Towing Dolly vs. Auto Transport 3 months ago

When you plan to move your vehicle, three common options usually pop up: drive it yourself, rent a tow dolly or opt for auto-transport services. 

Driving yourself is the cheapest option, but it is not practical, especially if you move long distances and own multiple cars. 

Most homeowners have to choose between a tow dolly vs auto transport service. Each option has a particular set of costs and benefits. You need to weigh your options and see which one suits you best!

In this guide, we will discuss both methods and weigh their pros and cons so you can confidently choose the best option for your vehicle.

Key Highlights

• Towing Dolly is budget-friendly for short distances and smaller vehicles. It is only suitable for some cars or long trips as it can expose your vehicle to more wear and tear.
• Car Carrier Truck offers more protection and convenience, particularly for long-distance moves, but can be more expensive and may only be available in some areas. 
• Your decision to choose tow dolly vs auto transport should be guided by factors such as vehicle type, distance, and budget.

In This Guide:

• Towing Dolly vs. Auto Transport
• How to Tow a Car?
• Pros
• Cons
• How to Ship a Car
• Pros
• Cons
• Difference Between Tow Dolly and Auto Transport
• How to Choose Tow Dolly vs. Vehicle Transport?
• Other Methods of Car Shipping
• Weigh In The Factors
• Tow Dolly vs. Car Transport FAQs

Towing Dolly vs. Auto Transport

A tow dolly tows your car with its front wheels on the dolly and rear wheels on the ground. It is generally designed for quick, easy loading and unloading for most front-wheel-drive cars.

An auto transport or car carrier truck is a four-wheel carrier that lifts and holds your entire vehicle off the ground. It allows you to haul the car on top of the trailer with minimum wear and tear. 

How to Tow a Car?

Towing involves placing the car’s front wheels onto a smaller trailer, whereas the back wheels remain on the road. Car towing is ideal for short distances where you can safely tow the car with its rear wheels on the ground. Let’s quickly skim through the pros and cons:

Pros

Cost-Effective

One of the most significant advantages of a tow dolly is its affordability. Renting a towing dolly is generally cheaper than hiring an auto transport service.

Good for Short Distances

Towing dollies work well for short, local moves, as longer routes can wear out the vehicle. 

DIY Option

Although it’s not recommended, you can rent a tow dolly and handle the transportation, which might save you some extra bucks. 

Cons

Limited Car Compatibility

Not all vehicles can be towed on a tow dolly. Cars with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive may not be compatible. 

Potential for Wear and Tear

Since the rear wheels stay on the road, they expose part of your car to more wear and tear, including road debris.

Limited Distance

Towing a car for long distances using a tow dolly can be damaging and risky compared to professional transport options.

How to Ship a Car

Auto transport or car carrier truck offer a full-service solution for shipping your car from one destination to another. 

Your vehicle is loaded onto a specialized truck and transported to your desired destination. Since this approach is hands-off, it is excellent for long-distance travel. Let’s have a quick look at the pros and cons:

Pros

Vehicle Protection

Your car is loaded onto another carrier truck, which protects it from road wear, debris, and weather, especially if you opt for an enclosed carrier.

Convenient

It’s super convenient and hassle-free. You don’t have to drive or worry about towing; the transport company handles everything on your behalf. 

Best for Long-Distance

Auto transport is perfect for long-distance, cross-country, or interstate moves. You’ll avoid long hours of driving behind the wheel or managing a tow dolly yourself.

Cons

Higher Cost

Since auto transport requires a heavy-duty carrier, shipping a car is usually more expensive than renting a towing dolly.

Scheduling

Depending on the transport company’s availability, it may take time to schedule pickup and delivery.

Difference Between Tow Dolly and Auto Transport

Tow dolly and auto transport can haul vehicles, each offering distinct advantages. It would help to weigh the factors involved before putting your money down. 

Cost

Regarding cost comparison, tow dollies are the cheapest vehicle transport method. Hiring an auto transport service generally costs at least twice as much. Auto transport pricing will vary depending on the distance that needs to be covered. 

If you need a vehicle to tow the dolly, you may incur additional rental, installation, and fuel costs. 

Also, most moving firms will only rent a towing dolly if you also rent a truck. Thus, the cost of hiring a dolly will be added to your overall price.

Note: Towing another vehicle behind a truck dramatically reduces your gas mileage. This will result in higher gasoline costs because you’ll require more gas to cover the same distance than normal.

Setup

Hooking your car up to a tow dolly is a complex process, especially if this is your first time doing it. The most important thing is to ensure the drive wheels are extra secure so there’s no risk of an accident. 

The process is even more complex if you tow a rear-wheel drive car. You might have to remove the drive shafts because of front clearance issues. 

