January 18, 2025

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How to Tow a Car : The Ultimate Guide

Towing a car isn’t easy, but sometimes, it’s necessary. Your car or a friend’s car may break down at any point, leaving you with no other option. In that case, it’s important to know what to do. Taking the right steps and using the right equipment is crucial for the safety of your car and anyone involved. A wrong move, like overloading the towing vehicle, incorrect weight distribution, or improper equipment can compromise control and braking efficiency. In this blog post, we go over the safest way to tow your car, going over multiple methods.

Before You Start

Before you start the towing process, make sure you follow these guidelines for safety:

Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for information about your car, like:
- Transmission type
- If it has a tow hitch installed.
- Tow hitch classes
- Whether it’s a 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive
- Whether it’s a front wheel drive or rear wheel drive.
- Its vehicle curb weight
- Towing capacity
Make sure the tow vehicle is larger and heavier than the towed vehicle, as it will do double the work by carrying, moving, and stopping two cars.
Ensure no people or pets are in the towed car, as it’s illegal and poses a huge safety risk. Everyone should sit in the tow vehicle.
Turn on the ignition of the towed car to prevent the steering wheel from locking.
If you’re driving at night, turn on the towed vehicle’s parking lights so that drivers behind it can see it.

If you’re not sure how to tow a car, it’s best to call 1- 866-519-4001 one of the many roadside assistance services in Canada. CDRA offers Car towing services that can help get you out of a rut if your car breaks down, including:

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How to Tow Your Car with Another Car

While towing your car with a tow truck or pickup/trailer combo is the best option, you may not have the option to do so. In that case, you can use another car to tow the vehicle in question. In that situation, you may have to use the tools at hand. We’ve gathered a few methods that you can use to tow your car with another car.

How to Tow a Car with Another Car Using a Tow Dolly

The most popular method for car towing with another car is to use a tow dolly. A dolly is a small trailer that lifts the towed car’s front tires off the ground during the towing process. This is helpful as it helps reduce tire and driveline wear on the car being towed. Moreover, with a tow dolly, the rear wheels don’t push hard when braking, eliminating potential damage. You can rent a tow dolly at moving and storage facilities.

Using a tow dolly is easy. Start by attaching the tow dolly to the tow hitch of the vehicle. Then, back the vehicle up to the dolly. If you have a friend around, they can help guide you to get the hitch as close to the dolly as possible. Afterwards, connect the safety chains and wiring leads together. Then, line up the tow dolly and both vehicles on level ground.

After pushing the broken down car to the dolly, strap it using the wheel straps. Once you make sure the parking brake is disengaged in the broken-down car, you can start towing. Your expected braking and acceleration distance should double while you drive the car away, so adjust your speed accordingly.

How to Tow a Car with a Chain

Using a chain to tow your car can create a potentially dangerous situation if done incorrectly. Here are some precautions to take before using a chain to tow your car with another vehicle.

You should only tow a car with a chain if you have no other choice.
The towing distance should be short and you should drive at a low speed on a local road. Don’t tow your car with a chain on a highway as it’s dangerous and illegal.
Don’t use any tow rope or chain lying around. If the rope is fragile, or if the chain is cracked or rusty, they might snap.
Make sure the rope or chain isn’t too short or too long as that may cause problems.
Be careful when driving and don’t stop quickly, as this may cause the towed car to slam into the tow vehicle, damaging both.

How to Tow a Car with a Tow Bar

A tow bar is another option for car towing. You can rent one from a mechanic shop if you don’t have one. Tow bars have an A-frame design with a shank, pivoting arms and attachment tabs that mount to the towed car and attach the hitch to the tow vehicle.

It’s important to apply safety chains when using the tow bar. Moreover, when you’re braking and turning, be cautious as the tow bar may cause pushing, which is when the rear car pushes the back of the towing car to the outside of the turn. Pushing happens because the tow bar is a flat tow, unlike a tow dolly.

How to Tow A Car with a Trailer

Hauling your car into a trailer is the safest way to tow a car, whether it’s open or closed, seeing that the four wheels sit on the trailer. All you have to do is drive or push the car up to the trailer, and secure it with tow straps or chains.

This method calls for using a truck, not a passenger car or an SUV, as these have low tow ratings and cannot handle the weight of the towed car.

Towing a Car with 2WD vs. 4WD

Knowing if your car is two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive is crucial, as it changes the way you approach the towing process. If the car is a two-wheel driver, you need to check if it’s a front wheel drive vehicle or rear wheel drive vehicle, as you need to know which part of the car provides power. For front wheel drive vehicles, the best method tool to use is a tow dolly to prevent the wear and tear of driveline components.

For an RWD, you need to follow a few steps before towing. First of all, you need to disengage the driveshaft via a switch or manually. If your towed car uses a manual transmission, you need to put it in neutral and release the parking brake. If it uses an automatic transmission, you should unlock the drive axle.

