How to Load a Car on a Flatbed Trailer (Step by Step)

Loading a car onto a flatbed trailer looks simple until you are staring up a set of ramps with a running engine and no room for error. Do it right and the car sits balanced, secured, and safe for hundreds of highway miles. Do it wrong and you risk a shifting load, a sway-prone trailer, or a vehicle that comes loose. This step-by-step guide walks you through loading a car on a flatbed or car-hauler trailer the safe way, from positioning the trailer to the final tug-test on your straps.

Here are the seven steps to load a car on a flatbed trailer:

1. Step 1: Prepare and inspect the trailer and equipment.
2. Step 2: Position the trailer on level ground and set the ramps.
3. Step 3: Line the car up straight with the trailer.
4. Step 4: Drive or winch the car on slowly.
5. Step 5: Position the car for correct tongue weight.
6. Step 6: Secure the car with wheel straps or axle tie-downs.
7. Step 7: Do a final safety check before towing.

Step 1: Prepare and Inspect the Trailer and Equipment

Before anything rolls, confirm your trailer is rated for the vehicle you are loading. Check the trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) against your car’s curb weight, and make sure your tow vehicle and hitch can handle the combined load. Inspect the deck for debris or oil, check that ramps are rated for the car’s weight and are undamaged, and confirm your straps and ratchets are in good condition with no fraying or rust. For a full pre-tow inspection, use our pre-trip towing checklist.

You will need at least four rated tie-down straps (wheel straps or axle straps), working ratchets, and gloves. Never substitute rope, bungee cords, or worn straps for proper rated tie-downs.

Step 2: Position the Trailer on Level Ground and Set the Ramps

Park the tow vehicle and trailer on firm, level ground and chock the trailer tires so nothing can roll. Loading on a slope is one of the most common causes of accidents, so avoid inclines whenever possible. If your trailer has a tilt bed, release the tilt latch; if it uses removable ramps, seat them firmly in their mounts and confirm they are locked and evenly spaced to match your car’s track width.

Step 3: Line the Car Up Straight With the Trailer

Align the car squarely with the center of the trailer before you start up the ramps. A straight approach is critical: even a slight angle can put a wheel off the ramp edge. Take your time, use a spotter if one is available, and reposition rather than trying to correct mid-ramp.

Step 4: Drive or Winch the Car On Slowly

Drive the car up the ramps slowly and steadily in low gear, keeping the wheels centered. Ramps are steep and traction can break loose, so use smooth, gentle throttle and be ready on the brake. If the car is inoperable, use a trailer-mounted winch rated for the vehicle’s weight and stay clear of the strap’s path in case it fails. Never let anyone stand behind or beside a car being winched.

Step 5: Position the Car for Correct Tongue Weight

Where the car sits determines your tongue weight, and tongue weight determines whether the trailer tows straight or sways. As a rule of thumb, aim for roughly 10 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight on the tongue, which usually means positioning the car so the bulk of its weight sits just ahead of the trailer’s axle. Too far forward overloads the hitch and squats your tow vehicle; too far back makes the trailer light and dangerously sway-prone. If you are unsure how load placement affects handling, our guide to weight distribution hitches for flatbed trailers explains the physics in detail.

Step 6: Secure the Car With Wheel Straps or Axle Tie-Downs

This is the step that keeps the car on the trailer, so do not rush it. Use a minimum of four rated tie-downs, one at each corner, pulling in opposing directions so the car cannot shift forward, back, or side to side. Wheel straps (also called basket or lasso straps) that cinch over the tires are preferred for most cars because they secure the vehicle through its suspension without stressing the frame. Axle straps are an alternative when tire access is limited.

Ratchet each strap snug and even so the car’s suspension is slightly compressed and the vehicle cannot bounce loose. Set the parking brake and, if the car has a manual transmission, leave it in gear. Route straps away from sharp edges and brake lines, and make sure no strap can rub through on a hot exhaust component.

Step 7: Do a Final Safety Check Before Towing

Walk around the loaded trailer and confirm every strap is tight and the car has not shifted. Verify the trailer coupler, safety chains, and breakaway cable are connected, and that all trailer lights work. The NHTSA trailer safety guidance stresses re-checking your load after the first few miles, because straps settle and cinch differently once the rig is moving. Pull over after 10 to 15 miles and re-tension every tie-down.

Learn More with TowPro Academy

Loading and hauling a car safely is a skill worth mastering before you put something valuable on a trailer. For a complete, step-by-step system covering load placement, weight distribution, securing, and safe driving, explore the TowPro Academy towing course. For related reading, see our guide to flatbed weight distribution and how to maneuver a flatbed trailer around tight corners.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you load a car on a flatbed trailer?

Park on level ground and chock the wheels, set the ramps or tilt bed, line the car up straight with the trailer, and drive or winch it on slowly. Position the car for correct tongue weight, secure it with at least four rated tie-downs pulling in opposing directions, and do a final safety check before towing.

Which way should a car face on a flatbed trailer?

In most cases, load the car facing forward so its heavier engine end sits ahead of the trailer axle, which helps produce proper tongue weight. Always confirm the final position gives you roughly 10 to 15 percent of the trailer weight on the tongue.

How many straps do you need to secure a car on a trailer?

Use a minimum of four rated tie-downs, one at each corner, pulling in opposing directions so the vehicle cannot move forward, backward, or sideways. Wheel straps that cinch over the tires are preferred for most passenger cars.

Where should the car sit on a flatbed for proper balance?

Position the car so most of its weight is just ahead of the trailer’s axle, aiming for about 10 to 15 percent of total trailer weight on the tongue. Too far forward overloads the hitch; too far back makes the trailer prone to sway.

Do you need to re-check the straps after loading?

Yes. Straps settle once the rig is moving, so re-tension every tie-down after the first 10 to 15 miles and periodically on longer trips.

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