Off-roading is a thrilling adventure, but it often comes with the risk of vehicles getting stuck in challenging terrains such as mud, sand, or snow. When a vehicle becomes immobilized in a remote location, specialized recovery methods are required to extract it safely. One of the most effective and reliable methods is the use of a tow truck equipped with a winch, particularly in situations where standard off-road recovery techniques may not be sufficient.

Role of Tow Trucks in Off-Road Recoveries

Tow trucks are typically associated with roadside assistance and urban vehicle recoveries, but they are also invaluable in off-road scenarios. Off-road tow trucks are usually heavy-duty vehicles equipped with powerful winches and other specialized recovery equipment designed to handle the most challenging conditions. These vehicles can perform recoveries in situations where other vehicles or manual methods might struggle, such as when a vehicle is deeply embedded in mud, stuck on a steep incline, or stranded in an inaccessible location.

Winchout Process with a Tow Truck

The winchout process using a tow truck involves several critical steps to ensure the safe recovery of the stuck vehicle.
– Assessment and Preparation: The first step is a thorough assessment of the situation. The tow truck operator will evaluate the terrain, the position of the stuck vehicle, and the potential recovery routes. This helps in determining the best approach and the type of equipment needed.
– Positioning the Tow Truck: The tow truck must be positioned in a location that provides a stable and secure base for the recovery. This might involve the use of stabilizers or outriggers to prevent the tow truck from slipping or tipping over during the winch out.
– Anchor Point and Cable Setup: The winch cable is then attached to a secure anchor point on the stuck vehicle, usually a dedicated recovery point like a tow hook or frame. The tow truck’s winch is engaged, and the operator begins to carefully pull the vehicle out of its stuck position.
– Controlled Winching: The winchout process must be controlled and steady. The tow truck operator will carefully monitor the tension on the cable and the movement of the vehicle, making adjustments as necessary to prevent any sudden jerks that could cause damage to the vehicle or the winch system.
– Final Recovery and Inspection: Once the vehicle is freed, the operator will inspect both the recovered vehicle and the tow truck to ensure no damage has occurred during the winchout. If necessary, the vehicle may be loaded onto the flatbed for transport if it is not drivable.

Challenges & Considerations

Off-road recoveries with a tow truck present unique challenges that differ from standard urban recoveries. The rough terrain can make it difficult to position the tow truck close enough to the stuck vehicle, requiring creative solutions like using additional winch lines or snatch blocks to extend the reach. Additionally, the weight and size of the tow truck can be a limiting factor, as some off-road areas may be inaccessible to larger vehicles.

Towing, Emergency Roadside Assistance & More in Gainesville, Denton, Sanger, Aubrey & Era Texas

Off-road recoveries and winchouts with tow trucks are helpful for off-roading, providing a reliable and effective solution for extracting vehicles from difficult terrains. A well-equipped tow truck can make the difference between a simple recovery and a long, dangerous ordeal. Call A Plus Towing today for any help you may need.

Flatbed towing, often hailed as one of the safest and most reliable methods of vehicle transport, is not without its fair share of misconceptions. Despite its widespread use and proven track record, there are still myths and misunderstandings surrounding flatbed towing that deserve clarification. Today, we at A Plus Towing would like to list some of the most common misconceptions about flatbed towing and shed light on the truth behind this invaluable service.

Is Flatbed Towing Only for Exotic or Luxury Vehicles?

While it’s true that flatbed towing is commonly used for transporting high-value or specialty vehicles, such as exotics or luxury cars, it’s not exclusively reserved for them. Flatbed towing is suitable for a wide range of vehicles, including standard sedans, SUVs, trucks, and even motorcycles. Whether your vehicle is valuable or not, flatbed towing offers unparalleled safety and protection during transport.

Is Flatbed Towing Expensive?

One of the prevailing misconceptions about flatbed towing is that it’s prohibitively expensive compared to traditional towing methods. However, the cost of flatbed towing is often justified by the level of service and protection it provides. In fact, flatbed towing may be more cost-effective in the long run, considering the potential damage and repair costs associated with traditional towing methods. Additionally, many towing companies offer competitive rates for flatbed towing, making it a viable option for budget-conscious individuals.

