The Disadvantages of Towing Low Profile Vehicles With a Towing Dolly

High-performance sports cars, collectible classics, and just in general low-profile vehicles have special requirements when it comes to transporting them from point A to point B. Towing low-profile vehicles is not your average tow job and requires more than a little know-how, not to mention the additional equipment to make it go as smoothly as possible. 

For this reason, professional towing companies utilize expensive flatbed towing trucks with tilt and slide mechanisms to ensure an effortless loading. Now, it’s not entirely impossible to transport these special vehicles without hiring professional help and by using just a regular tow dolly, but you’re potentially risking causing more harm than good. 

So does towing damage your car if you opt to use a towing dolly? The short answer is: no. However, keep in mind that if you choose to tow your low profile vehicle with a dolly, you will face several challenges, and a small mistake could end up being costly. Read along to find out more about these potential challenges and why towing with a dolly might not be the best option. 

Clearance 

The most obvious disadvantage of using a towing dolly to tow a vehicle that is low to the ground is the possibility of clearance issues. Tow dollies might not provide a suitable approach angle, meaning you could damage the front fascia. There is a workaround, and it involves using a couple of 2-in x 8-in lumber pieces that you can then set underneath the ramps. It’s definitely not a perfect solution, but it should help you avoid damaging the front of your car. 

Hook-up

Attaching your car to the towing dolly is not as straightforward as you might think. You want to make extra sure that the two wheels that are on the dolly are securely in place and that the emergency brake is not on. This is due to the fact that the back wheels remain on the ground while using this towing method. Also, depending on whether your vehicle is front or rear-wheel drive, you might or might not have to remove the drive shafts. 

Dragging

Tow dollies lift the front wheels of the vehicle, meaning that if you’re towing a low-suspension car, chances are you’ll be dragging body kit parts, bumpers, and any other components that are low to the ground. 

Maneuverability

Another disadvantage of using a dolly is the lack of maneuverability. It’s almost impossible to back up with a tow dolly attached to your truck. Unless you are a very skilled and patient driver, backing up with a dolly is most likely going to be a nightmare. This can cause significant problems if you want to maneuver the dolly in a position that is best suitable for unloading the towed vehicle. This is something you wouldn’t run into if your low-profile car was towed by a flatbed.

Tire Wear and Tear

Finally, tire wear and tear is a significant problem that often occurs when towing with a dolly. Because the front wheels are lifted, the weight distribution shifts to the back wheels, putting them under more stress. Thus, the tires on the back wheels will wear out faster.  

Hire a Professional Towing Company

An exotic car that features a low profile is not an investment but also something you are truly passionate about. That’s why, when transporting it, you want it to be handled with the care it deserves. Hiring a professional towing company that’s equipped to handle such cars is the best way to go about it.

Tow Cars Towing Service has been in the business for more than 30 years. We provide a wide array of different towing services; however, we are especially proficient in handling sports cars of all types. We want to be a reliable towing company Tow Cars can be proud of. Our goal is to offer an efficient, damage-free, and cost-effective towing service for our community. Contact us today for all your towing needs.