How Much Is a Car Dolly from U-Haul? Cost & Rules (2026)
A U-Haul tow dolly listed at about $44.95 to $49.95 per day for in-town rentals in October 2026, but the number at checkout depends on your pickup location, one-way distance, and optional coverage. The bigger question is whether your car should ride on a dolly at all: U-Haul says the dolly is built mainly for front-wheel-drive cars, and rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles often need the more expensive auto transport. This guide covers the price, the size and weight limits, which vehicles qualify, and the safety checks U-Haul asks you to make on the road.
Quick Answer
U-Haul pages listed a tow dolly at $44.95 to $49.95 per day in town and an auto transport at $69.95 per day (as of 2026-10; varies by location and distance). One-way rentals are priced by origin, destination and date, with unlimited miles. The dolly carries up to 4,080 lbs of towed vehicle and suits front-wheel-drive cars best; for AWD, 4WD or RWD cars where the driveshaft cannot come off, use the auto transport. Maximum towing speed for both is 55 mph.
U-Haul Car Dolly Pricing Breakdown (2026)
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| Rental item | What U-Haul pages list (as of 2026-10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tow dolly, local (in-town) | $44.95 to $49.95 per day | Two U-Haul pages list slightly different daily figures; varies by location |
| Auto transport, local (in-town) | $69.95 per day | Varies by location |
| One-way rental | Quoted per trip | Set by equipment, origin, destination and move date; includes a set number of days |
| Mileage | No per-mile charge | U-Haul states trailer and towing rentals include unlimited miles |
| SafeTow coverage (optional) | Starting around $8 per rental day | Damage waiver plus towed-property protection; see the coverage section below |
| Cash deposit (if not paying by credit card) | In-town: $75 or estimated charges, whichever is greater | One-way: $75 plus the rental rate; no deposit with a major credit card |
These figures come from U-Haul’s own equipment and pricing pages and were checked as of October 2026; U-Haul says rates vary by pickup location, rental length and timing, so the only exact price is the one you get by entering your pickup and drop-off locations on uhaul.com. Taxes and fees are added at checkout and differ by location. For a rough one-day local budget, a dolly at $44.95 to $49.95 plus coverage from about $8 per day lands near $53 to $58 before taxes, and an auto transport at $69.95 plus the same coverage lands near $78 (our own arithmetic from the listed figures, not a quote).
The rental fee is only part of the cost of a tow. You also need a tow vehicle with a proper hitch and working lights, and you can compare broader rental and ownership costs in our guide to renting or buying a car dolly.
What Is a U-Haul Car Dolly (Tow Dolly)?
A car dolly (U-Haul calls it a tow dolly) is a small two-wheeled trailer. The front wheels of the towed car sit on the dolly and are strapped down with tire straps, while the rear wheels roll on the road. An auto transport is a longer dual-axle trailer that carries the whole car with all four wheels off the ground.
U-Haul’s listed specs for a rental tow dolly are a maximum load of 4,080 lbs, an empty weight of 740 lbs, an overall length of 11 ft 5 in with the ramps stored, and automatic hydraulic surge brakes. The towed car’s tires must fit within a 3 ft 8 in minimum inside width and a 6 ft 4 in maximum outside width. One older U-Haul document lists lower load figures (3,450 lbs for a front-wheel-drive car and 3,900 lbs for rear-wheel drive), so treat 4,080 lbs as the ceiling and confirm your exact car on the reservation.
