Tow Dollies: The Key Disadvantages Drivers Should Weigh Before Towing

A tow dolly can be a budget-friendly way to move a car, but it comes with notable downsides: drivetrain and vehicle-compatibility limits (especially for AWD and many RWD vehicles), tricky loading and maneuvering, no practical ability to back up, varying legal and braking requirements, added maintenance and storage needs, potential tire wear and damage risks, and a hit to fuel economy and stopping distance. Below is a closer look at the main drawbacks so you can decide whether a dolly fits your situation.

Vehicle and Drivetrain Limitations

This section outlines how a car’s design can make dolly towing impractical or risky. Many issues stem from which wheels are on the ground and what your owner’s manual permits.

• AWD/4WD restrictions: Most all-wheel-drive and many 4WD vehicles cannot be dolly-towed without drivetrain modifications; a full trailer or flatbed is usually required to avoid transmission/differential damage.
• RWD complications: Rear-wheel-drive vehicles riding with the rear wheels on the ground often require disconnecting or removing the driveshaft to prevent transmission damage—adding labor, cost, and complexity.
• FWD nuances: Front-wheel-drive vehicles are usually the best candidates, but you still need to confirm manufacturer guidance on towing, speed, and distance limits.
• Steering-lock variability: Depending on the dolly design (swivel-pan vs. fixed) and the vehicle, some setups require the steering to be unlocked while others must be locked. Getting this wrong risks strap loosening or component damage.
• Clearance and fitment: Low front splitters/air dams can scrape during loading; very wide or long vehicles may exceed a dolly’s track-width or weight limits.
• Tire and alignment wear: The free-rolling axle (typically the rear on FWD cars) accumulates tire wear and can reveal or worsen poor alignment, causing scrubbing over long distances.
• Odometer caveats: Many modern FWD cars won’t add mileage because the driven wheels aren’t turning, but that’s not universal—some vehicles use different speed sensor strategies. Always verify.

In short, compatibility is not one-size-fits-all. If your vehicle isn’t an ideal candidate, the risk and hassle can outweigh the upfront savings of a dolly.

Operational and Maneuvering Challenges

Even when a vehicle is compatible, day-to-day use introduces practical drawbacks that affect time, convenience, and safety.

• No real ability to back up: With a car on the dolly, reversing more than a few feet can quickly jackknife and damage equipment; you’ll often have to disconnect to reposition.
• Loading complexity: Aligning the car, securing wheel nets/straps, and attaching chains takes practice; improper tie-downs can loosen as the suspension compresses over bumps.
• Frequent checks: Best practice is to stop early and often to retension straps, check hub and tire temperatures, and inspect lighting—adding time to trips.
• Turning radius and curb risk: Dollies add width and change your turning dynamics, increasing the chance of curb strikes or fender scuffs in tight quarters.
• Speed and distance limits: Conservative speeds are wise to control heat in dolly tires/bearings and maintain stability, extending travel time.
• Campground and city hassles: Tight fuel stations, urban streets, and RV parks are less forgiving—you may need to stage the dolly or towed car to maneuver.

These operational realities make dollies most appealing to drivers who tow occasionally and are comfortable with a slower, more methodical routine.

Legal, Braking, and Insurance Complications

Rules vary by state, province, and country, and compliance is your responsibility. This variability is itself a disadvantage if you travel across borders.

• Brake requirements: Many jurisdictions require trailer brakes above specific weight thresholds (often around 1,500–3,000 lbs). Some mandate a breakaway system; others specify electric vs. surge brakes.
• Registration and plates: In some places, dollies need their own plate, registration, and even inspection; in others, they’re exempt. Crossing jurisdictions can be confusing.
• Lighting at the rear: Laws may require functional stop/turn/tail lights at the very back of the towed load, which can mean auxiliary lights on the towed vehicle even if the dolly has lights.
• Chains and couplers: Safety chains from dolly to tow vehicle (and often supplemental security for the towed car) are mandatory in many areas.
• Speed and lane rules: Some regions impose lower speed limits or lane restrictions for vehicles towing any trailer equipment, including dollies.
• Insurance gaps: Not all auto policies cover damage to the towed vehicle or the dolly while in tow; you may need separate trailer/dolly coverage and to confirm liability terms.

Because requirements change by jurisdiction, long trips demand planning to avoid tickets, liability exposures, or forced layovers for noncompliance.

Cost, Storage, and Maintenance

While cheaper than a full car hauler, dollies still bring ongoing costs and logistical considerations that can surprise first-time users.

• Upfront price: New dollies commonly range from about $1,200 to $3,000+ (more with brakes or steering pans); quality used units still command a premium.
• Maintenance: Expect periodic bearing service, tire replacement, brake upkeep (surge or electric), strap and ratchet replacement, and light/wiring fixes.
• Weight and capacity trade-offs: A typical dolly weighs 500–800 lbs, eating into tow capacity and potentially payload for RVs or SUVs.
• Fuel economy penalty: Added rolling resistance and frontal area reduce MPG compared with flat towing; they’re usually better than a full trailer but still a drag.
• Storage and security: A dolly is bulky to store at home or on the road, and it can be a theft target if left unattached or unsecured.
• Resale considerations: Niche demand and condition-sensitive components (brakes, tires, straps) affect resale value.

If you tow frequently or over long distances, these recurring costs may narrow the gap between a dolly and alternative solutions.

Safety and Damage Risks

Finally, dollies can introduce hazards to both equipment and the towed vehicle if anything is set up incorrectly or conditions turn adverse.

