How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Car Dolly

Do you have a lot of big items that need to be moved, but don’t want to spend the money on a moving truck? Maybe you’re considering renting a car dolly instead. But how much does it cost?

Looking for a cost-effective way to move your car around and wondering about the cost of renting a car dolly? If you don’t have access to a tow truck, renting a car dolly can be an excellent option. However, it’s crucial to choose from car rental companies that allow towing and understand the rental fees for different types of car dollies. Keep reading to discover more!

How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Car Dolly?

It costs around $40-$65 to rent a car dolly depending on your location, if your trip is one way or two-ways, or if your car dolly is picked up and returned to the same location or not.

Here are some popular rental companies to rent a car dolly:

• Budget
• Penske Towing Rentals
• U-Haul Rental

Budget

You’d need to pay at least $250 for a car dolly, you will also need to rent one of their Budget Trucks due to a package deal. The total rental would be over $700 per day.

Penske Towing Rentals

They do not allow their tow dolly rented separately from their truck. The rental fee for both tow dolly and truck would total in $880 per day.

U-Haul Rental

Unlike Budget and Penske where trucks typically don’t include towing dollies as an option, in U-Haul you can rent a car dolly separately, so you can use it during your rental truck rental or with your personal vehicle.

If you are towing with your personal car, you’ll need to know the make and model of your car, as well as the vehicle being towed. This will determine whether or not your vehicles are suitable for towing.

What’s included in the price?

It usually takes two individuals to load a car onto a tow dolly, and the dolly comes with safety chains and tie-down straps.

Learn about the additional costs associated with renting a dolly

The trailer hitch on vehicles can be up to 6,000 pounds. Adding a tow-hitch may cost around $150-$800 or an average of $450 to $500. Most insurance companies only cover collision for the vehicle pulling the bumper, so if you want collision coverage for the towed vehicle, expect to pay an additional cost, on top of the price of renting a tow dolly. To prepare for your upcoming move, budget for something like tow gear and fuel.

Renting a car dolly will cost you different fees. Find out the fee price and when it applies

Lift dollies are the most appropriate for towing front-wheel-driven cars. The drive shaft must be removed for all-wheel, or rear-wheel drive vehicles to be towed by a lift dolly.

Next, as a general guideline, the weight of the tow vehicle should be significantly greater than the weight of the car being towed. So, if you’re wondering whether you can tow with a rental car, keep in mind that the overall weight of the car being towed should not exceed 3,450 pounds for front wheels and 3,900 pounds for rear wheels. This will help ensure safe and successful towing, whether you’re using your own vehicle or a rental.

Also, both vehicles must have the capacity to haul the weight of the tow dolly which is approximately between 500 to 1,500 pounds plus the weight of the car being towed in case of a vehicle tow.

Laws vary from state to state so it’s imperative you research with your state DMV on tow dolly regulations. Before renting a tow dolly, make sure your car will fit on it by checking dimensions against size restrictions and retrieval capability. 

Factors Affecting Car Dolly Rental Costs

The cost of renting a car dolly can range widely, based on factors such as:

1. Rental company: Different rental companies offer different pricing structures. Some might have more competitive rates, while others may offer extra services that justify a higher price.
2. Rental period: How long you need the car dolly will also affect the cost. If you’re looking for a short-term rental (such as a day or a weekend), you may pay a different rate compared to someone renting for an extended period.
3. Location: The rental cost can also vary by location, both in terms of where you are and where you’re going. For instance, if you’re considering renting a car dolly for a cross-country move, you might look into whether you should rent a car in New York or should rent a car in Los Angeles or another city.

“The location plays a significant role in determining the cost of a car dolly. Depending on where you’re starting from and where you’re headed, you could be looking at a substantial difference in price.” – Car Rental Statistics

4. Seasonality: The time of year can also affect rental costs. During peak moving times or tourist seasons, prices can surge due to high demand.
5. Extras: Additional services or accessories may also affect the cost. For example, if you need to tow a trailer with a rental car or need to extend a car rental, this could increase the total cost of the rental.

Given all these factors, the cost of renting a car dolly can range from $40 to $60 per day, on average. However, it’s always best to reach out to rental companies for precise quotes based on your specific circumstances.

Here are some other factors that will affect the price:

• The type of dolly you need: Standard, tow bar, or electric winch
• If you need it one-way or two-ways
• How long you’ll be using it for
• The rental location’s availability
• The weight and size of your vehicle
• Your car’s towing capacity
• The dolly’s towing capacity
• The length of your vehicle
• The make and model of your car

The type of dolly you need: Standard, tow bar, or electric winch

The most common type of tow dolly is the standard dolly, which uses a system of straps and pulleys to lift your car’s front wheels off the ground. A tow bar dolly attaches to the back of your car and supports the rear wheels, while an electric winch dolly uses a motorized winch to lift your car onto the platform.

If you need it one-way or two-ways

If you only need to use the tow dolly for a one-time move, you can usually rent it on a daily or weekly basis. However, if you plan on using it multiple times, you may be able to get a discount by renting it on a monthly basis.

How long you’ll be using it for

The longer you need to use the tow dolly, the more expensive it will be. For example, renting a tow dolly for one day may cost $50, while renting it for a week may cost $200.

