5 Ways To Tow A Car

If there's one place you do not want to run into an obstacle, it's on the road. At any point in time, you could get stuck. When you encounter a problem with a vehicle that needs to be towed, the best option will be using a tow truck.

However, it's not always an option for some, and while using a tow truck or trailer is recommended, a commercial car can be used in particular situations.

That said, it's always good to be prepared. This article will look at 5 of the most common methods of towing a vehicle and how to approach the situation safely.

Things To Know Before You Tow

Whether you're the one in need of a tow or helping someone who needs to be towed, it's always a good idea to know how to legally and safely tow a car.

Many experts would agree that using a tow truck or pickup and trailer is far better than with another car, but not everyone has access to this. So you may be asking yourself: Can I tow a car with another car?

To determine this, you will need to do some basic fact-finding. However, before we get into the details of actually towing a car with another car, a few guidelines are worth reviewing:

Towing & The Law

Before you tow a car using another vehicle, you want to be sure you're not going against state laws.

In most states, it is not illegal to tow a car with another car, provided you use the correct equipment and follow the recommended measures. If you're traveling interstate, be sure to find out about the state's laws before towing. Meeting these basic requirements ensures no major hiccups or issues.

A car is classified as "improperly equipped" if you are using the wrong type of hitch or are towing a car with more weight than is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. To find your tow vehicle's maximum towing capacity, consult the towing section of the owner's manual.

Other legal requirements include that the towed vehicle is safely connected to the one doing the towing and must be driven by a licensed driver. Moreover, it would be best if you always used appropriate towing equipment.

What Do You Need?

To tow a car, you're going to need three things; a vehicle to tow with (that can handle the weight), the stranded vehicle, and a means to connect them.

First, you must know whether the vehicle has a capable tow rating that can tow the broken-down vehicle safely (how many pounds your vehicle can tow). Secondly, you should check whether both cars have tow hitches (some come installed in a car already).

You should know whether the vehicle you are towing is a 2-wheel (2WD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD) with manual or automatic transmission. Moreover, assuming the car doing the towing is a 2WD, you should know whether it is a front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD). If you're unsure, check your owner's manual.

After confirming that the towing car meets all requirements and is capable of towing, assess the equipment you have. Ensure the equipment meets the safety guidelines recommended in your state.

How to Tow a Car

Now that you know the basics, it's time to tow a car. There are various methods for towing a car, and your equipment will vary for each one. Regardless of your choice, you'll need a tow hitch on the tow vehicle. Most cars, especially pickups and SUVs, come with factory-fitted hitches.

Let's look at the five methods of towing a vehicle and the pros and cons of each.

Method 1: Tow Strap or Chain

Using a tow strap or chain is not entirely advisable as it can be dangerous. However, these can be considered an alternative should you have no other option. They're great for pulling a car from a ditch and moving it across short distances. However, towing another vehicle with a rope or strap on public roads is illegal.

Regarding the quality of a tow strap or chain, they must not be damaged and should keep to a length of no longer than 14.5 feet (4.5 meters). First, find the recovery point on your car. These points are usually frame-mounted, like a tab underneath the front or rear end or a shackle mount on a steep bumper with solid metal hooks or loops.

Also, when towing a car with a strap or chain, avoid matching the brakes suddenly because the towed car is in neutral and the brakes are inactive.

Steps to using a tow strap or chain:

1. Detach the tow belt and keep it before the car.
2. Locate the tow hook on your car.
3. Connect the belt to the towing vehicle.
4. Attach the other belt end to the towed car.
5. Drag on the car gradually.

Method 2: Tow Bar/Flat Towing

Tow bars are considered a safer option than a chain or straps when it comes to towing vehicles. This method of towing is "flat towing," also known as "four wheels down towing," when all four wheels of the towed car are touching the ground.

A tow bar is an A-frame structure that you can mount at the rear of the towing car and attach to the hitch of the towed car. You can rent one if you or the person doing the towing do not own one. They are typically cheaper than tow dollies or flatbeds and are easier to connect and disconnect than other towing methods.

The tow bar connects from the front of the towed car to the back of the towing car. The towed car must be equipped with base plates or brackets on the front end, and the towing car must have a hitch. A tow bar connects the rear of one vehicle to the front of another, and all four wheels of the towed vehicle spin freely (in neutral).

Steps to using a tow bar/how to flat tow a car:

1. Park on a level surface.
2. Check the height between the hitch and the base plate.
3. Mount the tow bar on the towing car.
4. Park the towed vehicle behind the towing car and attach the tow bar arms.
5. Prep the towed vehicle for towing.
6. Engage the tow bar latches, connect the safety cables, and plug in the wiring harness.

Method 3: Tow Dolly

A tow dolly is one of the best ways to tow a car using another car. It's a small two-wheeled trailer, with between 1-3 axles designed to connect to a tow bar. The towed car's front or rear wheels are secured to the dolly. It works best for cars with FWD.

A tow dolly lifts the front wheels of a car off the ground while keeping the rear wheels free to spin on the road (in neutral). Unlike a tow bar, rope, or chain, a tow dolly prevents the towed car from pushing towards the towing car, as well as reducing driveline wear on the towing car.

