How to Tow a Car With Another Car

Towing a car is better with a tow truck or pickup because they have more than enough torque and power for the job. Unfortunately, they’re not always readily available, and not everyone can wait for a towing service, especially during emergencies.

Another option that some might not consider is to use a car to tow another car. It’s not as straightforward as using a tow truck, but it could still get the unmoving car off the road and moved to a safer location.

If you’re offering to tow another car with your car, this article can help you ensure the process goes off without a hitch.

What to Consider Before Towing a Car With a Car

Not all cars can safely tow other vehicles, so don’t start towing until after you’ve considered these crucial factors.

Towing Capacity

Don’t tow another car until you’ve determined that your vehicle is up for the task. You can confirm that by checking your car’s towing capacity.

Towing capacity is the maximum weight you can safely pull. It’s noted in your owner’s manual, but the exact figure can vary based on factors like how your car is configured, the weight it’s carrying, and more.

For reference, a Ford Escape can tow 1,500 lbs, a Kia Sportage tows up to 2,000 lbs, and a Mitsubishi Outlander can pull 1,500 to 3,500 lbs. It varies depending on the engine.

To calculate the capacity, you’ll need the following details:

• The gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of the car you plan to tow
• Your car’s curb weight, which is its weight when filled with gas

Subtract the curb weight from the GCWR to get your car’s towing capacity.

Never tow over the capacity. Some experts even recommend staying under 10% to 20% of the maximum capacity to be sure. Towing over the capacity can cause long-term damage to your car, including braking system failure and increased wear.

Vehicle Curb Weight

As mentioned, you need the curb weight to calculate capacity. You can typically find this information in the driver’s door jamb.

Trailer Hitch Classes

A trailer hitch is a device that connects to the vehicle’s frame. It allows you to securely connect and tow a trailer or another car using a coupling point. There are five hitch classes. The class you choose will impact the amount of weight you can tow in addition to your car’s towing capacity. To differentiate the classes, refer to the table below:

To be on the safer side, it’s better to use a Class III Hitch or above to ensure your vehicle is capable of pulling another car.  Some examples of mid-size vehicles include the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, and Nissan Altima.

Towing Tools

Depending on preference and availability, you can use different towing tools, such as a chain, a dolly, or a tow bar.

Chain

One example of a towing tool is a tow chain, which is stronger and more durable than a regular chain. It’s intended to be a safety attachment to prevent the towed car from detaching from the towing vehicle.

Towing a car with only a chain is not recommended, especially if the chains are rusty because they can snap. However, if you’re out of options, you can use chains at short distances, on local roads, and at low speeds.

To use a tow chain, attach the hook to the towing vehicle’s rear bumper or trailer hitch. Then, connect the oval ring to the towed car’s tow hook or steel loop.

The towed vehicle should also be in first gear or neutral with the handbrake lifted. If possible, avoid attaching the chain to the axle to prevent damage to the towed car.

Dolly

A tow dolly is a two-wheeled trailer that lifts the towed vehicle’s front wheels for towing. A dolly carries the front wheels, while the rear wheels of the towed car stay on the ground. Tow dollies are easy to maneuver due to how small and light they are.

To use a tow dolly, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Connect the tow dolly to the towing vehicle by securing the coupler (the mechanism that allows the dolly to be attached to the towing vehicle’s hitch) on the hitch ball (the metal ball that attaches to the coupler). Attach the safety chains to the electrical connector.
• Step 2: Drive the towed car onto the platform and secure it with tire straps and safety chains. You drive the car onto the tow dolly’s platform to pull it. Disconnect the driveshaft if it’s a rear or four-wheel drive.
• Step 3: Ensure the vehicle is centered and tighten the straps and chains. Lock the steering wheel and release the parking brake.

Tow Bar

To use a tow bar, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Ensure both vehicles are on a flat surface. Engage the parking brakes.
• Step 2: Insert the tow bar shank into the hitch receiver (the part that lets you attach the towing car to the towed vehicle) and secure it with a pin and clip.
• Step 3: Align the vehicles by slowly driving the towed car behind the towing vehicle.
• Step 4: Connect the tow bar arms to the base plate of the towed car and ensure they’re locked. The tow bar arm is the part that connects a tow bar to the towed vehicle, while the base plate is a bracket installed on a vehicle’s frame that provides attachment points for the tow bar.
• Step 5: Attach safety chains between the two cars for added security. Safety chains connect the towing and towed vehicle for added safety.
• Step 6: Plug in the wiring harness to ensure the towed vehicle’s lights are in sync with the towing car. Wiring harnesses connect the taillights, turn signals, brake lights, and other electrical systems.
• Step 7: Set the towed car in neutral, unlock the steering wheel, and release the parking brake.

Difference Between Towing Different Drivetrains

There are four main drivetrains, a two-wheel drive (2WD), four-wheel drive (4WD), front-wheel drive (FWD), and rear-wheel drive (RWD). How you tow a car differs depending on its drivetrain.

Towing a 2WD

If the towed car is 2WD, verify if the front or rear wheels produce power. Knowing what the towed car’s drivetrain lets you pick the appropriate towing tool.

For example, for a FWD, you’ll want to use a tow dolly for optimal results, as it prevents wear on the driveline parts. As mentioned, a tow dolly allows you to lift the front wheels while towing. It’ll let you safely transport a FWD vehicle, which cannot be towed with all four wheels on the ground while in neutral. FWD cars only move when power is being produced to the front wheel.

Meanwhile, towing an RWD typically requires you to release the driveshaft. You’ll also need to confirm the towed vehicle’s transmission, as you must put the towed vehicle in neutral and release the parking brake (manual) or unlock the drive axle (automatic).

Towing a 4WD

On the other hand, towing a 4WD vehicle requires you to connect a coupling device to the rear-end shaft to pull it. This prevents damage to the car and the wheels. However, you can skip this step if the 4WD vehicle has a locking hub and transfer case.

Driving Tips for Towing a Car

Drive slow. When towing another car, keep in mind that you’re driving with twice your usual weight, which will result in longer braking distances.

It’s also best to avoid sudden braking to keep the car you’re towing from crashing into yours. Check your brakes before towing to further reduce the risk of accidents. Don’t forget to inspect the brake pads and rotors.

While driving, avoid sharp turns, and be sure to use your mirrors and turn signals. All in all, towing a vehicle requires you to err on the side of caution.