Moving a broken-down, wrecked, or non-running vehicle from one place to another requires proper towing equipment, safe attachment methods, and careful handling. Whether you’re helping a friend with a dead battery, moving a project car, or recovering a vehicle after a breakdown, understanding the different towing methods and safety requirements protects you, the vehicle, and other drivers.
This guide explains how to tow a car safely using dollies, tow bars, trailers, and flatbeds, what equipment you need, how to attach and secure the vehicle, legal requirements to check, and when to call a professional towing service instead.
What Is the Proper Way to Tow a Car?
The proper way to tow a car depends on the vehicle’s drivetrain, condition, and distance. Use a flatbed trailer or car hauler for all-wheel-drive vehicles, long distances, or vehicles with transmission or wheel damage. Use a tow dolly for front-wheel-drive cars going short to medium distances. Use a tow bar only if the towed vehicle can roll freely in neutral with the steering unlocked and you have the correct hitch-mounted tow bar and safety chains.
Understanding Your Vehicle’s Towing Limitations
Before you tow a car, check whether your towing vehicle can safely handle the weight. Look in the owner’s manual for the maximum towing capacity, which includes the weight of the trailer, dolly, or tow bar plus the vehicle being towed.
Exceeding towing capacity can damage your transmission, brakes, suspension, and frame. It also increases stopping distance and makes the vehicle harder to control, especially on hills or in emergency maneuvers.
Checking Tongue Weight and Hitch Class
Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer or dolly exerts on the hitch ball. It should be 10 to 15 percent of the total towed weight for safe handling and to prevent trailer sway.
Your hitch must be rated for both the total trailer weight and the tongue weight. Hitch classes range from Class I, rated for 2,000 pounds, to Class V, rated for 20,000 pounds or more, with different ball sizes and receiver dimensions.
Choosing the Right Towing Method
The safest towing method depends on the drivetrain of the car being towed, whether it can roll freely, and how far you’re traveling. Using the wrong method can destroy the transmission, transfer case, or differential.
Flatbed Trailer or Car Hauler
A flatbed trailer is the safest method for any vehicle because all four wheels are off the ground. This method works for all-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and front-wheel-drive vehicles without risk of drivetrain damage.
Flatbed trailers require a towing vehicle with sufficient capacity, a compatible hitch, working trailer brakes on most trailers over 3,000 pounds, and proper tie-down points. They also require more storage space and cost more to rent or own than dollies or tow bars.
Tow Dolly
A tow dolly lifts the front wheels of the towed vehicle off the ground and is safe for front-wheel-drive cars traveling short to medium distances. The rear wheels roll freely on the pavement.
Do not use a tow dolly for all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicles unless the manufacturer’s towing guidelines specifically allow it with the driveshaft disconnected. Some rear-wheel-drive vehicles can be towed on a dolly in reverse, with the rear wheels on the dolly, but this is less stable and not recommended for highway speeds or long distances.
Tow Bar
A tow bar connects the front of the towed vehicle directly to the hitch of the towing vehicle, with all four wheels on the ground. This method, called flat towing or dinghy towing, is common for motorhomes towing small cars.
Only certain vehicles can be flat towed without transmission or transfer case damage. Consult the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer to confirm your specific make, model, and model year is approved for flat towing and learn what preparation steps are required, such as placing the transmission in neutral, removing fuses, or using a transmission lubrication pump.
Tow Strap or Chain
Using a tow strap or chain to pull a car with another vehicle is dangerous, illegal in many areas, and should be avoided except in emergencies to move a vehicle a very short distance at very low speed. The towed vehicle has no independent braking, limited steering control, and high risk of collision if the strap breaks or the driver misjudges stopping distance.
Never use a tow strap on public roads. Call a professional towing service or use a dolly, tow bar, or trailer instead.
Preparing the Vehicle to Be Towed
Before you attach the towed vehicle, make sure it’s ready to move safely. Skipping preparation can cause the vehicle to break loose, drag on the pavement, or damage components.
Putting the Transmission in Neutral
For flat towing or tow dolly use with the rear wheels down, the transmission must be in neutral so the wheels can turn freely. On vehicles with electronic shifters or push-button transmissions, you may need the ignition on and the battery charged to shift into neutral.
