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How to Tow a Car with a Truck: The Ultimate Tow Rankers Guide
December 15, 2025
Whether you’re transporting a disabled vehicle to a repair facility or pulling your next restoration project out of long-term storage, using a truck to tow a car can be an effective and dependable way to move it, as long as the process is done correctly. Improper towing can lead to dangerous handling issues, damage to drivetrain components, or even complete vehicle loos—risks no driver should take lightly. Understanding the right tools, setup procedures, and safety steps is essential for a successful tow.
Towing involves much more than simply attaching a trailer and hitting the highway. Successful towing requires proper weight management and understanding of how your tow truck behaves once a load is added behind it. Whether you’re relying on a tow dolly, a flatbed trailer, or a flat-tow set-up, this guide from Tow Rankers will walk you through the safe and efficient way to tow a vehicle.
Is It Illegal to Tow a Car With Another Vehicle?
Before planning to tow a vehicle with your tow truck, it is important to know what your state allows. Following your local towing regulations helps maintain safety and prevents unexpected penalties.
Not every state permits car-to-car towing. Certain areas restrict this method unless it is an emergency or unless the distance is extremely short. Always check your local towing laws ahead of time so you remain compliant and avoid costly fines.
Important Factors to Consider Before Towing a Car with a Truck
Before moving a car with your pickup truck, there are several conditions you should evaluate. These factors determine whether your truck can tow safely and whether your setup is capable of supporting the load.
Assess Your Truck’s Maximum Towing Capacity
Your truck’s towing rating is one of the most critical pieces of information when preparing to tow. This rating indicates the maximum amount of weight you truck can safely pull. This information is normally located in the owner’s manual or on the specifications label inside the driver’s door frame.
Keep in mind that the weight of the vehicle you are towing plus the weight of any towing equipment must stay below this limit. Always confirm the weight of the vehicle being moved and include the additional load from the dolly, trailer, or attachments.
Truck Towing Capacity Guide
Know your truck’s limits before you tow
|
Truck Type |
Towing Capacity |
Popular Models |
|
Mid-size Pickups |
3,500 – 7,500 lbs. |
Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier |
|
Full-size Pickups (V6) |
7,000 – 9,000 lbs. |
Ford F-150 (V6), Chevy Silverado 1500 (V6), Ram 1500 (V6), Toyota Tundra (V6) |
|
Full-size Pickups (V8) |
9,000 – 14,000 lbs. |
Ford F-150 (V8), Chevy Silverado 1500 (V8), Ram 1500 (V8), GMC Sierra 1500 (V8) |
|
Heavy-duty Trucks |
14,000+ lbs. |
Ford F-250/F-350, Chevy Silverado 2500/3500, Ram 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 |
Check the Specifications of Your Tow Hitch
Even if your truck is capable of handling the load, an undersized hitch can make towing unsafe. Always review your hitch’s label to verify that its weight rating matches or exceeds the weight you plan to tow. A proper hitch ensures that your towing setup remains secure throughout your trip.
Different hitch classes are designed for different levels of towing capability. Below is a reference chart:
Hitch Type |
Weight Rating (lbs.) |
Best For |
|
Class I |
2,000 |
Lightweight cars |
|
Class II |
3,500 |
Small to mid-size vehicles |
|
Class III |
8,000 |
Larger vehicles or small trucks |
|
Class IV |
10,000 |
Heavy-duty towing requirements |
Ensure your truck and hitch are properly matched before beginning your tow. Also, confirm that your hitch fits securely into the receiver and is designed to handle the load. When paired with the right tools and preparation, towing becomes a much safer process.
Pick the Right Towing Method for Your Vehicle
There are three primary approaches for towing a vehicle. The best choice depends on the distance you plan to travel, the vehicle’s drivetrain, and the equipment you have available.
Tow Dolly Method: This technique places the car’s front wheels on a small platform while the rear wheels remain on the road. It works well for lighter, front-wheel-drive vehicles under 3,500 pounds. The steering must remain locked in a straight position, and certain vehicles may require driveshaft removal. This option is budget-conscious but best suited for moderate distances.
Flatbed Trailer: A trailer keeps all four wheels off the ground, making it the safest and most versatile towing method. It is ideal for all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive cars and is recommended for long-distance travel or transporting valuable or sensitive vehicles. This method, however, requires a truck capable of pulling the added weight of the trailer.
