Tow Dolly / Car Tow Dolly / Process Trailer Dolly

process trailer insert car camera car rigging car mount

Specialized wheeled platform used to tow vehicles during filming, allowing actors to 'drive' while actually being towed – enables safe capture of driving scenes with cameras mounted on follow vehicles or process trailers while actors focus on performance.

What is a Tow Dolly?

A Tow Dolly is a specialized towing device used to pull vehicles during filming. The actor sits in the "driving" car, which is actually being towed by another vehicle – enabling safe driving scenes with a focus on performance.

Basic Principle

Aspect	Description
Definition	Vehicle towing platform
Function	Towing a car
Purpose	Safe driving scenes
Alternative	Process Trailer

Construction

Component	Function
Platform	Supports front wheels
Wheels	Roll on the road
Tongue	Connection to tow vehicle
Securing	Straps, chains

Types

Type	Characteristics
Standard	Front wheels loaded
Flatbed	Entire vehicle
Specialty	Film-specific
Heavy Duty	Larger vehicles

Vs. Process Trailer

Aspect	Tow Dolly	Process Trailer
Cost	Less expensive	More expensive
Stability	Lower	Higher
Camera Options	Limited	Diverse
Setup	Faster	More complex

Applications

Scene Type	Usage
Dialogue Drives	Conversations in the car
Reactions	Actor reactions
Night Driving	Nighttime journeys
POV	Driver's perspective

Setup

Step	Activity
Positioning	Align dolly
Loading	Drive vehicle onto dolly
Securing	Strap down
Check	Safety inspection

Tow Vehicle

Type	Usage
Picture Car	Visible in frame
Work Truck	Out of frame
Insert Car	With camera rig
Specialty	Film trucks

Safety

Aspect	Measure
Straps	Secure vehicle
Speed	Limited speed
Communication	Walkie connection
Backup	Safety personnel

Camera Positions

Position	Mounting
Hood Mount	On the hood
Side Mount	On the side of the car
Following	Camera car behind
Drone	Aerial shot

Rigging

Element	Description
Suction Mounts	Suction cups
Speed Rail	Pipes/tubing
Hostess Tray	Side mount
Interior	Interior rig

Crew

Position	Task
Driver	Tow vehicle
Grip	Rigging
Safety	Coordination
Camera Op	With moving camera

Speed

Scenario	Typical Speed
Dialogue	15-25 mph
Action	30-40 mph
Highway	45-55 mph
Stunt	Variable

Challenges

Problem	Solution
Vibration	Dampening
Sync	Communication
Traffic	Road closure
Weather	Adaptation

Permits

Requirement	Description
Road Permit	Street permit
Police	Escort
Insurance	Special coverage
Traffic Control	If necessary

Alternatives

Method	Application
Green Screen	Studio driving shots
LED Volume	Virtual Production
Rear Projection	Classic method
Actual Driving	With stunt driver

Best Practices

Practice	Reason
Safety First	Always the priority
Test Run	Check before shooting
Communication	Clear signals
Backup Plan	Have alternatives

Today

Tow dollies remain a practical tool for driving scenes, although LED volumes and virtual production are increasingly offering alternatives. For certain shots – especially with natural light and real roads – the combination of a tow dolly and a practical vehicle continues to be the most convincing solution for authentic driving scenes.

From the crafts

Perspectives

Cinematographer

Tow Dollys ermöglichen mir, Fahrszenen zu drehen, ohne dass der Schauspieler tatsächlich fahren muss. Das gibt mir mehr Kontrolle über Kameraposition und Timing für perfekte Aufnahmen.

Director

Mit Tow Dollys können meine Darsteller sich voll auf ihre Performance konzentrieren, während das Fahrzeug sicher geschleppt wird. Das erhöht sowohl Sicherheit als auch schauspielerische Qualität.

Producer

Tow Dollys sind eine kosteneffektive Alternative zu Process Trailern für bestimmte Aufnahmen. Sie erfordern weniger Equipment, müssen aber mit Sicherheitsüberlegungen abgewogen werden.