If the battery is dead and you cannot shift into neutral electronically, consult the owner’s manual for the mechanical shift lock release procedure. Some vehicles have a small release lever near the shifter or under a cover in the center console.
Unlocking the Steering Wheel
For flat towing, the steering wheel must be unlocked so the front wheels can follow the towing vehicle through turns. On most vehicles, the steering unlocks when the ignition is in the accessory or on position.
If the battery is dead, you may need to install a charged battery temporarily or use a jump starter to power the ignition and unlock the steering. Never tow a vehicle with the steering locked, as it will not turn and will drag sideways through corners, damaging tires and suspension.
Disconnecting the Driveshaft
Some rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles require driveshaft disconnection for flat towing or tow dolly use to prevent transmission or transfer case damage. This job requires raising the vehicle on a lift or jack stands, supporting the driveshaft, removing U-joint bolts or straps, and securing the loose end safely.
Driveshaft removal requires mechanical knowledge, the correct tools, and attention to bolt torque and phasing on reassembly. If you’re not comfortable with this procedure, use a flatbed trailer or hire a professional towing service.
Securing the Vehicle Safely
Properly attaching and securing the towed vehicle prevents it from separating, swaying, or damaging either vehicle during transport. Use the correct equipment for the towing method and double-check every connection before you move.
Attaching a Tow Dolly
Drive or push the front wheels of the towed vehicle onto the dolly ramps until they rest against the front stops. Secure each wheel with the provided ratchet straps or chains, tightening them firmly over the center of each tire.
Attach safety chains from the dolly to the towing vehicle’s frame or hitch, crossing them beneath the coupler in an X pattern. Make sure the dolly coupler is fully latched onto the ball and the safety pin or latch is engaged.
Connecting a Tow Bar
Attach the tow bar to the hitch receiver of the towing vehicle and secure it with the hitch pin and clip. Connect the tow bar arms to the mounting brackets on the front of the towed vehicle, following the tow bar manufacturer’s instructions for your specific bracket system.
Install safety cables from the tow bar to the towed vehicle’s frame or tow brackets, and connect a supplemental braking system if required by law or recommended for the weight and distance. Plug in the electrical connector for the towed vehicle’s tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals.
Loading a Flatbed Trailer
Lower the trailer ramps and drive or winch the vehicle onto the trailer deck, centering it between the fenders. Position the vehicle so the weight is balanced slightly forward of the axle or axles to create proper tongue weight.
Use four tie-down straps or chains, one at each corner of the vehicle, attached to the frame, suspension, or designated tow hooks. Run the straps through the trailer’s D-rings or tie-down points and tighten them with ratchets until the vehicle is firmly secured but the suspension is not fully compressed.
Do not attach tie-downs to plastic bumpers, body panels, or suspension components that can bend or break. Consult the owner’s manual for approved tie-down points, or use frame rails, tow hooks, or control arms.
Legal Requirements and Equipment
Towing regulations vary by state, province, and country. Check local laws for requirements related to trailer registration, lighting, safety chains, supplemental braking systems, towing mirrors, and speed limits.
Lighting and Electrical Connections
The towed vehicle or trailer must have working tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, and license plate lights visible to drivers behind you. Most tow dollies and trailers include wiring harnesses that plug into a standard four-pin, five-pin, six-pin, or seven-pin connector on the towing vehicle.
If you’re flat towing, you’ll need a wiring kit that connects the towed vehicle’s lights to the towing vehicle’s electrical system, or a separate tail light bar mounted on the rear of the towed vehicle. Test all lights before you start driving.
Safety Chains and Breakaway Systems
Always use safety chains to connect the trailer, dolly, or tow bar to the towing vehicle. Safety chains catch the trailer if the coupler fails and prevent it from dropping onto the roadway.
Trailers with electric brakes must have a breakaway system that applies the trailer brakes if the trailer separates from the towing vehicle. This system includes a battery on the trailer and a cable that connects to the towing vehicle and pulls a pin to activate the brakes if the trailer breaks loose.