This two-wheel towing method does have a disadvantage, however. The two tires riding on the road will wear down faster than the two on the dolly. Thus, a dolly is ideal for short- or medium-distance trips rather than long-haul ones.

Steps to using a tow dolly:

1. Attach the tow dolly.
2. Assemble the towing car and car being towed on a flat surface.
3. Drive or pull the towed car onto the dolly.
4. Fasten the towed car.
5. Detach the driveshaft (only if the car being towed is a 4WD).

Method 4: Flatbed Trailer/Car Hauler

A flatbed trailer, also known as a car hauler, is another method of towing and is the best option for towing an automatic car. A car hauler trailer lifts the entire car off the ground and onto a flat surface so that the towed car's wheels stay stationary.

This method can be done with a commercial car carrier truck with a double-decker design. Adding your broken-down vehicle to a large haul can save you money but hiring a hauling company can be incredibly expensive. It can also be done with a 4WD car with a flatbed trailer and can be further secured with safety chains or straps for safety.

Steps to using a car hauler trailer:

1. Lower the rear stabilizers if your car hauler is equipped with them.
2. Remove the ramps from the storage position and secure them to the end of your car hauler.
3. Drive the vehicle up the ramps and onto your car hauler slowly.
4. Put the vehicle being towed in park and engage the parking brake.
5. Secure the vehicle to the car hauler with appropriate tensioning devices.

Method 5: Tow Service

Should you not have the equipment, resources, available tow car, or knowledge to handle a situation regarding your broken-down vehicle, you can always call a towing service. Depending on where you're located, most tow companies provide 24/7 aid.

Having your car towed by professionals will guarantee no further damage to the car or risk to other motorists. This is because they are trained in recovering, loading, and transporting your vehicle safely. Moreover, they know how to change your tire, jump the battery, and much more.

Provide the towing service with a copy of your insurance information if you were in a wreck. This is so the towing service can bill the insurance for services.

Towing a 2WD vs 4WD

As mentioned above, you must know whether you're towing a 2WD or 4WD. Both front-wheel drive cars (FWD) and rear-wheel drive cars (RWD) can be 2WD.

If the towed vehicle is FWD, using a tow dolly is best. This will protect your driveline components from wear and tear. If the towed vehicle is RWD, you must disengage the drive shaft.

Depending on whether the car is automatic or manual, you'll either need to put the towed vehicle in neutral and release the parking brake for a manual transmission or unlock the drive axle for an automatic transmission.

If you're unsure whether your car is 4WD or 2WD (FWD or RWD), refer to the owner's manual for instructions on these procedures.

Driver Tips for Safe Towing

Towing a car can be tricky - it requires increased driver attention and a completely different driving style. As the driver doing the towing, you'll need to change how you accelerate, brake, and turn to avoid any towing hiccups.

For some towing methods, the driver being towed may have specific instructions to follow while in the car, and in other cases, they are not at all involved.

Below are some helpful tips, information, and steps to help you learn how to tow a car safely:

Drivers doing the towing:

• Plan your trip before setting off; know which routes you plan on taking. As well as also clarifying a signal system for the driver being towed.
• Be aware of your trailer's size and the load's height. This is important when driving or parking, especially on roads where there may be height restrictions.
• Always accelerate slowly to avoid uncomfortable jolts. Start at around 5mph and make your way to 15mph. Never exceed 15mph.
• Be gentle with the accelerator and brakes and avoid sudden steering maneuvers while driving that might cause swaying.
• Ensure to signal the driver being towed that you intend to brake, turn, or stop.
• Take corners slowly and give yourself more space than usual to avoid the towed car from mounting curbs.

Drivers being towed (with a tow strap, rope, or chain):

• Only a driver is allowed within a towed vehicle to control it. __No passengers. __The vehicle being towed should always have a tow sign.
• Before heading off, always ensure that the car is in neutral and the handbrake is off.
• The steering wheel and brakes will feel very different with the engine off. You will need to steer the wheel and step on the brake pedal much harder to match the car towing you.
• Watch out for the towing car's signals to coordinate your movements accordingly. This is important for a safe journey without any major accidents.
• Try to keep some tension in the tow strap by applying the brakes gently. This will help avoid uncomfortable jolts and snagging.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that when done the right way, self-towing comes in handy. However, it's essential to know that improper towing can damage your car and pose a danger to other vehicles. Moreover, not following state laws can result in annoying tickets.

Getting a professional towing service to help you is highly recommended, and while it may cost you a good deal of money, it will save you the trouble of damaging your car or putting people at risk.

Ultimately, remember that when doing it on your own, follow the recommended safety guidelines to tow a vehicle. Make sure the distance is not long, use proper towing equipment, and use a tow hitch instead of a tow rope, strap, or chain.

Sources:

https://towingfayettevillear.com/tow-cars/

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/car/car-towing-options.htm

https://sanedriver.com/is-it-illegal-to-tow-car-with-another-car/

https://www.motortrend.com/features/1703-tow-ratings-and-the-law-discussing-limits-of-trailer-size/

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