Tow Dolly vs Auto Transport: Which Do You Need?
| Feature | Tow dolly | Auto transport |
|---|---|---|
| Local daily rate (as of 2026-10; varies) | $44.95 to $49.95 | $69.95 |
| Wheels on the road | Rear two wheels roll on the pavement | None; all four wheels are on the trailer |
| Maximum load | 4,080 lbs | 5,290 lbs |
| Empty weight | 740 lbs | 2,210 lbs |
| Drive types | Built mainly for front-wheel drive; RWD and 4WD only with the driveshaft disconnected and secured | Built for RWD and AWD cars where removing the driveshaft is hard or not an option |
| Tow vehicle | 2 in hitch ball listed; U-Haul checks your vehicle and hitch online | Must be able to tow at least 6,000 lbs per U-Haul; mirrors on both sides and working lights |
| Maximum towing speed | 55 mph | 55 mph |
The practical difference is the drivetrain. When a rear-wheel-drive car rolls on a dolly, its rear wheels turn the driveshaft and transmission without the engine running, so U-Haul requires the driveshaft to be disconnected and secured. U-Haul is explicit that putting the car in neutral is not enough to prevent transmission damage. If you are not comfortable removing a driveshaft, or your owner’s manual says not to tow on a dolly, choose the auto transport and skip the problem.
Vehicle Compatibility: Can My Car Use a Tow Dolly?
U-Haul validates the tow vehicle, the hitch and the car being towed when you reserve and again at pickup, so start with its online checker and your owner’s manual. Use this list as a pre-check before you book:
- Towed car weight: 4,080 lbs maximum on the dolly, 5,290 lbs on the auto transport.
- Tire width: the towed car’s outside tire width must be 6 ft 4 in or less, and the inside width at least 3 ft 8 in, to fit the dolly.
- Front-wheel drive: the best match for a dolly. U-Haul says it can tow most FWD vehicles.
- Rear-wheel drive: possible on a dolly only with the driveshaft disconnected from the transmission and secured to another part of the car.
- AWD and 4WD: U-Haul points these to the auto transport. Many all-wheel-drive systems cannot be turned off by pulling a driveshaft, so follow your owner’s manual; if it does not allow dolly towing, use a full trailer.
- Tow vehicle: needs a hitch, mirrors on both sides and fully working lights. U-Haul’s pages state different tow-vehicle weight rules for different equipment, so rely on the result of its online vehicle and hitch check rather than a single rule of thumb.
If you are still sizing up your own vehicle’s hitch, read what hitch you need to tow a U-Haul trailer, and if you are weighing drivetrains for towing in general, see our RWD vs AWD vs 4WD towing comparison.
What’s Included in the Rental
A U-Haul tow dolly rental comes with the dolly itself, its loading ramps, safety chains and ratchet-style tire straps for the front wheels, and it is towed on a 2 in hitch ball per U-Haul’s equipment pages (confirm the ball size on your reservation). The towing price includes unlimited miles. Coverage is a separate choice, covered next.
SafeTow coverage and your own insurance
U-Haul states that without optional coverage you are financially responsible for any damage to the rental equipment, regardless of fault. Its SafeTow plan, which U-Haul lists starting at around $8 per rental day, includes a damage waiver for the trailer or towing device, towed-property protection of $5,000 to $20,000 with a $100 deductible per occurrence, and medical and life protection. U-Haul notes exclusions such as damage from improper packing or loading, and that SafeTow does not cover automobiles in Virginia.
U-Haul also warns that your own auto policy will likely not cover damage to a trailer you rent. Before you decline coverage, read whether your car insurance covers a U-Haul and call your insurer.
How to Save Money on a U-Haul Tow Dolly
- Price your exact trip: one-way quotes depend on origin, destination and date, so try nearby pickup locations and nearby dates on uhaul.com and compare totals.
- Pick the right equipment: a dolly costs less per day than an auto transport, but if your car would need driveshaft work, the transport can be the cheaper outcome once you count the labor and the risk.
- Check coverage before you buy it: compare the SafeTow price with what your own policy or credit card actually covers, in writing.
- Use the included days: a one-way price includes a set number of days, so plan the drive to finish inside them rather than paying for more.
- Return it on time: late returns can add charges; confirm the return window on your reservation.
How to Rent a U-Haul Tow Dolly: Step by Step
- Go to uhaul.com and open the Towing section, then choose Tow Dolly.