Supplemental Braking Systems
Many states and provinces require a supplemental braking system on flat-towed vehicles over a certain weight, typically 1,500 to 3,000 pounds. These systems apply the towed vehicle’s brakes automatically when you brake the towing vehicle, reducing stopping distance and wear on the towing vehicle’s brakes.
Supplemental braking systems include portable units that press the brake pedal and permanent systems that connect to the towed vehicle’s hydraulic or electronic brake system. Verify the legal requirements in the states or provinces you’ll be traveling through.
Driving Safely While Towing
Towing changes how your vehicle handles, accelerates, and stops. Allow extra time and space for every maneuver, and stay aware of the added length and weight behind you.
Adjusting Your Driving Habits
Increase your following distance to at least six to eight seconds to give yourself more time to brake. Accelerate gently and anticipate stops well in advance, as the added weight increases stopping distance.
Take turns wider than normal to prevent the trailer or towed vehicle from cutting the corner and hitting curbs, signs, or other vehicles. Watch your mirrors constantly, and avoid sudden steering inputs that can cause trailer sway.
Managing Trailer Sway
Trailer sway happens when the trailer oscillates side to side behind the towing vehicle, often caused by improper tongue weight, high speeds, crosswinds, or passing trucks. If sway starts, do not brake hard or steer sharply, as this makes it worse.
Lift off the accelerator gradually to slow down without braking, and apply the trailer brakes manually if your brake controller has a manual override. If sway continues, pull over safely, check the load distribution and tire pressures, and reduce speed before continuing.
Watching Clearances and Obstacles
Be aware of the total length of your towing setup and the height of the towed vehicle or trailer. Many parking garages, drive-throughs, and underpasses have low clearances that can damage the towed vehicle or trailer.
Plan lane changes and turns early, signal well in advance, and avoid tight spaces where the trailer or towed vehicle could hit obstacles or other vehicles. Use extended mirrors if the trailer or towed vehicle is wider than your towing vehicle.
When to Call a Professional Towing Service
Some situations require professional equipment, skills, or insurance coverage. Attempting to tow a vehicle yourself in these cases can cause injury, vehicle damage, or legal liability.
- The vehicle is stuck in mud, sand, snow, a ditch, or on a steep incline and requires winching or recovery equipment you don’t have.
- The vehicle has frame damage, broken suspension, locked wheels, or cannot roll freely in neutral.
- You don’t have the correct towing equipment, hitch capacity, or legal lighting and safety equipment.
- The distance exceeds your comfort level or the capability of your towing vehicle and equipment.
- The vehicle is exotic, classic, heavily modified, or has special handling requirements.
- Local laws or your insurance policy prohibit nonprofessional towing.
Professional towing companies have flatbed trucks, wheel-lift equipment, dollies, and recovery gear designed for safe, legal transport. They also carry insurance that covers damage during towing, which your personal auto policy may not provide if you tow the vehicle yourself.
Common Towing Mistakes to Avoid
Many towing problems come from rushing the setup, using the wrong method, or ignoring weight and equipment limits. Avoid these common mistakes to keep the job safe and prevent costly damage.
- Exceeding your vehicle’s towing capacity or using a hitch not rated for the load.
- Flat towing a vehicle not approved by the manufacturer for all-wheels-down towing.
- Skipping safety chains, assuming the coupler alone will hold the trailer.
- Failing to test lights, brakes, and tire pressures before driving.
- Attaching tie-downs to bumpers or body panels instead of the frame or tow hooks.
- Towing with a locked steering wheel or the transmission in park.
- Ignoring trailer sway or driving too fast for conditions.
- Not checking state or provincial towing laws for lighting, braking, and licensing requirements.
Double-check every step, verify equipment ratings, and consult the owner’s manual for both vehicles before you start towing.
Move Forward With Confidence
Towing a car safely requires the right equipment, proper attachment, attention to weight limits, and careful driving. Choose the towing method that matches the vehicle’s drivetrain and condition, secure it correctly, verify lighting and safety equipment, and adjust your driving for the added weight and length.
Before you tow, confirm your vehicle’s towing capacity in the owner’s manual, check local laws for lighting and braking requirements, and inspect all connections. If the vehicle cannot be towed safely with the equipment you have, contact a professional towing service for safe, insured transport.