When To Tow With A Flatbed Or Dolly

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The difference that most people see when making the choice between a flatbed tow and a towing dolly is the cost. A tow dolly is much less expensive than a flatbed truck as it only requires a hitch ball to use, rather than a dedicated flatbed truck with a set of hydraulics. While cost is always a huge factor when the need for towing services arrive, there are situations which merit the use of either a flatbed or a dolly. Before going with the cheapest option, it would be a good idea to know if it is the best option for your needs.

The Drive Train

When you're looking at the choice of whether to use a flatbed or a dolly to tow your car, your primary concern should be what kind of drive train your vehicle has. If your car has a front wheel drive, then using a dolly may work well without any modifications. If your car has a rear wheel drive, however, the driveshaft will need to be disconnected to use a towing dolly.

Failure to disconnect the driveshaft can cause damage to the transmission as the rear wheels transmit rotational force to the driveline (the transmission, driveshafts, axles, and joints). If disconnecting or removing the driveshaft isn't possible, you should use a flatbed for your towing needs to avoid unnecessary damage to your vehicle.

Engine Placement

Another determining factor in whether you should choose a flatbed or dolly is the engine placement. If you have an engine that is in the middle or rear of your vehicle, never use a dolly. That is because the weight displacement will make driving with the dolly extremely hazardous. The increased weight at the rear of the vehicle will actually lift up on the dolly, meaning that the wheels of the dolly won't be touching the road. In some cases, this can cause the rear wheels of the towing vehicle to lose contact with the ground as well, with obvious ramifications for control and handling.

Modifications

The last thing that determines if a flatbed is a better choice than a dolly is whether your vehicle has been significantly modified or not. Modifications include raising or lowering the vehicle or installation of after-market performance enhancements. After-market enhancements include nitrous oxide boosters or hydraulics for raising or lowering the car. These can be damaged during towing if you use a dolly because of the angle that the towed vehicle rides at for extended periods of time. Additionally, if the vehicle has been lowered, parts of the body can drag on the ground, causing significant damage.

Naturally, you can always just ask the towing company which option is best for your vehicle. However, it certainly doesn't hurt to self-educate on the matter. To learn more, contact a towing company like Stuckman Salvage, Inc. 

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1 April 2016

towing and caring for a 4-wheel-drive vehicle

Owning a 4-wheel-drive SUV comes with more expense and doing things a bit differently. When you put tires on your 4-wheel-drive vehicle, you will have to replace all four at once. The tread-wear must be even to protect the 4-wheel-drive elements of the vehicle. When you have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle towed, you cannot simply hook it up to any tow truck and have it delivered to your local mechanic's shop. This blog will show you what needs to be done when your 4-wheel-drive vehicle needs towed and the other differences of owning a vehicle that goes beyond the basic 2-wheel-drive.