How to Tow a Car with a Truck

If you have a truck, you probably have a pretty good idea of how much it can tow. When it comes to towing, trucks are the undisputed kings, even though some SUVs can tow a sizable amount as well. At some point, you might end up in a situation where you need to tow a car.

The first thing to know before you attempt to tow another vehicle with your truck is how much your truck can tow. The average weight of a subcompact or compact car is usually between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds. Most full-size and midsize trucks can tow well over this amount. You might have to be more careful if you're looking to tow a larger car or crossover. Always know before you tow.

Factors To Consider Before Towing

If you have doubts about your truck's towing ability versus the vehicle in question, you can simply Google the weight of the vehicle and your truck's towing capacity. But that isn't the only thing to consider.

You also need to know the specifications of the tow hitch you have installed. Even if your truck can handle the weight, you might have a substandard tow hitch.

You'll also need to check the weight of your tow dolly or trailer and add that to the total amount you're planning to tow.

Tow Methods

There are a few different methods for towing a car with your truck. Some are easier and safer than others. Let's take a look at the common options for towing a car with a truck.

Tow Straps

This is a very common impromptu option for towing a car with a truck. Unfortunately, it's not particularly safe and may even be illegal in some areas. One of the only situations where using tow straps is appropriate is in short distances off-road. For example, getting another vehicle unstuck. If you end up using tow straps, here is a step-by-step guide.

1. Inspect your tow straps and ensure that they're in good condition and not tangled.

2. Find the recovery points on both vehicles. These are generally on the frame and may just be holes cut into the thick steel frame to provide a secure attachment point. Don't attach tow straps to bumpers or anything else that is lightweight and flimsy.

3. Run the tow strap or attached hook through the recovery point on the stranded vehicle. You can hook the strap to itself once it's through the hole. Lay the strap on the ground in front of the vehicle.

4. Position your truck in front of the stranded vehicle near where you laid the tow strap. Attach the tow strap to the rear of your truck. You can attach it to a tow hitch if it's at least a Class 2. Otherwise, use a recovery point.

5. Drive your truck slowly forward to take the slack out of the line and then check it for damage. If everything looks good, it's important to lay a jacket or blanket over the tow strap. If the strap snaps, it can be extremely dangerous, especially with metal hooks on the end.

6. The driver of the other vehicle should get in and be prepared to steer and brake. Tow the stranded vehicle very slowly. If you have to do this on a road, make sure to use your hazards and the other vehicle's hazards if the battery isn't dead.

It must be emphasized that this method of towing a car with a truck should only be done over a short distance and generally as a last resort.

Towing a Car with a Dolly

Source: hyundai-forums.com

A safer way to tow a car is with a tow dolly. In this situation, you'll attach the dolly to your hitch and then line it up with the stranded vehicle. If the vehicle is unable to move, you'll have to push it onto the tow dolly. Once the stranded vehicle's front wheels are on the dolly, use the brake pedal to keep it from going too far forward.

Your tow dolly should come with wheel straps that go around the front wheels of the vehicle being towed. Once those are tight, attach the safety chains to the recovery points. You'll need to disengage the parking brake so the wheels can turn freely.

There is a caveat to these tow methods. If the stranded vehicle is FWD, there's no problem because the rear wheels are not connected to the driveshaft. However, if the vehicle is RWD and automatic, you'll need to disconnect the driveshaft and lock the steering wheel. You'll also need to put the stranded vehicle on backward, i.e. with its rear facing the tow vehicle's rear.

If your RWD vehicle has a manual transmission, then the only thing you usually need to do is put it in neutral and make sure the steering wheel is totally locked. A good way to find towing specifications for certain vehicles is to check the RV flat-tow reference lists.

Towing a Car with a Trailer

Source: clubfrontier.org

If you have a trailer that can support a vehicle, this is probably the safest and easiest way to tow. As with the dolly, you'll want to line the trailer up with the front of the vehicle so it can be pushed or driven onto the trailer. Once the vehicle is safely on top of the trailer, you can set the parking brake. Similar to the dolly method, you'll need to secure the wheels with ratchet straps and then attach the safety chains to recovery points on the vehicle.

When you're all done securing the vehicle, you should have all four wheels tied down and two safety chains attached. Even though a trailer is an easier method than the previous two, you should still be cautious in braking and turning.

When you need towing accessories, turn to H&H Truck Accessories for a wide selection of the most important accessories you need to tow a car, including tow straps, hitches, and trailer parts. We have several locations across Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, or you can conveniently shop online.