Two-wheel car towing is a good way to move the vehicle without attaching it to a platform. It actually spins on two wheels, with two wheels in the air. The equipment is simple: a tow dolly. This compact trailer has a ramp and locking slots. Lift and secure the front tires and hook the whole rig on the towbar of the car in front of you.
This is a cheap and efficient way to move two vehicles from A to B. However, it is not without its drawbacks. The tires wear out faster than the ones. This can lead to uneven tread depth. When you drive the car again, you may notice poor handling. Why not take a short one-way trip? Who cares. If you plan to travel long distances or move around frequently, uneven wear can be a major headache.
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Why front wheel drive is better
If you’re towing a front-wheel drive vehicle, you’re in luck. This setup is actually designed for tow dollies. Power is transmitted only to the front wheels. The rear wheels just spin freely. Since it is not connected to the drive shaft, it does not affect the transmission. It also does not record mileage on the odometer. It’s clean. It’s very simple.
The drive shaft connects the shaft to the gearbox and the engine. In a front-wheel drive setup, removing power from the rear wheels means there is no mechanical resistance. The wheels are turning. The car follows. No further action is required.
Rear-wheel drive vs. all-wheel drive
Rear wheel drive or four wheel drive? It’s not that simple. You can’t just load them up. The powertrain work in both directions. When you drive, the engine sends energy through the transmission to the drive shaft, which then sends energy to the wheels. When the engine is turned off and towed, the spinning wheels do the same thing in reverse. Rotate the transmission parts.
The problem is that the oil and transmission oil do not circulate. The engine is off. Without lubrication, friction builds up. Metal rubs against metal. Serious damage can happen quickly.
To solve this problem, you need to remove the drive shaft. This separates the wheels from the engine. Now it just spins on the axle. In theory, it’s easy. In reality, this is the work of a professional mechanic. This increases costs. the dolly rental and labor costs remain to be paid by the customer.
Why can’t I Reverse the Dolly?
You might be thinking, “Why don’t I just back the car onto the dolly? Then it will behave like a front-wheel drive car.” Wrong. Tow dolly manufacturers and rental companies expressly forbid this. This is dangerous.
Most cars have more weight in the front. The engine is heavy. When you reverse the car, the weight is hangs off the back of the dolly. The weight distribution becomes unbalanced. At low speeds, the towed vehicle may whip. A violent sway. You may lose control. Both vehicles could go off the road.
Tow dollies are designed to carry most of the car’s weight on the hitch. Flipping that setup breaks physics. Don’t take risks.
The RV Alternative
For people who tow frequently, such as RV enthusiasts, removing and reinstalling the drive shaft can be a too much work. This takes time. It’s very messy. They are looking for better options. Tow bars are the next step. They handle the weight distribution is different. All four wheels stay on the ground.
Read the next page to learn more about this towing option.