Is Flatbed Towing Only Necessary for Long Distances?

While flatbed towing is indeed well-suited for long-distance transport, it’s not exclusively reserved for such scenarios. In fact, flatbed towing can be beneficial for short-distance transports as well. Whether you’re moving your vehicle across town or to a nearby repair shop, flatbed towing ensures that it arrives safely and without damage. By eliminating the risks associated with dragging or lifting your vehicle by its wheels, flatbed towing provides peace of mind regardless of the distance traveled.

Does Flatbed Towing Take Longer Than Traditional Towing?

Another common misconception is that flatbed towing is a time-consuming process that significantly delays transport. However, flatbed towing can actually be more efficient and streamlined compared to traditional towing methods. With flatbed towing, there’s no need to spend time hooking up your vehicle or worrying about potential damage during transit. Instead, your vehicle is quickly loaded onto the flatbed truck and secured in place, ensuring a prompt and hassle-free transport experience.

Is Flatbed Towing Only for Non-Drivable Vehicles?

While flatbed towing is often used for transporting non-drivable or disabled vehicles, it’s not limited to such situations. In fact, flatbed towing can be beneficial for any vehicle, regardless of its drivability status. Whether your car has a flat tire, a broken axle, or simply requires safe and secure transport, flatbed towing offers a reliable solution. By keeping your vehicle off the road surface and eliminating the risk of further damage, flatbed towing ensures a smooth and damage-free transport experience.

Towing, Emergency Roadside Assistance & More in Gainesville, Denton, Sanger, Aubrey & Era Texas

Flatbed towing is a versatile and effective method of vehicle transport that offers numerous benefits. By debunking common misconceptions about flatbed towing, we can appreciate its value as a safe, reliable, and cost-effective solution for transporting vehicles of all types. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, flatbed towing provides peace of mind and ensures that your vehicle arrives safely and without damage. If you are in need of flatbed towing, call A Plus Towing.

People can find themselves in an accident faster than blinking while they are driving. You may be surprised how often drivers will do other activities or engage in distractions that hinder their ability to focus their attention to the other drivers and obstacles on the road, though many people do things they should obviously avoid while operating a vehicle. With this in mind, we at A Plus Towing would like to take the opportunity to share tips on increasing the safety while driving.

Driving & Texting

There is an alarming number of people who will still try texting as they drive, despite many states illegalizing cellphone use while driving. In the U.S., it was discovered that nearly 25% of all vehicle accidents are due to drivers texting and driving, and this was done 2019 despite the constant reminders to not text and drive. Drivers who text behind the wheel are 6 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than someone who drives while being drunk according to analysts. Either put it on silent and out of reach or turn it off until you get to your destination if the phone sounding off with texts are too much a temptation to ignore.

Marijuana Impaired Driving

Where it is legal for people to smoke marijuana in several states, too many are tempted to take a few puffs while they are driving. People can be arrested for marijuana DUI as driving under the influence is not limited to alcohol. Never smoke weed while driving and keep the habit safely and responsibly done in your home.

It is Illegal to Change Clothes in Your Car While Driving

Moving at any speed and changing clothes is nearly comically, as controlling the vehicle while doing such an activity is not only a distraction, but it hinders your abilities and reflexes. Pull over to avoid the distractions if you need a wardrobe change or adjustment in the vehicle.

Driving Fatigue Prevention

Just as hazardous as driving while texting, driving while being tired is something the majority of people are guilty of. Your reaction time is impeding when are tired, the reflexes and cognitive functions slow down. Either call for a ride or pull over for quick cat nap.

Road Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

Though there are some unavoidable circumstances that can lead to an accident, you should do your part to reduce the risk. Should you find yourself in an accident however, you have A Plus Towing to provide you with our fast accident response. Our experts are readily available to deliver high-quality towing services. You want the trained and certified experts of A Plus Towing to recover your vehicle if such an unfortunate event occurs.

Flat Tire Changes, Roadside Assistance & More in Gainesville, Denton, Sanger, Aubrey & Era Texas

Winch out services and roadside assistance services, among other services, are also available with A Plus Towing and as dedicated professionals, we are eager to help you. When you need a trusted professional A Plus Towing can help. Call us anytime you need our assistance. Store our contact information in your cellphone so you can reach us quickly.