The rental location’s availability

The cost of renting a tow dolly will also vary depending on the availability of the rental location. If you’re renting from a large company with many locations, you may be able to get a lower rate than if you’re renting from a smaller company with fewer locations.

The weight and size of your vehicle

The weight and size of your vehicle will also affect the cost of renting a tow dolly. A larger car will require a bigger tow dolly, which will be more expensive to rent.

Your car’s towing capacity

The towing capacity of your car will determine how much weight the tow dolly can carry. If you have a small car with a low towing capacity, you may need to rent a smaller tow dolly, which will be less expensive.

The dolly’s towing capacity

The towing capacity of the tow dolly will also affect the cost. A tow dolly with a higher towing capacity will be more expensive to rent than one with a lower towing capacity.

The length of your vehicle

The length of your vehicle will determine how long the tow dolly needs to be. A longer tow dolly will be more expensive to rent than a shorter one.

The make and model of your car

The make and model of your car will also affect the cost of renting a tow dolly. A luxury car will require a bigger and more expensive tow dolly than an economy car.

Renting a Car Dolly in Different Cities

The city where you rent a car dolly can have a substantial impact on the price you pay. For example, if you’re debating whether you should rent a car in Houston or should rent a car in San Antonio, you may want to compare the prices for car dolly rentals in these locations.

In fact, different cities can offer unique rental scenarios. For example, considering whether you should rent a car in Austin, you might discover a bustling city with traffic that requires more caution when towing a car dolly. Similarly, determining whether you should rent a car in San Francisco you might factor in the city’s hilly terrains, which could influence the kind of car dolly you need.

While each city has its own average rates for car dolly rentals, the variation isn’t typically massive. Still, you may find a difference of $5-$15 per day when comparing different cities. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to contact local rental companies for accurate and current pricing.

Here’s a rough estimate of daily rental costs for a car dolly in different cities (as of 2023):

• New York City: $55 – $70
• Los Angeles: $50 – $65
• Chicago: $45 – $60
• Houston: $40 – $55
• Phoenix: $45 – $60
• Philadelphia: $50 – $65
• San Antonio: $40 – $55
• San Diego: $50 – $65
• Dallas: $40 – $55
• San Jose: $50 – $65

Remember that these prices are only rough estimates and actual prices may vary. It’s also important to note that these prices don’t include any additional fees or costs such as insurance, deposit, or any add-on services the rental company may offer.

 How can you save money on renting a car dolly 

There are a few things you can do to save money on renting a car dolly:

• Rent from a large company with many locations.
• Rent for a longer period of time.
• Rent a smaller tow dolly.
• Use coupons or discounts.
• Ask about package deals.
• Look for special rates or promotions.

Rent from a large company with many locations

When you rent a car dolly from a large rental company with numerous outlets, you may save money on the expense of renting one.

Rent for a longer period of time.

Renting for a longer period of time can save you money on the cost of renting a car dolly.

Rent a smaller tow dolly.

By renting a smaller tow dolly instead of a car dolly, you can save money.

Use coupons or discounts.

Discounts can save you money on the cost of renting a car dolly.

Ask about package deals.

Asking about package deals can save you money on the cost of renting a car dolly.

Look for special rates or promotions.

Looking for special rates or promotions can save you money on the cost of renting a car dolly.

Car Dolly Safety Measures

Towing a vehicle safely is important and here are some guidelines:

1. Before being towed, all vehicles should be emptied to reduce possible damage. For front-wheel drives, the front wheels should be on the tow dolly. When towing rear-wheel drives, the rear wheels need to be on the tow dolly.
2. All four wheels of the vehicle being towed must be off the ground. The towing vehicle should be hitched to the tow dolly at the proper ball mount height.
3. The towing vehicle should be able to maintain control while towing. Remember, the heavier the tow dolly, the more difficult it becomes to maneuver and stop.
4. The chains that come with the tow dolly must always be used. They help keep the car from coming off the dolly in case of a sudden stop.
5. Tie-down straps help to secure the car to the dolly.The brakes of the towing vehicle and the tow dolly must be in working order.Tail lights and turn signals should be working on both the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed.
6. The speed limit while towing a vehicle is 55 mph on highways and 45 mph on other roads, unless posted otherwise.
7. Driving with a tow dolly takes practice. Be sure to go to an empty parking lot to get a feel for how the tow dolly handles before hitting the open road.
8. The driver of the towing vehicle should always be aware of how much space is needed to stop.
9. When passing, use the left lane as it gives you more space to maneuver.Before making any turns, signal and then check your mirrors to make sure the car on the tow dolly is clear.
10. Slow down before making any wide turns.
11. For sudden stops, first hit the brakes of the towing vehicle, then use the emergency brake on the tow dolly.
12. If you need to back up, do so very slowly. Always check your mirrors and blind spots.
13. Be extra cautious when driving in bad weather conditions.

Wrapping Up

Renting a tow dolly can be a great way to move your car from one location to another. The cost of renting a tow dolly will vary depending on the length of time you need it, the size of your car, and the towing capacity of your car. Be sure to follow all safety guidelines when using a tow dolly to ensure a safe journey. Thanks for reading!