How do you tow without a hitch?
The short answer: use a flatbed tow truck, a tow dolly, or a wheel-lift service. Improvised towing with ropes, chains, or a makeshift hitch is dangerous, often illegal, and can damage both vehicles.
Beyond that, this article explains what "tow without a hitch" means, the main hitch-free methods, and how to do it safely, including required equipment, step-by-step processes, and safety considerations.
Understanding the concept
In practical terms, towing without a hitch relies on equipment that keeps the towed vehicle off or independently supported from the towing vehicle's standard hitch. This reduces risk to drive belts, transmissions, brakes, and steering, and helps maintain proper lighting and signaling for other drivers. It’s essential to follow local laws and manufacturer guidelines for the vehicles and equipment involved.
Common hitch-free towing methods
Flatbed towing
Flatbed towing uses a tow truck with a hydraulic bed that lifts the entire vehicle onto the bed. The towed car never sits on its own wheels during transport, eliminating the need for a hitch connection on the tow vehicle.
Tow dolly (two-wheel dolly)
A tow dolly supports one end of the vehicle (usually the front wheels) on a small trailer towed by the vehicle with a standard hitch. The rear wheels roll on the road, and proper restraints keep the vehicle stable throughout the trip.
Wheel-lift or rollback
A wheel-lift tow uses a hydraulic arm to lift either the front or rear wheels of the disabled car off the ground while the other wheels remain on the road. The vehicle is towed on its non-lifted wheels, with straps securing it to the lift.
Equipment and safety considerations
Before you tow without a hitch, assemble and check the essential equipment to ensure secure, compliant transport.
- Appropriate tow equipment: flatbed trailer or wheel-lift system, or a tow dolly operated by a certified tow vehicle.
- Quality wheel straps or anchor straps rated for the vehicle's weight and compatible with bed or dolly anchor points.
- Wheel chocks to prevent movement during loading, unloading, and securing.
- Lighting and signaling: wiring adapters to power brake lights, turn signals, and running lights on the towed unit if required.
- Safety chains or other restraints as recommended by equipment manufacturers and per local law.
- Tools for securing and double-checking connections, plus knowledge of the vehicle's weight distribution and anchor points.
With the proper equipment and adherence to instructions, you reduce risk to the vehicles and ensure better visibility and safety on the road.
Preparing a vehicle for tow on a flatbed
When loading onto a flatbed, follow these steps to ensure safe, secure transport.
- Position the tow vehicle and flatbed so loading is straightforward and safe.
- Use the winch to slowly pull the disabled vehicle onto the bed, following the operator’s guidance and weight limits.
- Once on the bed, shift the towed car into Park (automatic) or Neutral (manual) and apply the parking brake if recommended by the operator's instructions.
- Chock the wheels to prevent movement while securing the vehicle on the bed.
- Secure all four wheels to anchor points with proper straps or chains; ensure the tension is firm but not over-tightened.
- Connect and test the lighting and signaling to ensure the towed vehicle’s lights work with the tow vehicle and comply with regulations.
- Perform a quick safety check and a short test drive to confirm there is no shifting or rubbing on the straps before departure.
Following these steps helps ensure the vehicle is immobilized and visible to other drivers throughout the move, reducing risk of accidents or equipment failure.
Safety reminders and legal notes
Always consider local regulations, insurance coverage, and the vehicle’s specifications before towing. If you’re unsure about the correct method or equipment, hire a professional tow operator.
- Check local laws regarding requirements for lighting, signals, speed limits, and professional licensing for towing heavy vehicles.
- Verify that your tow vehicle and equipment have adequate capacity for the load and the route.
- Avoid towing damaged or compromised vehicles, and never improvise a hitch or rely on improvised restraints.
- When in doubt, opt for a flatbed or professional service to minimize risk to people and property.
Professional tow operators bring equipment, training, and experience to ensure the job is done safely, legally, and efficiently.
Summary
To tow without a hitch, most drivers rely on either a flatbed tow truck, a tow dolly, or a wheel-lift service. These hitch-free options lift or separate the towed vehicle from the towing vehicle’s standard hitch, reducing risk of damage and improving control. The keys to success are having the right equipment, securing the vehicle firmly, ensuring proper lighting, and complying with local regulations. When in doubt, call a professional to handle the tow and ensure safe, compliant transport.
Is there such a thing as a temporary hitch?
Through. Each one of those loops all three of them. Then once you get it pushed through then all you got to do is pull out on this end. And that has created your temporary towing hitch.
What can I use to pull a trailer?
- Tow Straps or Ropes : In some cases, you can use heavy-duty tow straps or ropes to pull a vehicle or trailer.
- Tow Bars : A tow bar can be used to connect a vehicle to another vehicle for towing.
- Ballast or Weight Distribution
- Specialized Equipment
Is there a way to pull a trailer without a hitch?
You should not tow a trailer without a hitch, as it is the critical and necessary component for a safe and secure connection, and attempting to do so poses serious risks of losing your load, causing accidents, or losing control. Instead, you should install the correct type of hitch and use the proper safety measures, which may include a trailer hitch, safety chains, and wiring harness.
Why towing without a hitch is unsafe and why it's a bad idea
- Lack of security: A hitch is the strongest and most secure link between a vehicle and a trailer. Without one, the connection is weak and can easily fail.
- Risk of accidents: A failed connection could cause the trailer to detach, leading to a severe accident for you and other drivers.
- Lack of control: You will not have proper control over braking or maneuvering, which could result in losing control of both vehicles.
- Damage to vehicles: Without a properly rated hitch, you risk damaging both the vehicle being towed and the towing vehicle.
- Illegality: Driving without the proper equipment is often illegal and can result in fines and legal trouble.
What to do instead
- Install a hitch: The first and most important step is to ensure a properly rated hitch is installed on your vehicle. This is the only safe way to tow a trailer.
- Use safety chains: Always connect the safety chains between the trailer and the vehicle, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Plug in the wiring harness: Make sure the trailer's wiring harness is properly connected to the vehicle to ensure its lights, brake lights, and turn signals work correctly.
- Use a trailer dolly or winch: If you need to move a trailer short distances and do not have a towing vehicle or hitch, a trailer dolly or a winch can be used to maneuver it into position.
What is the 80% rule for towing?
The 80% rule for towing is a safety guideline that recommends the weight of a fully loaded trailer should not exceed 80% of a vehicle's maximum towing capacity. This provides a safety margin for unpredictable conditions and reduces stress on the vehicle's engine, transmission, and brakes, helping to ensure better handling and a longer lifespan for components.
How it works
- Calculate your vehicle's limit: Find your vehicle's maximum towing capacity in the owner's manual or on the manufacturer's website.
- Calculate 80% of the limit: Multiply the maximum towing capacity by 0.800.800.80 to find your safe towing limit. For example, if your vehicle can tow 10,00010 comma 00010,000 pounds, your limit is 8,0008 comma 0008,000 pounds.
- Account for all weight: Ensure the total weight of the fully loaded trailer, including cargo and passengers in both the vehicle and the trailer, stays below this 80% limit.
Why it's important
- Safety margin: It provides a buffer for real-world factors like hills, curves, and sudden stops.
- Vehicle longevity: It reduces strain on key components like the engine, transmission, and brakes, which can extend their lifespan.
- Handling: Maintaining a margin helps ensure your vehicle can be steered and controlled effectively, even under load.
