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Towing a truck with a chain

Ruchi Gupta

If you have a junk car on your hands, chances are good that it breaks down on a regular basis. While you make want to consider selling your junk to a service like Rustys Auto Salvage in Baltimore and get something newer ASAP, you might be stuck with a broken down truck right now that’s in need of a tow.  However, before you start towing with a chain you should review these laws from the State of Maryland

Believe it or not, it’s possible to tow your junk truck on your own using a chain. You’ll need someone to help you make it happen, though, and it’s important to exercise extreme caution. Also, keep in mind that different states and localities have specific laws that regulate the towing of vehicles.

How to Tow Your Junk Truck

That said, here’s what you’ll need to get started:

  • A towing vehicle that’s fully insured and properly rated to tow the weight of the truck
  • A sign for the back of the towed vehicle that says “Vehicle In Tow”
  • A chain for towing the truck

Be sure that the chain you use is specifically designed for towing. You want a heavy-duty chain that’s properly rated to handle the weight of the truck. Never try to use a regular chain that isn’t labeled for towing, as it could snap while you’re going down the road.

There are a couple of other items to consider as well:

  • It’s essential that both vehicles have functioning brakes. If the brakes in the towing or towed vehicle are faulty, attempting to tow with a chain is not safe and should not be attempted.
  • Someone should be present in the driver’s seat of the towed vehicle at all times.
  • Both drivers should be able to see in front of and behind them clearly.
  • The vehicle being towed must have functioning emergency flashers, and they must be engaged during the towing process.

Setting Up the Chain

Once you’re ready to go, you’ll need to wrap the chain around the front axle of the truck being towed. Once it’s looped around the axle, slide the hook into the first link of the chain that it reaches. Ensure that it’s centered and that it won’t slip from side to side.

Now, do the same thing with the rear axle of the vehicle that’s doing the towing. Again, ensure that the hook of the chain is secured to the first link that it can reach and that there won’t be any side-to-side slippage.

Slowly proceed forward with the towing vehicle until the chain is tight. Put the vehicle in park, get out, and double check that the chain is centered and secure on both vehicles. You should aim for a distance of roughly 6-10 feet between the towed vehicle and the one doing the towing.

Towing the Truck

Proceed with caution. The rear driver will need to gently apply the brake periodically in order to ensure that the chain stays tight at all times. If the chain ever appears loose — or if you notice it slipping from side to side — stop towing immediately and correct the issue.