The 411 on Using a Car Dolly Rental to Move Your Vehicle

Considering a car dolly rental for your next move? If you’re looking for a low-cost way to move your vehicle a short distance, then renting a tow dolly may be your best bet. Here’s the 411 on car dolly rentals, including what it is and where to find one.

Frequently asked questions about using a car dolly rental

What is a car dolly rental?

Often referred to as a “tow dolly,” a car dolly is a relatively inexpensive way to tow your car to a new home. These dollies are essentially trailers that lift and carry a vehicle’s two front wheels off the ground while leaving the two rear wheels on the ground. Keep in mind that a car dolly rental differs from a car trailer rental in that the entire car isn’t lifted off the ground and carried to its destination. In addition, using a car dolly often ends up causing more wear-and-tear to a car than using a car carrier. After all, leaving those two wheels on the ground could lead to damage to your wheels, bumper or undercar parts.

Are car dollies safe?

When used correctly, car dolly rentals are considered a safe way to move a vehicle a short distance. However, it is very important that you adhere to all of a rental company’s safety guidelines when operating a tow dolly. Safety concerns usually arise when: the car isn’t loaded onto the tow dolly correctly; the driver is driving too fast, which can cause whipping and swaying to occur; and/or the tow dolly isn’t hitched to the tow vehicle correctly. According to U-Haul, “the maximum weight that the vehicle-in-tow can be is determined by your specific tow vehicle,” so it is very important that the driver never place a different car on the tow dolly than the one listed in the rental contract. If the tow vehicle isn’t large enough or capable of towing the towed car then you could end up with a dangerous situation.

Where can I rent a car dolly?

Most car rental companies offer tow dollies for rent. Several rental companies we recommend considering include:

U-Haul – The car rental company offers tow dollies for rent “either behind a U-Haul moving truck or behind your own tow capable vehicle,” according to the company.
Budget Truck Rental – Budget’s tow dollies can be rented and attached to the company’s truck rentals. However, these tow dollies must be rented with a Budget Truck reservation and cannot be rented separately.
Penske Truck Rental – The truck rental company offers plenty of towing equipment add-on options. Penske notes, however, that all towing equipment “is engineered specifically to tow behind a Penske truck only” and cannot be rented separately.

What are the pros and cons of using a car dolly rental?

Should you rent a car dolly to move your vehicle? Consider these important pros and cons listed below.

Pros: The most important advantage to using a tow dolly over a car carrier or other car moving method is the price tag. Car dolly rentals are a low-cost, affordable way to move a vehicle from one place to another. The cost of renting a tow dolly will depend on the rental company’s rates at the time as well as the current demand.

Cons: While renting a tow dolly is very affordable, many find that the inconvenience isn’t worth the low cost. Unfortunately, car dolly rentals can be difficult to put together and hitch to your vehicle. You may need professional assistance to properly connect a tow dolly to another vehicle. They also come with weight limitations, distance limitations, maneuvering limitations and safety concerns. For instance, those renting a tow dolly must adhere to strict weight requirements when it comes to the weight of the tow vehicle and vehicle-in-tow. They also won’t be able to tow the vehicle long distance and must drive their vehicle slowly and carefully to avoid accidents.

Are there alternatives to renting a car dolly?

Prefer to use another car moving method besides a tow dolly? No problem. Perhaps you need to move your vehicle farther than a tow dolly can handle or maybe you’re simply willing to pay up for an easier way to move your car. Here are several alternatives to renting a car dolly.

Rent a car trailer – A car trailer is a four-wheel carrier that lifts and holds your car completely off the ground. Similar to a tow dolly, it is used to transport a car from one place to another. While renting a car trailer is more expensive than renting a tow dolly, it’s usually a more convenient option.
Drive it yourself – If you’re able to drive the car yourself, then this is most certainly a more affordable way to move your vehicle to a new home. When driving the car yourself, you also have the option to load personal belongings inside, which can help speed up your move.
Hire a professional driver – The most expensive way to move your car is to hire a personal driver to drive the vehicle to its destination. Not only is this an expensive alternative, but it’s also one that racks up mileage (not to mention wear-and-tear) on your car. However, this is often the more convenient option, as you’ll be able to receive your car quickly.
Hire an auto transport company – You can always hire an auto transport company to take care of the car moving for you. This is a convenient option that is usually more expensive than renting a tow dolly or car carrier but less expensive than hiring a personal driver. These car shipping companies typically load several cars onto their car carriers and drive them long distances to multiple destinations. When using an auto transport company, keep in mind that you may have to wait at least a week or two to receive your vehicle – depending on how many stops the transporter makes along the way.

What if I prefer to hire an auto transport company?

Fortunately, we can help. All you have to do is submit your auto transport move request to receive various car shipping quotes from our many licensed and insured auto transport partners. We’ll take a look at where you’re moving to; the make, model, year, and condition of your vehicle(s); and your planned move date to put together your free estimate. All car shipping quotes include auto transport costs as well as more information about company standards. Best of luck and happy moving!

Resources

The Best Car Shipping Companies
AmeriFreight Review
AutoStar Transport Express Review
Fidelity Auto Shipping Review
Montway Auto Transport Review
Nexus Auto Transport Review