How to Tow Vehicles

There are various methods for towing a vehicle, each suited for different situations. Tow straps can be effective for pulling vehicles out of mud, snow, or sand, but may not be suitable for towing on roads. Tow dollies are an inexpensive option for towing front-wheel-drive vehicles, but they are not suitable for AWD or 4WD cars and trucks. For these types of applications, using a trailer is the best towing method.

Check local regulations to ensure tow strap usage is permitted. Tow straps are generally considered the least secure method of towing a vehicle, so laws may prohibit their use in your area. Review local towing ordinances to confirm that using a tow strap complies with the law.

Prepare the tow rope by straightening it out in front of the vehicle. Position the end of the tow rope intended for attachment to the broken-down vehicle in front of it. As you lay the rope out on the ground, ensure it is free from knots or tangles, allowing for smooth extension from the vehicle.

• This step ensures proper alignment of the tow vehicle.
• Avoid using a tow rope with any knots or tangles.

Inspect the tow rope for any signs of damage. Before initiating the towing process, carefully examine the tow rope for tears or frays. Using a compromised tow rope may lead to breakage under pressure, posing risks to safety.

• Failure to address damaged tow ropes can result in being stranded and potential hazards.
• Consider purchasing a replacement tow rope from your local auto parts store if any damage is detected.

Identify the “recovery point” located on the frame of each vehicle. Many vehicles feature designated “recovery points” on their frames, often in the form of holes intended for running a recovery strap through or attaching a steel hook. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual to locate the recovery point on both the towed and towing vehicles.

• If locating the recovery point proves challenging, refer to application-specific service or repair manuals.
• Recovery points, typically circular holes in thick steel, are consistently situated on the vehicle's frame.

Thread the strap or hook through the recovery point of the broken-down vehicle. Direct the strap through the designated hole for the recovery point. For straps equipped with hooks, secure them by attaching the hook to the strap through the recovery point. Alternatively, if the strap features a loop, insert it through the recovery point and fasten the end of the strap through its own loop.

• Upon completion, lay the strap flat on the ground, extending it once again in front of the vehicle.

Position the towing vehicle in front of the disabled vehicle. Place the towing vehicle close to the end of the tow cable previously laid out in front of the disabled vehicle. Ensure alignment between the two vehicles to facilitate straight movement upon towing initiation.

• Reverse the vehicle slightly to introduce slack into the strap.
• By laying out the strap beforehand, minimize excessive slack during vehicle positioning.

Secure the tow strap to the rear of the towing vehicle. If accessing the rear recovery point proves challenging, consider utilizing a tow hitch if your vehicle is equipped with a Class 2 or higher hitch. If uncertain about your vehicle's hitch, refrain from using it.

• Some tow hitches feature D-rings for direct attachment of the tow strap.
• Avoid directly attaching metal hooks to the vehicle if possible. Instead, pass the strap through the recovery point and secure it to itself.

Gradually move the towing vehicle forward until the strap is taut. Instruct the driver to slowly advance the towing vehicle until the tow strap gains sufficient tension to lift off the ground. Advise the driver to halt once the strap is taut, just before initiating the pull on the disabled vehicle.

• Monitor the strap for any indications of fraying or tearing as tension increases.
• Immediately cease operation if the strap displays signs of damage.

Place a jacket or blanket over the tow strap. A snapped tow strap poses significant danger, with the nylon rope potentially behaving like a massive whip, particularly if metal hooks are involved. Covering the strap with a jacket or blanket helps mitigate the whip effect should the strap fail.

• Ensure to stand clear of the strap after covering it with the blanket.

Tow the disabled vehicle at a slow pace. Confirm the disabled vehicle is in neutral gear. The strap will draw the vehicle towards the towing vehicle, necessitating the driver of the disabled vehicle to control its brakes to prevent collisions during towing. Limit the use of tow straps to short distances, such as freeing a stuck vehicle.

• For longer distances, opt for a dolly or trailer.
• Disconnect the tow straps after use.
• Towing a vehicle home using this method is excessively hazardous.

Secure the tow dolly to the tow vehicle's hitch. Reverse your tow vehicle towards the tow dolly, ideally with assistance to ensure precise alignment. Position the hitch ball beneath the dolly's tongue, then utilize the handle to lower the tongue and connect it to the hitch.

