How To Tow a Car Using A Tow Dolly

Towing bars, chains, and straps are all good, but they have some inefficiencies. For example, one annoying thing about tow chains and straps is that they do not work best when towing a vehicle with a braking system that isn't in mint condition.

On the other hand, towing bars that tow vehicles in a straight position do not offer much flexibility since the length of the rod dictates how much room the tow vehicle will need to turn. So, what can you use to remove all of these inefficiencies? Tow dollies are the perfect alternative option for a seamless towing experience regardless of the vehicle's condition.

How does this setup work? What are some expert tips you can use when towing a vehicle using a tow dolly? We have all this and more right below!

How To Hook The Tow Dolly Up

Welcome to our masterclass on how to use a tow dolly and safely adhere to all regulations! The last thing we would want for you is to be stopped by some state trooper because your lights did not connect the right way. But, at the same time, the last thing you would want is to wreck your vehicle because of improper trailer rigging.

What better way to learn more about rigging a tow dolly than going on a step-by-step guide leading you to a fully hitched car carrier dolly for that long trip you are going on next?

Don't worry. This guide fits perfectly when moving a vehicle due to relocating or because its engine seizes on the highway. Who needs a tow truck or car carrier company when you've got a dolly?

Step 1: Park the tow dolly

Tow dollies are mostly like other trailers. To hook it up, you need a level ground surface to safely park the tow dolly and proceed with the following steps. When parking this trailer, try to bring it as close as possible to the towing vehicle that should have its parking brake engaged with the key turned in the ignition.

The towing vehicle's auto electrical system should get activated to complete the hitching process by testing whether the lights work or not (more on this below). Once you have parked the car dolly, ensure that all chains and hitching mechanisms are in good repair. Conduct a quick visual inspection to note potential damage that could compromise safety.

Also, visually inspect the tow vehicle mount plate and hitch receiver. Again, there shouldn't be any visible damage that could compromise the safety of the vehicle getting towed. After parking and visually inspecting all parts and components, the car dolly and tow vehicle will be ready for the next step.

Step 2: Hook tow dolly on vehicle

Before going too deep into the nitty gritty of ensuring your dolly meets highway regulations, let us first explore the bare basics of safely hooking it up to the towing vehicle. The tow dolly is more like any other trailer regarding the frame's tongue and connections to the tow vehicle.

First and foremost, ensure that the dolly's tongue is compatible with the trailer hitch system you have on your vehicle. Hitch ball mounts are the most common in most cars, so proceed as if you were hooking any other trailer. Next, secure the tongue on top of the hitch ball and run the safety chains to the retainers on the hitch mount plate.

The safety chains must cross each other and be firmly secured to the dolly's frame using bolt tabs or screw-on bolts. In addition, the safety chains should be of the perfect length, not too long to avoid too much slack but also not short to the extent of restricting the towing vehicle's maneuverability.

For other trailer hitch setups, follow the manufacturer's hitching instruction manual designed to help motorists safely tow trailers using their hitch receiver.

Step 3: Ensure the tow dolly and lights match with your car

Most tow dollies use a standard lighting system with a connector cable that runs along the dolly's trailer frame. These connectors can be easily connected using the line to an adaptor usually found on the trailer hitch frame. The reversing and parking brake lights are the most critical lights on tow dollies.

Fortunately, most dolly manufacturers mount these lights in a prime spot on the dolly. Depending on the trailer's design, these lights can get found on the wheel arches or at the bottom of the dolly's frame.

The entire lighting system should get matched with the vehicle to notify other motorists when you are slowing down or reversing to meet regulations on highways.

Tow dollies that are rentals tend to have a standardized system that should work with most tow vehicle makes and models. However, if the trailer is your own, ensuring the lighting matches is your responsibility. We will explain more about ensuring that the lighting matches in the lighting section right below.

Step 4: Roll out tow dolly straps

Once all the connections get made, the trailer gets firmly secured on the hitch, and the safety chains get hitched correctly, roll out the tire straps on the dolly's wheel ramps. That is the perfect opportunity to inspect the fastenings to ensure there is no wear and tear from the last time it got used.