• Loading damage: Low bumpers, spoilers, and undertrays can scrape ramps or pans; misalignment can bend fenders or scuff paint.
• Road debris exposure: The towed vehicle’s front is vulnerable to rock chips and road spray; dolly fenders help but don’t fully protect.
• Stability and braking: Heavier loads increase stopping distances and can induce sway with short-wheelbase tow vehicles or in strong crosswinds.
• Strap or component failure: Incorrectly tensioned wheel nets or worn ratchets can loosen, allowing the car to shift; periodic checks are essential.
• Tire and hub heat: Underinflated dolly tires or marginal bearings can overheat on long grades, increasing blowout or failure risk.

Attention to setup, conservative driving, and proactive inspections reduce these risks, but they remain higher than with flatbed transport.

Summary

A tow dolly can be a practical, lower-cost way to move a compatible front-wheel-drive vehicle, but its downsides are significant: tight vehicle compatibility (especially problematic for AWD/RWD), no practical backing, added legal and braking requirements, extra maintenance and storage needs, reduced fuel economy and longer stopping distances, and higher risks of wear and damage if not used meticulously. If you tow often, travel across multiple jurisdictions, or need to move AWD/RWD vehicles, a full trailer or professional transport may be a safer, simpler long-term solution.

What cars should you not tow with a tow dolly?

All Wheel Drive – AWD cars should not be used on a tow dolly. In extensive circumstances, just make sure you disconnect the driveshaft.

Is it better to flat tow or use a dolly?

Flat towing uses a tow bar to pull a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, while a tow dolly lifts the front wheels of a vehicle onto a trailer, leaving the rear wheels on the ground. Flat towing is faster to hook up and unhook, avoids dolly storage issues, and causes less wear and tear but is expensive to set up and requires a vehicle that can be flat-towed. A dolly is more affordable and compatible with a wider range of front-wheel-drive vehicles but is more time-consuming to set up and store. 
Flat Towing

• Pros:
  • Convenience: Quickest and easiest to hook up and disconnect, often taking only a few minutes. 
  • Less Storage Hassle: No separate dolly to store at campsites or deal with in tight spaces. 
  • Vehicle Preservation: Minimizes wear and tear on the vehicle’s drivetrain and tires. 
  • No Battery Issues: No need for the vehicle’s ignition to be on, preventing battery drainage issues. 
• Cons:
  • High Initial Cost: Requires significant investment for a base plate, tow bar, wiring, and a supplemental braking system. 
  • Vehicle Restrictions: Only certain vehicles can be flat-towed, typically those with manual transmissions and specific transfer case configurations. 
  • Cannot Back Up: You cannot back up a vehicle that is flat-towed; you must disconnect it first. 

Tow Dolly

• Pros:
  • Lower Cost: More affordable to purchase than a complete flat-towing setup. 
  • Vehicle Compatibility: A wider variety of front-wheel-drive vehicles can be used with a dolly. 
  • No Drivetrain Issues: The vehicle’s drive wheels are off the ground, preventing damage to them. 
• Cons:
  • Storage: The dolly must be stored at campsites, which can be difficult in small or back-in sites. 
  • Setup Time: Takes more time and effort to load and secure the vehicle onto the dolly. 
  • Uneven Wear: The rear tires of the towed vehicle may experience increased, uneven wear. 
  • Limited Maneuverability: Maneuvering the dolly and vehicle in tight spots can be challenging. 

What are the pros and cons of tow dollies?

A pro of tow dollies is their easy ability to haul front-wheel drive vehicles. On the flip side of this is a con if you work with rear-wheel drive vehicles. With a tow dolly, you’ll be limited in the vehicles you’ll be able to work with.

Why is a tow dolly not recommended?

Tow dollies are not recommended due to their poor maneuverability, especially when backing up, the high risk of damage to all-wheel-drive (AWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles, significant wear and tear on the towed vehicle’s tires, and potential instability and swaying at higher speeds, which can cause accidents or rollovers. Additionally, dolly towing is more time-consuming and challenging to set up and break down compared to other towing methods.
 
Risks and Disadvantages

• AWD/4WD Vehicle Damage: Dollies only lift the front wheels, leaving the rear wheels on the ground. For AWD or 4WD vehicles, this can cause serious and costly damage to the drivetrain, as the vehicle is not designed to have its rear wheels rolling. 
• Instability and Accidents: The weight of the towed car can cause the dolly and the towed vehicle to sway, especially at higher speeds or when improperly loaded. This instability increases the risk of losing control, jackknifing, or even flipping the entire setup. 
• Maneuverability Issues: Maneuvering a tow dolly, particularly reversing, is challenging for most drivers. The towed vehicle’s tendency to go in an unexpected direction can make it very difficult to position correctly. 
• Tire Wear and Vehicle Damage: Uneven tire wear on the towed vehicle’s front tires is a common issue. The physical act of getting the car on and off the dolly can also cause additional wear and tear on the towed vehicle itself. 
• Setup and Breakdown Time: Loading and securing a vehicle onto a dolly takes more time and effort than other towing methods, such as flat towing. 

Considerations Before Using a Tow Dolly

• Vehicle Type: Opens in new tabA tow dolly is best suited for two-wheel-drive, front-wheel-drive vehicles. 
• Speed and Distance: Opens in new tabFor long-distance travel or high-speed driving, a dolly’s instability becomes a significant risk. 
• Driver Experience: Opens in new tabThe difficulty of maneuvering and backing up a tow dolly is a substantial challenge for less experienced drivers.