If you own a car, you should know the proper ways to tow a car with a rope. Accidents can happen with no way to contact a tow truck diver to pull your car out. You can also avoid the hefty fees tow truck drivers charge if your car is not in an accident, but is stuck in the mud or a ditch. A rope is also handy if your car breaks down and needs to be pulled to your home or a repair shop. Learn how to tow a car with a rope and get your car to safety.
Make sure the car is turned off completely and in "Park," with the parking brake set. Look under the edge of the front or rear bumper and find the frame of the car. Some cars have large metal pieces with a hole in the center, which is called a tow strap. This is the best place to tie a rope. If there is no tow strap, tie the rope directly to the frame. Tie a knot so that it won't come loose while pulling the car.
Back the second vehicle up to the car that is being towed. Stop the second car and set the parking brake. Look under the rear of the vehicle and find either a tow strap or a section of the frame to tie the rope to. The length of rope between the two vehicles should be no longer than 6 feet. Making the rope too long may allow other cars on the road enough space to get between the two vehicles, causing an accident.
Start the car that is going to be towed. Check to make sure the brake lights work. If they are not working, make sure the hazard lights are working. If no lights work, place a sign or use shoe polish to write on the back window "In Tow."
Start the vehicle that is towing the car and pull the car onto the road. Don't drive over 15 miles per hour while using a rope to tow a car. Turns should be made very slowly and extra wide to allow room for the towed vehicle to turn.
Have the driver of the car being towed pay attention to the signals of the towing vehicle. The driver of the towed car needs to apply the brakes as soon as the other driver does to avoid a collision.
