10 Safety Tips for Towing Another Car

Towing a vehicle is a demanding task with its own set of difficulties. If you can't avoid towing another car with your vehicle, make the trip only a short distance if necessary, such as to a safe location or a repair shop. With a bit of preparation and some knowledge, you will be able to use your vehicle as a tow vehicle to tow another vehicle safely and efficiently.

This article will outline the steps you need to take when preparing to tow a car. We will also give some tips to keep in mind while towing a car.

How to Prepare to a Tow a Car

When towing a vehicle with another car, the tow vehicle should be larger. Therefore, ensure that your vehicle can be used as a tow vehicle before attempting to tow another car. Some key things to check are the following:

1. Your car's towing capacity or tow rating.

Your vehicle's towing capacity or tow rating is the greatest weight it can legally and safely tow.

When you tow too much weight, your trailer may swing out of control, causing your vehicle to lose control. It can also make stopping difficult and cause your brakes to wear out quickly.

2. The condition of your car.

After all, towing places significant strain on the brakes and tires. So, they must be in good condition.

3. The presence of a tow hitch or other car towing equipment on your car.

If you do not have the right equipment, you need to make arrangements with a professional tow service to complete the job safely.

4. The proper safety precautions for car towing.

You must be aware of safe driving practices and other safety measures when towing to keep yourself and your vehicle safe.

Once you've checked that your vehicle is ready for vehicle towing, you are ready to get started. Now, check and ensure you have all the proper equipment.

Towing Equipment You'll Need

Here is the equipment you will need for towing:

1. A car is towing dolly or car trailer.

These devices hook to your car, allowing you to tow another vehicle behind it. If you do not have either, you will need to arrange for a professional tow service.

2. Safety chains or straps.

These are essential for vehicle towing, as they keep both cars securely connected. These also prevent cars from swaying or getting separated during the process.

At the same time, behind the car being towed, a tow sign will be necessary. This saves a lot of time for everyone, especially the cars behind you and the cops. When buying a tow rope, you can get this tow sign.

3. A car tow dolly manual or car trailer guidebook.

Make sure you thoroughly understand your tow dolly or car hauling trailer before attempting vehicle towing on your own.

Car towing can be a relatively simple process with the proper preparation and equipment. Just keep the following tips in mind while you are doing it!

How to Hook a Car for Towing

There are several ways to hook a car with another for towing.

First, you can use tow ropes. A tow bar is another option for hauling a car. Tow bars allow the pulled vehicle's four wheels to rest on the ground while moving.

Regardless of the towing method, the towing vehicle must have a tow hitch. Many trucks and SUVs come equipped with a tow hitch, but most passenger vehicles do not. Tow hitches, on the other hand, are straightforward to set up.

Here, we will focus on the two towing methods for hooking up a towed vehicle: a tow strap and a tow dolly.

The Tow Strap Method

If you're using a strap for towing, follow these steps:

1. First, drive your car up close to the towed vehicle. The front of your car should be lined up with the back of the towed vehicle.
2. Put the towing vehicle in the park and set the parking brake.
3. Connect one end of the strap to the tow hook or other secure point on the front of the towing vehicle.
4. Walk to the back of the vehicle that is being towed and find a secure point to attach the other end of the strap, such as a frame member or trailer hitch receiver.
5. Once the tow strap is securely attached at both ends, tighten it so that there is no slack between the cars.

You are now ready to begin towing the car.

The Tow Dolly Method

This method involves inserting the towed car into a ramp on the dolly and attaching it to your car. A tow dolly lifts the towed vehicle's front tires off the ground.

When you tow a car with a tow dolly, you can use the towed vehicle to assist you in carrying some of the weight. Let the back wheels rest on the ground as you tow the car. Because a rear wheel drive or four wheel drive vehicle requires you to disconnect the drive shaft when traveling a long distance on the road, this works better if you're towing a front-wheel-drive vehicle.

Follow these steps to hook up a car with a tow dolly safely:

1. First, drive your car up close to the car that needs to be towed, with the front facing towards the rear of the car you will tow.
2. If using an electric car, detach or turn off any power connections between the cars so that they do not get damaged during the car towing process.
3. Attach one end of a safety chain or tow strap to a frame member at the back of your car and attach the other end to a certain point in front of your car, such as the tow hook.
4. Now, position the dolly in front of the car that needs to be towed. Next, align the ramps on the car to the dolly with the car's wheels.
5. Drive the car up onto the dolly, being careful to drive straight so that the car does not become misaligned on the dolly.
6. Lastly, attach the safety chains or straps to the manufacturer's instructions once the car is securely on the dolly. Make sure there is no slack in these chains or straps.