- Enter your pickup location and drop-off location (the same place for a local rental).
- Choose the pickup date and time.
- Enter your tow vehicle and the car being towed so U-Haul can check the hitch and the combination.
- Decide on optional coverage such as SafeTow.
- Pay by credit card, or follow the cash deposit rules if you pay another way.
- Pick up the dolly and let the U-Haul team walk you through hooking up and loading before you leave the lot.
Towing Safety: What U-Haul Asks You to Check
Towing a car on a dolly changes how your vehicle brakes and handles, so the safety steps matter more than the price. These come from U-Haul’s tow dolly and towing instructions:
- Keep to 55 mph or less. That is U-Haul’s maximum recommended towing speed for its dollies and auto transports.
- Lock or tie the steering wheel. The towed car’s front tires must point straight ahead. If the column has no lock, U-Haul says to wrap the driver’s seat belt around the bottom of the steering wheel, remove the slack and buckle it so the wheel cannot move.
- Test drive and recheck the straps. After loading, take a short drive including slow left and right turns, then recheck the tire straps. U-Haul says to recheck the straps and all hookup connections again after the first 5 miles, after 50 miles, and at every stop after that.
- Mind strap fit. If 6 inches of strap will not pull through the ratchet spool, the tires are too large for the standard straps; U-Haul allows customer-supplied tie-down straps in that case.
- Drive-train work comes first. For a rear-wheel-drive car on a dolly, disconnect and secure the driveshaft before you load, and check your owner’s manual.
Stop in a safe place and do not continue if a strap keeps loosening, the towed car shifts on the dolly, the trailer begins to sway, or you hear a drivetrain noise. If you are unsure about removing a driveshaft or about the weight of your tow vehicle, ask a mechanic or choose the auto transport. For towing a front-wheel-drive car other ways, see how to tow a front wheel drive car.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a U-Haul car dolly cost per day?
U-Haul pages listed a tow dolly at $44.95 to $49.95 per day for in-town rentals as of October 2026. One-way rentals are quoted by origin, destination and date, and include unlimited miles. Optional SafeTow coverage starts around $8 per day. Prices vary by location, so get an exact quote at uhaul.com.
What is the weight limit for a U-Haul tow dolly?
U-Haul’s current rental specs list a maximum load of 4,080 lbs for the dolly, which is the weight of the car being towed. An older U-Haul document lists lower figures, so confirm your car on the reservation. For heavier cars, the auto transport lists a 5,290 lb maximum load.
Can I tow a rear-wheel drive car on a U-Haul tow dolly?
Only with the driveshaft disconnected from the transmission and secured to the car. U-Haul says leaving it in neutral is not enough to prevent transmission damage, and to check your owner’s manual first. If you cannot remove the driveshaft, U-Haul recommends the auto transport.
Does U-Haul tow dolly rental include insurance?
No. U-Haul states that without optional coverage you are financially responsible for damage to the rental equipment regardless of fault. SafeTow, listed from around $8 per day, adds a damage waiver and towed-property protection of $5,000 to $20,000 with a $100 deductible. Your own auto policy will likely not cover a rented trailer.
What’s the difference between a U-Haul tow dolly and auto transport?
A tow dolly lifts only the front wheels, so the rear wheels roll on the road; an auto transport carries all four wheels on the trailer. The auto transport costs more ($69.95 vs $44.95 to $49.95 per day, as of 2026-10), carries more (5,290 lbs vs 4,080 lbs) and suits RWD and AWD cars, while the dolly suits front-wheel-drive cars.
How fast can you drive with a U-Haul tow dolly?
U-Haul’s maximum recommended towing speed is 55 mph for its tow dolly and auto transport. Slow down for turns, wind and hills, and expect longer braking distances with a car in tow.
How often should you check the straps on a tow dolly?
After loading, take a short test drive, then recheck the tire straps and hookup connections. U-Haul says to check them again after the first 5 miles, again after 50 miles, and at every stop after that.
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