How To Load A Truck On A Trailer Without A Winch [Safely!]

Loading things onto a trailer is a cinch with a winch, but when you don’t have a winch it makes things both harder and more dangerous. It can be difficult but it is doable.

How To Load A Truck On A Trailer Without A Winch

To load a truck on a trailer without a winch, ensure that the trailer won’t roll forward and is disconnected from the towing car, fix straps to the towing hitch and to the body of the truck, and tow the truck up. If the truck can turn on, drive it slowly onto the trailer.

There are a few other things that you can do to load a truck onto a trailer without the help of a winch, and they are talked about below.

What to Do If the Truck Doesn’t Run

What happens if the truck you’re trying to load onto a trailer doesn’t run? Any number of things could be wrong with the truck and it could not work very well, making it nearly impossible to put it onto a trailer safely.

However, getting a truck that won’t turn on onto a trailer without a winch isn’t as hard as it might seem, and it will be pretty easy if all of the directions included below are followed.

In order to tow a truck onto a trailer without a winch, you will need two people. One person to man each vehicle in order to steer, and one to pull. You will also need a trailer that can handle some weight and bend, and then some pulling instruments.

Straps work fairly well for pulling a truck onto a trailer. Make sure they are in good condition, with no wear or tear that could cause the straps to snap. If the straps snap, injuries could occur and your vehicle may be damaged.

First, put the truck into neutral. This may be difficult if you can’t turn it on, but it is possible to shift a truck into neutral while it is off.

Then, line the trailer up with the truck and detach it from the towing vehicle. If you are pulling the truck onto a tow truck, this step isn’t necessary.

Set the down trailer properly and put something in front and behind the tires to ensure it won’t roll. These blocks should be large and heavy enough so they don’t just get steamrolled when the trailer starts to move.

You will attach that to the structure of the truck and then to the towing vehicle by the towing hitch. Once you’ve gotten that securely attached and you have the truck lined up with the back of the trailer, slowly pull the truck up onto the ramp and trailer. A come-along may be helpful, if you have one.

Don’t be afraid of taking breaks. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially as you’re getting a heavy vehicle like a truck onto a trailer. The trailer will tip up, but don’t be too concerned about that, as it will tip back once the truck is properly seated on the trailer.

Once the truck is on the trailer, secure it to the trailer before you start driving. Now, you have successfully managed to put a truck on a trailer with no winch! Be sure to be slow about it to ensure everyone’s safety, as that is what is most important.

What to Do If the Truck does Run

If the truck does indeed run, getting it onto a trailer is much easier. Make sure you have the truck lined up with the trailer and also have the trailer already hitched up to your towing vehicle. That will make it a smoother transition, as the trailer won’t tip up off the ground when the truck is loaded onto it.

Aim the truck at the ramp and center it. Then, drive nice and slow onto the trailer so that you can get it into place. Keep your foot near the brakes in case of an emergency.

Put the truck into Park and put the parking brake on, then secure it to the trailer properly. Turn off the truck. Now you can attach the trailer to your other car and drive away.

Does the Type of Trailer Affect How You Load the Truck?

Having the right type of trailer to tow a truck on is usually a good start. If there’s a lift to the trailer, driving a truck onto the trailer will be more or less impossible without the right ramps.

There are the types of trailers that have simple tracks for wheels, and little else.

These will take a good deal of skill to drive onto and hold steady without falling off. If that happens, simply reset and try again. If you’re taking it slow, no damage should occur beyond superficial dents and dings.

Flatbed trailers will be the easiest to drive up onto, but they may not be as sturdy or even large enough to properly accommodate a truck. Measure the truck and trailer to make sure the truck will fit the trailer, and check the weight restrictions of the trailer.

Safety Process Needed to Load Properly

In order to load a truck onto a trailer safely, it is important to do a few different things to ensure that all parties involved in the loading process are safe and have accurate knowledge of the events that are taking place.

First of all, make sure all the equipment is in working order. If the trailer isn’t safe to operate, then making it do anything for you will be dangerous in and of itself. If it has a wood platform, make sure it isn’t rotted or damaged in any way.

When you go to tow the truck, use straps that are designed for towing. If there’s any wear and tear on the straps, they may snap and cause people to become injured.

Finally, make sure everyone knows how the equipment works so everything will be done properly. Equipment and tools used improperly will, without a doubt, cause someone to become injured or make the process much harder.

If you are careful about how you load a truck onto a trailer and are aware of your surroundings, you can complete the process safely and avoid damaging the truck being loaded. Although winches are useful tools, they are not required when you need to load a truck onto a trailer.