Finding a tow dolly that fits between the wheels is just the start when it comes to towing modern vehicles. EVs, AWD vehicles, and luxury models have heavier curb weights, sensitive drivetrains, low ground clearance, and expensive components that demand specialized handling. To meet these demands, towing companies need equipment that’s engineered so operators can protect the vehicles, themselves, and the company’s bottom line. Keep reading as we break down what to look for in a tow dolly that supports modern vehicles.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Tow Dolly for Modern Vehicles?
When choosing a tow dolly for modern vehicles, evaluate the weight, drivetrain configuration, ground clearance, wheel size, and securement requirements for the vehicles you tow. For EVs, AWD, and luxury vehicles, prioritize properly rated towing equipment that keeps wheels off the roadway, supports damage-free procedures, and gives operators predictable control during loading, transport, and unloading.
Why Do EV, AWD, and Luxury Vehicles Need Modern Towing Equipment?
The vehicles on the road have drastically changed over the past decade. Tow operators are now regularly up against AWD drivetrains that can be damaged when they’re left with their wheels on the ground. EVs add electric motors, regenerative braking systems, high-voltage components, and heavy battery packs to the equation. Luxury vehicles also complicate towing with complex drivetrains, low-profile tires, large wheels, low ground clearance, and high-end body components. This all leaves considerably less room for error.
We recommend starting every recovery by referencing the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. From there, operators can select equipment that meets the vehicle’s drivetrain, weight, and clearance requirements. Based on customer feedback, our Carrier dollies are often an ideal choice.
How Do You Choose a Tow Dolly for EV Towing?
An electric vehicle’s battery pack makes it substantially heavier than its gasoline-powered counterpart. It also has a sensitive drivetrain and underbody components. Both of these considerations need to be taken into account when choosing towing equipment. Most EVs must be transported on a flatbed, making the Carrier Dolly an ideal solution for safely positioning the vehicle for loading. Before you choose a dolly for modern electric vehicles, we recommend checking:
- Vehicle and axle weight: Confirm that the dolly, tires, cross rails, and towing equipment can safely support the load they’ll actually carry.
- Manufacturer towing requirements: Determine which wheels must remain off the roadway and follow the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions.
- Ground clearance: Account for low body panels, aerodynamic components, and underbody battery systems.
- Wheel and tire dimensions: Make sure the dolly configuration accommodates the vehicle’s wheel package.
- Securement: Use equipment and procedures that keep the vehicle controlled during loading and transport.
For EVs in particular, capacity deserves extra consideration. These vehicles typically weigh in between 4,000 and 7,000 pounds, with larger electric trucks and SUVs topping 9,000 pounds. Instead of assuming one setup works for every vehicle, operators need to match the dolly configuration to the specific load.
What Is the Right Tow Dolly for AWD Vehicles?
AWD vehicles have drivetrains designed to coordinate power across multiple wheels. If the wrong wheels are allowed to rotate during transport, that can place unnecessary stress on the drivetrain components, resulting in an expensive damage claim. That’s why operators should always determine the manufacturer’s approved towing method before moving an AWD vehicle.
For these modern vehicles, we recommend a tow dolly that keeps all four wheels off the ground and supports proper transport procedures, like our G7X Super Dolly. We also recommend standardized dolly procedures to help reduce loading errors and increase operator safety.
How Do Tow Dollies Help Protect Luxury and Low-Clearance Vehicles?
Nothing raises the stakes like towing a luxury vehicle. Low ground clearance, large wheel packages, aerodynamic panels, and sensitive components can easily turn a small loading mistake into a costly repair.
Towing these vehicles without causing damage starts with reducing unnecessary vehicle contact and controlling the vehicle throughout the entire process. To tow these modern vehicles, we recommend looking for a dolly with secure wheel retention, proper camber alignment, controlled loading procedures, and reliable tie-down systems.
Operators should also consider how easily they can position and secure the equipment around low-clearance vehicles. The goal here is to complete the recovery while protecting wheels, tires, suspension, drivetrain, and body components.
How Important Is Tow Dolly Capacity for Modern Vehicle Towing?
Just because two vehicles look similar doesn’t mean they have the same towing demands. EV battery weight, vehicle size, axle loading, and wheel configuration all affect equipment requirements.
At Collins, our different Hi-Speed® Dolly configurations vary in their capacities. For example, the HSD-P4C carries 3,040 pounds while the HSD-G7X reaches an industry-leading 5,000 pounds. Their tire and speed ratings also vary, and those differences matter. Towers should confirm all equipment ratings before starting the tow.
Which Tow Dolly Safety Features Should Operators Prioritize?
Towing equipment for modern vehicles should protect the operator as well as the customer’s vehicle. We recommend evaluating how a dolly behaves during setup, lifting, securement, and transport.
In our experience, the right dolly also helps create consistent towing procedures. When tow operators train to use the same equipment in the same way, the process becomes more predictable. This predictability becomes increasingly important as towers encounter more sophisticated vehicles in unpredictable conditions, from parking garages and busy highways to rain, snow, and gravel.
How Can Towing Companies Choose the Best Dolly for Their Fleet?
The towing equipment that worked ten years ago won’t necessarily work with the vehicles on the road today. When you’re looking to upgrade your equipment, we recommend starting with these steps:
- Review your service-call mix. Determine how frequently your operators encounter EVs, AWD vehicles, luxury cars, low-clearance models, and heavier SUVs or trucks.
- Identify your required capacities. Compare vehicle and axle weights with dolly, tire, tow truck, and securement ratings.
- Evaluate vehicle dimensions. Consider the wheel width, tire size, and ground clearance of all the vehicles your operators regularly recover.
- Prioritize repeatable procedures. Choose equipment that your team can train on and use consistently in real-world conditions.
- Plan for the next generation of vehicles. Select equipment that gives your operation useful versatility as EV and AWD service calls continue to grow.
Choose Collins for Towing Equipment for Today’s Vehicles
Modern vehicles demand modern equipment. The right tow dolly gives operators the capacity, control, and versatility they need to handle today’s EVs, AWD, and luxury vehicles.
At Collins, we’ve been the Towers Choice since 1972. Our Hi-Speed® and Carrier Dolly systems are engineered for safety, adaptability, and real-world performance. Talk to your local authorized dealer about the Collins dolly configuration that fits your fleet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tow an AWD vehicle with two wheels on the ground?
No. Towing an AWD vehicle with two wheels on the ground can damage drivetrain components. Always check the vehicle manufacturer’s towing instructions and use properly rated equipment for the approved method.
Why do EVs require special towing equipment?
EVs combine heavier battery packs with electric motors, regenerative braking systems, and high-voltage components. Operators must account for those systems, the vehicle’s weight, ground clearance, and the manufacturer’s towing requirements when selecting and using towing equipment. Most EVs must be transported on a flatbed, making the Carrier Dolly an ideal solution for safely positioning the vehicle for loading.
What should I check before choosing a tow dolly?
Check the vehicle’s weight, axle loading, drivetrain, wheel dimensions, and ground clearance. Then confirm the dolly capacity, tire ratings, cross-rail configuration, tow truck limits, and securement equipment. Always follow the vehicle and equipment manufacturers’ instructions.
What tow dolly features help with luxury vehicle towing?
Look for equipment that supports controlled loading, secure wheel retention, proper alignment, and reliable tie-down procedures while minimizing unnecessary contact with low-clearance body, wheel, and underbody components.