Is it your first time towing a car? The idea will overwhelm you as it’s hard to analyze the situation and get your hands on the right tools.
But towing a car is the only solution when dealing with a broken car in the middle of nowhere. But towing isn’t easy for everyone. Good news—you can now tow a car even as a first-timer. It might seem challenging at first, but there is always a first time.
Let’s learn how to tow a car with a truck as a first-timer.
Why Tow a Car with a Truck?
Before we dig into the topic, let’s first understand why towing a car with a truck is the ultimate solution. Trucks are strong. That’s one of their biggest perks. They’re built to haul and pull heavy stuff.
So, when someone’s car won’t start or needs to be moved, a truck could be the best way to drive home safely. But knowing only that a truck can tow a car won’t help. You must know how to tow a car with a truck the right way for safe travel.
1. Know Your Truck’s Capacity
Before you get into towing, it’s important to check your truck’s towing capacity. There is a maximum amount of weight your truck can tow safely. To know how much weight your truck can tow, check out the owner’s manual or a sticker inside the driver’s door.
If you’re trying to tow a car that’s too heavy for your truck, then brace yourself for repercussions. You could end up dealing with brake failure and engine stress, which are higher than the actual tow service cost. To avoid such mistakes, it’s important to know some key terms as a first-timer.
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Max total weight of your truck with cargo.
- GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): Max total weight of your truck plus whatever you’re towing.
- Tongue weight: The downward force the trailer puts on your hitch.
2. Choose Your Towing Method
Not every towing method fits every situation. Having a better understanding of how to tow a car with a truck will help you deal with it in the right manner. Let’s look at the three most common ways to tow a car with a truck.
Tow Dolly
A tow dolly can easily lift the front wheels of the car while the back wheels stay on the road. It’s a popular choice when figuring out how to tow a car with a truck without a dolly is not an option.
How to use it:
- Attach the dolly to your truck’s hitch.
- Drive the car onto the dolly so its front wheels are on the platform.
- Secure the car with wheel straps.
- Connect safety chains and test the lights.
Great for front-wheel-drive cars and short-distance towing.
Tow Bar
A tow bar connects your truck to the car directly, with all four wheels on the ground. This method is often used for flat-towing and works best for manual transmission vehicles or those made to be towed.
How to use it:
- Install base plates on the towed car.
- Connect the tow bar to your truck and the base plates.
- Attach safety cables.
- Make sure the car is in neutral and the steering is unlocked.
Best for: Short- to mid-range towing and vehicles designed for flat towing.
Car Trailer
The safest (but most expensive) way to tow a car with a pickup truck is using a flatbed trailer.
How to use it:
- Drive or winch the car onto the trailer.
- Secure the car with straps and wheel chocks.
- Connect the trailer to your truck’s hitch.
- Double-check the lights and brakes.
Perfect for long-distance towing and vehicles that are not drivable.
3. Equipment You’ll Need
Whether you’re towing a car with a truck using a dolly, bar, or trailer, here are the basics:
- Hitch receiver and ball mount
- Safety chains
- Tow straps or chains
- Brake lights connection
- Wheel chocks and ratchet straps
- Towing mirrors (for wider loads)
Pro tip: Always do a walkaround check before driving off. It could save you a world of trouble.
4. Safety First: Must-Know Tips
Towing isn’t just about hooking up and hitting the gas. Here’s how to do it safely:
- Drive slower than usual. More weight = longer stopping distance.
- Avoid sudden moves. Brake gently and take wide turns.
- Downshift going downhill. It helps your brakes out.
- Use trailer brakes if available. Especially on heavier loads.
- Stop and check often. Straps, lights, connections. Look for it after every 50 miles to avoid any inconvenience.
5. How to Tow a Car with a Truck Without a Dolly
Let’s say you don’t have a dolly or trailer. Can you still tow a car with a truck? Yes, but proceed carefully.
Use a heavy-duty tow strap or chain:
- Attach one end to the tow hitch on your truck.
- Hook the other end to the frame of the disabled car, not the bumper.
- Keep the towed car in neutral, and have someone steer and brake from inside.
- Drive slowly (under 25 mph) and avoid highways.
Warning: This method is for emergencies only and should not be used for long distances.
Still, if you’re not sure you can handle it on your own, look for a roadside assistance expert to get the job done.
6. Legal Aspect of Towing
Towing can have legal consequences, too. You should know towing laws beforehand to avoid any difficult situations. Remember, towing laws vary by state, but here are some common terms in every state.
- Is the towed car required to have working headlights?
- Do you need a separate braking system?
- Are there weight limits for what your license allows?
Play it safe and read up on your local DMV guidelines before towing. Knowing towing legal laws will help you stay safe from more difficult situations.
7. Final Checks Before You Drive
Driving the truck safely while towing your car is important. Here are a few things you should cross-check before hitting the road.
- Is the car securely strapped or chained?
- Are all lights working?
- Did you test the brakes?
- Is your load evenly balanced?
- Is your towing speed reasonable (keep it under 55 mph)
Examining your car before towing can save time and money. You don’t want to end up damaging your car while towing. Knowing this fundamental check will ensure your safety.
Bottom Line
Towing a car with a truck might sound like a task best left to professionals, but with the right know-how, even a first-timer can pull it off like a pro.
From understanding how to tow a car with a pickup truck to learning the safe way to tow a car with a truck without a dolly, this guide is your go-to resource.
The key is preparation. With the right tools, a calm mindset, and a few trial runs, you’ll be towing with confidence in no time.
So the next time you find yourself asking how to tow a car with a truck, just remember: take it slow, check everything twice, and stay safe out there.
Happy towing!
