So you want to go on a trip with your family in an RV- say an adventure in another state far away – and you will spend quite some time there – and you wish to have your car available when you get there. How do you transport your car?
There are several options available for hauling a vehicle. If you want to move your vehicle from one point to another without driving it, you can use a car trailer or transporter, a tow dolly, or a tow bar.
For many car owners, the popular choice is between a tow trailer and a tow dolly, but which among these two is the best option for towing a vehicle and why?
Read on to find out.
Tow Dolly
A tow dolly is a two-wheeler mini trailer that tows cars by hooking up the front wheels to a dolly, so that the front of the car is elevated while the rear wheels roll on the floor. While this system of car transport, also known as two-wheels on the ground, is usually a good way to move your vehicle from Point A to Point B, using a tow dolly depends mostly on the make and model of your car, its weight, length, and ground clearance. What this means is that dollies are not designed for every kind of car.
Tow dollies are typically designed for front-wheel drive vehicles, although you may need to consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for confirmation. At the same time, this manual will contain more information on the type of towing equipment to use and how to correctly tow your vehicle.
Now that you know what a tow dolly is, is it a good solution for your car transport needs?
The fact is that for relatively short distances, using a tow dolly to transport your vehicle can be a good option, especially if it has an auxiliary brake system, but tow dollies are not ideal for long-distance car transport because they can put your car through a lot of wear and tear, particularly the rear of the vehicle. Besides towing an elevated vehicle far distances may undermine the structural integrity of your vehicle.
Car trailers/ Transporters
A car trailer or car transporter is a car transport system that can carry vehicles that weigh 5000 pounds or less and is ideal for moving vehicles short or long distances. With a car transporter, also known as no wheels on the ground, the vehicle is securely locked on the trailer for the duration of the trip so that no part of the vehicle makes contact with the road. This protects the vehicle for possible wear and tear, so that your car arrives its destination in perfect condition.
Unlike dollies, car transporters can work with almost any kind of car – front wheel, rear wheel, four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, manual shift, automatic drive, and so on. There are also a wide range of car trailer choices, examples of which can be seen at https://www.luccatrailers.nz/trailers/car-transporter, from open to enclosed, to single and multiple car trailer.
One great advantage of using a car transporter or trailer is that it will not add to your car mileage. So if you buy a new car and want to take it home while maintaining its zero mileage status, a car transporter or trailer is the way to go.
Also, towing a car trailer is quite safe although there are a few risks. For example, depending on the type of car you are using to tow your trailer, you may not be able to see through your side mirrors. That said, once you have your vehicle properly secured on the transporter, you simply drive your tow vehicle as usual, but this time at a slower and more sedate pace.
Making the right choice
When it comes to choosing car transport for your vehicle, opting for a car transporter or trailer is definitely the best option. Of course, a tow dolly will cost less to buy or rent, but you can only use dollies for short distance travels with certain vehicles.
As already explained, clearance problems can arise with tow dollies, so if you are towing a vehicle that is long in front and low on the ground such as a sedan or a sports car, some of the rear parts of the car can drag on the ground leading to damage to the bumper, undercarriage, and transmission pans. These problems don’t happen with car trailers or transporters as no part of the vehicle will be in contact with the ground.
Additionally, car trailers/ transporters provide for better manoeuvrability. In fact, you can even backup your vehicle and the towed trailer if you miss your turn. This is an important feature missing in tow dollies.
Whether you plan to transport your vehicle over a long distance or just a short way, investing in your very own car transporter is a better idea. However, be sure that you have the right towing vehicle for the type of car you want to haul, as hauling a heavy car with a lighter vehicle is definitely a no-no.
Wrapping up
As you can see, car trailers and transporters are ideally suited to towing a vehicle from one place to the other. So, you can still have your precious car with you for your trip/vacation. However, at the end of the day, your unique preference and budget will play a vital role in your choice, but all things being equal, a car trailer/ transporter will better suit any car transportation needs.
