Where to Rent a Car Dolly Near You (And What to Know Before You Do)
A car dolly is a two-wheeled tow attachment that lifts a vehicle's front wheels off the ground while leaving the rear wheels rolling on the road. It's one of the most common tools for towing a front-wheel-drive car behind a moving truck or larger vehicle — and renting one is usually straightforward, though the details vary quite a bit depending on where you are and what you're towing.
What a Car Dolly Actually Does
Unlike a flatbed car trailer, which carries all four wheels off the ground, a car dolly only lifts the drive wheels. This works well for front-wheel-drive vehicles because the driven wheels (front) are raised and not spinning freely at highway speeds, which would otherwise cause transmission damage.
The towed car's rear wheels roll along the road surface. That's why car dollies are not recommended for rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles without specific precautions — in many cases, they can't be safely used at all with those drivetrains.
Where to Rent a Car Dolly
The most widely available sources for car dolly rentals include:
- Moving truck rental companies — The major national chains (U-Haul, Penske, Budget, etc.) typically offer car dollies as add-ons to truck rentals. In most cases, you'll need to rent a truck from them to access the dolly.
- Equipment rental yards — Standalone rental shops sometimes carry car dollies independently of truck rentals.
- Peer-to-peer rental platforms — Some trailer-sharing marketplaces connect private owners with renters, though availability is uneven by region.
Searching "car dolly rental near me" through Google Maps or the websites of major rental chains will show current inventory at specific locations. Availability isn't guaranteed — popular moving weekends (especially end of month and summer months) can deplete local stock quickly.
What Affects Whether You Can Rent One
Not every vehicle can be towed on a dolly, and rental companies typically ask about your vehicle before confirming a reservation. Key factors include:
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | FWD vehicles are generally compatible; AWD and 4WD often are not |
| Transmission type | Some automatics require driveshaft disconnection or have mileage limits |
| Vehicle weight | Dollies have maximum tow weight ratings; heavier vehicles may exceed limits |
| Vehicle clearance | Low ground clearance can make loading difficult or impossible |
| Wheelbase | Very short or very long wheelbases may create compatibility issues |
Always check the rental company's compatibility guide with your vehicle's year, make, model, and trim level. Many major chains have online lookup tools for this purpose.
Typical Costs and What's Usually Included 🚗
Car dolly rental pricing varies by company, region, rental duration, and demand. As a general range, daily rates often fall somewhere between $50 and $100, though one-way rentals (where you drop the dolly off at a different location) are priced differently than local round-trip rentals and tend to cost more.
Most rentals include:
- The dolly unit with wheel straps
- Basic instructions for loading
- A wiring harness to connect the towed vehicle's lights to the truck's brake and turn signals
What's typically not included: insurance coverage for the towed vehicle, roadside assistance for the towed car itself, or help with loading. Rental company damage waivers may or may not cover the dolly — always confirm before you leave the lot.
What You'll Need to Tow It
The towing vehicle (the one doing the pulling) needs a receiver hitch and a wiring connector compatible with the dolly's harness. Car dollies are typically designed for a 2-inch receiver hitch. If your tow vehicle doesn't already have a hitch installed, that's a separate cost and process — and it needs to be rated for the combined weight of the dolly plus the towed car.
Gross trailer weight and tongue weight ratings on the tow vehicle both matter here. A car dolly itself can weigh 700–900 pounds before the towed car is loaded, and a small car adds another 2,000–4,000+ pounds to the equation.
Loading and Legal Considerations
Most rental companies require the renter to load the vehicle themselves, though some locations have staff who assist or demonstrate. Loading a car onto a dolly requires ramps, careful alignment, and proper strap-down technique — it's not complicated, but first-timers should watch instructional videos and go slowly.
Legally, towing a vehicle on a dolly may require: ⚠️
- Safety chains between the dolly and the tow vehicle
- Working brake lights and turn signals on the towed vehicle (via the wiring harness)
- A valid tow vehicle registration and insurance that covers towing
- In some states, a separate license plate or permit on the dolly itself
State laws vary significantly on lighting requirements, chain requirements, and speed restrictions when towing. Some states cap towing speed below general highway limits. The rental company will often provide a general checklist, but confirming local rules for each state you'll pass through is something you'll need to do on your own.
The Variables That Shape Your Experience
No two car dolly rentals look exactly alike. Your outcome depends on your vehicle's drivetrain and weight, the availability of rental units in your area, the hitch setup on your tow vehicle, how far you're traveling, and the laws in every state along your route.
Someone towing a compact front-wheel-drive sedan across two states with a properly hitched pickup truck will have a very different experience than someone trying to dolly an AWD crossover on a local move with no hitch installed yet. The equipment is the same — everything else changes the equation.