A large number of roadside assistance needs are due to flat tires. To avoid flat tires, it’s a great idea to know what all those numbers printed on their sidewall means!

Need for Tires

Without tires, America’s economy would literally grind to a sudden and dramatic halt. Cars, trucks, vans, SUVs and heavy equipment have tires. We ask a lot of tires too. They need to deal with heat and cold as well as road hazards like nails, steel and glass all the while surviving stress and shock from hitting pot holes at high speed.

What is the Best & Highest UTQG Tire Rating?

Tires are rated under the ‘Uniform Tire Quality Grade’ or the UTQG. The UTQG has a numeric treadwear rating where the higher the number, the better the tire resists wear and lasts longer and two letter codes. The first is the traction rating with AA being the highest and a letter coded temperature rating with ‘A’ being the best. The temperature rating rates high speed performance such as driving on highways and on hot summer road surfaces without catastrophic failure. These ratings may provide some information when considering a tire purchase but may not mean much to the average buyer. Consumer ratings and other information assist tire buyers more.

Sidewall, Valve & Other Parts of a Tire

The outer circumference surface of the tire that makes contact with the road is referred to as the tread. It is made from elastomer copolymer with silica and carbon black usually added. The tread is molded over a nylon belt or crown over a steel mesh. Cords form the carcass ply and bead which is what holds the tire on the rim and providing an airtight seal. In tubeless tires, a rubber liner holds in the air. The sidewalls are the flexible sides of the tire that support the crown and tread and connect to the bead.

Radial VS Bias Ply VS Bias Belted Ply

Construction types of tires are radial, bias ply and bias-belted ply. Radials run the plies 90 degrees to direction of travel, or ‘radially’ from the tires center to the other side. Bias plys run the ply at angle relative to the tire center, with multiple ply layers running at an angle to each other. Because of this bias ply tires have a stiffer sidewall and the tread and sidewalls are interdependent. In radial tires, the sidewalls are independent of the belt and tread. Steel belts have a higher dissipation of heat and run cooler, while the sidewall is more flexible. Bias ply tires offer lower rolling resistance than do the non-belted tires. Radials on pavement outperform the bias ply tires offering lower rolling resistance, higher fuel mileage and a more comfortable ride. Off-road tires are generally steel belted radials with aggressive tread design. The modern radial tire is very flexible. It grows with the speed of the car; centrifugal forces cause the tire tread to swell.

Tire Wear Patterns Guide

Wear patterns of an under inflated tire appear around the edges of the tread, showing more wear than the center. This is caused by cupping of the tread as the under inflated tire makes contact with the ground. In contrast, over inflation wear is in the center of the tread while the edges show less wear. The manufacturers recommended pressure takes tire expansion into account due to running heat and centrifugal forces under highway conditions.

Flat Tire Changes, Roadside Assistance & More in Gainesville, Denton, Sanger, Aubrey & Era Texas

Information including on the sidewall is the UTQG rating, tire size and load, construction type and materials, as well as speed ratings. Also printed on the tire are tire pressure recommendations in US and Metric, DOT and International code compliance, the manufacturer’s name, relative symbol is present if a snow rating is available as well as manufacturer’s original equipment approval symbol. If you do experience a flat tire while driving, call A Plus Towing for emergency roadside service. Contact us today!

A Plus Towing was featured in a recent article in the Denton Record-Chroncle highlighting our Companies unique ability to aid drivers stranded in the tough winter weather that has descended on our area this winter.

Click Here to view the article

” As sleet, ice and snow descended on Denton this winter season, several businesses have been able to meet the increased demand for weather-related services. “This winter, total, business has probably tripled,” said Jerret Edman, owner of A Plus Towing in Denton.

Edman has been able to rescue stranded vehicles that have spun out, rolled over or had collisions because he has a tow truck with four-wheel drive that is equipped to drive in the ice and snow — an advantage over some of his competition, he said. This season, he’s even handled calls from other companies that couldn’t meet their own demand. ”

Welcome to Our New Website. A Plus Towing would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers who have helped make our business a success. Please continue to call on us for all your towing needs!