One Rope, Two Cars, Big Problems
Most of us have seen someone try to tow a car with a rope, a buddy’s pickup, or maybe even a chain. Maybe you’ve even considered it yourself. After all, it seems like a good way to save a little money or avoid waiting for help. But before you throw a tow strap into the trunk and start yanking a broken-down vehicle down the road, take a moment. DIY towing isn’t just risky—it can be downright dangerous. That’s why our Melrose Park emergency towing service exists: because sometimes it’s better to leave it to people who do it every day.
Why DIY Towing Looks Easier Than It Is
We get it. Hooking up a vehicle and dragging it a few blocks might seem simple. But towing isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about doing it without damaging the vehicle—or endangering people around you.
Let’s Break Down the Big Problems
1. Improper Equipment
A simple rope or strap isn’t enough. Most personal vehicles aren’t equipped to handle towing another car—especially not safely. Even if you use a tow dolly or a rented trailer, one misstep can lead to disaster.
- Regular straps can snap under tension.
- Bumpers aren’t designed as anchor points.
- Incorrect hitching can cause the car to fishtail or swing out into traffic.
We’ve seen these mistakes before, and too often, they turn a minor car issue into a major accident.
2. Lack of Vehicle Control
When you’re towing a vehicle, you’re not just driving your car—you’re controlling another one that can’t steer or brake on its own. That means any sudden stop, tight turn, or bump in the road becomes twice as dangerous.
People don’t realize how fast things can go wrong:
- Flat tires or locked steering in the towed car
- Brakes overheating or failing on the lead vehicle
- Poor handling during turns or downhill driving
That’s why our Melrose Park emergency towing experts use trucks with the power and stability to control the whole load—something most passenger vehicles can’t do.
3. Legal Hazards
In Illinois and many other states, towing laws are strict. You can’t just hook up a car and hit the road. There are requirements around:
- Proper lighting on the towed vehicle
- Tow bar ratings
- Maximum speeds
- Safety chains
If you don’t follow these rules, you could get ticketed—or worse, held liable if something goes wrong.
4. Real Damage to Your Car
Towing without the right technique can do more harm than good. You could damage the transmission, suspension, or alignment on either vehicle.
That’s especially true for:
- All-wheel or rear-wheel drive cars (towing these the wrong way can burn up the drivetrain)
- Older vehicles with weak frames
- Cars with low clearance (which can bottom out or get torn up during loading)
We’ve handled countless recoveries that started as “just a quick DIY tow.” Many of them ended with repairs that cost way more than calling for help would have.
So What’s the Better Move?
Let the professionals handle it. Here’s what you get when you choose us for your Melrose Park emergency towing job:
- Experienced drivers who know how to assess and handle each situation
- Trucks built to move vehicles of all types, safely and legally
- Equipment that keeps your car protected from start to finish
And more than anything else—you stay safe. No guesswork. No risk to your vehicle or others on the road.
When It’s Time to Call for Help
Here are just a few times you should absolutely avoid towing the car yourself:
- You’re stuck on a busy highway or in a dangerous location
- The car has damage that makes it unstable
- The weather or road conditions are poor
- You don’t have proper towing equipment or experience
It’s just not worth the gamble. In moments like these, calling us to get your Melrose Park emergency towing job done is the safe option.
O’Hare Towing: Your Melrose Park Emergency Towing Pros
At O’Hare Towing, we know people want to handle things themselves. But Melrose Park emergency towing isn’t a DIY task. There’s too much at stake—your car, your safety, and the safety of everyone else on the road. So the next time your vehicle breaks down, you need a tow, and you’re tempted to try towing it with your neighbor’s SUV and a rope, stop and think. Then give Melrose Park emergency towing a call. We’ll get the job done right.