Are you moving out of state? Have you perchance been eyeing a car that is only available at a dealership that is out of state? Then you will likely need to figure out a way to get your car to where you want it to be, whether that means getting your current car to your new home or getting your brand new car to you. You may first think of towing your car, as towing is commonly seen as a way of getting your car around. However, towing your car is not necessarily the right transportation type for these kinds of moves. Instead, you may have to ship the vehicle.
When deciding how to get your car where it needs to go, there are some questions you may have. For example, what is a tow dolly and how does it carry vehicles? What exactly is auto shipping and how does it work? Is towing bad for your car? Is auto shipping bad for your car? All of these questions are valid for first timers; however, they become quite simple when broken down by experts!
What is a tow dolly?
A tow dolly is a trailer type that is used behind tow trucks while being attached by a hitch. It is quite small, with only two wheels lifting the front of the trailer to be at an angle. This angle keeps the front wheels of a vehicle on the trailer while the back wheels remain on the road.
So, with that in mind, what vehicles can be dolly towed? Typically, tow dollies are used on vehicles that have front-wheel drive. However, there are specialty towing vehicles that can maneuver other types of vehicles when necessary.
Is a Tow Dolly Good for Long Distance Drives?
Using a tow dolly for long distances is not the typical or ideal use of a tow dolly. Typically, tow dollies are used for emergency purposes, such as when vehicles have breakdowns on the side of the road due to engine issues or tire problems. They are capable of driving long distances, as sometimes they are used to carry broken down vehicles a long distance due to breakdowns happening in the middle of nowhere.
However, they are not the ideal form of long distance car carriers. Tow dollies can cause damage to a vehicle’s tires due to the way in which it is attached for transport. When vehicles are carried for hundreds of miles by tow dollies, the drivetrain can be strained.
Saying this, the answer to the question, “Is a tow dolly good for long distance?” is essentially not really, but it can be done when necessary. Towing a vehicle for too long can pose some risks. So now we must ask, if not a tow dolly, how can I get my car where it needs to go?
This answer is simple: auto transportation services!
Auto transportation services are a form of transportation that allows for safe and secure long distance auto transport. Rather than a vehicle being pulled on a mechanism that leaves some wheels on the ground, auto transportation has your vehicle fully lifted and off its wheels. This eliminates unnecessary strain from being put on the vehicle while it is on its journey.
Here at Global Auto Transportation, we offer two main auto transport styles: open air auto transport and enclosed auto transport.
Open air auto transport involves a trailer that has no sides or roofing. Instead, the vehicle is secured on a trailer that has a platform designed to keep a vehicle in place while the car carrier vehicle (typically a semi-truck or some other form of heavy-duty truck) pulls the trailer.
Enclosed auto transport involves a trailer that does have sides and roofing. It keeps the vehicle locked in from all angles, assuring that it is safe from the outside elements while on the long distance drive.
Which is Better: Tow Dolly or Auto Transport?
Now that you know a bit more about each service, you may still be wondering which is right for you. When posed with deciding between a car dolly vs a trailer designed for auto transport, the decision is quick and simple when you know what you need the services for. For long distance drives, auto transport is the way to go! If you have to move or get a vehicle across hundreds of miles, auto transport is the only real solution. Towing via a tow dolly is best for short distances that need to have the vehicle moved asap! This means neither service is better than the other, they simply serve different purposes!
When you need to get your vehicle across a long distance, give Global Auto Transportation a call! Our team of staff members is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to assist you in getting your vehicle from point a to point b safely and securely, no matter which shipping style you book with us!