How to Flat Tow a Vehicle with 4-Wheel Drive

While a 4WD is popularly towed by an RV, there are alternatives if you don’t have an RV on site. If the towing rating allows, you can flat tow it with a regular car. The method differs slightly, depending on the type of transmission in the towed car.

For a car with a manual transmission, You start by disengaging the transfer case, lockout hubs, and transmission. As for vehicles with automatic transmissions, you need to disengage the rear driveshaft using the driveshaft coupler. For more information on how to do these steps, refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Driving Tips for Towing Another Car

Driving while towing another vehicle can be a bit challenging. For extra safety, follow these tips:

Drive slower than your usual speed. Adjust your speed to make up for the extra weight and the longer braking distance.
Leave plenty of space between you and the car ahead to avoid collision.
Check your brakes before towing to ensure they are up to the task. Make sure the rotors and pads are in good condition.
Use your mirrors and make sure they are clear and mounted correctly. You could use a tow mirror.
Remember to use your turn signals so drivers can tell where you’re going.
Avoid sharp turns, as it may cause damage to both cars, especially if you’re towing the vehicle using a tow bar.

How to Tow Your Car with a Truck

While using another car to tow a vehicle is practical for short distances, it’s better to use a truck for heavier vehicles running long distances. The rules are similar to using a tow vehicle. The truck must be heavier than the towed vehicle. Moreover, the towed car must be empty of passengers or pets while being moved.

The methods used are also similar. You can use a dolly or a tow bar. Your safest option is using a trailer and your least safest option is using chains.

Frequently Asked Questions

What could happen to the towed vehicle if you do it incorrectly?

Towing the vehicle without caution and using the right steps can end in disaster. It can cause damage to both vehicles, collisions with other vehicles on the road, and injury risks to bystanders. If you’re not sure how to tow a car, please contact a professional towing company to help you. Many companies, like CDRA, provide round-the-clock road assistance services to help you when you’re in need.

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Is it illegal to tow a car with another car in Ontario?

It’s not illegal to tow your car with another car in Ontario. However, it’s important to follow these safety rules:

Use warning signals or emergency flashers.
Make sure you attach the vehicles securely.
Someone must sit in the driver’s seat in the towed car to use the brakes to keep the tow cable tight.
If the engine cannot run, it’s best not to tow the car that has power braking and steering, as it may lead to a collision.
Do not start the towed vehicle.

Is it legal to tow a car with a rope in Ontario?

It’s not legal to tow a car with a rope in Ontario or Alberta, especially on highways. If you do so, your vehicle might get impounded.

Is it illegal to have a hitch without a trailer?

No, having a trailer hitch installed on your vehicle without actively using it is not illegal. However, make sure that the hitch does not obstruct the visibility of your license plate or pose a safety hazard.

Where do you attach a tow rope to a car?

The appropriate area for attaching a tow rope to your car is the cross member underneath the engine. Avoid attaching it to an axle or the hitch ball. To be extra sure, please refer to the vehicle’s manual.

Can you tow a car in a neutral position?

Yes, you can tow a car in a neutral position whether you’re flat towing or using a dolly. Note that you don’t have to use special equipment, and you don’t have to leave the engine running.

Can you tow an automatic car with a rope?

The tow rope method is not recommended with an automatic car, as automatic transmissions can be damaged if the drive wheels are on the ground while towing.

How do I find the tow hook on my car?

Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to locate the tow hook. Common locations include behind the removable plastic cover on the front bumper or near the undercarriage on the rear bumper. Some vehicles have a detachable hook that is stored in the trunk. If that’s the case, you can screw the hook into the designated spot on the bumper.

Can towing a car damage the transmission?

Yes, towing your car the wrong way may result in damaging the transmission. More commonly, cars with manual transmissions are easier to tow than cars with automatic transmissions. For example, pulling a car with an automatic transmission while all wheels are on the ground could significantly damage the car.

How far can you tow a car with an automatic transmission?

A car with an automatic transmission is more likely to get damaged when towed. As a general rule, it’s best to tow for a distance of no more than 25km, and a speed of no more than 25 mph/40 km per hour.

What gear do you tow a car in?

If you use a dolly to tow the car, put it in first gear. If the car has a manual transmission, make sure all the wheels are on the ground, put the car in neutral, and tow. It’s easier to tow a vehicle with a manual transmission as you can tow it without running the car without damaging the transmission.

How do you tow an automatic car with another car?

When towing an automatic car, it’s crucial to have the driver’s wheels lifted off the ground to avoid damage to the transmission. That’s why it’s best to use a dolly or trailer to tow the car.

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Need Roadside Assistance? We’ve Got You Covered!

Towing a car isn’t always easy, and sometimes, you may need professional help to ensure everything is done safely and efficiently. Whether you’re dealing with a breakdown, a dead battery, or extreme weather conditions, having access to reliable roadside assistance can make all the difference.

We offer 24/7 roadside assistance across multiple locations, including: