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A tow dolly lifts a car's front wheels while the rear wheels roll on the road. Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland rents U-Haul tow dollies from our Upland lot, reserved on uhaul.com. It is a common way to bring a front-wheel-drive car along on a move. A technician runs a free hookup check before you leave and shows you the ramps and tire straps.
Is a tow dolly right for your car?
- The towed car is front-wheel drive and listed as eligible on uhaul.com
- The tow vehicle's rating covers the dolly plus the car
- You can plan every stop so you never need to back up
- The towed car's front tires are sound enough to strap
- The towed car's rear tires are inflated, since they roll the whole way
What is different about driving with a dolly?
The dolly pivots under the car, so the rig bends in two places. That makes backing up a mistake: within a few feet, the dolly can turn sharply and damage the car or the dolly. Plan every stop so you can pull through, and unhook if you must reposition.
Because the car's rear wheels roll on the road, bumps and potholes reach the towed car. Take driveways slowly and at an angle. After the first few miles, pull over somewhere safe and retighten the tire straps, since tires settle into them.
What if my car is rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?
Towing those vehicles with drive wheels on the ground can damage the transmission or transfer case. Many are not eligible for a dolly, and U-Haul's reservation system will usually steer you to the auto transport trailer instead. Do not try to work around it. A damaged transmission costs far more than the difference between the two rentals.
Our tow dolly pickup process
Step 1: Check eligibility
We confirm the towed car on your uhaul.com reservation.
Step 2: Inspect the dolly
Ramps, tire straps, tires and lights are checked with you and photographed.
Step 3: Hook up
Ball size, latch, pin and crossed chains are set.
Step 4: Light test
The dolly's lights are tested with a second person watching.
Step 5: Strap walkthrough
We show how the tire straps route and tighten, and remind you to recheck them early.
What's included with a tow dolly rental
Included on the work order
- 01Eligibility check against your reservation
- 02Dolly walk-around with photos
- 03Free hookup check
- 04Light test
- 05Tire strap and ramp orientation
- 06Tongue weight and hitch rating review
Need-now or need-later before dolly towing?
Need now: call
- Worn or damaged front tires on the towed car
- Tow vehicle brakes that squeal or pull
- Low rear tires on the towed car
Need later: book
- A wheel alignment check on the towed car after the move
- Tow vehicle wiper blades during the dry months
- A small oil seep on the towed car
How pricing and timing work
U-Haul sets the dolly rate, shown on uhaul.com with your dates and route. The hookup check costs nothing. If the towed car's tires look questionable, our paid tire services team can inspect them and sell, mount and balance new ones, with a written estimate first.
After the tow
Unload on level ground with the dolly still hitched, loosen the straps fully and back the car off slowly. Drive the towed car gently for the first few miles and listen for new noises. If the steering feels off after the trip, we inspect tire wear and suspension, arrange an alignment and road-test the result; see suspension and steering services. Every option is on the auto transport and towing hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I back up with a U-Haul tow dolly?
No. The dolly pivots and can jackknife quickly, which can damage the car or the dolly. Choose stops where you can pull through, and unhook the car if you must reposition.
Do I need to disconnect anything on my car to use a tow dolly?
Follow the towing section of your owner's manual and the dolly's instructions. Some vehicles have specific steps, and some are not eligible at all. The uhaul.com reservation checks eligibility.
How often should I check the tire straps?
Check them after the first few miles, then at every fuel or rest stop. Tires settle into the straps early in a trip, so that first check matters most.
Can a tow dolly carry a rear-wheel-drive truck?
Usually not without extra steps most renters cannot do safely. U-Haul's reservation system often routes rear-wheel-drive vehicles to the auto transport trailer instead.