• You may need to adjust the dolly's position slightly to achieve proper alignment with the hitch.
• If your dolly lacks a lowering handle, it's likely light enough for manual lifting onto the hitch ball.

Attach the safety chains and wiring connections. Typically, a tow dolly will feature two safety chains and a wiring harness. Cross the chains in an “X” shape and hook them onto designated spots on either side of the hitch. Subsequently, connect the wiring harness to the tow vehicle.

• The wiring harness can either plug into an opening on the hitch bumper or connect to a wiring pigtail extending from the tow hitch.
• Adequate slack in the chains is normal as they primarily serve as emergency backups.

Align the tow vehicle, dolly, and disabled vehicle on level ground. Position the tow vehicle and dolly in proximity to the front of the disabled vehicle, allowing for straightforward rolling onto the dolly.

• If the disabled vehicle is operational, driving it onto the dolly may be an alternative.
• Prior to loading the dolly, ensure proper alignment among the tow vehicle, disabled vehicle, and dolly.

Drive or maneuver the disabled vehicle onto the tow dolly. For operational vehicles, engage first gear or drive mode and accelerate gently onto the dolly. For non-operational vehicles, enlist assistance to push while steering and controlling brakes. Once the front wheels are on the dolly, utilize the brakes to prevent further forward movement.

• A front lip on the tow dolly serves as a stopper to prevent excessive forward rolling.
• Avoid further acceleration once the vehicle's wheels are on the dolly to prevent overshooting the lip.

Secure the vehicle to the dolly using wheel straps. Tow dollies are equipped with wheel straps designed to secure both front wheels. Place the straps over the tires and tighten using the ratchet mechanism. Additionally, attach the safety chains to designated frame points on the vehicle.

• Utilize the ratchet mechanism to tighten the straps securely over the tires.
• Refer to the owner's manual to identify appropriate frame points for attaching safety chains.

Release the parking brake on the disabled vehicle. To tow a car using a dolly, it's essential that the rear wheels can rotate freely. Ensure the parking brake is disengaged to allow free movement of the wheels before commencing towing.

• In Front Wheel Drive cars, the rear wheels are not connected to the driveline, so there's no need to shift the vehicle into neutral.

Adjust your braking and acceleration distances accordingly while driving. Be mindful that towing will require approximately twice the distance to stop, slow down, or accelerate compared to normal driving conditions.

• Initiate braking well in advance to account for the increased stopping distance while towing.
• Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles to accommodate the longer stopping distance.

Attach the trailer to the tow vehicle. Maneuver your tow vehicle towards the trailer hitch with the assistance of rearview mirrors and guides. Align the hitch ball beneath the trailer's tongue, then lower the tongue onto the ball using the trailer's handle.

• Upon hitching, secure the safety chains by crossing them and attaching their hooks to designated points on either side of the hitch.
• Connect the trailer's electrical plug to the corresponding port on the tow vehicle.

Position the tow vehicle and trailer directly in front of the vehicle to be towed. If the towed vehicle is operable, positioning it behind the trailer simplifies the process. However, if it's not operational, back the trailer up to the front of the vehicle to enable straightforward loading by driving or pushing it onto the trailer.

• Ensure all vehicles and the trailer are on a level, even surface.

Drive or push the towed vehicle onto the trailer. Lower the ramps on the trailer and either drive or push the towed vehicle onto it, ensuring someone is in the driver's seat to steer and brake. Once the rear wheels of the vehicle are on the trailer, instruct the driver to halt and engage the parking brake.

• Ensure all four wheels are fully on the trailer, allowing the ramps to retract or fold without contacting the vehicle.
• The front tires should be positioned near the front of the trailer, although contact with the front lip is not mandatory.

Secure the tire straps and safety chains. Place ratchet straps over each wheel, securing them to the trailer and tightening them until they are taut. As the straps compress the vehicle's suspension, observe the vehicle lowering on the trailer. Additionally, attach two safety chains to the vehicle's frame's recovery points.

• If locating the recovery points proves challenging, consult the owner's or service manual for the specific vehicle.
• Ensure all four wheels are strapped down, supplemented by two safety chains once completed.

Anticipate turns and stops in advance. Towing a vehicle necessitates doubling the usual distance required to slow down or accelerate, so plan maneuvers well ahead of stops, intersections, or turns. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles while towing.

• Even if your towing vehicle boasts considerable acceleration capabilities, braking efficiency may remain compromised.