by an uninsured or underinsured motorist and is not available in all areas. These coverages are determined by deductibles rather than limits.
If your tow company services cars and there is a chance of a customer’s vehicle being left on your property over night, you will want garagekeepers legal liability insurance. In Texas and Virginia, this type of insurance is referred to as storage location insurance. Garagekeepers legal liability insurance will help you pay for repairs to your customer’s car due to fire, theft, or vandalism. You will need to choose a limit for this type of insurance that will be available to you prior to an incident. You also need to choose a deductible per vehicle that you will be responsible for. Once that deductible is met, your insurance will help cover the rest of the repairs to that vehicle, up to your limit for the occurrence.
On-hook towing insurance covers the vehicle you are towing from damages caused by the elements, theft, vandalism, or explosion while the vehicle is being towed. In Texas and Virginia, this type of insurance is referred to as garagekeepers legal liability insurance. A limit pertaining to each occurrence must be set, as well as a deductible you will pay before insurance kicks in.
The majority of commercial trucking insurance companies will not provide repossession insurance. In fact, if a certain percentage of your revenue comes from performing repossessions, you may not be eligible for commercial tow truck insurance from many tow truck insurance companies. Repossession insurance is kind of a “specialty” product and only a handful of insurance companies, those that specifically handle tow truck insurance, will have it. If you are in the business of repossessions and your current broker is not familiar with the rules and regulations governing this field of insurance, it may be wise to get a referral elsewhere. When it comes to your assets and the property of those you serve, it is better to be safe than sorry.
From Auto Buying Tips.com
by Robert Osborne
Auto Insurance
You could consider yourself to be in the towing business if you receive income from repairing vehicles, towing disabled vehicles, providing roadside assistance, or even repossessing cars and trucks. As with any business, to protect yourself and abide by state and government laws, you will need the best tow truck insurance. But tow truck insurance isn’t like typical commercial truck insurance. Not only do have your investments to think about, but you are also responsible for the property of another person. Let’s take a look at what kind of insurance you will need for your tow truck.
Like any other vehicle, you’re going to need liability insurance. Should you be at fault for an accident, this type of insurance will cover injuries or damage sustained by another person or object. A portion of your liability insurance can cover hospital or medical bills, funeral expenses, and perhaps even lost wages as a result of the accident. This portion of your liability insurance is referred to as “bodily injury.” The “property damage” portion of your liability insurance will cover items lost or damaged in the case of an accident, such as other vehicles, lamp posts, personal property, and, in some cases, even pets. Liability limits are set by you, the policy holder, and can be designated into split limits or as a combined single limit. Split limits are decided as maximum bodily injury per person, bodily injury for all those involved in an accident, and total for all property damaged in the accident. With a combined single limit, no distinction is made between how much money is spent on persons versus property. In most cases, liability insurance is required by law.
Medical payment insurance pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers in an accident regardless of who is at fault. Just like liability insurance, you will need to select a limit for your medical payment coverage. Some states require commercial tow trucks to carry this kind of truck insurance while others do not. A knowledgeable broker will help you determine if you need this type of coverage or not.
Physical damage coverage deals with deductibles rather than limits and pays to repair your vehicle in the event of an accident, a tree falling on your vehicle, or vandalism. You will choose an amount that you can pay out of pocket at any given time as your deductible. Once your deductible is met, the physical damage insurance will cover the rest. To keep monthly premiums down, some people choose a higher deductible, but again you have to consider how much you could pay up front should something happen to your truck. Just like regular vehicle insurance there is a collision part to your physical damage coverage. This addresses collisions and rolled vehicles. Comprehensive trucking insurance is another subcategory of this type of coverage and covers pretty much anything the collision insurance won’t. Bigger trucks will need fire and theft with combined additional coverage insurance, which can also be referred to as specified perils insurance or limited comprehensive insurance. This type of coverage will protect your large truck from the elements, theft, vandalism, collision with an animal, and can even repair or replace your truck while it is being transported from one location to another. If you are leasing your tow truck, you may be required to carry this kind of insurance. If you have a newer, more valuable tow truck, this type of insurance would be a wise investment.
Uninsured motorist insurance will protect you and your passengers in the event of a hit and run. It will pay for damages sustained in an accident, lost wages, and perhaps even pain and suffering caused by persons with inadequate or no insurance. Rules and regulations pertaining to this type of insurance are mandated by state, and again you will need to ask your broker for assistance in obtaining the right amount of uninsured motorist insurance for your business. Uninsured motorist property damage insurance will pay for damages inflicted upon your vehicle by an uninsured or underinsured motorist and is not available in all areas. These coverages are determined by deductibles rather than limits.
