Towing guide · 5 min read
Load it low.Load it clean.
A step-by-step guide to getting a lowered or track car onto a tilt trailer without touching the splitter, sump or side skirts.
Updated 7 October 2026 · FSF Hire, Western Sydney
Quick answer
Hitch the trailer to your tow vehicle on flat ground, extend the mini skids and tilt the deck, then drive or winch the car on slowly and dead straight with someone spotting the front lip. Stop with the car positioned so the trailer sits slightly nose-down on the tow ball, lower the deck and strap the car down before moving off.
Step by step
- 01
Pick flat, firm ground
Load with the trailer hitched to your tow vehicle, on level ground, with the tow vehicle's handbrake on. Loading on a slope changes the approach angle and makes the car harder to control.
- 02
Extend the mini skids and tilt the deck
Pull out the mini skids to lengthen the approach, then tilt the deck as we showed you at pickup. Together they give the gentlest angle the trailer can make.
- 03
Line the car up dead straight
Square the car up to the trailer a few metres back, with the wheels pointing straight. Correcting the steering halfway up is where most scrapes happen.
- 04
Use a spotter
Have someone crouch beside the front of the car to watch the splitter, bumper and sump as it reaches the skids and the deck.
- 05
Go slowly — or winch it
Drive on at a crawl, or use the 3,000 kg hand winch for full control. If something is about to touch, stop and reassess rather than pushing on.
- 06
Position the car for balance
Stop with slightly more weight ahead of the trailer's axles than behind them, so the trailer sits a little nose-down on the tow ball. Too far back makes the trailer light at the front and unstable.
- 07
Lower the deck and secure the car
Lower the deck, put the car in park or gear with the handbrake on, then strap it down — see how to strap a car to a trailer. Push the mini skids back in before you drive off.
If it still scrapes
For extremely low cars, a pair of low-profile ramps under the front wheels gives extra lift at the critical point. Remove any detachable splitter or lip if your car has one. If you're unsure whether your car will clear, call us on 0490 429 175 before booking.
Common questions
Do I need ramps to load a lowered car?
For most cars, no. The hydraulic tilt deck and pull-out mini skids give a low approach angle. Extremely low cars may need a small extra lift under the front wheels.
Can I load a non-running car?
Yes — the 3,000 kg hand winch pulls it onto the tilted deck. Have someone in the car to steer and control the brakes.