Let’s talk about what really happens when you try to tow your own car
You’ve probably seen it — someone tying a rope between two cars in a shopping centre car park, or a mate insisting his ute can “easily tow” your broken-down sedan down the street. It might look like a quick fix or a money-saver at the time, but DIY towing has a bad habit of turning a small issue into a much bigger (and more expensive) one.
At our towing service, we’ve come across plenty of people who started with a flat battery or minor engine issue and ended up with a damaged transmission, snapped bumper, or worse — all because they tried to tow the car themselves. So if you’re thinking of giving it a go, here’s why you might want to think twice.
It’s Not as Simple as Hook and Go
Towing a car the right way isn’t just about attaching a rope or chain and hitting the accelerator. There’s weight distribution to consider. Brake pressure. Drive systems. Road conditions. The list goes on.
One time, we helped a guy in Brunswick who tried towing his front-wheel-drive hatchback with his cousin’s 4WD using a bungee cord and a towel to “protect the tow point.” Not only did the bungee snap under tension, but the front bumper of the hatchback got ripped off. What started as a $100 starter motor issue turned into a $700 repair job — not counting the embarrassment.
You Can Damage the Transmission — Seriously
This is probably the most common (and expensive) mistake we see. Cars — especially automatics — aren’t meant to be towed with all four wheels on the ground unless the transmission is properly disengaged. And if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can fry the gearbox in a matter of minutes.
We once got a call from a bloke in Footscray who’d towed his mate’s car a few kilometres down the road with a rope. The car made it home, but it wouldn’t shift gears afterward. The repair quote? Just over $2,000. All to avoid a $150 tow.
Braking Isn’t Shared — It’s All You
When you tow a car yourself, the car in front is doing all the braking — for two vehicles. That puts a huge strain on the brakes and makes it much harder to stop in an emergency. Especially if you’re going downhill, this is where a small tow job can turn into a very big crash.
Proper tow trucks are fitted with braking systems that account for the extra weight. Your average family car or SUV? Not even close.
No Safety Features, No Margin for Error
Professional towing involves wheel lifts, tilt trays, light bars, signals — all the stuff that protects your vehicle and everyone else on the road. DIY towing? Usually just a rope and a prayer.
If your towline isn’t tight enough, the towed vehicle can slam into the back of the towing car. If it’s too tight, it can snap or pull on parts of the car that weren’t designed for that kind of tension — like radiator supports or suspension mounts. And unless you’re using proper rated towing gear (spoiler: most people aren’t), it’s just not safe.
It’s Technically Illegal in Many Cases
In Victoria, and most of Australia, there are legal guidelines about how towing must be done. That includes the type of connection, safety signage, speed limits, and the condition of the vehicle being towed. If you get caught doing it wrong, you could be hit with fines — and your insurance won’t cover any damage.
So while it might seem like “just down the street,” the cost of doing it wrong can be a lot more than calling in the pros.
“But I’ve Done It Before and It Was Fine…”
Maybe you have. Maybe your uncle towed you with a rope in 1997 and it worked perfectly. But cars are different now — more sensors, tighter systems, more electronics, and a lot more can go wrong. What worked before doesn’t mean it’s safe now.
Even when it seems to work, there’s a good chance you’ve done hidden damage — to the suspension, brakes, gearbox, or undercarriage — that won’t show up until later.
What Should You Do Instead?
Honestly? Just give us a call.
A professional tow truck isn’t just about getting you from A to B. It’s about doing it safely, without further damaging your vehicle, and without risking a fine or a crash. We’ve got the right equipment, trained drivers, and proper insurance in case something goes sideways (which it rarely does — because we do this every day).
If you’ve broken down and you’re weighing your options, remember: a cheap DIY tow might look tempting, but it could cost you much more in the long run.
Some things are fine to DIY. Building flat-pack furniture? Sure. Painting your fence? Go for it. But towing a vehicle? That’s one of those jobs best left to the people who do it for a living — with the tools, the training, and the experience to do it right.
And if you ever find yourself in that situation, stuck on the side of the road with a car that won’t budge — skip the rope, skip the risk, and just give us a ring. We’ve got your back.
If you are in Langwarrin, and looking for a tow truck service, this is the best way to visit us.
Cranbourne Tow Trucks
39 S Gippsland Hwy, Cranbourne VIC 3977
(03) 7042 2059