If your tow company services cars and there is a chance of a customer’s vehicle being left on your property over night, you will want garagekeepers legal liability insurance. In Texas and Virginia, this type of insurance is referred to as storage location insurance. Garagekeepers legal liability insurance will help you pay for repairs to your customer’s car due to fire, theft, or vandalism. You will need to choose a limit for this type of insurance that will be available to you prior to an incident. You also need to choose a deductible per vehicle that you will be responsible for. Once that deductible is met, your insurance will help cover the rest of the repairs to that vehicle, up to your limit for the occurrence.
On-hook towing insurance covers the vehicle you are towing from damages caused by the elements, theft, vandalism, or explosion while the vehicle is being towed. In Texas and Virginia, this type of insurance is referred to as garagekeepers legal liability insurance. A limit pertaining to each occurrence must be set, as well as a deductible you will pay before insurance kicks in.
The majority of commercial trucking insurance companies will not provide repossession insurance. In fact, if a certain percentage of your revenue comes from performing repossessions, you may not be eligible for commercial tow truck insurance from many tow truck insurance companies. Repossession insurance is kind of a “specialty” product and only a handful of insurance companies, those that specifically handle tow truck insurance, will have it. If you are in the business of repossessions and your current broker is not familiar with the rules and regulations governing this field of insurance, it may be wise to get a referral elsewhere. When it comes to your assets and the property of those you serve, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Flatbed Tow Truck
from Autobuyingtips.com
by Kevin Seals
Although flatbed or rollback tow trucks are difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, they are favored by tow truck companies and consumers as the safest option for hauling most disabled vehicles. With the aid of a winch, a disabled auto may be gently pulled up and onto to the tilted flatbed platform. Cars may also be driven onto its platform for transport. Once the platform is tilted back into the upright position and the car secured, it is ready for short or long distance transport. The method of loading the vehicle as well as the way it travels on a flatbed tow truck greatly reduces the risk of dammage to the towed auto. Car and motorcycle aficionados also like to use rollback tow trucks as a safe way to minimize wear and tear on their vehicles to safely get their prized vehicles to a show or a race.
A solid rollback truck is a work of art that requires specialized skills and equipment to assemble. The average person has neither the skills nor equipment to mount a carrier onto the cab chassis. Specialized tow truck companies often custom build tow trucks for their clients. They use flatbed towing truck cab chassis and truck body manufacturers such as Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Isuzu, Peterbilt, and Kenworth among others while the carriers may come from such companies as Century, Chevron or Vulcan. Carrier frames are usually made of steel or aluminum although on occasion they are made of wood.
In addition to the standard carriers, there are specialty carriers such as Miller Industries’ LCG (Low Center of Gravity) carriers which were designed to accommodate taller vehicles such as forklifts by reducing the platform height by 5 to 6 inches. The LCG is available on the Century, Chevron & Vulcan Series 12, 20, 30 and the Vulcan Series 16. The load or weight that a truck can carry is identified in its series number. For example, Century’s 10 Series truck can handle a load of 10,000 pounds and Vulcan’s 30 Series truck can handle 30,000 pounds. Single vehicle rollback load capacities typically range from 10,000 to 40,000 pounds while a 3 or 4 car carrier can handle a load of of 20,000 pounds on the main deck and 5,000 pounds on the upper deck.
Other flatbed tow trucks for sale specifications are platform length, GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rate) and load angle. Generally platform lengths range from 19 feet to 30 feet. The GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rate) or the maximum weight that the vehicle can carry when fully loaded and includes the weight of the vehicle and can range from 15,000 to 60,000 pounds. In some cases, the GVWR should be distributed between the front and rear axles. Such is the case of the Century Heavy Duty 3 or 4 Car Carrier which calls for 12,000 pounds the front axle and 21,000 pounds on the rear. The load angle is a major concern with low clearance and specialty vehicles. All the major carrier companies have come up with an option to help safely load such autos. At Century, it’s called the “Right Approach” and at Vulcan, the “Extreme Angle” but in both cases, the load angle is reduced to 6 degrees. Chevron uses a drop deck to the same effect which it names the “Loadrite”.
The rollback tow truck is not a great recovery vehicle but it can safely handle many types of cars, large vehicles as well as specialty cars. To make up for its lack of maneuverability during recovery operations, tow truck operators may attach a side puller such as the SP 8000, the SP 12000 or the SP 20000. In the same vein as the carrier series, the side puller’s numerals indicate the load they can handle. So the SP 12000 can pull up to 12,000 pounds of auto from an embankment using either manual or hydraulic stiff legs and a winch. With such addition, the flatbed bed tow truck becomes useful in recovery operations. This versatility is another reason it is a favorite among tow truck companies.
from Autobuyingtips.com
by Kevin Seals
Although flatbed or rollback tow trucks are difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, they are favored by tow truck companies and consumers as the safest option for hauling most disabled vehicles. With the aid of a winch, a disabled auto may be gently pulled up and onto to the tilted flatbed platform. Cars may also be driven onto its platform for transport. Once the platform is tilted back into the upright position and the car secured, it is ready for short or long distance transport. The method of loading the vehicle as well as the way it travels on a flatbed tow truck greatly reduces the risk of dammage to the towed auto. Car and motorcycle aficionados also like to use rollback tow trucks as a safe way to minimize wear and tear on their vehicles to safely get their prized vehicles to a show or a race.