Four-Down Flat Towing: With this setup, all four wheels of the towed vehicle remain on the ground. Only specific vehicle models allow this form of towing due to drivetrain limitations. This method requires additional components such as a base plate and supplementary braking equipment. It is a popular choice for RV owners, but not suitable for most everyday towing situations.
How to Set Up the Vehicle Being Towed
Before you attach or load the vehicle you plan to tow, making sure it is properly prepared is essential. Adequate preparation minimizes mechanical strain and ensures safe travel from start to finish. Follow the steps below to ready the car for towing.
Check the Owner’s Manual
Many manufacturers include specific towing instructions in the manual. Always read these guidelines beforehand, as certain vehicles can suffer serious mechanical damage if towed with their wheels on the ground.
Disable the Transmission (If Necessary)
For flat towing or dolly towing, the transmission must sometimes be disengaged. Manual vehicles typically can be placed in neutral without concern, while automatic vehicles often cannot. If the drive wheels will remain on the pavement, an automatic transmission may require driveshaft removal to avoid internal damage.
Engage the Parking Brake (If Necessary)
Most parking brakes lock the rear wheels. For dolly towing or flat towing, the parking brake must remain off to allow the wheels to rotate. When towing a car on a trailer, however, the parking brake should be applied once the vehicle is loaded to help keep it stationary.
Secure the Vehicle
Whether placing the car on a trailer or dolly, use durable straps to hold the vehicle in place. After driving a short distance, stop and recheck the tension to ensure nothing has loosened.
How to Tow a Car with a Truck Using a Trailer
Using a trailer is the safest way to tow a car with a pickup truck. Trailers can accommodate nearly any vehicle, whether front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel-drive. While the basic approach resembles dolly towing, a few important differences apply.
Step 1: Connect the trailer. Begin by backing your truck toward the trailer until the hitch ball aligns with the trailer’s tongue. Lower the trailer’s coupler onto the ball using the tongue jack.
Once secured, cross the safety chains beneath the coupler and attach them to your truck’s hitch. Finish by plugging the trailer’s wiring harness into your vehicle’s electrical socket.
Step 2: Align the towed car. Make sure the truck and trailer are positioned straight in front of the vehicle being loaded. If the car still runs, gently drive it toward the rear of the trailer. If the car is inoperable, back your truck and trailer closer to the front of the car.
Step 3: Load the towed car. After lining up the car with the trailer ramps, slowly drive or push the vehicle up onto the trailer. Continue until all four tires are fully on the deck and the ramps can be folded without contacting the bumper.
Step 4: Secure the towed car. Put the car in park and engage the parking brake, unlike the dolly method where the brake must remain off. Use ratcheting straps and safety chains to secure all four wheels. Tighten the straps thoroughly and attach the chains to strong points on the vehicle’s frame.
How to Tow a Car with a Truck Using a Dolly
Tow dollies are commonly used for hauling front-wheel-drive vehicles behind a truck. Because the powered wheels sit on the dolly, these vehicles generally require no driveshaft removal, making the process simpler.
Step 1: Connect the tow dolly. Attach the dolly’s coupler to your truck’s hitch ball and hand-tighten it securely. To verify a proper connection, move your truck forward slightly and ensure the dolly follows steadily. Attach the safety chains to the truck as a precaution in case the coupler disconnects.
Step 2: Align the towed car. Proper alignment makes loading much easier. Position the vehicle so its front wheels are centered with the dolly ramps. If the car cannot run, back the dolly toward the front of the disabled vehicle. The car must face forward while being loaded. Rear-facing towing on a dolly can create severe swaying.
Step 3: Load the towed car. Once aligned, drive or push the car onto the ramps until the tires reach the wheel stops. Additional help may be needed if the vehicle is not drivable.
Step 4: Secure the towed car. Ensure the front tires sit against the stops, then fasten the straps over each tire. Tighten the straps with the ratchet mechanism and loop the safety chains around sturdy points of the frame.
Finally, release the parking brake so the rear wheels can roll freely during transport.