When setting up, you will be amazed that getting four wheels onto a trailer is more accessible than hoisting two wheels onto a dolly. 

Towing the car may seem easy, but it’s more complicated, primarily if you have never worked with a dolly. It takes several tries to hook your vehicle on the dolly properly. 

If you choose auto transport, you must exert minimal effort because the car carrier truck will load and unload your car. Also, auto transport trailers are relatively simple and managed by an experienced crew.

Car Safety

Hauling cars requires skill and expertise. Trailer sway can cause vehicles to fishtail at high speeds. 

It’s one of the significant causes of towing accidents, especially when the weather conditions are unfavourable. 

Auto transport drivers are trained to handle strenuous situations and unfavorable weather conditions. However, this can be a severe issue for regular homeowners who need to gain experience and training. 

Wear and Tear

When you tow your car, the weight on the back wheels increases, leading to more wear and tear. Such old wheels are OK over small distances, but the farther you go, the worse it can get. 

Hiring an auto transport service doesn’t increase your car’s mileage, which makes it the best choice for interstate moves. 

You only have to worry about ordinary road debris, which can be managed by opting for a closed carrier instead of an open one for a little extra money. 

Compatibility

A tow dolly is generally designed for light, front-wheel-drive vehicles.  However, it can also be used to move a few all-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and four-wheel-drive vehicles. 

However, tow dollies tend to have weight restrictions, making them unsuitable for towing heavier vehicles. Specific make, lengths and low-clearance cars need to be compatible. The bumper, body kit, or undercarriage could drag on the ground. 

On the other hand, auto transport can haul practically any make and model, even motorcycles, regardless of size or weight. 

From trucks and modified cars to small cars and even motorcycles, the car carrier truck makes the necessary adjustments to accommodate your vehicle’s weight. 

For example, if a heavy vehicle is involved, the trailer transports fewer vehicles for that particular trip to stay within maximum weight limits. 

Speed

If you’re using a tow dolly, it’s recommended that you maintain a slower-than-average speed. This is for your safety and to prevent trailer sway. Driving slower will also increase your transit time. 

While car shipping carriers also have to comply with speed restrictions, there’s no risk of trailer sway so they can travel a little faster than a truck with a tow dolly. 

Maneuverability

Maneuvering a tow dolly can be pretty challenging, especially regarding backing up. It can be done, but if you’ve never done it, you might have difficulty backing up to set down the towed vehicle in the right place.

A car carrier doesn’t have the same issues. The drivers are professional and experienced and find it much easier to back up and manoeuvre their truck and trailer, should they need to. 

How to Choose Tow Dolly vs. Vehicle Transport?

The main advantage of using a tow dolly is its affordability. It is convenient for people looking for cost-effective ways to move a smaller vehicle a short distance. However, the setup is tricky and has limitations concerning weight and distance. It is safe to move two dollies over long distances. 

Choose a tow dolly if you are looking for cost-efficient ways to move a vehicle a short distance. There is no point in paying high prices for a car carrier when moving a short distance or within the city; it isn’t ideal from a budgeting viewpoint. 

Vehicle transport via car trailer is beneficial because it does not add mileage to a carrier. Moreover, car trailers can hold heavier cars. So, auto transport is feasible and safer for people who want to move large vehicles or trucks.  

Choose auto transport if you are moving a heavy vehicle that exceeds the weight limit of a tow dolly. Auto transport is also recommended for farther distances. It would help if you also opted for a car trailer over a tow dolly when moving farther distances.

Other Methods of Car Shipping

If neither a tow dolly nor auto transport seems the right fit, don’t worry; other methods exist for moving your vehicle. 

Hire a Professional Auto Transport Company

This is the most common choice for long-distance moves, providing full-service solutions that save you time and effort. Trained professionals ensure your car arrives safely and on time. You can opt for an open or enclosed trailer, depending on your needs and requirements. 

Hire a Professional Driver

Hiring a professional driver to drive your car to its destination is ideal for those looking for personalized service and who want to avoid the hassle of driving themselves. 

Ship by Train

Some companies offer car shipping by train, an affordable long-distance travel option. However, it has limitations regarding availability and access to train stations.

Weigh In The Factors 

Choosing between a tow dolly and auto transport depends on factors like distance, budget, and the level of protection your vehicle needs. 

A tow dolly could work well for shorter moves and smaller budgets. But auto transport is the way to go for long distances or extra peace of mind.

We at Sherpa Transport provide you with the best options within your budget. Contact us today so that we can set up a transportation plan for an easy move. We are driven to facilitate our clients with the best possible shipping experience. 

Tow Dolly vs. Car Transport FAQs