A solid rollback truck is a work of art that requires specialized skills and equipment to assemble. The average person has neither the skills nor equipment to mount a carrier onto the cab chassis. Specialized tow truck companies often custom build tow trucks for their clients. They use flatbed towing truck cab chassis and truck body manufacturers such as Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Isuzu, Peterbilt, and Kenworth among others while the carriers may come from such companies as Century, Chevron or Vulcan. Carrier frames are usually made of steel or aluminum although on occasion they are made of wood.
In addition to the standard carriers, there are specialty carriers such as Miller Industries’ LCG (Low Center of Gravity) carriers which were designed to accommodate taller vehicles such as forklifts by reducing the platform height by 5 to 6 inches. The LCG is available on the Century, Chevron & Vulcan Series 12, 20, 30 and the Vulcan Series 16. The load or weight that a truck can carry is identified in its series number. For example, Century’s 10 Series truck can handle a load of 10,000 pounds and Vulcan’s 30 Series truck can handle 30,000 pounds. Single vehicle rollback load capacities typically range from 10,000 to 40,000 pounds while a 3 or 4 car carrier can handle a load of of 20,000 pounds on the main deck and 5,000 pounds on the upper deck.
Other flatbed tow trucks for sale specifications are platform length, GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rate) and load angle. Generally platform lengths range from 19 feet to 30 feet. The GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rate) or the maximum weight that the vehicle can carry when fully loaded and includes the weight of the vehicle and can range from 15,000 to 60,000 pounds. In some cases, the GVWR should be distributed between the front and rear axles. Such is the case of the Century Heavy Duty 3 or 4 Car Carrier which calls for 12,000 pounds the front axle and 21,000 pounds on the rear. The load angle is a major concern with low clearance and specialty vehicles. All the major carrier companies have come up with an option to help safely load such autos. At Century, it’s called the “Right Approach” and at Vulcan, the “Extreme Angle” but in both cases, the load angle is reduced to 6 degrees. Chevron uses a drop deck to the same effect which it names the “Loadrite”.
The rollback tow truck is not a great recovery vehicle but it can safely handle many types of cars, large vehicles as well as specialty cars. To make up for its lack of maneuverability during recovery operations, tow truck operators may attach a side puller such as the SP 8000, the SP 12000 or the SP 20000. In the same vein as the carrier series, the side puller’s numerals indicate the load they can handle. So the SP 12000 can pull up to 12,000 pounds of auto from an embankment using either manual or hydraulic stiff legs and a winch. With such addition, the flatbed bed tow truck becomes useful in recovery operations. This versatility is another reason it is a favorite among tow truck companies.
Tips for Towing Disabled Vehicles
Sophisticated new vehicles require great care and different types of towing techniques.
By Ann Job of MSN Autos
Click to enlarge picture
Always make certain that the tow truck driver knows the proper way to tow your vehicle.
On occasion, our car, van, truck or sport-utility vehicle can break down and need to be towed.
Decades ago, it wasn't uncommon to see a friend, family member, neighbor or Good Samaritan towing the stranded vehicle home for a needy driver.
It's rare to see this today—for good reason.
Towing practices, like today's vehicles, are more sophisticated than they were years ago— so sophisticated, in fact, that there are more rules and "don'ts" than ever before.
Even AAA, the largest member-supported roadside assistance service in the United States, offers a towing manual for tow truck operators that has "more than 350 pages of details involving every make and model," said Larry Keller, editor at AAA of Michigan.
As each year progresses, AAA sends out further towing news via service bulletins, Keller said.
So, no, towing isn't a simple procedure where someone throws a rope or chain around a car's front bumper and "tows" the vehicle home.
In fact, if there's one key thing to remember about towing, it is that you should always follow the owner's manual and make sure your tow truck operator does, too. If he refuses to do so, find another tow truck.
Otherwise, you can face the risk of damage to your vehicle.
Safety Considerations
These days, there is much more emphasis on safety in towing, with the realization that there's a potential for injury or even death during towing maneuvers.
For example, in the early 1980s, a Good Samaritan driver was killed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when he attempted to tow another driver out of a snow bank.
The man died when the chain he had attached to the other vehicle broke and the loose end flew into the back window of his truck cab, striking him in the head.
There are other towing dangers, too.
Do-it-yourself towed vehicles don't have lights and flashers that tow-truck drivers use to alert other drivers that they're approaching a disabled car. So other drivers can come up quickly at the back of these vehicles-in-tow and rear-end them, since they typically aren't keeping up with traffic.
Chris Matthews, an Automotive Service Excellence-approved technician and coordinator of the AAA-approved auto repair program, pointed out that brakes on a DIY-towed vehicle typically are crippled as well because with the vehicle's engine not on, there's no vacuum boost to help the brakes work normally.
Thus, if the vehicle that's pulling a disabled car stops suddenly, it's likely the towed vehicle won't be able to stop in time to avoid rear-ending the tow vehicle.
Steering can be another problem, with so many of today's vehicles featuring power-assist steering systems, not to mention steering wheel locks. Note that when the engine is not operating, there is no power assist, so attempting to steer a towed vehicle requires substantial extra effort.
Avoiding Mechanical Damage
Vehicle owners also should want to make sure their vehicles aren't damaged during towing.
Each owner's manual provides specific instructions and warnings for each vehicle and should be strictly followed.
Subaru spokesman Rob Moran, for example, notes that the owner's manuals for all new Subaru Forester, Legacy and Impreza models—basically every Subaru with standard all-wheel drive—tell drivers that all four wheels need to be off the ground when a Subaru is towed. This is also known as flat-bedding.
Otherwise, "you could get damage to the transmission or differential," he said.
Matthews explained because all four wheels get power and are therefore "tied together," there's really no way to put any of the wheels to the ground and not have the transmission or transaxle "burn up."
The reason? Simply, as any of the drive wheels moves while the vehicle is improperly towed, mechanicals in the transmission and sometimes in the differential move, too. Since the engine isn't operating, there are no fluids flowing to keep the parts lubricated.
The Cadillac Escalade with all-wheel drive has caused special problems in towing, Matthews said.
The Escalade AWD can't be pulled behind a tow truck, but must be flat-bedded for the same reasons described for Subaru vehicles.
Since an Escalade AWD weighs more than 5,500 pounds, a medium-duty flat-bed truck is required, and "they're hard to come by as a lot of [roadside service companies] may not have them," Matthews explained.
Cadillac engineers are working on a solution, he added.
Front- and Rear-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Lubrication is an issue in rear- and front-drive vehicles, too, and draws attention to the need for tow-truck operators to be skilled in different towing procedures.
For example, the Mazda RX-8 is a rear-wheel-drive car and "should have its rear wheels off the ground" if it's being towed, according to the owner's manual.
By keeping the rear wheels, which are the wheels that receive power via the transmission and driveshaft, immobile and off the ground, there's no moving of the linked parts and thus, no lubrication issues.
In contrast, a front-wheel-drive car is generally OK to tow with its front wheels off the ground for the same reason, Matthews said.
In this case, the front wheels are the drive wheels connected to driveshaft and transmission and so need to be kept immobile during towing.
Beyond the driveline issues, owners of vehicles with lowered chassis and sport-body appearance kits should be sure tow truck operators take extra care to ensure the spoiler, lower body kit pieces and/or undercarriage aren't damaged as a vehicle is raised and lowered onto a truck.
Other Towing Insights
You might wonder, then, just how RV owners manage to flat tow vehicles behind their large mobile homes.
Actually, I've long wondered why I see so many Saturns towed behind big RVs.
Sue Holmgren, Saturn spokeswoman, had the answer. In fact, she said lots of RVers know that Saturns are easy to flat tow, and typically don't require major modifications, such as a lubrication pump or driveline disconnection, before towing.
Specifically, all Saturn S-Series and L-Series cars, even with automatic transmissions, and all Ions and VUEs with manual transmissions can be flat towed. Owners must follow instructions in their manuals. But RVers take note: L- and S-Series Saturns are no longer in production.
Automatics tend to be more problematic. Holmgren noted the S- and L-Series Saturns have automatics with bearings, which require less lubrication than do automatics on some other cars that have bushings or thrust washers.
In addition, "the input shaft into the torque converter needs to be able to rotate freely," which is what these Saturns have, she said.
Generally, a vehicle can be flat towed as long as the transmission internals are not turning. Thus, an SUV trailing behind a big RV most likely has had its driveshaft disconnected from the transmission.
Bottom line: It is critically important that vehicles be towed according to the owner's manual instructions.
Ann Job is a freelance automotive writer.
Sophisticated new vehicles require great care and different types of towing techniques.
By Ann Job of MSN Autos
Click to enlarge picture
Always make certain that the tow truck driver knows the proper way to tow your vehicle.
On occasion, our car, van, truck or sport-utility vehicle can break down and need to be towed.
