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The Trick To Safer Towing In South Africa

Oct 8, 2024 | Car, Tips & Tools

Towing a vehicle can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. Whether you’re dealing with a breakdown, an accident, or simply need to transport your car, understanding the ins and outs of towing is crucial.  

To help you make sure that you aren’t taken for a ride, entrusting your vehicle to a dodgy tow service, or hooking your vehicle incorrectly, we’ll explore the key aspects of towing in South Africa. We trust that armed with this information; you’ll be able to navigate any towing situation smoothly. 

The Legalities Of Towing 

You might be surprised to learn that there are certain legal requirements when it comes to towing. In South Africa, there are actually quite specific regulations surrounding towing that you need to be aware of. The most prominent requirement is that any vehicle being towed must display a red flag or cloth at the end of the tow rope or tow bar. According to the National Road Traffic Act, this is to ensure that the towed vehicle is visible to other drivers who can then adjust accordingly. 

Another key requirement is that if your vehicle is being towed on a public road, it must be done during daylight hours. There is an exception, however, and that is unless the tow truck is equipped with the necessary lights and reflectors.  

It’s worth making sure that you’re aware of your legal responsibilities, because if you fail to comply with these regulations, you could end up paying a fine or worse. 

Choosing A Towing Service 

For those who have car insurance, you are obliged to call your insurer in the event that your vehicle has broken down or been involved in an accident and needs to be towed. However, if you don’t have insurance or the situation that requires towing isn’t covered by your insurer, it’s essential to choose a reputable and reliable service.  

We are quite spoiled for choice, what with the thousands of towing companies available, each with their own rates and services. It’s really important that you choose wisely so that you are using a service you trust not to overcharge you, treat you with respect, and look after your vehicle. You want to consider their online reputation, their response time, the condition of their equipment, their rates and additional fees that could apply, and their customer service.  

Once you’ve found a towing service that you can trust, make sure to save their contact details for emergencies. 

Be Prepared to Be Towed 

Usually, the need for a towing service is the result of a stressful incident, so it can be challenging to think about how to be prepared for when the towing service arrives. To that end, here are a few precautions you can take to protect your vehicle. 

Safety tips you can use before towing: 

  • Remove loose items, such as phone chargers, sunglasses, and other valuables, to prevent loss or damage during the towing process. 
  • Engage the parking brake.  
  • Put the vehicle into neutral (for manuals) or park (for automatics). 
  • Manual vehicles should have their wheels chocked to prevent spinning and minimize potential damage to the transmission. 
  • Front-wheel drive vehicles should be towed with the front wheels off the ground using a flatbed truck or a tow dolly to prevent damage to the transmission.  
  • Rear-wheel drive vehicles can be towed with the rear wheels off the ground using a tow truck with a wheel lift. 

The Cost of Towing In South Africa 

Most of the horror stories surrounding towing services are when people feel that they had no choice but to allow the first tow truck driver hitch their vehicle up and drive off, only to find that they will have to pay thousands to get their vehicle back. 

A vital way to avoid this happening is, well for starters to have the number of a trusted service at the ready (or your insurer’s emergency number), but then to also be aware of the costs involved. 

Generally, the costs vary depending on the distance, the size of your vehicle, and the type of towing service you require. Our own reports suggest that the average cost of towing a vehicle in South Africa ranges from R500 to R2,000.  

To avoid unexpected costs, it’s essential to inquire about the towing service’s rates and any additional fees before they arrive. Some towing companies may also offer discounts or special rates for AA members or those with roadside assistance plans. 

Feeling Informed? 

Towing a vehicle can be a stressful experience, but with the right information and preparation, it can be managed effectively. Remember, it’s always a good idea to have a trusted towing company’s number saved in your phone and to consider investing in a roadside assistance plan for added peace of mind. 

Don’t forget that AA Inform can help with a range of tools and tips, including our Fuel Consumption Calculator and Trip Fuel Cost Calculator. 

We can even help you obtain a Free Vehicle Valuation Report, which tells you how much your vehicle or a vehicle you’re interested in buying is worth!  

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