You might be preparing to relocate and have nearly everything on your moving checklist completed, except you need to decide how to get one or more cars to your new home, across the state or country. You have several options, including driving the vehicles to your destination, towing them yourself, or entrusting them to a professional auto transport carrier.
Often, driving the vehicle cross-country is not an option, so the choice comes down to a tow dolly or auto transport. To help you make that choice, we've developed a guide to consider your options so you can make the best possible decision.
Tow Dolly vs Auto Transport: Understanding the Differences
Before discussing the pros and cons of each option, let's cover the differences between them.
Tow Dolly or Platform
A car dolly or tow dolly is a two-wheel trailer that lifts only the front wheels of your car. The rear wheels remain on the ground as you tow the car with the tow dolly. Typically, you can only use tow dollies with front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles. Most manufacturer warranties for rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and electric vehicles (EVs) prohibit towing with a dolly. Dollies are also impractical for some modified vehicles.
If you cannot use a tow dolly for your vehicle, you may be able to use a tow platform, in which the towed vehicle is driven onto a platform trailer, so all four wheels are off the ground during transport. Whether you use a tow dolly or platform, the towing vehicle must be sized appropriately to haul the towed vehicle. For information on typical size and weight restrictions, see U-Haul's site for tow dollies and tow platforms.
Professional Auto Transport
Professional auto transport involves a trained and licensed driver who loads your vehicle and others onto a specialized carrier truck and hauls it to your destination. Car carriers are on the nation's highways every day, transporting new and used vehicles to dealerships and moving privately-owned vehicles like yours to new locations. In all cases, your car is fully lifted off the ground and transported without adding mileage or wear to your vehicle. That convenience is a big difference between tow dolly or auto transport decision making.
Instant Quote:
https://nexusautotransport.com/car-shipping-calculator/
How to Choose Tow Dolly vs Auto Transport
Multiple factors affect the difference between tow dolly and auto transport. We’ll cover a list of seven issues to consider when making the DIY tow dolly versus auto transporter decision.
#1 Vehicle Compatibility
Tow dollies are suitable for most FWD vehicles, but only a few RWD, EV, all-wheel drive (AWD), and four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles can be towed this way. Being towed by a dolly can cause problems with the vehicle's drivetrain, transmission, and regenerative braking systems. Always consult the vehicle manufacturer's towing guidelines before using a tow dolly.
There are also weight restrictions, so it may not be suitable for towing heavier vehicles.
#2 Setup Effort
Hooking up your car to a tow dolly can be complicated, especially if you have not used one before. The drive wheels must be properly secured to the dolly using straps and safety chains to avoid slippage and potential accidents. You should never apply the vehicle's parking brake during transport. Many of the same principles apply to vehicles on tow platforms. You can expect the setup to take 15-30 minutes, plus 10-15 minutes to load the trailers, with additional time needed for those with less experience.
A professionally transported vehicle requires minimal effort from you. At the scheduled time and location, the carrier company loads and unloads the vehicle for you, taking 15-20 minutes, so there is little time and effort on your part.
#3 Vehicle Wear and Tear
When you tow a car with a tow dolly, the rear wheels remain on the ground, putting more weight on them as the front wheels are lifted. There's a risk of wear and tear on the rear tires over time. As such, it may not be the best method for towing a car long distances or to transport classic cars.
In addition, cars towed on dollies can have clearance issues, with some vehicles too low to the ground or too long in the front. Some car components can be dragged during towing, causing damage to body kits, bumpers, and undercarriage parts.
With a car carrier, the entire vehicle is loaded onto a trailer, reducing the risk of tire wear and tear. If it's an open car carrier, there's still some risk of minor dents and dings from road elements in transit, though these are generally covered by insurance.
#4 Pricing
Pricing for these vehicles can be complicated. Several major rental firms require you to rent a truck along with a dolly or platform, so the fee includes both the truck and the trailer. Depending on your situation, you may also pay separately for a tow hitch, straps, a lighting harness, roadside assistance coverage, and insurance. While you can obtain daily rental rates for local moves, the price for longer moves is primarily driven by the trip length. In addition to the rental cost, when you tow the vehicle yourself, you pay for fuel, tolls, and food and hotels along the way.
Using a major rental agency's calculator for an example scenario -the 2,800 miles from New York City to Los Angeles- the tow dolly rental ranges from $300-$500, and a tow platform is $450 to $700. Adding the truck to tow the dolly leads to additional fees of $1,200 to $7,000, depending on the truck size, though you can load the truck with your personal belongings as well.
