Ute towing in Adelaide
Most work utes break down with a load on. Expect us to ask about the tools in the tub, the canopy, the ladder rack and any trailer still on the hitch before the ute goes on the tray.
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In short
A ute goes on a tilt tray like any car, once loose gear in the tub is tied down and any trailer is unhitched. SA Best Towing moves dual cabs, single cabs, work utes and Commodore and Falcon performance utes across Adelaide from its Angle Park yard. Tell us what’s on board and we’ll plan the load.
What we move
- Dual cab 4x4 utes
- Single cab and extra cab utes
- Cab chassis utes with alloy trays
- Work utes with canopies and tool boxes
- Commodore and Falcon utes
- V8 and performance utes
- Small tray-back and mini trucks
A HiLux with its doors pushed in, and a people mover behind
This white HiLux dual cab sits on the tray with both doors on one side caved in. Behind it, a champagne Toyota people mover rides the rear lift with its back end raised, tailgate and rear bumper crumpled. The truck moved both damaged vehicles in one trip, shown here in front of a row of factory units. Side damage like the HiLux’s can jam the doors, so tell us on the phone if the doors won’t open.
How utes go onto the tray
The tray tilts until its tail touches the road. Here’s the order it goes in for utes.
Go through the tub first
Loose gear in the tub shifts as the tray tilts. Before loading, tie it down, move it into the cab, or take it with you. Mention fuel cans and gas bottles when you call.
Unhitch the trailer
A ute can’t go up the tray with a trailer on the ball. If the trailer needs moving too, tell us its size and condition so we can plan a second trip.
Set the weight over the axles
A dual cab with a long alloy tray and a tow bar carries a lot at the back. The driver positions it so that weight sits over the truck’s axles and nothing hangs far past the tail.
Straps on the tyres, clear of the canopy
Wheel straps go over the tyres and down to the deck. Alloy trays, canopies and tool boxes bend under a ratchet strap, so we leave them alone.
What the driver watches for
Canopy latches and tool box doors
Check each canopy latch and tool box door is locked before the truck arrives. A door that pops open at 60 km/h can spread a toolbox across two lanes.
Low fronts and long tubs on performance utes
SS and XR utes sit low at the front with a deep spoiler, and the long tub hangs out behind the rear wheels. The driver watches the spoiler where it meets the tray and the tow bar near the road.
Weight on board
A ute carrying tiles, steel or a full water tank weighs far more than its rego papers suggest. Tell us what’s on board so we can check it suits the truck.
What changes the price
Every job is priced on the phone before it’s booked. These are the things that move the number.
- Distance from our Angle Park yard, and the run to the workshop or depot
- Weight in the tub or on the tray body
- Time spent securing or unloading gear before loading
- Crash damage that stops the ute rolling or steering
- A second vehicle on the rear lift, such as another fleet ute
“The driver arrived quickly and was very professional and friendly. He handled my vehicle with care and explained everything clearly. The whole process was smooth, and I really appreciated how helpful and reassuring he was during a stressful situation.”
Questions about utes
Answers to common questions. If yours isn’t here, ring and ask.
Can you tow a ute with a load in the back?
Yes, if the load’s tied down and the total weight suits the truck. Tell us what’s on board when you call, whether that’s tiles, steel, a water tank or a full set of tools. If some of it needs to come off first, we’ll say so on the phone, so you’re not unloading at the kerb.
Can you tow a ute with a trailer attached?
Not with the trailer still hitched. The ute goes on the tilt tray by itself. If the trailer needs moving too, tell us its size and whether its wheels, lights and coupling work, and we’ll tell you how we’d get both where they need to go.
Can you move a fleet of work utes?
One or two at a time. The tray carries one ute, and the rear lift raises one end of a second ute, which rolls behind on its other axle. For a bigger move, send us the list and the addresses and we’ll work out the order of runs and give you a price before anything is booked.
Will my canopy and tool boxes be safe on the tray?
We strap the ute by its tyres, so no strap pulls on the canopy, the tool boxes or the alloy tray. Lock the doors before we arrive and keep the keys you need for work. If a canopy latch is broken, tape it shut, or tell us about it when you call.
Can you tow a cab chassis ute with a service body?
Often, yes. Service bodies and steel canopies add weight and some width at the back. Tell us the make of the ute, what the body’s built from, and whether it carries a crane, compressor or water tank. We’ll tell you before booking whether it suits our tilt tray.
Also on the tray
4WD and SUV towing
Lifted 4WDs, family SUVs and all-wheel-drive wagons, carried on the tray so no wheel turns on the road.
Van towing
HiAces, Sprinters, delivery vans and people movers, including high-roof vans and two-van fleet moves.
Light truck towing
Light trucks carried on our tilt tray, from pantechs to small tippers, with the height worked out before we book.
Related services
- Accident towingAfter a crash, we move the damaged car from the holding yard to the repairer, assessor, home or wrecker.
- Breakdown towingA flat battery or a cooked engine. We carry the car on the tilt tray to the mechanic you choose.
- Car removalDead and written-off cars collected across Adelaide. We tell you on the phone if yours is worth money.