Towing a truck without a key is not impossible—it’s just a bit trickier than towing with one. The key to getting the job done is knowing the right steps and having the right equipment. Whether you’ve locked yourself out of your truck or are in need of a tow for some other reason, here’s what you need to know.
Step One: Gather Your Tools
You’ll need a few tools before you can tow your truck without a key. First, you’ll need an extra-long tow rope or cable.
This should be rated for heavy-duty towing, as it will be bearing the weight of your vehicle. You’ll also need jumper cables and a locking lug nut remover. Once you have all these items, you can move on to step two.
Step Two: Remove the Lug Nuts
To safely tow your truck without a key, start by taking off the lug nuts from one of its wheels. This will allow you to attach the tow rope or cable and ensure that it stays in place during the entire journey. To remove them, use the locking lug nut remover, which should be included in your toolkit.
Step Three: Securely Attach the Tow Cable
Once all of the lug nuts have been removed from one wheel, it’s time to attach the tow cable or rope. Make sure that it is securely attached so that it won’t come loose during transport.
Check that all connections are tight and there are no frayed ends on either side.
Step Four: Connecting Jumper Cables
The final step is connecting jumper cables between both vehicles—the one being towed and the one doing the towing. Make sure they are connected correctly according to their instructions so that power can flow safely between both vehicles.
Conclusion: How Do You Tow a Truck Without a Key?
Towing a truck without its key is possible with some preparation and care. Gather your tools—a long tow rope/cable, jumper cables, and locking lug nut remover—remove one wheel’s lug nuts, securely attach your tow rope/cable and make sure both vehicles are connected via jumper cables for power transfer between them.