Community Forums

angelbones · 12-22-2019, 07:41 AM

I'm trying to find a new or very late model sporty car (no SUVs, Jeeps, or trucks) with RWD or AWD that can be towed on a dolly. The dinghy guide is a start but I don't want to flat tow, just dolly it.

What's really confusing is that cars like the 2015 and earlier Dodge Challenger or 2016 Infiniti Q60, both RWD cars can be flat towed, but then later models can't. Why? I don't see what's different? Earlier Minis or Miatas could be flat towed, again both RWD, but not now. Even older Crosstreks, an AWD vehicle, could be flat towed (which means if it can be flat towed, it can be put on a dolly. Is it the manufacturer not wanting to be responsible or did transmissions change so that you can't do it anymore? Can't a sports car lover Rv too?

Gary RVRoamer · 12-22-2019, 09:13 AM

Dolly towing is mostly for front drive models, i.e. the drive wheels go on the dolly. It's technically possible to dolly tow a rear drive by backing it onto the dolly, but its a risky proposition and not something that most owners should attempt. AWD models need to be towed 4-down or on a trailer - few if any can tolerate dolly towing.

There are towable front drive sedans that are "sporty", but you may have your mind set on rear drive as the only choice for that. If so, I'd plan on installing a drive shaft disconnect on it.

Vongreg · 12-22-2019, 10:15 AM

I will let you do the look up to verify it is good to tow dolly but here are a few that come to mind. JCW Mini. (They are little tanks), Ford Focus and Fiesta ST, Honda Civic Type R. Just not sure the size of the vehicle you want. I think that any front will drive vehicle is safe to dolly tow.

Unicorn Driver · 12-22-2019, 10:25 AM

I looked at a couple of Sporty Hyundais for dolly towing. Decided on a Jeep Wrangler for towing and my DW got a 2 door merc convertible herself.

Alpine36 · 12-22-2019, 10:37 AM

Mini Cooper would be my choice. Wish we'd never sold ours.
BTW, all Coopers are fwd, with the exception of the rare awd model.
That would be an excellent dolly vehicle. Talk about fun to drive...
5 star safety rating also with 6 air bags standard. Our 02 gave us 148000 trouble free miles with the exception of one radiator replacement and a couple of minor recalls.

Glenn and Kathy · 12-22-2019, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelbones

I'm trying to find a new or very late model sporty car (no SUVs, Jeeps, or trucks) with RWD or AWD that can be towed on a dolly. The dinghy guide is a start but I don't want to flat tow, just dolly it.

What's really confusing is that cars like the 2015 and earlier Dodge Challenger or 2016 Infiniti Q60, both RWD cars can be flat towed, but then later models can't. Why? I don't see what's different? Earlier Minis or Miatas could be flat towed, again both RWD, but not now. Even older Crosstreks, an AWD vehicle, could be flat towed (which means if it can be flat towed, it can be put on a dolly. Is it the manufacturer not wanting to be responsible or did transmissions change so that you can't do it anymore? Can't a sports car lover Rv too?

Several AWD vehicles have been flat towable, but not dolly towable.

Glenn

creativepart · 12-22-2019, 11:14 AM

Fiat 500 Abarth edition. Flat towable with a manual transmission.

https://www.fiatusa.com/abarth-500.html

Healeyman · 12-22-2019, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelbones

Earlier Minis or Miatas could be flat towed, again both RWD, but not now.

I flat tow a 2012 Supercharged Miata retractable hardtop. You cannot get much sportier than that.

Over the past 12 years, I have helped literally hundreds of Miata owners, MANY of them on this forum, to get their cars of ALL years flat towable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelbones

Earlier Minis or Miatas could be flat towed, again both RWD, but not now.

Where did you get THAT?

A couple of months ago, I helped a friend get his 2019 Miata retractable set up to flat tow. He has now flat towed it a couple thousand miles with no ill effects.

NOTE: ONLY MANUAL transmission cars may be flat towed.

PM me if you want more information.

Tim

Rob_M · 12-22-2019, 12:26 PM

AWD vehicles can not be dolly-towed without unhooking the rear drive shaft because it will burn up the viscous coupler in the transfer case.
Opt for a standard shift rear or front drive sporty car and you’re good to go with either a dolly or flat-towed. Check for available tow-bar plates first.

angelbones · 12-23-2019, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn and Kathy

Several AWD vehicles have been flat towable, but not dolly towable.

Glenn

I'm confused by this comment. Why would something be able to be towed with 4 wheels down, but not two wheels down?

Rob_M · 12-23-2019, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelbones

I'm confused by this comment. Why would something be able to be towed with 4 wheels down, but not two wheels down?

I answered that in a previous post.

angelbones · 12-23-2019, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Dolly towing is mostly for front drive models, i.e. the drive wheels go on the dolly. It's technically possible to dolly tow a rear drive by backing it onto the dolly, but its a risky proposition and not something that most owners should attempt. AWD models need to be towed 4-down or on a trailer - few if any can tolerate dolly towing.

There are towable front drive sedans that are "sporty", but you may have your mind set on rear drive as the only choice for that. If so, I'd plan on installing a drive shaft disconnect on it.

I would not want to back up a car onto a dolly. I'm curious as to why flat towing an AWD vehicle is ok, whereas just putting the two rear wheels down of that same vehicle is not ok?

Rob_M · 12-23-2019, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_M

I answered that in a previous post.

There is viscous coupler which is a clutch friction mechanism for lack of a better term that connects the rear axle and front axles in AWD vehicles therefore all 4 wheels have to be rotating at the same rate or it will destroy the coupler.

rgvtexan · 12-23-2019, 09:36 AM

AWD is designed to have 4 wheels move in synch with each other. When on a dolly the front wheels are not moving. Expensive repairs will result.

I tow my AWD 4 down. below from the manual/

Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles can be towed with all four wheels
on the ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow
dolly. If you are using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
refer to the towing instructions below.
All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on
the ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle
transport trailer. Do not tow your AWD vehicle with the front
wheels off the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels
on the ground; this will cause damage to your AWD system.