The price for a professional auto transporter to move a standard vehicle along the same route is in the $1,200 to $1,600 range for an open carrier and $1,800 to $2,500 for an enclosed carrier. The price for a professional auto transporter to move a standard vehicle along the same route is in the $1,200 to $1,600 range for an open carrier and $1,800 to $2,500 for an enclosed carrier.
Instant Quote:
https://nexusautotransport.com/car-shipping-calculator/
So, while what you receive for the various prices differs, using a tow dolly or platform is generally less expensive than using a professional auto transporter, assuming you have vehicles capable of handling the towing and being towed.
#5 Safety
Trailer sway, the fishtailing movement that occurs when hauling a trailer at high speeds, is a primary cause of towing accidents, particularly when towing in bad weather conditions. People who lack experience towing trailers should think twice about using one for long-distance moves, especially trips that cross mountains, occur in windy locations, or take place during poor-weather seasons.
Here's a consumer-friendly guide to trailering vehicles and safety issues.
Professional auto transport trucks have commercial-grade braking systems and are operated by trained drivers, significantly reducing stopping distance and accident risk compared to DIY towing setups.
#6 Towing Speed
Rental companies in the tow dolly or auto transport debate, recommend that you maintain a slower-than-average speed during vehicle towing. The reduced speed is to ensure safety and prevent trailer sway as mentioned above. Having to drive slower can significantly increase your travel time.
Professional carriers are subject to all standard highway and other industry regulations regarding speed. Since you will not travel with the car carrier, you are not subject to its speed limitations, especially if you fly to your destination.
#7 Maneuverability
Maneuverability is another concern with vehicle towing, particularly backing up. Backing up with a tow dolly is generally discouraged and can be dangerous, especially for inexperienced drivers. Many rental providers advise against maneuvers altogether.
Car carriers face some maneuverability issues as well. Still, they are operated by skilled drivers who know how to handle their rigs, and they generally take them into fueling and other stations designed to handle large trucks.
Tow Dolly vs. Professional Auto Transport: Quick Reference Guide
Tow Dolly (DIY) | Professional Auto Transport | |
Primary Use Case | FWD vehicles only | Virtually all passenger vehicles |
Driving Skill Required | Towing experience recommended | Expert, licensed driver |
Vehicle Compatibility | Towing and towed vehicles compatibility required | Car carriers can handle any passenger vehicle |
Setup Time | 25- 45 minutes | 15-20-minute pickup |
Risk of Wear & Tear | Some wear and tear on FWD rear tires | No wear and tear |
Cost Expectation | Less expensive for owned towing and towed vehicles that match | Competitive, especially for standard cars on open carriers |
The Difference between Tow Dolly and Auto Transport Movements
Multiple factors come into play when considering the difference between tow dolly and auto transport options. Using a tow dolly can be a great, less expensive option if you own the right combination of towing and towed vehicles, have experience towing trailers, and have the time to drive your vehicles on a long move. If that combination does not fit your situation, then you should contact an auto transporter to understand your options and pricing.
Consider contacting Nexus Auto Transport and using their easy calculator to estimate the cost of transporting the vehicle for you.
FAQs
How does the weight of the towed vehicle affect the braking distance and stability of the lead towing truck?
A tow dolly seldom has its own braking capability, so the towing vehicle's brakes must do all the work. The added weight of the dolly and towed vehicle increases braking distance and heat buildup during braking on long descents. The heavier weight at higher speeds also makes the tow dolly subject to significant swaying or fishtailing.
Can I keep personal belongings inside the car if I choose a professional auto transport service?
The car carrier's transport insurance generally does not cover personal belongings left in the vehicle. Most auto transporters require you to remove personal items from your vehicle for insurance purposes and to minimize weight.
What should I do if the towed vehicle experiences a flat tire or mechanical issue mid-transit?
Your first step is to slow down and move the towed vehicle to a safe location. If the problem is with a rented tow dolly or platform, you should not attempt to fix it, as doing so may violate your contract. Instead, call the rental agency's roadside assistance number. If the problem is with your towed vehicle, fixing the vehicle or tire remains your responsibility.
Are there specific modifications, such as lowered suspension or custom bumpers, that would prevent me from using either of these methods?
A tow dolly works best for front-wheel drive cars, since the rear wheels spin freely. The warranties of RWD and AWD vehicles and EVs generally prohibit towing by dolly due to potential damage to the vehicle. Those three vehicle types and cars that have been lowered or physically modified to reduce their ground clearance should be towed only on platform trailers.
