A car dolly is a piece of equipment used for hauling automobiles and other similar vehicles. It is constructed so that two of the car’s wheels are held inside a small trailer while the other two are free to roll anywhere on the ground. A car dolly is essentially a trailer with only one axle and two wheels, but it also has a landing gear to load and unload automobiles. This is the most accurate way to explain how a car dolly works and the most accurate way to describe what a car dolly is.
Suppose the situation calls for the simultaneous transport of many automobiles or trucks. In that case, there are multilayer car dollies that can carry two or more vehicles in addition to being built to provide transportation for just one vehicle.
What will you use the car dolly for?
A tow dolly is a common choice for moving vehicles when convenience and space are important, as it does not require as much space as a full trailer. Some owners also like the car dolly for towing a range of automobiles, as no changes to the vehicle to be towed are required.
This last feature is very helpful for situations involving vehicle recovery. It is typically far easier to secure a vehicle to a car dolly compared to putting up the automobile to ride on a trailer. A car dolly will allow you to tow a disabled vehicle without requiring you to attach tow hooks first.
However, car dollies are not typically used by auto transport companies. They are much more common at self-storage places that offer them to you so you can tow your vehicle. They are often seen while people move and usually accompany some kind of large moving truck.
How does a car dolly work?
Car dollies operate much like any other type of trailer. They are hitched to the back of a truck, van, or SUV, and then a vehicle is loaded onto it. As mentioned earlier, it’s like a trailer with one axle and two wheels. It also has gear to help assist in the loading and unloading of vehicles, kind of like a winch.
To use a car dolly effectively, it is necessary to secure the powered wheels of the automobile being towed. That is to say, if you are hauling a car with front-wheel drive, you will often put the two rear wheels up on the car dolly and haul the car with its front facing forward. This is because front-wheel drive vehicles have front axles.
On the other hand, if you have to tow a vehicle with rear-wheel drive, you might have first to detach the drivetrain from the vehicle. This method of flat towing, which involves towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, also addresses another major problem using a tow dolly. The powertrain and transmission are not put through wear and tear because you are not moving the vehicle’s powered wheels down the road.
Do auto transporters use car dollies?
Typically they do not. Car dollies are usually reserved for people who are moving their vehicles themselves, as opposed to having them shipped. They’re a great alternative to hiring an auto transport company, especially if you’re planning on doing the entire move yourself. You can tow your vehicle behind the moving van or a pickup truck, if you have one that is large enough.
But auto shipping companies have more specialized equipment to haul vehicles. They are typically moved on open ten-car haulers which you’ve likely seen loaded with cars and trucks. This is often a more cost-effective way of shipping a car especially across long distances.
Some local shippers may use them to move vehicles across a town or city, or within a metropolitan area. These tend to be cheaper than nationwide haulers, and often act as tow companies as well. If you decide to do it yourself, we recommend a car dolly.
Should you use a car dolly?
A car dolly can be an ideal solution for those who are considering moving but are concerned about how they will get all of their vehicles to their new home. It is common for national moving companies and storage places that provide rental trucks to also provide customers with the option to rent a single-unit vehicle dolly.
Instead of charging you based on the number of miles driven, most companies calculate the cost of the rental based on the number of days you will be using the unit. Certain firms may ask you to return the car dolly to the site where it was rented, but many national moving companies are delighted to accept the dolly at a location close to the destination.
A professional moving firm will have moving vans that are powerful enough to manage the towing of numerous automobiles. If you need car dollies that can hold two or three vehicles, you may need to rent them from a professional moving firm.
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For mobile homes movement, consider contacting American Auto Shipping.
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