Being Pulled By Another Car

[HondaMan]

Friday, my boss asked if I would help him take one of our work vans to the shop. The alternator had gone out, so it wouldn't start. We tied a tow rope from his truck to the van, and I "drove" the van. Being that it wouldn't start, I had hardly no brakes or steering, and the tow line was pretty short. We had a close call or two (from green lights suddenly turning red), but we made it. I told him never to ask me to do that again, because I wouldn't. It scared the mess out of me!

Have you ever had to do something like this?

 

[Lamboguy]

Wouldn't the momentum of the other car make it hit the back end of the car towing it when stopping? I've never seen anyone do this. I would just call a toe truck next time. It might be cheaper than risking some kind of damage to both vehicles.

 

[Hotrod25]

I've done it several times and it is tough. You have to be very careful and have quick feet. Brakes work all the time - even when the car is not on. You put the car in neutral (the one being pulled).

 

[HondaMan]

Yeah, the brakes do work all the time, but their effectiveness is greatly reduced when the car isn't running. It's still something I'd rather not do again.

 

[FenderBender]

I have done it too and it is difficult. You just have to be hyper vigilant and the other person does. I wouldn't want to do it unless there was no other option though.

 

[vroombaby]

I remember having someone I dated in high school have to do this with my mother's car one day when she was stuck at the local food market with a ton of groceries in the back. It was completely random too, we were coming back from a track meet and noticed her car on the side of the road.

 

[ZoomZoom]

Yeah, this is very dangerous and should only be attempted when you have no other choice. I've seen too many times the vehicle being towed hitting the vehicle doing the towing, and all the damage it's caused.

Personally, I'd rent a tow dolly from U-Haul or something.

 

[Corinne]

Never again

My ex husband made me do this many years ago. I told him I couldn't do it then, but he insisted on it. To this day it's one of the scariest things I've done in my life. It was second to being married to him, however.

 

[bjstorm]

I've done that a few times in the past. It can be heart stopping because with the vehicle not running, the power steering and brakes don't work making it difficult to control.

 

[jason]

I've done it more often then I wish I had. But it is cheaper then a tow truck.