How to Tow a Car with a Truck

Flat towing involves attaching a vehicle directly to a tow rig using a tow bar. All four wheels of the car being towed remain on the ground, which can cause additional wear and tear to the drivetrain, even when the vehicle is in neutral or the driveshafts are removed. This method is often used when towing small vehicles behind RVs to prevent the additional length of a trailer and to make hitching and unhitching a quick, hassle-free effort. 

Towing with a Dolly

Towing with a dolly is essentially towing with half of a trailer. The towed vehicle’s front wheels rest on the dolly, while the rear wheels roll freely on the pavement. Typically, towing with a tow dolly is used on front-wheel-drive applications, where the rear wheels can roll freely without the added complications of differentials, driveshafts, or having to put the vehicle in neutral. 

Towing with a Trailer

Lastly, you can tow a car using a car trailer, also called a car hauler. These trailers are often the safest and most versatile options for towing, especially when hauling oversized vehicles. This method raises the entire vehicle off the road, causing no wear and tear to vital driveline components. However, towing a car with a trailer does require special skills and experience. 

How to Set Up a Tow Rig

Before you hook up to a vehicle, you’ll need to ready your tow rig for the haul ahead. A reliable towing setup ensures safety and control, particularly during turns, braking, and quick maneuvering. Check out these accessories to ensure your tow truck is prepared for the next adventure. 

Tow Mirrors

Towing a vehicle often limits your rear visibility. Additionally, after adding a car length onto the rear of your truck, your tow rig’s factory mirror typically won't cut it—that’s where tow mirrors come into play. Tow mirrors, whether complete replacements or slip-on style, enhance visibility to facilitate easier lane changes, reversing, and overall road awareness. While many trucks come with tow mirrors from the factory, plenty of aftermarket options are available for those that don't. 

Towing Suspension and Brakes

While some heavy-duty trucks come equipped with upgraded suspension and brakes from the factory, most don't. If you plan to frequently haul heavy loads, over approximately 3,000 pounds, consider bolstering your tow rig’s capabilities with upgraded towing suspension and brakes. Accessories like air bags and helper springs assist with load leveling, while trailer brake controllers interface with a trailer’s built-in brakes (if equipped) to shorten stopping distances. 

Hitches and Ball Mounts

Every towing setup begins with a high-quality hitch and ball mount. While most full-size pickups come with a hitch from the factory, make sure it’s rated for the load you plan to carry. If not, consider upgrading to a Class III or higher hitch. Choose a ball mount that best suits your application, whether that be an adjustable drop hitch for use with a lifted tow rig, a stowable ball mount to avoid banged-up shins, or a torsion ball mount for ultra-smooth towing performance. 

Safety Chains and Wiring

While your vehicle’s hitch and ball mount is the primary connection between it and whatever you’re towing, it shouldn’t be the only connection. High-quality safety chains, crossed beneath the tongue, are a must-have addition to any trailer setup. In the rare instance that a hitch, ball mount, or hitch pin fails, the safety chains keep the trailer from completely releasing itself. 

Additionally, ensure that your truck and trailer are equipped with the proper wiring to interface with each other. Whether using a four- or seven-pin connector, ensure that all connections are secure and that all electronic functions operate as designed. 

How to Set Up the Vehicle Being Towed

Next, you’ll need to prepare the vehicle that you'll be towing. Ensuring this vehicle is adequately prepped for the towing you’ll be doing ensures safe transport from one location to another with minimal mechanical wear. Follow these steps to ensure the vehicle is ready for towing. 

• Check the Owner’s Manual: Most manufacturers include towing recommendations in the owner’s manual. Read through these instructions carefully before beginning your journey, as some vehicles can’t be towed with their wheels on the ground without causing mechanical damage. 

• Disable the Transmission (If Necessary): When towing a vehicle using either the flat tow or dolly method, you may need to turn off the transmission. While most manual cars can be towed in neutral, automatics typically can’t without damaging internal components. If you must pull an automatic vehicle in a way that requires its drive wheels to touch the ground, be sure to remove the driveshaft to prevent transmission damage. 

• Engage the Parking Brake (If Necessary): In most cases, a vehicle’s parking brake locks the rear wheels, regardless of the drive configuration. If you’re towing a car on a dolly or flat towing, make sure that the parking brake is turned off. However, if you’re towing a vehicle on a trailer, engage the parking brake once loaded to help prevent load shifting. 

• Secure the Vehicle: Once loaded onto the dolly or trailer, use high-quality straps to secure the vehicle and prevent shifting. After a short drive, double-check tension and tie-down points to ensure everything is secure. 

How to Tow a Car with a Truck: Step-by-Step

With the tow rig and towed vehicle prepped, it’s time to get to hauling. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and safe towing experience. 

Step 1: Ensure You Have the Proper Tools and Accessories

Before you hit the road, you’ll need to make sure you have the proper tools and equipment for all scenarios. Before loading up the towed vehicle, be sure you have: 

• The correct hitch and ball mount

• Safety chains and a working trailer connector

• A functional tow bar, dolly, or trailer

• Tie-down straps or wheel nets (if applicable)

• Tow mirrors and a brake controller (if required) 

Having the right gear prevents unwanted mid-trip surprises, such as shifting cargo or encountering police trouble. 

Step 2: Secure the Car to Your Truck

Next, ensure the towed vehicle is adequately secured to your tow rig. Depending on the towing setup you have, follow these steps: 

• Flat Towing: Connect the tow bar to the base plate on the vehicle, attach the safety chains, and hook up the lighting. While some setups interface with the towed vehicle’s built-in tail lights and turn signals, others feature auxiliary lights that attach to the car via magnets or suction cups.

• Tow Dolly: Drive the vehicle onto the dolly until the front wheels are in place. Then, strap the car down and secure the safety chains from the dolly to your tow rig’s hitch. 

• Trailer: With the trailer hitched to your tow rig, drive or winch the vehicle onto the trailer, ensuring the weight is balanced. Use a strap or wheel net at each wheel to secure all four corners. Then, attach the safety chains. 

Step 3: Test Lighting and Safety Equipment

Before you hit the road, you’ll need to test all lights and safety functions on the towed vehicle, trailer, or dolly. Test the brake lights, turn signals, and running lights on the towed vehicle or trailer to ensure all are in working order. Additionally, verify that all straps and chains are snug and secure, and that the trailer brake system is working as intended and adjusted correctly. 

Step 4: Drive with Caution

Towing adds substantial weight to your vehicle, significantly affecting its handling. Follow these driving tips while towing to ensure maximum safety of yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road. 

• Accelerate slowly and brake early

• Take wide turns to accommodate the extra length of the dolly, trailer, or towed vehicle

• Avoid sudden maneuvers

• Watch for trailer sway and adjust speed if needed

• Use lower gears when descending hills or pulling grades to reduce wear on brakes and driveline

With these steps taken, you’ll be able to tow like a pro. Keep in mind that towing, while a proper skill to have, can be dangerous and takes practice. So get ready, hitch up, and get out there!