Can I Tow My Car With U-Haul? | Tow Gear Rules Guide

Yes, you can tow a car with U-Haul gear if your tow vehicle, hitch, and car all pass U-Haul’s safety and weight checks.

U-Haul Car Towing Safety Basics

If you typed “can i tow my car with u-haul?” you are not alone. Many drivers want to haul a car behind a rental truck or personal SUV and worry about what is allowed. U-Haul does rent car towing gear, but it comes with clear limits, rules, and safety steps.

This guide walks through how U-Haul towing works, the equipment on offer, basic weight rules, and simple ways to stay safe on the road. By the end you can decide whether towing with U-Haul fits your trip or whether another plan makes more sense.

Towing Your Car With U-Haul: Rules And Limits

U-Haul rents two main types of car towing gear: the tow dolly and the full auto transport trailer. Both are built for consumer moves and stay within car-friendly weight ratings. Still, they only work when your tow vehicle, hitch, and car match U-Haul’s charts.

U-Haul also runs a “towing validation” check when you book. They check your tow vehicle, its hitch rating, the trailer type, and the weight of the car in tow, then list a safe cargo weight on your contract. If the numbers do not line up, they will not approve that combo.

Equipment Type	Typical Use	Weight Notes
Tow Dolly	Front-wheel-drive cars, some lighter rear-wheel-drive cars	Car weight and drivetrain must meet U-Haul charts
Auto Transport Trailer	Long trips, heavier cars, all wheels off the road	Max load around 5,290 lbs on many U-Haul carriers
Flatbed Or Toy Hauler	Special cases, such as off-road rigs and small trucks	Check posted load rating for that exact trailer

Speed limits also change when you tow. U-Haul recommends keeping speed at or below 55 mph while towing, even on highways where the posted limit sits higher. That extra margin gives more room for braking and helps reduce trailer sway.

Choosing Between A Tow Dolly And Auto Transport

U-Haul’s most common car towing choice is the tow dolly. The dolly lifts the front wheels of the car in tow while the rear wheels stay on the road. This works well for many front-wheel-drive cars, because the driven wheels sit on the dolly and the transmission does not spin as the rig rolls.

Rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive cars can ride on a dolly, but that setup needs more care. The driveshaft often has to be disconnected so the transmission does not turn dry. U-Haul staff do not always perform this step, so you may need a shop to handle it before pickup.

• Pick a tow dolly for light front-wheel-drive cars — Good for sedans and hatchbacks that fall within the dolly’s weight range.
• Use an auto transport for heavier or rear-drive cars — All four wheels ride on the trailer, which keeps the driveline still.
• Avoid towing with a dolly in reverse — Loading a car backward can cause sway and loss of control.

The full auto transport trailer lifts the entire car off the ground. Tire straps at the front and chains at the rear hold the car in place. This setup adds weight but keeps the towed car’s drivetrain and tires from turning, which many owners prefer for long trips or higher value cars.

Checking Whether Your Tow Vehicle Is Rated For The Load

Even if U-Haul’s site says a certain trailer fits your car, your own tow vehicle still has to handle the total weight. That total includes the trailer, the car in tow, passengers, fuel, and cargo in the tow vehicle.

U-Haul guidance for the auto transport trailer says the tow vehicle’s curb weight should be at least about 80 percent of the combined weight of the loaded trailer and the car in tow. A small crossover pulling a heavy truck often fails that test, while a half-ton pickup usually passes easily.

• Check the tow rating on your door sticker — Compare the listed gross combined weight rating to your trailer plus car plus truck.
• Match the hitch class to the load — A class II hitch suits lighter duty; class III and up handle higher tongue weight.
• Use the right hitch ball size — Most U-Haul car haulers need a two-inch ball with a 5,000 lb or higher rating.
• Confirm your SUV has a hard top — U-Haul does not allow soft-top SUVs to tow many of their trailers.

Your tow vehicle also needs working trailer wiring, brake lights, and often trailer brakes. Many U-Haul car haulers include surge brakes, which use the trailer’s own weight to engage the brakes without a separate electric controller in the cab.

Preparing Your Car For U-Haul Towing

Once you know the gear fits, the next step is to prep the car you plan to haul. A few small checks protect the car and help the trailer track straight behind you.

• Empty heavy cargo from the towed car — U-Haul weight checks assume the car rides empty, not stuffed with boxes.
• Inspect tires, lugs, and suspension — Worn parts on the towed car can make the trailer bounce or sway.
• Secure loose parts and trim — Remove low spoilers and hanging exhaust pieces that might scrape ramps.
• Lock the steering wheel correctly — Follow U-Haul’s guide so the car tracks straight on the dolly.