Decades ago, it wasn't uncommon to see a friend, family member, neighbor or Good Samaritan towing the stranded vehicle home for a needy driver.
It's rare to see this today—for good reason.
Towing practices, like today's vehicles, are more sophisticated than they were years ago— so sophisticated, in fact, that there are more rules and "don'ts" than ever before.
Even AAA, the largest member-supported roadside assistance service in the United States, offers a towing manual for tow truck operators that has "more than 350 pages of details involving every make and model," said Larry Keller, editor at AAA of Michigan.
As each year progresses, AAA sends out further towing news via service bulletins, Keller said.
So, no, towing isn't a simple procedure where someone throws a rope or chain around a car's front bumper and "tows" the vehicle home.
In fact, if there's one key thing to remember about towing, it is that you should always follow the owner's manual and make sure your tow truck operator does, too. If he refuses to do so, find another tow truck.
Otherwise, you can face the risk of damage to your vehicle.
Safety Considerations
These days, there is much more emphasis on safety in towing, with the realization that there's a potential for injury or even death during towing maneuvers.
For example, in the early 1980s, a Good Samaritan driver was killed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when he attempted to tow another driver out of a snow bank.
The man died when the chain he had attached to the other vehicle broke and the loose end flew into the back window of his truck cab, striking him in the head.
There are other towing dangers, too.
Do-it-yourself towed vehicles don't have lights and flashers that tow-truck drivers use to alert other drivers that they're approaching a disabled car. So other drivers can come up quickly at the back of these vehicles-in-tow and rear-end them, since they typically aren't keeping up with traffic.
Chris Matthews, an Automotive Service Excellence-approved technician and coordinator of the AAA-approved auto repair program, pointed out that brakes on a DIY-towed vehicle typically are crippled as well because with the vehicle's engine not on, there's no vacuum boost to help the brakes work normally.
Thus, if the vehicle that's pulling a disabled car stops suddenly, it's likely the towed vehicle won't be able to stop in time to avoid rear-ending the tow vehicle.
Steering can be another problem, with so many of today's vehicles featuring power-assist steering systems, not to mention steering wheel locks. Note that when the engine is not operating, there is no power assist, so attempting to steer a towed vehicle requires substantial extra effort.
Avoiding Mechanical Damage
Vehicle owners also should want to make sure their vehicles aren't damaged during towing.
Each owner's manual provides specific instructions and warnings for each vehicle and should be strictly followed.
Subaru spokesman Rob Moran, for example, notes that the owner's manuals for all new Subaru Forester, Legacy and Impreza models—basically every Subaru with standard all-wheel drive—tell drivers that all four wheels need to be off the ground when a Subaru is towed. This is also known as flat-bedding.
Otherwise, "you could get damage to the transmission or differential," he said.
Matthews explained because all four wheels get power and are therefore "tied together," there's really no way to put any of the wheels to the ground and not have the transmission or transaxle "burn up."
The reason? Simply, as any of the drive wheels moves while the vehicle is improperly towed, mechanicals in the transmission and sometimes in the differential move, too. Since the engine isn't operating, there are no fluids flowing to keep the parts lubricated.
The Cadillac Escalade with all-wheel drive has caused special problems in towing, Matthews said.
The Escalade AWD can't be pulled behind a tow truck, but must be flat-bedded for the same reasons described for Subaru vehicles.
Since an Escalade AWD weighs more than 5,500 pounds, a medium-duty flat-bed truck is required, and "they're hard to come by as a lot of [roadside service companies] may not have them," Matthews explained.
Cadillac engineers are working on a solution, he added.
Front- and Rear-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Lubrication is an issue in rear- and front-drive vehicles, too, and draws attention to the need for tow-truck operators to be skilled in different towing procedures.
For example, the Mazda RX-8 is a rear-wheel-drive car and "should have its rear wheels off the ground" if it's being towed, according to the owner's manual.
By keeping the rear wheels, which are the wheels that receive power via the transmission and driveshaft, immobile and off the ground, there's no moving of the linked parts and thus, no lubrication issues.
In contrast, a front-wheel-drive car is generally OK to tow with its front wheels off the ground for the same reason, Matthews said.
In this case, the front wheels are the drive wheels connected to driveshaft and transmission and so need to be kept immobile during towing.
Beyond the driveline issues, owners of vehicles with lowered chassis and sport-body appearance kits should be sure tow truck operators take extra care to ensure the spoiler, lower body kit pieces and/or undercarriage aren't damaged as a vehicle is raised and lowered onto a truck.
Other Towing Insights
You might wonder, then, just how RV owners manage to flat tow vehicles behind their large mobile homes.
Actually, I've long wondered why I see so many Saturns towed behind big RVs.