If there is any visible damage, swap out the straps for new ones. At the same time, take care of wrinkles or kinks that might have formed from when the straps got stored. Also, the straps should get laid out in a way that makes it convenient to quickly wrap around the tires and tie them onto the dolly and the vehicle's wheels.

Depending on the type of straps you will be using, you might need to lay them out on the wheel ramps in a position to make it convenient to efficiently secure without moving the vehicle once it is on the platform. Other straps might not require being laid out on the ramp beforehand, but giving them a quick visual inspection is essential.

Step 5: Drive or push the vehicle onto the tow dolly

After completing step 4, move on to safely getting the wheels on the platform. For this step, you might need an extra set of eyes to help get the vehicle centered on the trailer. Align the car to drive straight onto the ramp and then the wheel dolly's main body. Refrain from wiggling the steering wheel once the vehicle has gotten aligned.

From then, proceed to drive slowly towards the ramp. When approaching, move at the slowest speed and, with a spotter's help, confirm that the wheels are sitting right on top of the dolly's main body. If you are not confident with safely driving onto the trailer, push the vehicle slowly and engage the parking brake as soon as the wheels are securely on the dolly.

The wheels must be centered and parallel to safely secure the tire straps, which is one of the main safety features of the tow vehicle that will prevent any jostling effects when driving on uneven terrain, speed bumps, or potholes along the way.

Step 6: Secure the straps on the tires

The minute the towed vehicle engages the parking brake, and you have eyeballed that it is in the correct position, quickly secure the straps on the tires. How you do this depends on several factors. One of the major determining factors is the type of strap you use and the retainers on the car dolly.

For the best straps, opt for all-around tire webbing nets. These wrap around the entire wheel and are generally attached using hook loops on the dolly's main body frame. You can quickly secure the hooks found on the webbing with the loops fabricated on the trailer. That is the most convenient type of tire strap you can ever find on the market.

However, ratchet straps can do a fantastic job securing the tires on the dolly if the trailer does not have such convenient loops or you don't have the webbing. Quickly hook the ratchet strapping on the loops on the trailer or use the main body frame and run the strapping around the tire.

The strapping should run behind the wheel to prevent it from loosening and slipping off in transit as it would when tied any different way.

Extra Precautions For Using A Car Dolly

Since there are thousands of dollars at stake, or even more in the event of a car dolly that did not get appropriately rigged, you should take extra precautions. Properly loading the vehicle is a critical element that should not get taken lightly. Just like with any other task involving a certain measure of risk, there are some do's and don'ts.

What should you do and not do when loading vehicles on tow dollies? Here are two fundamental factors to always remember when loading the towed vehicle on a tow dolly.

Don't move the vehicle in reverse on the dolly

A major don't for using tow dollies is backing your car onto the tow dolly. Although it works for people with short-distance trips, there are a lot of unknowns when towing a vehicle with the front wheels on the ground. First of all, the front wheels are generally the ones steering direction.

The wheels might move if these wheels are not securely strapped on the platform and off the ground. Although the steering lock might be activated, this doesn't completely prevent the wheels from moving slightly. Even the slightest change of direction in wheels on the towed vehicle could have catastrophic outcomes.

If the slight change in direction does not lead to a total mission failure, the drive will be as unpleasant as the towing vehicle, and the tow dolly will have a lot of play, causing the entire setup to feel shaky. Prevent this by driving the car onto the tow dolly forward at all times.

Ensure the car is well centered

Now that we have discussed what shouldn't get done when loading vehicles on tow dollies, what should you do? One of the most common rookie mistakes is not securing the car properly on the tow dolly. Some people believe that as long as the vehicle's wheels are on top of the platform, it doesn't matter when it's skewed.

That notion is false because vehicles sitting on skew-on tow dollies are not correctly secured using the tire straps. As a result, once the tow vehicle drives off, the car will assume a different position creating some slack between the wheels and the tire straps. The car must be dead center when loaded on the dolly to prevent this from happening.

To ensure the vehicle gets centered before driving for a longer distance, drive off a few feet and stop to check whether the straps are still tightly secured to the vehicle's wheels. If there is any slack, redo the strapping again with the tires sitting at a 180° angle on the tow dolly's wheel platform. Afterward, tie the strapping as tight as you can.

