Towing a car with another vehicle is often a necessity, whether it’s due to a breakdown or moving a car without driving it. While professional services are available, it can be essential to know how to perform this task ourselves. We’ll focus on the essentials to ensure that the towing process is both safe and legal.
The most common and safest method is using a car trailer that allows the towed car’s wheels to be entirely off the ground. This method requires a truck or robust vehicle capable of handling the towed car’s weight. Other methods involve tow dollies or tow bars, which impose limits on the towed vehicle’s drivetrain and require careful installation. Before undertaking any towing, we must check the legality as regulations vary by location, and improper towing can lead to fines or accidents.
Ensuring the safety of both the tow vehicle and the towed car, as well as other road users, is our primary concern. We should always verify the tow vehicle’s capacity and the strength and security of towing equipment. It’s also vital to understand the proper attachment and signaling mechanisms to alert other drivers on the road. Accidents during towing can cause severe damage and even lead to legal consequences, so absolute diligence is always necessary.
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Essential Towing Equipment
When we tow a car using another car, safety and legality should be our top priorities. Our towing setup must include some essential equipment that ensures a smooth and secure tow.
Tow Bars and Tow Hitches: The cornerstone of towing equipment is a reliable tow bar or tow hitch affixed to the towing vehicle. Tow bars enable a solid connection between vehicles, while a hitch receiver is where the tow bar attaches to the tow vehicle.
For towing a car with another, using a tow dolly or trailer can be advantageous. It lifts the front tires of the towed car off the ground, reducing tire and driveline wear.
| Equipment | Purpose |
| Safety Chains | A backup connection between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. |
| Tow Dolly or Trailer | Keeps the towed vehicle’s tires off the ground to prevent wear and tear. |
| Wiring System | Links the tow vehicle’s brake lights and turn signals to the towed car. |
Ensuring that all components like the hitch receiver, tow hitches, and tow bars are adequately rated for the vehicle’s weight is critical. Lighting is another aspect we can’t overlook. The towed car’s brake lights, taillights, and turn signals must be in sync with the towing vehicle.
Finally, towing mirrors extend our field of vision, while a correctly installed wiring system enables communication between the vehicles’ lights. This setup promotes safety and reduces the risk of accidents or damage. Remember, we only use towing equipment specifically designed for this purpose—standard ropes or chains might not be safe or legal for on-road use.
Preparing for Safe Towing
When we prepare to tow a car with another car, safety is our primary concern. It’s crucial to ensure the towing process does not cause damage to either vehicle, particularly the transmission system and driveline. We follow these steps to prepare:
Always consult both vehicles’ owner’s manuals. Not all passenger cars can be towed with all four wheels on the ground. Manuals often specify whether the car is a manual or automatic, the appropriate towing procedures, and restrictions.
| Manual Car | Automatic Car |
| May sometimes be towed with all wheels down. | Often requires a dolly or flatbed to prevent driveline wear. |
Ensure the lead car can handle the weight of the towed car. Exceeding the tow vehicle’s capacity is dangerous and can result in compromised braking and steering.
Do not ignore the ignition switch position. For cars being towed with all four wheels down, the ignition should usually be set to the ‘ACC’ (accessory) position to prevent locking the steering wheel.
Prepare towing lights and safety chains. The towed car must have working taillights and parking lights. Safety chains are mandatory to prevent the car from separating from the tow vehicle in case of hitch failure.
Before embarking on the tow, have the number for a reliable roadside assistance service on hand. This can be a lifesaver if we encounter any issues along the way.
With these precautions, we can properly tow a vehicle, ensuring the safety of all on the road, and minimizing the risk to our cars.
Towing Vehicles by Category
In this section, we’re breaking down towing capabilities by the type of tow vehicle, which dictates the method and equipment necessary for safe and efficient towing.
Towing with Passenger Vehicles
Passenger vehicles, including cars and SUVs, often have lower tow ratings than their larger counterparts. We must check our vehicle’s owner manual to understand our towing capacity. Using a tow dolly can be a suitable option for front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD) cars, as it lifts the driven wheels off the ground, preventing transmission damage. Tow bars are another option; they are best for manual transmission vehicles and should only be used when our car has the capability to flat tow.
Towing with Trucks and RVs
| Vehicle Type | Tow Rating | Towing Method |
| Trucks | High | Tow dolly, Trailer |
| RVs | Varies | Flat towing, Trailer |
Trucks, SUVs, and RVs have higher towing capacities and offer more options for towing. When using these as tow vehicles, we ensure to match them with a dolly or a trailer suitable for the weight and size of the car being towed. Hydraulic brakes or electric brake systems on the towing apparatus help manage the additional weight during transit, thus increasing safety. Pickup trucks and 4WD SUVs are robust towing pros, often equipped with special towing packages that can handle heavier cargo efficiently.
Legal and Safety Considerations
When towing a car with another car, numerous legal and safety considerations must be taken into account to ensure a secure towing process and compliance with state laws.
Each state has its own regulations surrounding towing. Typically, non-commercial towing doesn’t require a special license, but there are critical safety laws to follow:
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Tow Lights: The towed vehicle must have functional brake lights and turn signals synchronized with the towing vehicle.
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Towing Mirrors: Adequate mirrors are mandatory to ensure the driver has a clear view of the towed vehicle and surrounding traffic.
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Weight Limit: Awareness of each vehicle’s weight limit is essential; the tow vehicle must be capable of handling the total weight of the car being towed.
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Safety Chains: Are necessary to secure the vehicle in case the primary coupling fails.
| Component | Consideration |
| Disconnect the Driveshaft | Necessary for certain vehicle models to prevent transmission damage during towing. |
| Wheel Nets, Brackets, Pivot Bracket | Required equipment for securing the towed vehicle on a trailer or tow dolly. |
Towing on local roads might be subject to additional community-specific regulations. Always verify local laws before attempting to tow another car.
Our responsibility doesn’t end with understanding the law; safety is our priority. Therefore, we meticulously check that all connections are secure, and we ensure that the tow vehicle and towed car are in good mechanical condition before setting out.
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