Road Tools

Towing Vehicles from the Rear

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by Terry Abejuela

When towing a pick-up truck with a load in the bed from the rear with a conventional tow sling, the frame rails may flex enough to cause contact between the bed and the cab of the truck.

Whenever possible tow operators should tow or transport vehicles from the front.

When towing with a wheel lift or a conventional tow sling, it is common for tow operators to decide which end to tow from based on what drive it is. Front-wheel-drive would be towed from the front and rear-wheel-drive from the rear.

Most four-wheel-drive and allwheel-drive vehicles can be towed from either end by using tow dollies under the trailing axle of the towed vehicle. This is primarily to avoid damage to the transmission.

However, professional tow operators must identify potential damages that can occur when towing or transporting vehicles facing backwards and either tow or transport them from the front or take measures to prevent damage if towed from the rear.

When vehicles are located alongside the highway or freeway, they are usually facing forward with the flow of traffic; towing or transporting them from the front is easily accomplished. According to the 2016 AAA Tow and Service Manual, of the 684 vehicles listed in the towing procedure index there are 243 FWD, 190 RWD and 251 4WD or AWD drive models. The majority of the vehicles on the road are FWD, so often towing or transporting from the front is the best option.

When towing 4WD or AWD vehicles with a wheel lift or conventional tow sling, they should be towed, when possible, from the front with tow dollies under the rear axle.

Sometimes we are faced with a scenario where towing or transporting the vehicle from the front is more difficult or is not feasible. Vehicle location, damage, flat tires, turned wheels, or transmission speed and distance restrictions are just a few possible reasons that may require towing or transporting from rear.

Whether you are towing with a wheel lift, a conventional tow sling or transporting it on a car carrier, you will need to take into consideration the effects of air resistance on the towed vehicle. Air resistance at high speeds can cause damage. Vehicles are designed to travel at high speed forward but have components that don’t fare well at high speeds when the vehicle is facing rearward. Just a few examples would include open sunroofs, bug deflectors, rear window louvers and side window wind deflectors. You may need to avoid freeway speeds, if there is no other solution, to prevent damages

When towing or transporting a van or a pickup truck with a camper shell there may be vent caps on the roof. When the vehicle is towed or transported facing rearward, these vent caps are susceptible to wind damage if they are not closed properly—they must be checked. The bed liner in the bed of a pickup truck must be secured or it may be lifted out of the bed by the wind. Bed covers must be checked for secure attachment and that they are latched and locked properly.

Whether towing or transporting from the front or the rear, all of the windows in the disabled vehicle should be closed. I had a student in one of my classes tell me that he towed

When he got to the

end of the tow, the

front windshield of

the towed vehicle

was missing.

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