How To Connect The Tow Dolly Lights

While latching the tow dolly to the tow vehicle, quickly run the lighting system and test it to ensure it works before taking off. Fortunately, the lighting system for tow dollies is generally not independent, as it gets built to depend on the tow vehicle.

This process sounds complicated at first, but is it? Not all! Even a first-timer can master it if they have all the necessary connectors. Let us explain how this gets done the right way on most tow vehicle models and tow dollies.

Check if the tow dolly can connect to the lights of your car

When hooking a dolly trailer, first get the basics out of the way. Then, conduct a quick inventory of the equipment you need and ensure that it will work with the setup you currently have going on. As far as lighting is concerned, the first item to check off your list is ensuring that the connectors are compatible with each other.

Although most trailers have a standard connector, different kinds require either an adapter or "out-of-box" thinking. For example, most automotive shops might have adapters to make the connector on the tow vehicle compatible with the lighting on the dolly.

With a quick search online or a visit to the auto shop, you can find a good fit for what you are looking for on your next tow.

Alternatively, other solutions might be available, such as accessories that clip onto your vehicle's body or the dolly's frame. (this was a light bulb moment, get it?). These are also accessible and might not be the most conventional methodology for hitching a trailer of this kind, but it works.

Secure clip-on lights without scratching the paint

Some of the accessories you might get are clip-on lights that can get clipped on either the rear or front fenders of the towed vehicle. The wiring of these lights can be customized and generally has a wide range of options for connectors. Therefore, you can have the vehicle's lighting system connected to the accessory lights in no time.

When using clip-on lights, the main concern should not lie within the wiring but instead on the finishing and decal of the towed vehicle. If the clip-on lights need to get placed on the dolly, ensure that it does not scratch the frame, especially if it is a rental.

Getting some paper towels to act as a buffer between the painted surface and the lights is an excellent idea to prevent any permanent damage if the light does not have any rubbers that provide extra protection.

Check if tow dolly lights match your vehicle's

Next up, it is time to test your handiwork. After making all the necessary connections and buying any needed accessories, you should ensure that the lights work just as promised. The expected outcome should be that when you hit the brakes, the lights should correspond with what the tow vehicle reflects.

When engaging the reverse gear, it should also signal using the reverse light. Run all the brake tests and ask someone else to confirm that all lights work when engaging the pedal brake, parking brakes, and the reverse gear. Also, use the turn and warning signals since they could also stir up a sting with the authorities when left unchecked.

If all the lights work, that means your work has gotten done on the lighting side. Next, you can test drive the trailer and ensure everything else is good. After the test drive, double-check the lights and inspect if any fastenings came loose.

Disconnecting Axle In RWD Or AWD Cars

If you attempt to use tow dollies on a vehicle that uses its rear wheels to drive (RWD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles, you might have work cut out for you. Fortunately, most cars are not that fussy despite being RWDs or AWDs, but some of the latest models might be problematic.

For example, if vehicles with these drivetrains on an automatic transmission or electronic handbrake, they could cause an issue. The best bet is to disconnect the axle so the tow dolly and tow vehicle can do their job correctly to ensure your towing goes over without a hitch when driving. How can this be done safely without damaging the towed vehicle?

Safely jack your car

Find a flat surface to begin your work on dislodging the drive shaft, and then place the jack on a solid point on the vehicle. Prime real estate for jacking a car is right underneath a rigid portion of the body's frame. So both the ground and structure should be solid enough to hold the pressure.

Avoid any muddy areas or grass patches. If you do not have a solid ground to jack your car, use a solid board as the platform for the jack. Do not forget to wedge in the vehicle's wheels to prevent any unpleasant surprises when you are working underneath.

Start jacking the vehicle until the desired height, not too high but just enough for you to fit in and access the drive shaft. Consider adding some solid cinder blocks as an extra precaution in case the jack fails or slips while you're still underneath. Once this gets done, the environment will be safe enough to work in without risking being pinned under the vehicle.

Find your vehicle's drive shaft

The next part of this operation is locating the vehicle's drive shaft. Almost all drive shafts can be found between the vehicle's transmission and differential and are usually on a rod connecting these two components. See how the drive shaft is lodged into the transmission and get the appropriate tools for the job.

