Towing a car without a trailer: If you've ever driven long distances on one of America's highways, you've probably seen an RV pulling a Jeep , dinghy style. You can sell the car and buy a new one at your destination. * Long Distance Rates are calculated with a regular sedan traveling to/from major cities for each location listed and can vary $100+/- depending on several factors including weather, time of year, distance from highways, urban or suburban location, and current fuel costs. You can travel to your final destination in a much safer way too. No additional storage needed at the final destination. If you ever need to move a car across the country, across state lines, or from one city to another, dont hesitate to get in touch with us here at SGT Auto Transport. The cheapest way to tow a car long distance will be with a car carrier, not a tow truck. Before you start a blind search of all the car shipping companies in Atlanta, here's what you need to know. You should also inquire about any incidences they've had in the past. Similar to when you rent a car you want to inspect your car closely before shipping it off. So stay in the same lane while moving. Its always best to check with car towing companies for their definition of long distance. They all work the same. The cost varies depending on the distance being covered, the type of vehicle being towed, and the service provider you're working with. They tend to also drag cars on their wheels with a conventional truck that scoops up one side of the vehicle. The cost of a car dolly trailer ranges between $2,000 to $4,500. Sometimes you have no choice but to improvise, and you may wonder: Is it possible for me to tow a car with my vehicle? 7 min read Share Article At a glance If you're moving a long distance and you have a car, you have several options to get it to your new home. Tow dollies are designed to carry no more than 3,450 lbs, or 3,900 lbs if the vehicle is rear-wheel-drive. I bet you must already be aware of car trailers. By the way, for a truck and Trailer it's $2633.00. For towing a car long distance:Avoid using tow dollies for excessive long-distance traveling, especially off-road travel. Here is everything you should know about long-distance car towing. Receive a custom quote from a Car Moving Company today that's designed to meet your needs and budget. 'Show more' : 'Show less' }}. The first thing to look for is licensing and insurance. When a car is loaded onto a carrier trailer, there is minimal risk of wear and tear on your tires. In addition to Forbes, she works as a copywriter for businesses of all sizes. 85.214.255.3 Your vehicle is safely secured onto an auto transport trailer. Leave the dolly in park, and secure the parking brake. No matter the reason, its crucial to understand the unique challenges and costs associated with cross country towing. Full tires make driving much smoother and easier. It can be hard work for the vehicle doing the towing, but for the vehicle being towed, its a walk in the park. Whats the difference between a tow dolly and a car trailer? The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Mary is a 30 years old freelance writer for more than 10 years now, and she's been writing in many fields, but mostly she wrote for a local journal on a daily basis for more than 5 years. Keep in mind that, the tow car, dolly, and broken car should be lined up on the level ground. Depending on your needs an auto transport company can tailor their service to meet your requirements. You can ship it professionally. The hitch should have an appropriate size ball hitch attached. Don't use the rushed services and don't schedule your towing for the business season. The longer you use the dolly, the more wear and tear because more weight is being put on the tires when one end of the car is lifted. How to Properly Tow a Vehicle | YourMechanic Advice Do not overtake any vehicle as it may cause destruction. How Much Does It Cost To Tow A Car Long Distance . Many moving trucks can also tow a car. While they may seem to just be a pointless chore, you'll thank yourself later when your car arrives safe and sound. One benefit of using a professional towing service is that if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you will not have to spend money on gas or find a nearby gas station. Whereas, if your vehicle is high-value, unique, custom, classic, vintage, or modified, enclosed car transport is a better option. Tighten the coupler and check if it is securely fastened by moving the tow dolly a little bit. On the other hand, if you DIY tow your car, youre truly in the drivers seat for how quickly the car gets to its next destination. You should choose the best dolly for your car that you will get from many rental companies. A car towing service might be in need for various reasons, such as a move to a new state, a vehicle breakdown, or even luxury car transportation for a special event. For rear-wheel-drive vehicles or 4-wheel-drive vehicles, you will need to remove the driveshaft to prevent it from any damages while