How to Tow a Car with a Truck Using Flat Towing
Flat towing involves attaching the vehicle to a tow bar with all four wheels on the road. While convenient for quick hookups and disconnections, this method exposes the drivetrain to added wear, even when the transmission is in neutral or the driveshaft is removed. RV owners frequently use this technique to avoid towing additional trailer length, although it is not compatible with most vehicles.
Towing Methods Comparison
Tow Dolly vs. Flatbed Trailer vs. Four-Down Flat Towing – choose the right method for your situation:
|
Comparison Factor |
Tow Dolly |
Flatbed Trailer |
Four-Down Flat Towing |
|
Best For |
Front-wheel-drive vehicles; short to mid-distance towing |
Any drivetrain, long trips, valuable or heavy vehicles |
Select vehicles designed for flat towing; RV setups |
|
Safety Level |
Very good |
Excellent |
Moderate to good (vehicle-dependent) |
|
Ease of Use |
Good once aligned |
Simple loading and most stable |
Quick hookup, but requires a compatible vehicle |
|
Cost |
$40–60/day rental |
Higher rental cost than Dolly |
Cost of tow bar + braking system |
|
Distance Limit |
Suitable for long distances |
Ideal for long distances |
Suitable for long distances if the vehicle is approved |
|
Speed Limit |
Around 55 mph |
Follows posted towing limits |
Varies by manufacturer guidelines |
|
Transmission Risk |
Minimal for FWD vehicles |
None (wheels off ground) |
Higher unless the vehicle is flat-tow approved |
|
Legal Status |
Allowed nationwide |
Allowed nationwide |
Allowed only for flat-tow-rated vehicles |
|
Equipment Needed |
Dolly, tie-downs, safety chains |
Trailer, straps, chains, light connection |
Tow bar, base plate, braking system |
|
Experience Required |
Beginner-friendly |
Easy for most users |
Requires installation knowledge |
|
Vehicle Protection |
Good |
Excellent (fully lifted) |
Moderate (wheels on road) |
|
Overall Rating |
★★★★☆ Reliable and affordable |
★★★★★ Safest and most versatile |
★★★☆☆ Only for compatible vehicles |
Get Tips for Safe and Effective Towing
When towing a vehicle, preparation and attentiveness make all the difference. Following safe towing practices will make your trip smoother and reduce risks.
Regularly Check the Connection
Always inspect the connection between your truck and the vehicle being towed. Confirm that the hitch is locked properly and that the safety chains remain in place. Routine checks help prevent accidents and ensure your towing setup stays secure.
Drive Slowly and Cautiously
Your driving habits matter significantly when towing. Slowing down and steering carefully helps maintain control of both vehicles. Give yourself extra stopping distance and avoid abrupt maneuvers.
Know When to Stop and Inspect
Frequent stops are important. Pull over periodically to inspect straps, chains, and all towing components. These quick checks help keep your load secure and give you confidence throughout your trip.
Conclusion
This guide has explained the proper steps on how to tow a car with a truck, including legal requirements and essential safety practices. You now have the knowledge needed to tow responsibly and avoid damage or hazards.
Selecting a truck and hitch with the right towing capacity is crucial. Choosing between flat towing, a dolly, or a trailer depends on your vehicle and situation. Maintaining safe speed, checking connections regularly, and following proper procedures will help ensure a successful towing experience.
In the towing industry, each method has its own strengths and limitations. The right method depends on your specific needs. By following these guidelines, and leveraging expert insights from Tow Rankers, you can move any vehicle safely, whether the trip is short or long.
FAQs
You can use a trailer or, in limited cases, flat towing. Tow straps should only be used for very short emergency moves due to safety concerns.
Yes, using a trailer or properly rated dolly is ideal for long-distance towing to protect the vehicle's drivetrain and ensure stability.
Towing laws vary by state. Some allow it only during emergencies, so always check local regulations before towing.
A tow bar attaches the towed vehicle directly to the towing vehicle. Only cars designed for flat towing should be pulled this way, and additional components, like base plates and braking systems, may be required.
Most trucks can, if their towing capacity exceeds the combined weight of the car and equipment.
Using a flatbed trailer offers the highest level of safety since all wheels are off the ground and the drivetrain is fully protected.
It recommends towing no more than 80% of your truck’s maximum rated towing capacity to maintain a safe performance margin.