Since you will most likely be working on an RWD instead of a front-wheel drive car, this job should be easier since the drive shaft of a front-wheel drive vehicle might be a little complex to dislodge.

However, do not worry. If you have some mechanical experience, this job could only take up to 20 mins to complete. Otherwise, call a mechanic to help dislodge the towed vehicle's driveshaft if it is an AWD or RWD with an automatic transmission.

Get strap to secure drive shaft to undercarriage

As part of gathering the tools needed for the job, get a strap that will get used while towing the vehicle to hold the drive shaft in position to avoid any loose hanging car components that could scrape on the road and get severely damaged.

A multipurpose strap or webbing should be enough to secure the drive shaft with the undercarriage. Bear in mind that this is a necessary evil to avoid any further work on the vehicle's driveshaft at a later stage.

Find the perfect position to tie the strapping without causing much hang of the drive shaft when in transit. Also, frequently check up on this strap at every stop you take, especially on long-distance drives.

Dislodge drive shaft

For the next part, you should be prepared to get your hands a little dirty. Once you have located the bolts that need to be loosened, use a suitable spanner that will fit in the tight space, yet be strong enough to free the bolts on the drive shaft.

Some vehicles might need you to move the car forward or backward during this procedure to access all the bolts by turning the shaft. From then, loosen all the bolts and have a rag ready to plug the oil that will ooze out the transmission quickly.

That should be the last step for dislodging the drive shaft from an RWD or AWD vehicle. If you are feeling skeptical about this involved procedure, call in a mechanic to do it for you. With some extra help from YouTube, you might feel confident about doing it yourself.

Once you reach your destination, redo it again by fastening the loose bolts. Most vehicles generally have a total of 4 bolts that need to get loosened. Then, top up your transmission oil to compensate for the oil you might have lost when dislodging this component.

How To Drive With A Tow Dolly

Now that you have got everything set, it is time to drive off with the tow dolly with the towed vehicle put in place. However, your job as the driver is far from over. Throughout the trip, your responsibility as the driver is to ensure that everything is running smoothly and to get the towed vehicle safely to its destination.

What do some of your tasks entail? What other responsibilities do you have as the driver of a tow dolly? Some of the most important reminders that you should especially pay attention to when driving with tow dollies hitched on your tow vehicle include:

Don't go over the speed limit

Although this might seem like a no-brainer, it can never get overemphasized. Also, never exceed the speed limit when towing precious cargo such as your vehicle. That's because, as the adage goes, you are better safe than sorry. So, instead of endeavoring to go just below the speed limit, target driving safely as possible.

At times, this might mean driving well within the speed limit as long as it ensures that it does not add unnecessary risk to the tow vehicle and the vehicle getting towed. Also, mind other motorists when taking corners. Towing a dolly means you won't be able to maneuver freely through traffic.

In a nutshell, don't rush. Hurrying through traffic might also mean you are in a hurry to wreck your vehicle and cause unnecessary property damage to other cars or structures. Some experts say never exceed 55 miles when towing a dolly on a highway. Therefore, keep an eye on that speedometer and check for changes in car vibrations and jostles.

Exercise caution when turning

Large semi trucks usually need two lanes to turn, and although you might not need that much space, it serves as a good reminder that hauling a trailer is never the same as driving under normal circumstances. Avoid tight roads whenever you need to turn by carefully mapping out your route to the target destination.

Whenever you need to take a corner, signal in time to let other motorists know your next move. Suppose another motorist jumps the gun and attempts to cut you off when you're approaching a turn. That could be catastrophic.

Due to the additional cushion space needed to turn when hauling a trailer and the added weight of the towed vehicle, it will be hard stopping in time.

In addition, be vigilant and quickly calculate the amount of space needed to take a turn. In some cases, a different turning mechanism might be more suitable for some roads. In that event, you might need a central pivot dolly with a little more flexibility for turning. That is especially important when driving on roads with sharp curves or narrow roads with corners.

Keep safe following

Regardless of the road conditions, keep a safe following between the tow vehicle and other traffic on the road. Once the wheels start running, the towed vehicle's weight gets immediately factored into the braking distance equation. If the car in front "brake tests" you, there might not be enough room to yield if there isn't enough space between you two.

