How Do You Tow a Car?

Need to tow a car? This guide outlines ten safe steps to tow a vehicle during breakdowns or transport. Perfect for emergencies or moving, these tips ensure you use the right method, protect the car, and stay safe on the road.

Safety Warning: Towing is dangerous. Use proper equipment, follow vehicle guidelines, and avoid overloading to prevent accidents or damage.

1. Choose the Right Towing Method

Selecting the appropriate towing method—flatbed, tow dolly, or tow strap—depends on the car’s type and condition. Each method has specific uses to ensure safety.

Choosing correctly prevents damage. Here’s how to pick a method.

• Use a flatbed. Safest for all cars, especially AWD or damaged vehicles, costing $150-$300.

• Try a tow dolly. Lifts front wheels for FWD cars, costing $50-$100 to rent.

• Consider tow straps. Best for short distances, RWD cars, costing $20-$50, but riskier.

• Check the manual. Confirm the car’s towing requirements to avoid $500-$2,000 in repairs.

2. Verify Towing Vehicle Capacity

The towing vehicle must have sufficient capacity to handle the car’s weight, typically 3,000-5,000 pounds. Exceeding capacity risks damage to both vehicles.

Capacity checks ensure safety. Here’s how to verify it.

• Check the manual. Find the towing vehicle’s capacity, costing $0, taking 2-3 minutes.

• Weigh the towed car. Use a scale ($5-$20) to confirm weight, avoiding overload.

• Include cargo. Account for extra weight in the towed car, reducing capacity accordingly.

• Avoid underpowered vehicles. Ensure the tow vehicle exceeds the car’s weight by 1.5x.

3. Gather Necessary Equipment

Proper towing requires specific tools like hitches, straps, or dollies. Having the right equipment ensures a secure connection and safe towing.

Equipment preparation is key. Here’s what you need.

• Class III-IV hitch. Use for flatbeds or dollies, costing $100-$300, matching vehicle capacity.

• Tow straps or chains. Rated for 2x the car’s weight, costing $20-$50 for short tows.

• Tow dolly. Rent for $50-$100, suitable for front-wheel-drive cars.

• Safety gear. Gloves and reflective vests ($5-$20) protect during setup.

4. Prepare a Safe Work Area

Towing requires a flat, stable surface to prevent accidents during setup. A safe area reduces risks when connecting vehicles or equipment.

A secure setup enhances safety. Here’s how to prepare the area.

• Park on flat ground. Avoid slopes to prevent rolling, costing $0, taking 1-2 minutes.

• Engage parking brakes. Lock both vehicles to ensure stability during setup.

• Use wheel chocks. Place under tires ($10-$20) to secure the towed car.

• Work in daylight. Ensure good visibility or use lights, costing $0-$10, for safety.

5. Inspect Tow Points and Equipment

Both vehicles need secure tow points, like hooks or frame mounts, and equipment must be in good condition. Faulty connections can cause detachment.

Inspection prevents failures. Here’s how to check tow points.

• Locate tow hooks. Find factory hooks on both vehicles, per the manual, costing $0.

• Check equipment condition. Inspect straps or dollies for wear, replacing if frayed ($20-$100).

• Avoid bumpers. Never attach to plastic parts, risking $200-$1,000 in damage.

• Test hitch security. Ensure the hitch is bolted tightly, taking 2-3 minutes.

6. Connect the Towed Car

Securely connecting the towed car to the towing vehicle or equipment is critical. Proper attachment prevents detachment and ensures safe towing.

Correct connections ensure stability. Here’s how to connect safely.

• Attach to flatbed. Winch the car onto the bed using tow hooks, costing $0, taking 5-10 minutes.

• Secure to dolly. Drive front wheels onto the dolly and strap tightly, costing $50-$100.

• Use tow straps. Loop through hooks with a bowline knot, ensuring no slack, costing $20-$50.

• Check alignment. Ensure the towed car tracks straight, avoiding sway or damage.

7. Secure the Towed Car

Once connected, secure the towed car to prevent movement during transport. Proper fastening protects both vehicles and ensures road safety.

Securing prevents accidents. Here’s how to fasten the car.

• Use tie-down straps. Secure to flatbed with eight-point tie-downs, costing $20-$50.

• Lock dolly straps. Tighten over tires to prevent slipping, included with rental.

• Cross safety chains. Loop under tow hitch for redundancy, costing $0-$20.

• Test security. Tug connections to confirm stability, taking 1-2 minutes, costing $0.

8. Drive Safely While Towing

Towing a car requires cautious driving to maintain control and avoid damage. Slow speeds and careful maneuvers ensure safety for both vehicles.

Safe driving is essential. Here’s how to tow cautiously.

• Keep speed low. Stay under 55 mph to reduce strain, saving 5-10% on fuel.

• Increase braking distance. Allow 2-3 times more space to stop, preventing collisions.

• Make wide turns. Account for the towed car’s path, avoiding curbs or obstacles.

• Monitor mirrors. Check the towed car’s alignment, stopping if it sways, costing $0.

9. Comply with Towing Regulations

Towing laws vary by state, covering equipment, weight, and lights. Compliance prevents fines and ensures safe, legal towing operations.

Following regulations protects you. Here’s how to stay compliant.

• Check weight limits. Ensure total weight stays within tow vehicle’s capacity, avoiding $100-$500 fines.

• Verify trailer lights. Confirm brake and turn signals work, costing $0-$20 to fix.

• Use safety chains. Required for dollies or trailers, preventing $50-$200 fines.

• Carry registration. Ensure tow vehicle and trailer are registered, costing $0 to check.

10. Inspect After Towing

After towing, inspect both vehicles for damage or wear. Early detection prevents costly repairs and ensures readiness for future towing.

Post-tow checks ensure reliability. Here’s how to inspect.

• Check tow points. Look for bent hooks or frame damage, avoiding $200-$1,000 repairs.

• Inspect tires. Check for uneven wear on both vehicles, costing $100-$300 to replace.

• Test towed car. Start and drive briefly to confirm functionality, taking 5-10 minutes.

• Clean equipment. Store straps or dollies properly, costing $0, preventing damage.

Conclusion

Towing a car is manageable with these ten safe steps, from choosing the right method to post-tow inspections. Follow these tips to protect your vehicle. For professional assistance, our professional towing service in Dallas offers 24/7 support, ensuring your car is towed safely and efficiently!