Never load a car backward on a dolly or auto transport. U-Haul’s own instructions stress that the engine end should face the front so weight sits over the trailer axle the way the design expects. A backward load can cause whipping that makes the trailer swing side to side.

Driving And Braking While Towing A Car

When you first pull away from the lot, the added length and weight can feel awkward. The truck or SUV will take longer to speed up, longer to stop, and will need wider turns in tight lots.

• Stay at or below 55 mph — U-Haul towing guides cap speed at this level for better control and shorter stopping distance.
• Leave extra space ahead — Triple your normal gap so you have time to stop without hard braking.
• Take wider turns — Let the trailer track cleanly around corners without clipping curbs or medians.
• Shift down on long hills — Use lower gears on descents instead of riding the brakes.

Wind, passing trucks, and rough pavement can set off trailer sway. If you feel the trailer start to wiggle, ease off the gas and hold the wheel steady. Do not speed up to “pull through” the sway. Gentle braking with a straight wheel usually settles the trailer.

Costs, Insurance, And Liability When You Tow With U-Haul

Price ranges for U-Haul towing gear depend on pickup location, date, and the length of your trip, but daily rates for a tow dolly or auto transport are often modest compared to the truck itself. One-way trips cost more than local round trips, and weekend dates tend to sit at the higher end.

U-Haul also sells towing damage coverage under names like Safetow and Safemove. These plans can cover damage to the trailer and, in some regions, the vehicle in tow or other vehicles struck in a crash. Limits, deductibles, and rules change by state, so read the brochure or online details closely before you sign.

Personal auto insurance may extend some coverage to a rented trailer or a car in tow, especially if you already carry collision plus other broad coverage on that car. This varies by insurer and policy. Before your trip, call your agent, describe the exact trailer type, and ask how coverage would respond to a crash or theft.

Tickets and toll violations picked up while towing usually land on you as the driver, not on U-Haul. Treat the rig like your own car: obey posted trailer speed limits, stop at weigh stations where required, and secure all paperwork in the cab.

Key Takeaways: Can I Tow My Car With U-Haul?

➤ U-Haul can tow many cars if weight, hitch, and fit all line up.

➤ Pick a tow dolly for lighter front-wheel-drive cars and short moves.

➤ Use an auto transport when you want all four wheels off the road.

➤ Keep speed at or below 55 mph and leave a wide buffer ahead.

➤ Check insurance and damage waivers before you sign the contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Tow A Car Loaded With Boxes On A U-Haul Trailer?

U-Haul towing charts assume the car in tow is empty. Loading the cabin or trunk with boxes adds weight that can push the rig past safe limits and shift balance away from the axles.

Pack heavy items in the truck instead. If you must leave belongings in the car, keep them light and low so weight stays near the floor and close to the trailer deck.

Is A Rental Truck Better Than My SUV For Towing A Car?

A loaded U-Haul truck is built with towing in mind, while many family SUVs are tuned more for comfort. The truck often has stronger brakes, stiffer springs, and a frame sized for tongue weight.

If your SUV sits near the lower edge of U-Haul’s tow charts, renting a larger truck for the haul can give more margin and a calmer feel behind the wheel.

Can I Tow My All-Wheel-Drive Car On A U-Haul Tow Dolly?

Many all-wheel-drive cars should not ride on a tow dolly because the rear wheels stay on the road while parts of the driveline turn. Some setups risk serious transmission damage in that mode.

Full auto transport trailers keep all four wheels off the road, which suits most all-wheel-drive cars far better than a dolly.

What Should I Do If The Trailer Starts To Sway?

If you feel the trailer swing side to side, ease off the throttle and hold the steering wheel straight. Sudden steering or sharp brake inputs can make the motion worse.

Stay below 55 mph, move heavier cargo forward over the trailer axle, and check that tire pressures and hitch height match U-Haul’s setup guide.

Is One Long Day Of Towing Safe, Or Should I Split The Trip?

Towing asks more from your body and your vehicle than normal driving. Long days can leave you tired, which hurts reaction time and judgment.

Plan fuel and rest stops often, swap drivers when possible, and plan an overnight stay on very long routes so you finish the trip alert.

Wrapping It Up – Can I Tow My Car With U-Haul?

So, can i tow my car with u-haul? Yes, as long as your tow vehicle, hitch, and car match U-Haul’s charts, and you pick the right piece of gear. Treat the weight numbers as hard limits, not loose suggestions.

A careful match between vehicle, trailer, and driving habits keeps the trip calm rather than tense. Take your time planning the combination, load the car the way U-Haul’s instructions describe, and stay patient on the road. Your car will reach the next driveway in one piece, and your nerves will arrive in better shape too.