That could trigger a whole chain of events that tally up to thousands of dollars in damages. First, you might be liable to cover the harm to the vehicle you rear-ended, and there are still expenses to fix your car.

If the trailer tongue uncouples from the hitch ball, the damage could be far more significant than you anticipated, especially if the chains got loosely connected. When driving under bad weather conditions, play it real safe and pull back more than necessary to have enough leeway to bring the tow vehicle to a safe stop.

Check tow dolly at stops

Another excellent rule of thumb when towing a dolly is frequently checking up on the cargo along the road. When taking a break from the road, take a few moments to inspect that all fastenings are still securely attached. That is even more important when driving long distances as some straps might come loose.

Also, at scheduled stops along the way, do not drive away without double-checking the safety of the dolly. Some people might tamper with the safety mechanisms while you're grabbing a bite or using the restrooms, so conduct a complete 360 of the entire vehicle and the dolly.

There is no such thing as being too careful when hauling car dollies over a long distance. Take all the necessary precautions by conducting a pre-trip inspection before taking off after any stop along the way.

FAQs

Do you still have some questions about using a tow dolly? Here is some extra info and expert tips about safely towing vehicle dollies in this frequently asked questions list.

Do you lock the steering wheel with a tow dolly?

Much attention has gotten directed toward the tow vehicle and the tow dolly itself throughout this guide, but what condition must the towed vehicle be in on a car tow dolly? One of the most important things to remember is that the towed vehicle must be in a steering wheel lock at all times.

Vehicles without a steering wheel lock configuration must be locked either using a traditional locking system or securely tied in place to prevent the wheels from turning while on the car dolly. If the steering wheel is not locked, you might risk hitting the fenders of the towed vehicle on the car dolly.

How does a tow dolly turn?

Tow dollies get primarily categorized into two main categories: the mounted front wheel dolly and the center pivot dolly. The former uses kingpins mounted on the dollies wheels that serve as your vehicle's pivot points (front wheels) when turning corners.

The latter form of a tow dolly uses the center pivot point to navigate corners. Both types of trailers have pros and cons, but if you want to play it safe, the mounted front wheel dollies have more extensive precautions for the towing and towed vehicles.

Should my car be in neutral on a tow dolly?

When you are towing a vehicle for the first time using a tow dolly, perhaps you might be wondering if the towed vehicle should be in the neutral position. The answer is yes. You have to ensure the gear shift is on neutral, and there is no need to leave the engine running or use any special equipment.

Since most vehicles are front-wheel drive vehicles, you shouldn't worry much because the front wheels will get elevated on the platform. However, since the rear wheels remain on the ground in transit, you might want to disconnect the transmission for automatic RWDs or AWDs, as mentioned above.

Will a tow dolly damage my car?

As long as the height of the car tow dolly you are using is sufficient for your vehicle's size, there shouldn't be any problems. However, if the car is long at the front wheels or has a dropped suspension, opting for a full-scale car trailer could be an excellent alternative to a tow dolly.

Besides that, as long as you have securely tied the tire straps and locked the steering wheel, the drive should be free of any problems. As a precaution, ensure that you properly load the vehicle and use the tow dolly's safety chains just in case the worst-case scenario occurs. If this happens, you will be safe with all the precautions you have taken.

Final Thoughts

That's it! That is the ultimate guide detailing everything you need to know about safely driving a tow vehicle and hauling a tow dolly for long and short-distance trips. Remembering all the safety principles is very important regardless of the distance you will be driving.

Do not compromise on the tow vehicle's safety and the towed vehicle by being complacent when hitching a tow dolly trailer. A simple mistake could cause a severe accident. For different types of dollies, consult the owner's manual to hitch up safely. Another critical factor to remember is that the tow vehicle's capacity is just as important.

Using Towing Ratings' powerful custom-built platform to check your vehicle's towing capacity will illuminate you with crucial insights before hauling another car using a dolly setup. Have a safe trip, and do not forget to check that dolly now and then until you reach your destination!

https://cartowdolly.com/2021/03/car-tow-dolly-safety/

https://www.wikihow.com/Hook-Up-a-Tow-Dolly-and-Lights-to-a-Car

https://www.americanautoshipping.com/the-proper-way-to-use-a-car-dolly/

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