Sue Holmgren, Saturn spokeswoman, had the answer. In fact, she said lots of RVers know that Saturns are easy to flat tow, and typically don't require major modifications, such as a lubrication pump or driveline disconnection, before towing.
Specifically, all Saturn S-Series and L-Series cars, even with automatic transmissions, and all Ions and VUEs with manual transmissions can be flat towed. Owners must follow instructions in their manuals. But RVers take note: L- and S-Series Saturns are no longer in production.
Automatics tend to be more problematic. Holmgren noted the S- and L-Series Saturns have automatics with bearings, which require less lubrication than do automatics on some other cars that have bushings or thrust washers.
In addition, "the input shaft into the torque converter needs to be able to rotate freely," which is what these Saturns have, she said.
Generally, a vehicle can be flat towed as long as the transmission internals are not turning. Thus, an SUV trailing behind a big RV most likely has had its driveshaft disconnected from the transmission.
Bottom line: It is critically important that vehicles be towed according to the owner's manual instructions.
Ann Job is a freelance automotive writer.
Tips for Towing Disabled Vehicles
Tips for Towing Disabled Vehicles
Sophisticated new vehicles require great care and different types of towing techniques.
By Ann Job of MSN Autos
Click to enlarge picture
Always make certain that the tow truck driver knows the proper way to tow your vehicle.
On occasion, our car, van, truck or sport-utility vehicle can break down and need to be towed.
Decades ago, it wasn't uncommon to see a friend, family member, neighbor or Good Samaritan towing the stranded vehicle home for a needy driver.
It's rare to see this today—for good reason.
Towing practices, like today's vehicles, are more sophisticated than they were years ago— so sophisticated, in fact, that there are more rules and "don'ts" than ever before.
Even AAA, the largest member-supported roadside assistance service in the United States, offers a towing manual for tow truck operators that has "more than 350 pages of details involving every make and model," said Larry Keller, editor at AAA of Michigan.
As each year progresses, AAA sends out further towing news via service bulletins, Keller said.
So, no, towing isn't a simple procedure where someone throws a rope or chain around a car's front bumper and "tows" the vehicle home.
In fact, if there's one key thing to remember about towing, it is that you should always follow the owner's manual and make sure your tow truck operator does, too. If he refuses to do so, find another tow truck.
Otherwise, you can face the risk of damage to your vehicle.
Safety Considerations
These days, there is much more emphasis on safety in towing, with the realization that there's a potential for injury or even death during towing maneuvers.
For example, in the early 1980s, a Good Samaritan driver was killed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when he attempted to tow another driver out of a snow bank.
The man died when the chain he had attached to the other vehicle broke and the loose end flew into the back window of his truck cab, striking him in the head.
There are other towing dangers, too.
Do-it-yourself towed vehicles don't have lights and flashers that tow-truck drivers use to alert other drivers that they're approaching a disabled car. So other drivers can come up quickly at the back of these vehicles-in-tow and rear-end them, since they typically aren't keeping up with traffic.
Chris Matthews, an Automotive Service Excellence-approved technician and coordinator of the AAA-approved auto repair program, pointed out that brakes on a DIY-towed vehicle typically are crippled as well because with the vehicle's engine not on, there's no vacuum boost to help the brakes work normally.
Thus, if the vehicle that's pulling a disabled car stops suddenly, it's likely the towed vehicle won't be able to stop in time to avoid rear-ending the tow vehicle.
Steering can be another problem, with so many of today's vehicles featuring power-assist steering systems, not to mention steering wheel locks. Note that when the engine is not operating, there is no power assist, so attempting to steer a towed vehicle requires substantial extra effort.
Avoiding Mechanical Damage
Vehicle owners also should want to make sure their vehicles aren't damaged during towing.
Each owner's manual provides specific instructions and warnings for each vehicle and should be strictly followed.
Subaru spokesman Rob Moran, for example, notes that the owner's manuals for all new Subaru Forester, Legacy and Impreza models—basically every Subaru with standard all-wheel drive—tell drivers that all four wheels need to be off the ground when a Subaru is towed. This is also known as flat-bedding.
Otherwise, "you could get damage to the transmission or differential," he said.
Matthews explained because all four wheels get power and are therefore "tied together," there's really no way to put any of the wheels to the ground and not have the transmission or transaxle "burn up."
The reason? Simply, as any of the drive wheels moves while the vehicle is improperly towed, mechanicals in the transmission and sometimes in the differential move, too. Since the engine isn't operating, there are no fluids flowing to keep the parts lubricated.
The Cadillac Escalade with all-wheel drive has caused special problems in towing, Matthews said.
The Escalade AWD can't be pulled behind a tow truck, but must be flat-bedded for the same reasons described for Subaru vehicles.
