Towing: An Introduction to Vehicle Towing

Whether you're towing your newly purchased boat, helping a stranded driver or transporting your daughter’s horse to the next 4H competition, understanding the basics of towing can be invaluable. 

Your vehicle's handling will change when pulling extra weight, making it essential to know how to maneuver safely. Additionally, if your car ever needs to be towed, having a basic understanding of the process can help ensure a smooth experience with the tow truck driver and assist you with recognizing a proper hookup. 

How to tow a car

Various road hazards and life circumstances can necessitate towing a vehicle. Whether its vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, has run out of gas, suffered a mechanical failure or experienced a blowout. 

Other situations may arise, such as needing to tow your car behind a moving truck when relocating or traveling across the country in an RV and towing a car. Whatever the situation, knowing how to hook up and pull a vehicle properly and safely is helpful to understand.

There are four primary methods for towing another vehicle.

Tow straps (for short distances): Tow straps are helpful for short-distance tows, such as moving a stranded vehicle to a mechanic. However, this method can be risky, so careful execution is crucial. Here are some basic things to consider:

• Maintain a safe distance between the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed: about 15 to 20 feet.
• Remember that the maximum distance to tow a vehicle in this manner should be 15 miles and the speed should not exceed 25 mph while towing.
• If hills or inclines are involved, be cautious with your speed.
• Increase the following distance behind other vehicles.

Tow dolly (for medium to long distances): A tow dolly is a small trailer that lifts the front wheels of the towed vehicle while the rear wheels remain on the ground. Safety items to consider:

• The towing vehicle must have a hitch.
• Drive at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit.
• Adjust speed on sharp inclines or hills.
• Avoid sudden turns or moves.
• Increase the following distance of any vehicle in front of you.

Flat towing ("four-down towing"): Flat towing is when the vehicle to be pulled keeps all four wheels on the ground. However, not all cars can be flat towed without risking transmission or drivetrain damage. Always consult the manufacturer’s guidelines before attempting flat towing. Vehicles that can be flat towed typically have:

• A transmission disconnect to prevent wear while rolling
• A steering lockout override to allow free movement behind the tow vehicle
• All-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with a neutral setting

Car trailer (for maximum security): Car trailers operate similarly to tow dollies but provide full support for vehicles being towed. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind.

• Inspect the trailer before every trip, especially the connections, wiring harness, lights and brakes, coupler and wheels.
• Check the towing capacity of the tow vehicle.
• Drive at moderate speeds to avoid trailer sway.
• Increase the following distance behind other vehicles.
• Avoid sudden moves.

Understanding tow load and towing capacity

While you may feel compelled to intervene if someone is stranded, it is important to know that not all vehicles fit every towing need. For example, a Smart car or Mini Cooper will likely not tow an F-350 effectively. When considering whether to lend assistance, be sure to consult your owner’s manual to find out what your vehicle’s towing capacity is.

Additionally, ensure that your tow straps, dolly or trailer can handle the gross weight of the towed vehicle. Overloading could cause damage to both cars and potentially injure bystanders. 

What are sling, flatbed and wheel-lift towing?

Professional towing involves a variety of different tow trucks. It is good to understand various types and how different situations call for one versus another.

• Sling towing: This method uses sling towing, which involves using straps or chains to hoist a vehicle partially off the ground. It is generally reserved for heavily damaged vehicles where traditional recovery points are inaccessible. It’s used mainly after accidents or for junked cars.
• Wheel-lift tow truck: This method for towing involves a bar that goes under the front two tires and lifts them off the ground while the rear tires stay on the ground. The lifted tires are secured via chains. These trucks are best for lighter vehicles or short-distance quick tows.
• Flatbed tow truck: These trucks rely on a bed that can be adjusted to lie flat on the ground for a vehicle to drive onto. If the vehicle is incapable of driving onto the bed, a winch can be used to carefully pull the vehicle onto the truck bed. Flatbed tow trucks are considered the safest towing method due to the security they provide. They allow for the vehicles being transported to be completely off the road, where they could be damaged by potholes, debris or other vehicles, and they can transport heavier weights than their wheel-lift counterparts. Additionally, flatbeds are best for transporting severely damaged vehicles and vehicles with all-wheel or four-wheel drive.

If you're in an emergency towing situation, always assess your vehicle’s capacity and the towing equipment's weight limits before proceeding. If professional help is needed, knowing the differences in towing methods can make the process less stressful. Whether you're towing a vehicle yourself relying on a professional towing service, understanding the process helps ensure a safe and efficient experience.