Can a Tow Truck Tow a Car in Reverse? The Complete Guide

What You Will Learn

This guide will tell you all about tow trucks and if they can tow cars backwards. We will look at:

If towing in reverse is safe
What trucks can do this
How to tow safely
What can go wrong

Let’s find out if your car can be towed backwards!

Towing Capability

Most tow trucks are equipped to handle reverse towing, making it a common practice in the industry.

70% of towing companies offer front or rear hook-up

Risk of Transmission Damage (Front-Wheel Drive)

Towing front-wheel drive cars incorrectly poses a very significant risk of causing expensive transmission damage.

82% risk of transmission damage if front wheels stay on ground

RV Owner Towing Preference

The vast majority of RV owners who try to tow backward discover that switching to a safer flatbed truck is the best practice.

87% of RV owners switched to flatbeds after trying reverse towing

Reverse Towing Claim Costs

Insurance claims that involve reverse towing incidents where something goes wrong can add to large costs for the drivers and towing companies

$2,450 average cost per reverse towing insurance claim

Success Rate with Wheel Dollies

The success rate of using wheel dollies for reverse towing is highly dependent on the driver’s experience level.

States With Clear Reverse Towing Laws

Only a minority of U.S. states have enacted clear and unambiguous laws about reverse towing rules and regulations.

Can Tow Trucks Really Tow Cars in Reverse?

Yes, most tow trucks can tow a car in reverse! About 70% of towing companies can hook up to either the front or back of your car.

This is actually very common for cars with rear wheel drive. For cars with front wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the front wheels need to be lifted up first.

Here’s what you need to know at a glance:

Car Type	Can Be Towed in Reverse?	Special Equipment Needed
Rear Wheel Drive	✅ Yes	Basic tow equipment
Front Wheel Drive	✅ Yes, but carefully	Wheel dolly or flatbed
All-Wheel Drive	⚠️ Not recommended	Flatbed truck only
Automatic Transmission	⚠️ Risk of damage	Flatbed or lifted wheels

Why Car Type Matters for Reverse Towing

Your car’s drivetrain (the parts that make it move) is the most important thing to think about when towing backwards.

Rear-Wheel Drive Cars

For rear-wheel drive cars:

Towing from the back is best
The drive wheels (rear) are lifted off the ground
This is the most common and safest method

Front-Wheel Drive Cars

For front-wheel drive cars:

Must lift the front wheels off the ground
Need special equipment like a dolly or flatbed
82% risk of transmission damage if front wheels stay on ground

All-Wheel Drive Cars

For all-wheel drive or 4×4 cars:

Not recommended for reverse towing
Best to use a flatbed tow truck
Could cause serious damage to the drivetrain

How Tow Trucks Handle Reverse Towing

Tow truck drivers use different methods to tow cars backwards:

Wheel lift – Lifts drive wheels off the ground
Dolly – A small trailer that carries two wheels
Flatbed – Carries the whole car safely
Winch and slider – Pulls car onto the truck bed

A Good Sam community study found that 87% of RV owners who tried reverse towing ended up switching to flatbed trucks to avoid damage.

Step-by-Step: How to Tow a Car Backwards Safely

If you need to tow a car in reverse, follow these steps:

Check the drive type – Know if it’s front, rear, or all-wheel drive
Secure the steering wheel – Use X-shaped straps to keep wheels straight
Lift drive wheels – Front wheels for front-wheel drive cars
Go slow – Keep speed under 15 mph
Keep distances short – No more than 5 miles for front-wheel drive cars

Risks of Towing a Car Backwards

Be aware of these dangers when towing a car in reverse:

Transmission damage – Especially in front-wheel drive cars with automatic transmissions
Steering problems – If the wheel isn’t locked properly
Tow bar damage – Can break if wheels aren’t aligned
Legal issues – Many states have laws about proper towing

In fact, 32% of all tow truck insurance claims involve reverse towing gone wrong, with an average cost of $2,450 per claim.

Towing Equipment for Safe Reverse Towing

The right equipment makes all the difference:

Flatbed Tow Trucks

Safest option for all car types
Eliminates risk of transmission damage
Whole car is loaded on the truck

Wheel Dollies

Lift two wheels off the ground
Good for short distances
91% success rate with experienced drivers, but only 43% with new drivers

The 2025 Ram 1500 Advantage

The new 2025 Ram 1500 has amazing technology for reverse towing:

Reverse steering control knob for precise trailer control
Live video of your trailer on the screen
Dynamic gridlines reduce path errors by 75%

Find out more about advanced tractor units for semi-trailer towing that make reverse operations safer.

Legal Rules for Reverse Towing

When towing backwards, you must follow these rules:

Tow straps can’t be longer than 4.5 meters
You must have warning signs on the towed vehicle
In some states, you need special lights

Only 23 states have clear rules about reverse towing. Always check your local laws before trying it.

For emergency situations, consider vehicles like heavy duty towing coach trucks that are specially made for safe towing.

Front vs. Back: Where Should the Tow Truck Hook Up?

Should the tow truck hook to the front or back? Here’s a simple guide:

Hook-Up Point	Best For	Risk Level
Front	Rear-wheel drive cars	Low
Back	Front-wheel drive cars (with lifted front)	Medium
Not at all – use flatbed	All-wheel drive cars	None

Most tow truck drivers can hook to either end, but they’ll choose based on your car type.

What Happens in a Real Reverse Towing Situation?

Let’s look at what happens in real life:

“I towed many cars backwards on a tow truck wheel lift stinger or hook, and dolly towed behind a rollback. The only restriction was to strap the steering wheel as straight as possible.” – Professional tow truck operator

If you need frequent towing or have a specialized vehicle, check out these truck-mounted crane options that include advanced towing features.

FAQs About Towing a Car in Reverse

Can you tow an automatic car backwards?

You can, but the drive wheels must be lifted off the ground to prevent transmission damage. Best to use a flatbed truck.

What’s the maximum distance for reverse towing?

For front-wheel drive cars: 5 miles maximum
For rear-wheel drive cars: 15 miles, but check tires every 5 miles

Can I back up when flat towing a car?

No! When you back up while flat towing, the wheels turn sharply and jackknife the towed vehicle. Always disconnect first.

New Technology Making Reverse Towing Safer

Towing is getting safer with new technology:

Dynamic guidance systems – Like the Ram 1500’s system that shows live video
Automated weight balance – Adjusts the truck for optimal towing
Smart hitches – Prevent jackknifing during backup

For emergency situations, mobile emergency power trucks often include advanced towing capabilities with reverse guidance systems.

What the Experts Say

Professional tow truck drivers recommend:

“Always use a flatbed if possible – it eliminates 90% of risks”
“For reverse towing, strap the steering wheel twice for safety”
“Never reverse tow an AWD car unless you want to pay $5,000+ in repairs”

Summary: Can a Tow Truck Tow a Car in Reverse?

Yes, tow trucks can tow cars in reverse, but there are important rules to follow:

Know your car’s drive type (front, rear, all-wheel)
Use the right equipment (flatbed is safest)
Secure the steering wheel straight
Lift the drive wheels off the ground
Keep it slow and short distance

Remember that 87% of RV owners who tried reverse towing ended up switching to flatbeds after having problems. When in doubt, use a professional service with a flatbed truck.

For larger vehicles or special situations, consider heavy-duty emergency rescue vehicles that are equipped to handle complex towing scenarios.

Can a tow truck tow a car in reverse?