If you need to get a car on a trailer but you’ve never done it before, this quick guide from Easy Car Haulers will point you in the right direction. This project is best completed with at least two people, so make sure you grab a buddy before loading a car onto a trailer.
Pre-Step: Verify That You Have the Right Trailer for the Job
Before you load a car onto a trailer, you need to make sure that the trailer is equipped to handle your vehicle. Can the trailer support the weight of the vehicle? Is the towing vehicle powerful enough to pull the trailer with the car on it? If you have a low-profile vehicle, do you have a trailer with extended ramps to accommodate that? Do some extra investigating to make sure your trailer is compatible with your car when the time comes.
Once you know you have the right trailer, inspect the tie downs, D-rings, and any straps you plan to use for transport. If there are any areas of significant wear, resolve them before loading the car onto the trailer.
Step 1: Secure the Trailer
Attach the trailer to the tow vehicle before loading the car. Then, park the towing vehicle on a level surface in front of the car. You’ll need about 60 feet of space in front of the car to do this.
Step 2: Move the Car up to the Ramp
Attach the wheel ramps to the trailer or drop/extend them, depending on which style of trailer you’re using. Line the front wheels of the vehicle up with the ramps. It is best to have a spotter to act as an extra set of eyes for this part of the process. Slowly drive up the ramps and onto the trailer. Keep your window rolled down so that you can hear the spotter when they direct you.
If you’re loading a non-working car onto the trailer, use a winch to slowly pull it up the ramps.
Step 3: Secure the Tires
As you pull the vehicle onto the trailer, line the wheels up with the D-rings or tie downs. This will set you up for success when you secure the vehicle to the trailer. Put the car in park and secure the parking brake for extra precaution.
Step 4: Tie the Vehicle Down
Use straps to secure each wheel to a tie-down. Make sure the straps are pulled tight and will not shake loose during transport. If you have a car cover to put on the vehicle, you may need additional straps or rope to secure that in place.
Step 5: Prepare for Transport
After you secure the vehicle to the trailer, you can raise the ramps and prepare to hit the road. Check on your car periodically as you drive, and monitor the mirrors during transport. If you notice any loose straps or excessive movement, pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road and resecure the vehicle.
If you’d like to rent a car hauler, check out the trailer rentals available at Easy Car Haulers
.