Since an Escalade AWD weighs more than 5,500 pounds, a medium-duty flat-bed truck is required, and "they're hard to come by as a lot of [roadside service companies] may not have them," Matthews explained.
Cadillac engineers are working on a solution, he added.
Front- and Rear-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Lubrication is an issue in rear- and front-drive vehicles, too, and draws attention to the need for tow-truck operators to be skilled in different towing procedures.
For example, the Mazda RX-8 is a rear-wheel-drive car and "should have its rear wheels off the ground" if it's being towed, according to the owner's manual.
By keeping the rear wheels, which are the wheels that receive power via the transmission and driveshaft, immobile and off the ground, there's no moving of the linked parts and thus, no lubrication issues.
In contrast, a front-wheel-drive car is generally OK to tow with its front wheels off the ground for the same reason, Matthews said.
In this case, the front wheels are the drive wheels connected to driveshaft and transmission and so need to be kept immobile during towing.
Beyond the driveline issues, owners of vehicles with lowered chassis and sport-body appearance kits should be sure tow truck operators take extra care to ensure the spoiler, lower body kit pieces and/or undercarriage aren't damaged as a vehicle is raised and lowered onto a truck.
Other Towing Insights
You might wonder, then, just how RV owners manage to flat tow vehicles behind their large mobile homes.
Actually, I've long wondered why I see so many Saturns towed behind big RVs.
Sue Holmgren, Saturn spokeswoman, had the answer. In fact, she said lots of RVers know that Saturns are easy to flat tow, and typically don't require major modifications, such as a lubrication pump or driveline disconnection, before towing.
Specifically, all Saturn S-Series and L-Series cars, even with automatic transmissions, and all Ions and VUEs with manual transmissions can be flat towed. Owners must follow instructions in their manuals. But RVers take note: L- and S-Series Saturns are no longer in production.
Automatics tend to be more problematic. Holmgren noted the S- and L-Series Saturns have automatics with bearings, which require less lubrication than do automatics on some other cars that have bushings or thrust washers.
In addition, "the input shaft into the torque converter needs to be able to rotate freely," which is what these Saturns have, she said.
Generally, a vehicle can be flat towed as long as the transmission internals are not turning. Thus, an SUV trailing behind a big RV most likely has had its driveshaft disconnected from the transmission.
Bottom line: It is critically important that vehicles be towed according to the owner's manual instructions.
Ann Job is a freelance automotive writer.
Sophisticated new vehicles require great care and different types of towing techniques.
By Ann Job of MSN Autos
Click to enlarge picture
Always make certain that the tow truck driver knows the proper way to tow your vehicle.
On occasion, our car, van, truck or sport-utility vehicle can break down and need to be towed.
Decades ago, it wasn't uncommon to see a friend, family member, neighbor or Good Samaritan towing the stranded vehicle home for a needy driver.
It's rare to see this today—for good reason.
Towing practices, like today's vehicles, are more sophisticated than they were years ago— so sophisticated, in fact, that there are more rules and "don'ts" than ever before.
Even AAA, the largest member-supported roadside assistance service in the United States, offers a towing manual for tow truck operators that has "more than 350 pages of details involving every make and model," said Larry Keller, editor at AAA of Michigan.
As each year progresses, AAA sends out further towing news via service bulletins, Keller said.
So, no, towing isn't a simple procedure where someone throws a rope or chain around a car's front bumper and "tows" the vehicle home.
In fact, if there's one key thing to remember about towing, it is that you should always follow the owner's manual and make sure your tow truck operator does, too. If he refuses to do so, find another tow truck.
Otherwise, you can face the risk of damage to your vehicle.
Safety Considerations
These days, there is much more emphasis on safety in towing, with the realization that there's a potential for injury or even death during towing maneuvers.
For example, in the early 1980s, a Good Samaritan driver was killed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan when he attempted to tow another driver out of a snow bank.
The man died when the chain he had attached to the other vehicle broke and the loose end flew into the back window of his truck cab, striking him in the head.
There are other towing dangers, too.
Do-it-yourself towed vehicles don't have lights and flashers that tow-truck drivers use to alert other drivers that they're approaching a disabled car. So other drivers can come up quickly at the back of these vehicles-in-tow and rear-end them, since they typically aren't keeping up with traffic.
Chris Matthews, an Automotive Service Excellence-approved technician and coordinator of the AAA-approved auto repair program, pointed out that brakes on a DIY-towed vehicle typically are crippled as well because with the vehicle's engine not on, there's no vacuum boost to help the brakes work normally.
Thus, if the vehicle that's pulling a disabled car stops suddenly, it's likely the towed vehicle won't be able to stop in time to avoid rear-ending the tow vehicle.