You must drive or push it onto the tow dolly for a broken down vehicle. If it doesn't start, ask people to steer and brake while you push it. Once the front wheels are up on the dolly, use the brake pedal to slow the car down so it doesn't go too far ahead.

Once the car is hooked up correctly, you are ready to begin car towing.

10 Safety tips for Car Towing

Accidents can happen during a car tow. Car towing is considered one of the most dangerous car-related tasks out there. Here are ten tips for safe car towing:

1. Ensure your car is in good working order before attempting car towing.

This includes checking the brakes, tires, and other essential parts to ensure they're fully functional and up to par. Also, keep all safety equipment on hand while car towing, including a tire jack, car jack stands, and tow straps or tow dollies.

2. Choose a clear and level space for car towing, like a parking lot or empty road.

Opt for a flat tow, pulling another car along so that all four wheels are on the ground. Avoid roads with lots of traffic, steep hills, or intersections. Of course, you may not have control over the car towing location if you're assisting someone who has broken down on the side of the road. In this case, use your best judgment and take extra precautions.

3. Do a dry run in space before attempting to tow the car.

If possible, practice the towing procedure a few times before moving your car. This will help you become more familiar with the process and ensure that everything is connected correctly before driving.

This will also help you feel how your dolly or car trailer behaves while in use. It will also help you get used to being in motion with a car attached.

4. Ensure there are no passengers in the damaged car before towing.

It is dangerous for anyone to be inside the car when towing. It might even lead to damage to the tow car.

But having a friend with you when car towing is essential, especially if you tow an unfamiliar car on a car trailer. This will help ensure that car towing goes smoothly and safely, even if something unexpected happens.

5. If you're using a dolly, ensure that it is properly secured to your car before beginning the car towing process.

When towing a car, place the dolly on level ground and mount it to your vehicle. Always attach the dolly's safety straps or chains before driving away to avoid accidents and damage. Additionally, be sure that you only drive one strap at a time not to overload any of the tires.

6. Be aware of traffic in your towing car area.

Take care not to obstruct or interfere with other cars on the road. Pay close attention to every road sign and follow the local laws and regulations regarding car towing. For example, it may be illegal or restricted to tow large vehicles, like RVs or trucks, in some areas.

7. When towing a car, always drive slowly and carefully.

Sudden stops or starts can cause the towed car to jackknife and become detached from the strap. If possible, avoid coming to a complete stop while towing the car. If you must stop, disengage the strap and chock the wheels of both cars before re-connecting the strap.

Drive at a steady speed during car towing, especially when going up or down hills, and ensure plenty of clearance from other vehicles you could potentially collide with. The recommended towing speed is 55 mph or less.

8. Always use tow straps or chains rated for the weight of the towed car and the tow vehicle.

This will reduce the risk of accidents and damage during car towing. If you are not sure what the car is rated for, see the manufacturer's recommendations or check your owner's manual.

9. Keep a safe distance between your car and the one you're pulling.

This will help further minimize potential risks during car towing. Ideally, car towing should be done at least 100 feet away from the towed car.

10. Pay attention to the car being towed during car towing, and be prepared to stop if necessary.

If the towing vehicles begin to swerve or show signs of instability, it's time to call off the car tow. But, again, the first consideration should be vehicle safe. Hence, do not attempt to continue to tow a car under these circumstances, as it could be hazardous.

If you're not experienced in car towing, it's best to leave it to the towing service experts. Many tow truck companies offer car towing services. You can also opt for a tow company.

Other drivers with years of experience in the field will have the experience and equipment needed to move the car safely.

Wrapping up

There are many considerations when towing a car. But the most crucial factor should be safety. So, here are some final tips to ensure safe towing:

First, the ignition must be turned on in the tow vehicle during the tow. Although the engine is dead, the ignition must be left on to unlock the steering lock. Remember that cars with power steering are far more challenging to handle when the engine isn't running since turning the steering wheel requires more effort.

Second, if you want to tow an automatic automobile with the driven wheels in touch with the road, read the manual carefully about towing restrictions, as you risk injuring the transmission system.

Finally, when you need to take the guessing out of towing a car, hire a professional. At A1 Auto Transport, we provide safe and reliable vehicle transport and are ready to serve you.