Can a tow truck tow a trailer? Yes. A small utility or cargo trailer can ride on a flatbed. A larger one can be pulled by its own hitch if the truck has the right ball and the trailer’s tires are sound. What the tow company needs from you is the size, the weight and the hitch type before the truck is sent.
Miller’s Towing & Recovery moves utility trailers, cargo trailers and small equipment around Wichita. Call 316-351-4754 with the details below, and we will tell you right away if it fits our equipment.
How Does a Tow Truck Tow a Trailer? 3 Ways
1. On the flatbed
The winch pulls the trailer up the bed, and the driver straps the frame and wheels down. All of the trailer’s tires are off the road. This is the answer for a small single axle trailer, and for any trailer with a blown tire, a failed wheel bearing or a bent axle.
2. By the hitch
If the trailer rolls fine and only needs to get from one place to another, the truck can pull it by its coupler. The ball has to match. Common ball sizes are 1 7/8 inch, 2 inch and 2 5/16 inch. The size is stamped on the trailer’s coupler.
3. Truck and trailer together
When the pickup pulling the trailer is the thing that broke, there are two loads to move. Sometimes the pickup rides on the flatbed and the trailer follows on the hitch behind it. Sometimes it takes two trips or two trucks. It depends on the weight and the total length.
So can a tow truck tow a trailer of any size? No. Big campers, fifth wheels and goosenecks need a truck set up for that hitch and that weight. That is why the first call matters.
6 Things to Know First
1. Size and weight decide everything
Know the length of the trailer and what it weighs loaded. Most trailers have a plate on the tongue or the frame that lists the gross vehicle weight rating. If you do not know the weight, tell us what is on it.
2. The hitch type matters
A bumper pull trailer with a ball coupler is the simplest. Gooseneck, fifth wheel and pintle hitches each need matching equipment on the truck. Say which one you have.
3. Kansas requires a safety chain
The Kansas Highway Patrol states that Kansas law requires all trailers to have a safety hitch or chain strong enough to keep the trailer connected if the regular hitch fails. If your chains are missing or broken, tell dispatch. A trailer in that shape rides on the flatbed.
4. Small trailers may not need a tag
The Highway Patrol also explains that Kansas exempts a trailer from registration if the total weight of the trailer and its load is 2,000 pounds or less. Farm trailers are exempt unless the load is over 6,000 pounds. So a small utility trailer with no plate is not always a problem. A heavier one without a tag is. Tell dispatch if the trailer has no plate.
5. There is a length limit
Kansas allows a vehicle to pull two trailers in tandem only with an anti sway device on the first and an active braking system on the second. The whole combination cannot be longer than 65 feet from the front bumper to the back of the last trailer, according to the Highway Patrol. That limit is one reason a long rig is sometimes moved in two trips.
6. The load has to be secure
A trailer that tilts up a flatbed will shift anything loose on it. Strap down mowers and equipment, close and latch cargo doors, and remove loose items before the truck arrives. For lawn equipment by itself, see mower and tractor towing in Wichita.
Common Trailer Breakdowns Around Wichita
| Problem | Where it tends to happen | How it is usually moved |
|---|---|---|
| Blown trailer tire and no spare | Kellogg, K-96 and the highways out to the lakes | On the flatbed |
| Hot or failed wheel bearing | After a long highway run | On the flatbed. Do not keep pulling it |
| Broken spring or bent axle | Job sites and rough county roads | On the flatbed |
| Tow vehicle broke down | Anywhere | Truck on the bed, trailer by the hitch or a second trip |
| Trailer stuck in mud or off the road | Fields, yards and lake ramps | Winch out, then tow if needed |
Think of boat trailers headed to Cheney Lake or El Dorado Lake, and lawn crew trailers working across town. For a trailer that is stuck, see what a winch out costs in Wichita.
What to Tell Dispatch
- The kind of trailer: utility, cargo, car hauler, boat, camper or dump
- Length and number of axles
- What is on it and about how much it weighs
- Hitch type and ball size
- What is wrong: tire, bearing, axle, lights or the tow vehicle
- If the tow vehicle needs to be moved too
- Where it is and where it is going
A photo sent by text answers most of these in one shot.
What If the Trailer Is on the Highway Shoulder?
Get the whole rig as far right as you can and turn on your hazard lights. Stay out of the gap between the truck and the trailer. Do not try to change a trailer tire with traffic passing a few feet away.
Do not unhook the trailer and leave it. Under K.S.A. 8-1102, a vehicle left on a highway for more than 48 hours can be removed by law enforcement, and you would owe the tow and storage.
More Questions: Can a Tow Truck Tow a Trailer Like Yours?
Can a tow truck tow a trailer that is loaded?
Often, yes, if the total weight is within what the truck can handle and the load is tied down. Tell dispatch what is on it.
Can a tow truck tow a trailer with no tag?
A trailer carried on a flatbed is a load, not a vehicle being pulled on the road. If it will be pulled on its own wheels, the registration rules above apply. Tell dispatch about the missing tag so the right method is picked.
Can a tow truck tow a trailer and the truck that was pulling it?
Sometimes in one trip, sometimes in two. It depends on weight and length.
Can a tow truck pull a camper or a fifth wheel?
Only with the right hitch and enough truck. Call with the length and weight, and we will tell you plainly if we can move it or if you need a heavy duty carrier.
What does it cost to move a trailer?
Pricing follows the same parts as any tow: a hook up fee, miles and any special equipment. See the real cost of towing in Wichita, and ask for the total before the truck is sent.
Need a Trailer Moved?
If you are still asking, can a tow truck tow a trailer like mine, call and describe it. Miller’s Towing & Recovery is at 316-351-4754. We provide towing services in Wichita, KS day and night, and you get the price before we hook up.