Steering can be another problem, with so many of today's vehicles featuring power-assist steering systems, not to mention steering wheel locks. Note that when the engine is not operating, there is no power assist, so attempting to steer a towed vehicle requires substantial extra effort.
Avoiding Mechanical Damage
Vehicle owners also should want to make sure their vehicles aren't damaged during towing.
Each owner's manual provides specific instructions and warnings for each vehicle and should be strictly followed.
Subaru spokesman Rob Moran, for example, notes that the owner's manuals for all new Subaru Forester, Legacy and Impreza models—basically every Subaru with standard all-wheel drive—tell drivers that all four wheels need to be off the ground when a Subaru is towed. This is also known as flat-bedding.
Otherwise, "you could get damage to the transmission or differential," he said.
Matthews explained because all four wheels get power and are therefore "tied together," there's really no way to put any of the wheels to the ground and not have the transmission or transaxle "burn up."
The reason? Simply, as any of the drive wheels moves while the vehicle is improperly towed, mechanicals in the transmission and sometimes in the differential move, too. Since the engine isn't operating, there are no fluids flowing to keep the parts lubricated.
The Cadillac Escalade with all-wheel drive has caused special problems in towing, Matthews said.
The Escalade AWD can't be pulled behind a tow truck, but must be flat-bedded for the same reasons described for Subaru vehicles.
Since an Escalade AWD weighs more than 5,500 pounds, a medium-duty flat-bed truck is required, and "they're hard to come by as a lot of [roadside service companies] may not have them," Matthews explained.
Cadillac engineers are working on a solution, he added.
Front- and Rear-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Lubrication is an issue in rear- and front-drive vehicles, too, and draws attention to the need for tow-truck operators to be skilled in different towing procedures.
For example, the Mazda RX-8 is a rear-wheel-drive car and "should have its rear wheels off the ground" if it's being towed, according to the owner's manual.
By keeping the rear wheels, which are the wheels that receive power via the transmission and driveshaft, immobile and off the ground, there's no moving of the linked parts and thus, no lubrication issues.
In contrast, a front-wheel-drive car is generally OK to tow with its front wheels off the ground for the same reason, Matthews said.
In this case, the front wheels are the drive wheels connected to driveshaft and transmission and so need to be kept immobile during towing.
Beyond the driveline issues, owners of vehicles with lowered chassis and sport-body appearance kits should be sure tow truck operators take extra care to ensure the spoiler, lower body kit pieces and/or undercarriage aren't damaged as a vehicle is raised and lowered onto a truck.
Other Towing Insights
You might wonder, then, just how RV owners manage to flat tow vehicles behind their large mobile homes.
Actually, I've long wondered why I see so many Saturns towed behind big RVs.
Sue Holmgren, Saturn spokeswoman, had the answer. In fact, she said lots of RVers know that Saturns are easy to flat tow, and typically don't require major modifications, such as a lubrication pump or driveline disconnection, before towing.
Specifically, all Saturn S-Series and L-Series cars, even with automatic transmissions, and all Ions and VUEs with manual transmissions can be flat towed. Owners must follow instructions in their manuals. But RVers take note: L- and S-Series Saturns are no longer in production.
Automatics tend to be more problematic. Holmgren noted the S- and L-Series Saturns have automatics with bearings, which require less lubrication than do automatics on some other cars that have bushings or thrust washers.
In addition, "the input shaft into the torque converter needs to be able to rotate freely," which is what these Saturns have, she said.
Generally, a vehicle can be flat towed as long as the transmission internals are not turning. Thus, an SUV trailing behind a big RV most likely has had its driveshaft disconnected from the transmission.
Bottom line: It is critically important that vehicles be towed according to the owner's manual instructions.
Ann Job is a freelance automotive writer.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
NAFTA trade up 24% in February
By eTrucker Staff
Freight value remained 14.3 percent less than in February 2008.
Surface trade between the United States and Canada and Mexico was 24.1 percent higher in February than a year earlier, reaching $59.5 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The 24.1 percent increase is the largest year-over-year rise on record but freight value remained 14.3 percent less than the value in February 2008.
BTS reported the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 4.9 percent in February from January. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $36.3 billion in February, up 21.7 percent from February 2009. U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $23.2 billion in February, up 28 percent from February 2009.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In February, 87.6 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.
By eTrucker Staff
Freight value remained 14.3 percent less than in February 2008.
Surface trade between the United States and Canada and Mexico was 24.1 percent higher in February than a year earlier, reaching $59.5 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The 24.1 percent increase is the largest year-over-year rise on record but freight value remained 14.3 percent less than the value in February 2008.
BTS reported the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 4.9 percent in February from January. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $36.3 billion in February, up 21.7 percent from February 2009. U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $23.2 billion in February, up 28 percent from February 2009.
Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. In February, 87.6 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on land.
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