How do you tow a car with a pickup truck?

Towing a car with a pickup truck can be a practical solution when your vehicle breaks down or needs to be transported. However, it's important to follow proper safety guidelines and techniques to ensure a successful and safe tow. In this article, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to tow a car with a pickup truck.

Preparing for the Tow

Before you begin the towing process, there are a few important steps to take:

• Ensure that the pickup truck has a towing capacity that can handle the weight of the car you're towing. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual or the manufacturer's specifications to determine the maximum towing capacity.


• Inspect the towing equipment, such as the tow strap or tow bar, to ensure it's in good condition and rated for the weight of the car.


• Engage the parking brake on the car being towed and put the transmission in neutral (for manual transmissions) or park (for automatic transmissions).


• Disconnect the car's battery to prevent any electrical issues during the tow.

By taking these preparatory steps, you can help ensure a safe and successful towing experience.

Connecting the Vehicles

Once you've completed the initial preparation, it's time to connect the pickup truck and the car being towed. Here's how to do it:

• Position the pickup truck and the car being towed in a straight line, with the tow strap or tow bar connecting the two vehicles.


• Attach the tow strap or tow bar securely to the towing points on both vehicles. Ensure that the connections are tight and secure.


• If using a tow strap, make sure it's taut but not overly tight, as this can cause damage to the vehicles.


• If using a tow bar, follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper installation and adjustment.

Proper connection of the vehicles is crucial for a safe and controlled tow.

Towing the Car

With the vehicles connected, it's time to begin the towing process. Follow these steps:

• Start the pickup truck's engine and engage the parking brake.


• Slowly release the parking brake and begin driving forward, maintaining a steady and controlled speed.


• Avoid sudden acceleration, braking, or sharp turns, as this can cause the towed vehicle to sway or become unstable.


• Keep the towed vehicle's steering wheel unlocked and the front wheels straight to allow for better control.


• Maintain a safe following distance, typically around 4-5 car lengths, to allow for adequate braking distance.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure a smooth and safe towing experience.

Conclusion

Towing a car with a pickup truck can be a practical solution, but it's important to do so safely and responsibly. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can help ensure a successful and secure towing process. Remember to always prioritize safety, use the appropriate equipment, and drive with caution to avoid any accidents or damage to the vehicles involved.

Can you tow a car not in neutral?

Yes, a car can be towed when not in neutral, but it is highly recommended to lift the driven wheels off the ground using a flatbed or wheel-lift tow truck, as towing in gear can cause severe transmission and drivetrain damage. If the car is in park, the driven wheels must be lifted to prevent damage, even if a tow dolly is used. For vehicles that are in park, but can't be shifted into neutral, the driven wheels must be lifted off the ground to be towed safely. 
Recommended methods

• Flatbed tow truck: The safest method is to load the entire vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck. This ensures no part of the drivetrain is moving or being damaged. 
• Wheel-lift tow truck with dollies: A wheel-lift tow truck can be used to lift the driven wheels off the ground using dollies. This will allow the other wheels to turn freely. 

Why it's important to not tow in gear

• Transmission damage: When a car is towed in gear, the transmission isn't properly lubricated, which can lead to overheating and damage to the gears and other components.
• Drivetrain damage: The drivetrain can also be damaged if the driven wheels are on the ground while the car is being towed. 

What to do if you can't put your car in neutral

• Call a tow truck driver and explain the situation.
• Ask the tow truck driver to use a flatbed or wheel-lift with dollies to prevent damage.
• If you have a manual transmission, you can try to manually disengage the shift lock or disconnect the linkage to get the car into neutral. 

Other options

• If you have an automatic transmission and are comfortable with the risk of damage, you can tow the car for a very short distance at a low speed with the parking brake off. However, this is not recommended and could cause serious damage to the transmission. 
• If you have a rear-wheel-drive car, you can try disconnecting the driveshaft to tow it without damage. This is a more advanced option and should only be done by a professional. 

What is the best way to tow a car with a pickup truck?

Here are some of the most popular methods for towing a car with a truck:

1. Dolly: You can rent a dolly at moving and storage centers, and this method allows you to raise the front two tires as you tow to prevent wear and tear on a front-wheel drive car.
2. Tow Bar: You can also rent or buy a tow bar with an A-frame design.

Can a tow truck tow a car with a person inside?

For all intents and purposes, it's illegal (not to mention extremely unsafe) for a towing company to move a vehicle with someone inside. You'd be hard-pressed to find a jurisdiction anywhere in the United States where this isn't the case.

Can I tow a car with a pickup truck?

Yes, a pickup truck can tow a car, but it requires proper equipment and careful planning to do it safely and legally. The truck's tow rating must be sufficient for the weight of the car and the towing equipment, the truck must be heavier than the car, and the correct setup—like a tow hitch and safety chains—is essential.
 
Before you hook up

• Check towing capacity: Confirm your truck's maximum towing capacity in the owner's manual. Your truck must be larger and heavier than the car you are towing. 
• Ensure proper equipment: You need a tow hitch and safety chains. Consider installing extended towing mirrors for better visibility, as they may be required by law. 
• Understand legal requirements: Research your local and any state laws you'll be traveling through regarding towing, including speed limits and potential licensing requirements. 

While towing

• Secure the car: Use a proper towing method, such as a trailer or a tow dolly, to secure the vehicle being towed. 
• Prepare the towed car: Turn on the ignition of the car being towed to unlock the steering wheel, and turn on its parking lights to alert other drivers. 
• Do not have passengers in the towed car: It is illegal for anyone to be in a vehicle that is being towed. 
• Drive with caution: Allow for much longer stopping distances. You will need more time and space to stop with the extra weight of the towed car. 

Important considerations

• Towing a car on a trailer is the safest method: While direct towing is possible, using a trailer is often the safer and recommended method. 
• Use the right truck: A half-ton truck may be able to tow a car on a trailer, but for larger cars, a heavy-duty truck (3/4-ton or larger) is a better choice. 
• Check regulations: Federal and state regulations apply to towing, and it is important to be aware of them before you start. 
• Turn off the towed car's engine: This is essential to prevent the steering wheel from locking up, which could cause the car to swerve or detach.