Tow Dolly vs Flat Towing

Tow Dolly vs Flat Towing: Which Is Right for Your Vehicle and RV Setup?

Flat towing or Car Tow Dolly caparison

Motorhome owners often need a smaller car for errands or sightseeing. Two common ways to bring a vehicle along are flat towing (all four wheels on the ground) and using a tow dolly (front wheels elevated on a small trailer). Each method has unique requirements, costs and limitations. This guide explains both options clearly so you can choose the best fit for your tow vehicle, towed vehicle and travel plans.

Experience & Authority. After more than 14 years in the tow dolly industry, Tow Smart Trailers has designed, tested and serviced a wide range of dolly configurations — including swivel-pan, folding and stand-up models. Our team has flat-towed and dolly-towed vehicles on long-distance RV trips, observed drivetrain wear issues and helped customers solve real-world storage and compatibility challenges. The insights below are based on hands-on experience, not theory.

Quick Decision Guide (1-Minute Answer)

  • If your vehicle is factory-approved for flat towing and has a manual transmission or a two-speed transfer case that can be set to neutral, flat towing offers simple hookups and no extra trailer to store.
  • Choose a tow dolly when your car is front-wheel drive and not flat-tow approved, or when you want the flexibility to switch vehicles without installing a base plate.
  • Avoid flat towing if your vehicle has a continuously variable transmission (CVT), all-wheel drive without a true neutral, an electronic parking brake that stays engaged or a locked steering column.
  • Use a full trailer when towing heavy 4×4 SUVs, EVs/hybrids or any vehicle that cannot be flat-towed or dolly-towed. A full trailer eliminates drivetrain wear but adds weight and cost.
  • Consider total cost: tow dollies typically cost about $1,000–$3,500 plus straps and storage, while a complete flat-towing setup (base plate, tow bar, braking system) often runs $2,000–$3,000 installed.
  • Storage & campsite space: flat towing eliminates a trailer, but dollies fold or stand up. Always check your RV site length before deciding.
  • Reversing & maneuvering: never back up with a vehicle on a tow dolly — detach before reversing. Flat-towing rigs and trailers can be reversed carefully with experience.

What Is Flat Towing?

Flat towing (also called dinghy towing or four-down towing) pulls a vehicle behind an RV with all four wheels on the road using a tow bar. The tow bar connects to a vehicle-specific base plate mounted to the frame. Safety cables, lighting connections and a supplemental braking system are required for proper operation.

  • Equipment required. A complete flat-towing setup includes a base plate, tow bar rated for the vehicle’s weight, safety cables, a breakaway switch, auxiliary braking system and lighting harness.
  • OEM approval. Not every vehicle can be flat-towed. Most manual transmissions qualify. Some 4WD/AWD vehicles with a true neutral transfer case are approved. Many CVT, AWD without neutral and electronically locked steering systems are not.
  • Drivetrain considerations. Flat towing a vehicle not designed for it can overheat or damage the transmission because the engine-driven pump is not circulating fluid.
  • Braking systems. Supplemental braking systems activate the towed vehicle’s brakes when the RV slows. Most states and provinces require this.
  • Setup cost. Expect roughly $2,000–$3,000 for quality equipment and installation. Hardware is vehicle-specific, so switching vehicles usually requires new components.

What Is Tow Dolly Towing?

A tow dolly lifts a car’s front wheels onto a small two-wheel trailer while the rear wheels roll on the road. This avoids permanent vehicle modification and reduces drivetrain wear on front-wheel-drive vehicles.

  • How it works. Drive the vehicle onto the dolly ramps, secure the front tires with straps and safety chains, and connect the dolly to the RV’s hitch and lighting system.
  • Why people choose it. Tow dollies work with most front-wheel-drive vehicles and allow you to switch cars without installing hardware.
  • Fitment basics. Many dollies accommodate front track widths between roughly 42" and 76" and support vehicles up to about 4,800–5,000 lb curb weight. Always verify weight ratings and axle capacity.
  • Limitations. Most rear-wheel-drive and mid-engine vehicles require a full trailer instead.
  • Learn more. Explore our Standard Car Tow Dollies to see available models.

Explore Tow Smart Tow Dollies

Tow Smart Trailers offers standard, folding and stand-up tow dollies engineered for front-wheel-drive cars and SUVs up to 5,000 lb curb weight. Browse our Standard Car Tow Dollies or compare folding vs fixed car tow dollies to find the right fit for your RV setup.