How to Attach Your Car to a Moving Truck
When moving a long distance, towing your car is a good option for many people. It saves on fuel and allows one driver to transport household goods along with a personal vehicle.
Pulling a vehicle with a moving truck is rather straightforward if you plan properly. There are two main options for moving trucks to pull a vehicle: a tow dolly, also known as a car dolly, or an auto transport, also known as a car hauler.
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Instructions
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Certain prerequisites must be met before deciding to pull a vehicle with a moving truck. The curb weight of the truck must be heavier than the vehicle being towed. Most passenger vehicles will not cause an issue.
Determine if your vehicle can be towed by a moving truck, which is easy to accomplish. Contact the truck rental company and a customer service representative will step through the year, make and model of your vehicle to help you make a determination. U-haul also has a software program that lets you plug in the information and it reports back whether your car is recommended for a tow dolly or an auto transport.
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Decide between a tow dolly and an auto transport. A tow dolly allows the front tires only to be lifted and an auto transport allows the car to ride completely on a trailer. Some cars are too long or too wide for an auto transport.
Once you have decided on the type of equipment you want to pull your car, there are several steps to attach the car safely and securely. Truck rental company personnel are typically trained in attaching vehicles for towing and are helpful during the process. Also, U-haul has a series of videos that are helpful in understanding how to perform a safe hookup.
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Attach the tow dolly or auto transport to the truck. The truck has a hitch ball mount and the trailer has a coupler. Maneuver the trailer close to the truck and rest the coupler onto the hitch ball. Rock the trailer gently back and forth until the coupler slides completely onto the ball. Tighten the coupler. Rock the trailer again and tighten any additional slack in the coupler.
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Attach the safety chains. Trailers have two safety chains. Cross them under the tongue of the trailer and attach them to the frame of the truck. Ensure that the chains are not long enough to drag on the ground, but that they have a few inches of slack to allow for turning. Once in place, attach a gasket to the end of the chain attached to the truck. This will ensure that the chain doesn't slip off.
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Plug in the wiring. Most moving truck companies have a simple plug in device for the lighting. Once plugged in, check the lights carefully. Make sure the brake, backup, turn signals and running lights are all working.
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Remove the pins on the ramps and pull out the ramps once the car dolly is attached to the truck, if this is the method you are using to transport the car. Position the straps so the front tires will roll over them. Carefully drive up the ramps. Place the straps around the tire and secure in the ratchet until tight. Do this on both tires. Secure the safety chain on the frame of the car. Slide the ramps up and reinsert the pins.
For the car hauler, there are a few additional steps. Lay out the straps and pull down the ramps the same way as with the car dolly. The difference is that the fender on the driver's side of the trailer folds down to allow a person to exit the car. Also on a car hauler, there are chains in the front and back.
Slowly drive up the ramps and onto the trailer. Once the car is in place, fit the safety straps around the front tires and secure them, attach the safety chains, replace the ramps and lift the fender back into place. Again, ensure the lights are working properly.
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Tips & Warnings
Many people load the moving truck and then return to the rental company to attach the car. This makes loading the truck simpler and eliminates the need to attach the car more than once.
Follow all safety procedures provided by the moving truck company.
Always reduce driving speed when towing a vehicle.
Periodically check the tightness of the ball mount, the safety chains and that the electrical system is functioning properly.
