Tow Dolly vs Tow Bar: Which One’s Better for RV Life? 🚐🔧

Your guide to choosing the right setup for full-time, part-time, or soon-to-be RVers.

When you first jump into RV life, towing can feel like a mysterious mix of logistics, safety science, and trial-and-error. And sooner or later, every RVer faces The Great Towing Question:

Tow Dolly or Tow Bar — Which one should you choose?

In this episode of The Simple Mile, we break down what many RVers learn over months of travel, campground tests, and real-world practice. After using a tow dolly for a solid stretch on the road, we finally sat down with a spreadsheet, a calculator, and one very honest conversation about what life would be like with a tow bar system.

Spoiler alert: the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all, but by the end, you’ll know exactly which setup fits your travel lifestyle, budget, and patience level. 😉

💰 Cost Comparison: Which One Saves You Money?

We compared:

• Purchase price
• Required accessories
• Installation or setup charges
• Long-term maintenance

Tow dollies can be less expensive up front, especially when buying used. But tow bars spread their cost across convenience, faster hookup time, and fewer moving parts down the road. Depending on your vehicle, you may also need base plates, electrical wiring, braking systems, and professional installation, which can raise the total investment.

Bottom line: There’s a difference between cheapest today and cheapest over time.

⚙️ Ease of Use: Which One Saves You Time (and Back Muscles)?

Speaking from real-world experience…

• With a tow dolly, you’re loading, strapping, crouching, checking angles, and occasionally giving yourself a pep talk in public.
• With a tow bar, once the system is set up on your vehicle, hookup and unhook can become a fast, almost routine part of travel days.

If ease, speed, and less physical strain matter to you, a tow bar earns serious points — especially in rain, wind, heat, or “we’re late” driving days.

🚘 Everyday Use: Lifestyle Matters

We also compared what happens after you arrive at a campsite.

Tow dolly owners learn quickly that once you’re parked, you’re not done — you still have to find a place to store the dolly. Some RV parks make this easy… others, not so much.

Tow bars, on the other hand, stay attached to the RV/vehicle system and don’t require additional parking space, lifting, or maneuvering.

Ask yourself:
Do you want to handle extra equipment every time you move?
Or would you rather your towing gear stay essentially invisible between drives?

🧩 Vehicle Compatibility: Not Every Setup Works for Every Car

A tow bar only works if your vehicle is flat-towable, and not all vehicles qualify. Always confirm through the manufacturer’s specifications, not just what someone says in a forum or campground.

Tow dollies are an alternative for vehicles that cannot be flat towed — making them an excellent fit for families who already own a car they love.

📊 Our Final Thoughts After Crunching the Data

After comparing:

• Cost
• Setup
• Storage
• Convenience
• Long-term practicality

…we realized the tow bar system seemed to be the better fit for our travel style, especially when pairing it with our 2024 Jeep Wrangler, which is already a popular flat-tow vehicle.

But your best choice depends on:

• Your vehicle
• Your physical comfort level
• How often you move
• Your budget
• Your long-term travel plans

🛠️ No Wrong Answer — Only the One That Works Best for You

Just like choosing the perfect RV floor plan, the right towing method comes down to personal preference and lifestyle. The best part? RV life is always adaptable — what works today might evolve tomorrow.

If you’re just getting started, researching a new setup, or ready to switch methods, this guide (and our episode) will help you make a confident, informed decision before hitting the road.

Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.”