Towing a car with a tow truck or pickup and trailer is preferable to using another automobile, as most experts will agree, but not everyone has access to such heavy equipment. You may be in a remote area with few assistance options, or your AAA membership may have expired, leaving you without the means to pay for a tow. When you’re in a pinch, you might wonder, “Can I tow a car with my car?”
You’ll need to do some simple fact-finding to see whether or not your car is capable of towing another vehicle. Know whether or not your car has a tow hitch, whether or not the car you’re towing is two-wheel or four-wheel drive, and whether or not its transmission is automatic or manual. Also, if your car only has 2WD, is it front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD)? In case you have any questions regarding any of these, I recommend consulting your handbook.
A quick review of some basic rules is in order before we delve into the specifics of using your car to pull another vehicle:
- To begin, the tow vehicle ought to be bigger and heavier than the car being towed, as it takes more propulsion and stopping power to move and stop twice as many vehicles as usual.
- Second, check to see if the vehicle being towed is empty. It is dangerous and against the law to have a passenger in a car that is being towed. Pets should also never travel without the tow vehicle.
- Third, make sure the tow vehicle’s ignition is on so the steering wheel doesn’t get stuck. Finally, turn on the towed car’s parking lights if you’re driving at night to make it more visible to drivers behind you.
Next, we’ll go over the various techniques for pulling a vehicle behind another vehicle. There must be a tow hitch installed on the vehicle doing the towing. The trailer hitch is mounted on the undercarriage. A tow hitch is standard on many pickups and SUVs but not on most passenger vehicles. The good news is that tow hitches can be set up in no time. We say hire a pro, but do it yourself if you want to save some cash.
Chain Towing a Vehicle: How It’s Done
Towing a vehicle with a rope or chain should be reserved for extreme emergencies and should only be attempted on short, low-speed trips on local roads away from major thoroughfares.
You will need to be familiar with how to use a chain or rope to tow a vehicle if you decide to go this route.
Don’t use just any old rope or chain you find laying around.
It’s risky to use frayed, rusted, or split ropes or chains for towing.
The length of the rope or chain should be just right; either too short or too long can be problematic. Avoid sudden stops while utilising a chain or rope tow since the automobile being pulled is probably in neutral and has no working brakes, which could cause it to ram into the towing vehicle.
When Using a Dolly to Tow a Vehicle
Towing a vehicle behind another vehicle is a common task, and a tow dolly, which is simply a miniature trailer, is a common tool for doing so. Towing using a dolly raises the front wheels off the ground, protecting the towed vehicle’s tyres and transmission from unnecessary wear. One advantage of using a tow dolly is that braking does not cause the back car to be pushed. In addition to being portable and easy to transport, tow dollies are also widely available for rent from most warehouses and shipping companies.
With a Tow Bar, of Course!
If you need to tow another vehicle and don’t have a tow bar, you can always rent one. A-frame style tow bars are commonly used and fixed to the tow vehicle. The hitch in the back of the vehicle being towed is where the tow bar is secured.
Tow bars can only be used with the addition of safety chains. Tow bars have a tendency to push, which occurs when the momentum of the automobile behind pulls the back end of the vehicle, forcing it to the outside of the turn, thus exercise caution when braking and turning at the same time.
Using a Trailer to Tow a Vehicle
The best and safest method of towing a car with another car is to use a trailer designed for transporting automobiles. If you’re towing a car with a car transporter, the entire vehicle, including all four wheels, will be resting on the trailer. It’s as easy as backing the car onto the trailer and securing it using the provided straps and/or chains.
For this strategy, you’ll need to utilise a truck as the tow vehicle because the total weight of the towed vehicle plus trailer will be heavier than the tow rating of nearly any passenger car and many modern SUVs.
2WD vs. 4WD for Car Towing
Knowing if your towed vehicle is a 2WD or 4WD is crucial. You must know whether the front or back wheels are driving the vehicle if it has only two driven axles.
In order to get the greatest results, a tow dolly should be used if the car being towed is front-wheel drive. The driveline’s parts will last longer as a result of this. If the car being towed uses a rear-wheel drive configuration, you must either use the tow vehicle’s switch or physically remove the driveshaft. When that’s done, either place the towed car in neutral and let go of the parking brake (if it’s a manual transmission) or turn the key to “unlock” the drive axle (for automatic transmission).
If you are unfamiliar with these actions, please see the manual provided by the manufacturer.
Flat towing a four-wheel drive vehicle: a how-to guide
Flat towing a four-wheel drive vehicle for usage at an off-road park or other local destination is a favourite activity among RV enthusiasts. Having an RV isn’t necessary, though, to pull a 4×4. The tow rating of a conventional car may also be sufficient for this task.
The method of flat towing differs slightly depending on the transmission type of the vehicle being towed. Towing a four-wheel-drive (AWD) car with a manual transmission requires disengaging the transfer case and locking the wheels and transmission. For this task, you should consult the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
A driveshaft coupler is required to disconnect the rear driveshaft of an automatic transmission four-wheel-drive vehicle being towed. Once more, go to the manual that came with your vehicle for further clarification.
Advice for Drivers Who Are Towing Another Vehicle
Following the same regulations as a semi-truck, you must exercise extreme caution when driving while towing another vehicle. When using another vehicle to tow yours, keep the following in mind:
- Reduce your normal driving speed. Because of the tow vehicle’s added mass, you’ll need to slow down a bit. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
- Pedal cautiously. Keep your cool and don’t slam on the brakes when towing a vehicle. The physical laws of motion still apply, as the car you are towing might not be significantly lighter than the vehicle you are driving. Make that your brakes are in good working order, including the rotors and pads.
- Put your mirrors and signals to use. When towing anything, but especially another vehicle, it’s crucial that you pay extra attention to your surroundings. In addition to making sure they are properly attached, you should also inspect the mirrors to make sure they are clean, not cracked, and properly positioned for the driver. For longer trailers or cars, a tow mirror is a must. Make sure you signal your turns! Sharing your plans with other motorists can prevent them from causing you unnecessary hassle.
- It’s important to use caution when switching lanes. Turn on your turn signal and double-check your mirrors before making a slow lane change. The backs of many semi-trailers bear the warning, “If you can’t see my mirror, I can’t see you.” This is because combination vehicles have blind spots.
- If you can, try to avoid making any sudden movements. Both vehicles are at risk of being damaged if the towing vehicle makes a rapid turn while attached to the vehicle being towed by a tow bar or an A-frame tow bar.
If something goes wrong during the towing process, what are the potential consequences for the car being towed?
Finally, before towing with your automobile, make sure you consult the manuals for both vehicles. Incorrect towing can cause severe damage to the towed vehicle’s drivetrain and void the warranty. You should aim to avoid having to replace any of the driveline components because of the high cost associated with doing so.
Make sure you know what your towing vehicle can handle in terms of weight and towing capacity. To add, even if it’s safe to tow with your car, the towed vehicle could not be.
Interesting Related Article: “How to Save your Car Safe from Dents and Scratches“