towing. If you are on a road trip and your car breaks down or gets extremely damaged you may need more than just a local tow. A big downside is the wear and tear a road trip will entail. There are a few factors that affect the long-distance towing price. If you have four-wheel drive vehicles, you will definitely need a car hauler to pull it behind your towing car. People in your community might have great advice too but don't forget to do your own research. Just put the handle on the hole and attach it with a big nut. These trailers can be rented from a company, and the vehicle owner pulls the trailer and the vehicle being towed to the desired . The bar has an arm that you can slide it in and out, secure it with the safety cables, and attach the arm with the bracket. If you need to back up to set the towed vehicle down, youll find it very challenging. Check about the car and the tow bar. By towing a car, you arent putting miles on the enginewhich is great if youre looking to avoid adding to the mileometer. Make a room for other vehicles. How much does it cost to tow a car - Long Distance Towing It can be dangerous for the tow truck driver and other drivers if your car is spilling fuel or fluid on the highway. With an auto transport company, your vehicle is collected from outside your home and loaded onto a car transport trailer. Auto transport, on the other hand, is a much safer option. A long distance towing company is normally the same as an auto transport company. Our rates for long distance towing rates are the cheapest available and inclusive of all fees. Towing dollies are suitable for front-wheel drive vehicles. Its always best to get a quote from a few car towing companies to compare prices and services before deciding. You will need a big truck or RV for towing. You'll find these on *Uhaul or *Penske for example. 0:00 / 1:12 How to Tow a Car Long Distance Clearway Towing 19 subscribers Subscribe 4 Share 114 views 7 years ago DIY: How to Tow a Car Long Distance by Clearway Towing in Calgary.. Disclaimer: Even if it is very convenient and cost-effective to tow your own car, still, hiring a tow company is a great option if you want to have a safe damage-free tow and additionallyfewer efforts and a big time saver. $171. By demystifying complicated topics ranging from mortgage products to baby stroller options, she hopes to give readers more confidence in their next steps. Additional troubleshooting information here. Also, while towing with your car may be safe, the car you are pulling may not be suited for such activities. What happens is that tow dollies operate by lifting the front wheel portion of the car and there is immense pressure on the rear wheels while traveling and there is a risk of wear and tear to the rear wheels. However, if you were already budgeting for that, then it isnt much more to add on a car trailer. Yes it is. You will need to know your vehicle's tow rating (how much weight it can tow), if it has a tow hitch, whether the car you are towing has 2-wheel (2WD) or 4-wheel (4WD), and whether the car you are towing has an automatic or manual transmission. Most experts believe that towing a car with a tow truck or a pickup/trailer combo is significantly superior to towing it with another vehicle, but not everyone has access to such heavy machinery. In this case, the steering will be easy to handle. How Does Long-Distance Car Towing Work? To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Home site. If the dolly youre using comes with clamp-on or magnetic tail lights, make sure you lay them out of the way. Never back your car onto the dolly. Moving your broken down car a long distance is quite tough, but not impossible. Equipment needed usually costs less than a tow dolly. Good news! It can be a lengthy process and it's imperative that you make other arrangements while you wait for your car. Before you head out, check all the lights to be sure theyre working correctly. How Long Does it Take to Tow a Car?- NexGen Auto Transport According to Uhaul, the maximum weight limit for towing a car ranges from 3500-3900 lbs. Avoid sudden braking and of course, check the mirrors regularly. Receive a custom quote from a Car Moving Company today that's designed to meet your needs and budget by clicking on your state. The company should be licensed but don't forget about the drivers. THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. A tow dolly is great for towing cars short distances. Then plug in the lights and make sure they correspond to your towing vehicle. Also do not brake a busy road. On average, it costs $2 to $4 per mile for long-distance towing if a professional service is transporting your car. Also, it does not need to change the lane. Every tow dollies have ratchet straps, put it near the front tire. The time of year can also help you bring the cost down. Emily is a writer specializing in personal finance, real estate and parenting. With long distance car towing services you are talking about auto transport or shipping a vehicle, either operable or inoperable, usually from one city or state to another. In this method, the towed car front sides load on the dolly while towing. Lay these out, so theyre ready to wrap around the tires when you need them. Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. If you are considering towing your vehicle yourself, keep in mind that there is a slight learning curve. From California to Texas is 1869 Km or 1,161 miles. National Express has long distance towing services that cross all 50 states. Total cost with tow dolly or car carrier. Its also important to make sure the car towing company you choose is licensed and insured, as this will guarantee that your vehicle is in good hands and protected during the out of state car towing. Make the two chains in a cross position. You can do it yourself, but for the best results, we recommend hiring a professional. Luckily, you have plenty of other options, one of which is hiring an, Not all locations are accessible for auto transport trucks and trailers, According to a report released by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the. To keep the car in place, you cant block your vehicles wheels or use the emergency brake like you would if you were using a trailer. No additional mileage is clocked up on your car. When you tow a car using a dolly, the rear wheels are on the ground, and they have more weight on them because the front wheels are lifted. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. December 5, 2020 by Peter Caldwell Leave a Comment. During the weekends and public holidays, many businesses close their doors. 2023 Towing Service Cost | Tow Truck Rates & Prices Per Mile - HomeGuide It will save you from getting stuck in any place. For heavy cars along with luggage, a safe and damage-free but expensive towing, and auto trailers could be the way you need to go. 2016 - 2023 Copyright: SGT Auto Transport Corp. Nexus Auto Transport 2023. You may be obliged to hire a car towing service if this occurs. I had a quote for 3 days (extra day and a half in case issues) and it was $0.69 per mile so two ways that was $900 just for the miles plus the trailer and gas. When it comes to how to tow a car long distance, proper towing protocols must be followed (click to read the. Cost influencers for car towing to consider are: How far does your car need to go, is just one of the factors that influence towing costs. Wont work on all vehicles due to drivetrain limitations. It is possible to tow a rear-wheel-drive vehicle on a tow dolly, but youll have to disconnect and remove the driveshaft so you dont damage the transmission. Because most cars that are moved in this manner are going across states. Do not accelerate otherwise the car will still roll. Check your DNS Settings. First of all, hook the towing bracket to the towed car. Go to the other side and do the same thing to the other tire. The skilled towing service will tow your vehicle safely and without causing further damage. How To Tow A Car Long Distance Jul 2023 Lets get towed! Some of the most common types of damage that can occur during cross country towing include tire damage, suspension damage, and damage to the transmission or drivetrain. You need to take everything slow and steady - never exceed 15 mph. When you hook up the dolly, make sure youve got the right hitch and that its the right size. Lets look at whether this is a viable alternative to using a tow dolly. Nowadays, you can register on the websites offering such facilities, and you will be provided with their services on your doorstep. The chassis is where the tow hitch is mounted. Please see our. Towing services have a maximum weight that they can carry. Price isn't everything but you should make note of it. The carrier company will load and unload the car. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. You can also try to arrange for a one-way rental truck or trailer to transport your car instead of using a long distance towing service. Keep the required ball size and check if the bumper can be used. There are, however, other costs to take into account. Generally speaking, you can attach a . A trailer is also safer to tow, and you can use it to transport a wide variety of vehicles. This car towing service is generally needed when a vehicle has broken down or been involved in an accident far away from home or when a vehicle is being moved to a new location. Its essential to plan ahead as much as possible to save on interstate long tow costs. If you are in a rush this can be a great option though. Although a towing dolly can work for long-distance moves, its not the preferred method. They could be expensive. According to a report released by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average car weight tips the scales at more than 4,000 pounds, which means there will be lots of car owners who cant use a tow dolly to move their car. Accidents happen and sometimes they're unavoidable but it's important to know how they handle those situations when they arise. Driving yourself is one of the most obvious. 1 Check local ordinances to ensure using a tow strap is legal. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. First of all, take the tow dolly neat to the towed vehicle and hook it. The braking time is different here. The same is true for towing a long distance. Mainly the front wheel will roll, but when the transmission is a disconnect, the rear wheel rolls. Attach the chains, crisscrossing them beneath the trailer tongue and attaching them to the vehicle's trailer hitch. We adjusted the MPG for the extra cost of having a car behind you to pull. The driver will be able to load and unload your car more efficiently with full tires. There will be the cost of fuel to consider, accommodation, food, and drinks along the way. Properly transporting a car to another location requires some basic knowledge about towing. So when weighing the tow comparable options, towing via carrier wins. Not all trailer lighting receptacles are the same, so make sure the dolly and lights match your car. All Rights Reserved. Apart from U-Haul, most dolly rental companies only allow you to use the dolly behind one of their rental trucks. But still, if you want to do their work, here the main key points to choose between tow dolly and auto trailer: I hope this article helped you with your question how to tow a car long distance. These services are door-to-door and are done on a multi car carrier. Don't forget to ask about their experience, credentials, and reputation. Use the clutch to pull away gently to prevent yanking on the rope suddenly, which can cause the tow rope to break, and avoid any sudden braking because the towed driver may not be able to react quickly enough to stop - tap gently instead to warn them. If you do not have a tow bar, it is still possible to tow a car using a rope or chain. If you have another vehicle that is equipped with a tow hitch and rated to pull the weight of the car you wish to transport, then you can go about long-distance car transportation for as little as $50 per day. The simple answer is no. It depends on the experience and time of your driving. Do a final sweep before sending your car off. Is your car front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD) if it has 2WD? Long-distance car transport: Everything you need to know. Extra protection is available for valuable vehicles with enclosed auto transport. Towing another car with a tow bar Sometimes you encounter trouble on the road, whether it's your vehicle or someone else's. Now lower the hitch onto the ball by rotating the handle. Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community! There are some restrictions on the speed an auto transport trailer can travel, but they are not as low as a tow dolly. In this method, you do not need any tow dolly or trailer to tow your car. tips the scales at more than 4,000 pounds, which means there will be lots of car owners who cant use a tow dolly to move their car. A dolly trailer, tow dolly, or car dolly is a trailer with two wheels that lifts only your cars front wheels. The caveat is that if you use a dolly for car towing, there can be more strain than typical on the rear tires. At the underneath of the car, there is a mounting hook, use it. If you have any questions regarding any of your towing needs, you can directly call ASAP Towing Services. The most common cause is that your DNS settings are incorrect. Check your DNS Settings. Move your towed car things to the moving truck. A tow hitch is standard on many trucks and SUVs, but it is not standard on most passenger cars. Thats because, due to the position the car needs to be in for transport with a dolly, there is greater pressure on the back tires. Long distance towing, also known as car towing from state to state, involves transporting a vehicle over a significant distance, typically across state lines. You have to protect the suspension system, driveshafts, brake line, etc. Cosmetic issues that affect the body of the car and its look can be fixed with ease however, mechanical issues may take more time and money. Medications, insurance cards, passports, and money should all be with you not with the towing company in your car. Filed Under: Car Tagged With: How to Tow a Car, Your email address will not be published. The maximum speed you can go when you tow a car with a dolly is 55MPH. keep in mind that you still have to pay for your gas. Hook up one chain on the left side and the other one on the right side. Before embarking on your cross-country relocation journey with your car in tow, however, you need to be well informed and well prepared. From a wear and tear perspective, a trailer is better than a dolly. Tow hitches, on the other hand, are simple to install. Heavier cars should not be towed using a car dolly. Another important factor to consider is the companys reputation and experience. How to get a car towed ~650 miles : r/Hookit - Reddit Hooking a vehicle up to a dolly is a complex undertaking, especially if youre totally new. When it comes to how to tow a car long distance, proper towing protocols must be followed (click to read thetowing rules in Canada).