How To Tow A Car Without Tow Hooks

At some point in time, you have to have your car towed. Maybe it was in a wreck, maybe it broke down, or maybe you need to move from one place to another and can't drive it. No matter the problem, it's essential you're towing your car correctly.

But how do you tackle towing a car without tow hooks? Don't fret; we have you covered. In this article, we will look at how to tow a car without tow hooks, as well as some essential tips about the towing process you should know.

What You Need To Know Before Towing a Vehicle

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

Regardless of how desperate you could be, it's important you always understand and follow the basic guidelines when it comes to towing a vehicle.

What the law says about towing

Before having your vehicle towed or towing another vehicle, you should be aware of the local laws and warnings when recovering, loading, and transporting a vehicle safely and responsibly.

Whether you're the towed vehicle or towing vehicle, you should always use adequate towing equipment. If you're towing a vehicle with more weight than is recommended or with the wrong type of equipment, your car can be classified as "improperly equipped," which can result in a fine. And no one wants that.

To avoid this, you should also understand what is not only required by the law but by vehicle manufacturers for certain types of cars.

The type of car being towed

Certain methods of towing are not always applicable to certain types of cars. Things that can affect the way you tow a car are; whether it's a manual or automatic car with 2-wheel drive (2WD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD), and whether the 2WD vehicle is a front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD).

Towing capacity

Before you tow another vehicle, you must know whether the tow truck or vehicle has a capable tow rating that can tow the broken-down vehicle safely. Towing capacity is the most weight a vehicle can tow legally and safely. Knowing a vehicle's maximum tow rating is essential in ensuring a safe drive with no damage to either car.

The car's recovery point

Recovery points are places on cars that can support their weight while being towed or pulled. These points are usually frame-mounted, like a tab underneath the front or rear end or a shackle mount on a bumper with a solid metal hook or loop.

However, for some street cars, there may be no recovery point or tow hook at all. So what do you do in this instance? Many would suggest using a large hook (like you see a tow truck use) to snag either the suspension or axle of a car. But this can damage your car severely.

Your safest and strongest option for a recovery point is a vehicle's tow hitch receiver. Most cars, especially pickups and SUVs, come with factory-fitted hitches. However, mini and compact may lack hitches as standard equipment.

In the instance that your car does not have a hitch receiver or tow hook, you should attach to the most sturdy point you can find. Although it's not always advisable, if you have no other options, you can do so through either the rear or front of a car.

Meeting these basic requirements ensures no major hiccups or issues. If you're unsure of a vehicle's drive or towing requirements, check your vehicle's owner's manual.

Methods For How To Tow A Car Without Tow Hooks

Now that you know the basic requirements, it's time to tow a car. There are a few ways to tow a car without tow hooks, and your equipment will vary for each one.

Regardless of which method you choose, it's important to note that you should be towing a vehicle, especially one without tow hooks, slowly and steadily.

Let's look at the methods of towing a vehicle without tow hooks and the pros and cons of each one.

Method 1: Flatbed trailer

This method is considered one of the best for towing a car without tow hooks. A flatbed trailer lifts the entire car off the ground and onto a flat surface so that the towed car's wheels stay stationary. It's ideal for automatic cars.

Although this method may cost you a little more, it's a much safer option. You'll know that no damage will come to either the tow vehicle or towed car.

Method 2: Tow rope or tow strap

Using a tow strap or tow rope 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.

Most vehicles can be towed using a tow rope or top strap by tying it securely to one of the recovery points of the towed car, such as the rear axle.

Always ensure that you're using a tow rope and not just any rope you find, as this can be incredibly unreliable and dangerous. The tow strap or tow rope must not be damaged and should keep to a length of no longer than 14.5 feet (4.5 meters) when towing on the road.

Method 3: Tow dolly

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). But when it comes to choosing this towing method, one thing to keep in mind is what kind of vehicle you're looking to tow.

The make and model of the vehicle can affect whether it's possible to simply hook it up and drive or if you need to make some modifications to it in order to get towing. The biggest issues tend to crop up if you have a 4WD, RWD, or AWD vehicle. While some vehicles may only need a small tweak, other vehicles may need a more challenging or expensive tweak.

Moreover, this method is not ideal for cars that are beached or in precarious situations like being stuck in a ditch. This method should only be used if your car is already on a level surface on the road and if it is an FWD.

Method 4: Tow bar

This method will only work if the tow vehicle has a hitch and the car being towed already has a tow bar mounted to it. Tow bars are considered a safer option than a tow rope or tow strap.

Moreover, the towed vehicle must have a manual transmission. A conventional automatic car tends to have speed and distance restrictions that would prevent this towing method. However, some modern automatic cars can generally be flat-towed - though you should always check your owner's manual to be certain.

Method 5: Tow service

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

Having your car towed by a tow truck driver will guarantee no further damage to the car or risk to other vehicles. With a towing service, you can rest assured that they're trained in recovering, loading, and transporting your vehicle safely.

Tips for Towing a Vehicle

Towing a car without tow hooks can be tricky. You're not always sure whether the tow vehicle or towed car can handle it.

Here are some safety tips to consider when towing a car without tow hooks:

Always consider a tow truck service first. This will guarantee that for any damage that has come to your vehicle, your insurance can cover it.
Never hook up a car from its bumper. You'll end up ripping the entire bumper off.
If you use a tow rope or tow strap to tow a vehicle, always ensure you're aware of its purpose. Some tow ropes are for recovery purposes, and others are for towing. You cannot use a recovery tow rope for towing a vehicle on a public road - it's dangerous and illegal in most states.
If you're recovering a car that's stuck, never jerk or pull the vehicle too hard. Always begin slowly and steadily to avoid doing any damage to either car.

FAQs

Do all vehicles have tow hooks?

Many modern cars and trucks will come with a set of tow hooks provided by the vehicle manufacturer. However, older cars may not come with tow hooks. If your car does not have a tow hook, you should always purchase one.

What are tow hooks attached to?

Tow hooks are usually bolted into the car's frame or mounted onto the receiver. In some instances, you may need to install the tow hook yourself. The frame or receiver of a vehicle is typically the only spot on a vehicle where it's acceptable to attach tow hooks.

Can you tow an automatic car?

Vehicles with an automatic transmission system should not be towed. The best method for towing an automatic car is to have all four wheels off the ground using a flatbed trailer or car hauler.

Can you tow a car by its axle?

It is possible to tow a car by its axle, provided the front axle is unlocked. A useful rule of thumb is that an RWD vehicle should be towed with the rear wheels off the ground, and an FWD vehicle should be towed with the front wheels off the ground.

Can you tow a car with another car?

It is, in fact, possible to tow a car with another car. To learn more on how to do this, you can refer to our other informative article on how to tow a car with another car (link to article on client's website.)

Conclusion

Having a car stuck or stranded can make anyone desperate. But regardless, you should always follow the requirements and laws for towing. When done the right way, it is possible to safely tow a car without tow hooks.

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

So, to save both you and your car a lot of grief, always follow the recommended safety guidelines, use proper towing equipment, and buy a tow hook if you do not have one.