Can Uhaul Tow A Car? | Towing Rules And Setup Tips

Yes, U-Haul trucks and trailers can tow a car when you match the right U-Haul gear to your vehicle and stay within all stated weight limits.

Renting a U-Haul truck solves one problem straight away: you finally have space for your stuff. The next question usually lands right after that booking screen loads — can uhaul tow a car as well, so you do not have to drive two vehicles?

Can Uhaul Tow A Car? Basic Answer And What It Involves

The short answer is yes: U-Haul can tow a car in two ways. The company rents car trailers and dollies you can pull behind many of its trucks, and you can also pull that same equipment with your own tow rated vehicle.

That yes comes with clear conditions. Your towing setup has to meet three simple rules: the tow vehicle must be rated for the combined weight, the car must fit the trailer or dolly, and the hookup must follow U-Haul’s step by step instructions.

If any one of those three pieces fails, the answer shifts from yes to no. The online system may block the booking, and even if it does not, running over ratings raises the risk of damage, tickets, and injury.

Can Uhaul Tow A Car Safely On Long Trips?

Plenty of people tow a car behind a U-Haul truck across several states every day. That kind of trip can stay smooth when you set expectations and prepare for the extra length, weight, and braking distance that come with a car trailer.

Think through three areas before you commit to a long haul with a towed car: the match between truck and trailer, the match between trailer and towed car, and your own comfort level behind the wheel of a longer outfit.

1. Match Truck And Trailer — Pick a U-Haul truck size with enough towing capacity for the trailer plus car, not just the furniture in the box.
2. Match Trailer And Car — Use the online towing calculator or a store agent to confirm your car’s weight, wheelbase, and drive type fit the chosen equipment.
3. Match Setup And Driver — Plan time to practice wide turns, longer stops, and lane changes in a quiet lot before you hit the highway.

U-Haul Towing Options For Cars

U-Haul offers three main pieces of equipment for moving a car: the tow dolly, the auto transport, and the newer toy hauler flatbed. Each option fits a different mix of vehicle weight, drive type, and trip plan.

Equipment	Typical Max Load	Best Use Case
Tow Dolly	Up to about 3,900 lbs	Front wheel drive cars on a budget
Auto Transport	5,290 lbs max load	Most sedans, crossovers, and light trucks
Toy Hauler	About 6,800+ lbs max load	Larger SUVs, pickups, and heavy toys

Tow Dolly Basics

The tow dolly lifts the front wheels of the towed car onto two small platforms, while the rear wheels roll on the road. This setup fits many front wheel drive cars and some rear wheel drive models when the driveshaft is safely disconnected.

• Best For — Compact and midsize front wheel drive cars where you want lower rental cost and lighter weight.
• Watch For — Ground clearance at the front bumper, tire width limits, and strict directions about parking brake and transmission position.

Auto Transport Basics

The auto transport places the entire car on a full trailer bed, so no tires from the towed car touch the pavement. U-Haul rates this trailer for a maximum load of 5,290 pounds, which fits many sedans and crossovers along with a slice of half ton pickups.

• Best For — Heavier cars, rear wheel drive or all wheel drive models, and any vehicle where the maker warns against towing with wheels on the ground.
• Watch For — Overall weight, including any cargo still inside the towed car, plus the trailer’s effect on stopping distance.

Toy Hauler Basics

The toy hauler is a wide, low flatbed that joined the U-Haul fleet to handle tall and heavy vehicles that outrun the auto transport rating. With a load capacity in the high six thousand pound range, it fits larger trucks, big SUVs, and side by side rigs with plenty of deck room.

• Best For — Oversize or lifted trucks, large SUVs, and off road machines that carry serious curb weight.
• Watch For — The long deck and ramps, which demand extra space to turn, park, and fuel up at crowded stations.

Checking If Your Vehicle Can Tow A U-Haul Car Trailer

Before you get too far into plans, pause and make sure your tow vehicle can actually handle the task. Can uhaul tow a car only when a giant box truck is in front? Not at all. Many customers tow with their own SUV or pickup instead of renting a truck.

1. Check Tow Rating — Open the driver door and check the sticker in the jamb, then read the owner’s manual section about towing to find the total trailer weight your vehicle can pull.
2. Check Car Weight — Look up curb weight for the car that will ride on the trailer, then add a safe margin for any items left inside.
3. Check Trailer Specs — Add the trailer’s empty weight and the planned car weight, then compare that total with the tow rating.

U-Haul’s reservation system also runs its own check when you enter both vehicles. Treat that as a second opinion, not the only check, since you are the one who will sit behind the wheel when grades get steep and brakes heat up.

How To Set Up U-Haul Equipment To Tow A Car

Getting the setup right does more for safety than any fancy gear. The steps look straightforward, yet each one has small details that keep the car planted on the trailer and the trailer planted behind the truck.

Hooking Up The Trailer To The Tow Vehicle

1. Back Up Squarely — Line the hitch ball directly under the coupler so the trailer sits straight behind the tow vehicle, not at an angle.
2. Lock The Coupler — Lower the coupler onto the ball, close the latch fully, then pin or lock it so it cannot pop open on bumps.
3. Attach Safety Chains — Cross the chains under the tongue, hook them to the tow vehicle frame points, and leave just enough slack for turns.
4. Plug In Lights — Connect the wiring plug, then have a helper confirm brake lights, turn signals, and running lights all work before you move.

Loading The Car On A Tow Dolly Or Auto Transport

1. Prepare The Car — Remove loose items from the cabin and trunk, fold in mirrors if needed, and check tire pressure so the car tracks square.
2. Drive Up Slowly — Use low gear, keep steady throttle, and stop as soon as the front tires touch the front stops or the car sits centered on the deck.
3. Secure Tires And Axles — Tighten the ratchet straps over the front tires, connect extra safety chains through proper frame or axle points, and tug each strap to confirm it stays tight.
4. Set Park And Parking Brake — Place the transmission in park or the recommended gear for manual cars, then apply the parking brake as the directions describe.

Before you roll away, walk around the entire setup twice. Look for loose straps, dangling chains, open couplers, or anything rubbing against metal or rubber where it should not.

Driving Tips When Towing A Car With U-Haul

Hooking everything up is only half the story. Once the wheels turn, the combined length, weight, and braking distance change the way you drive in city streets and on the highway.

• Leave Extra Space — Build a much larger cushion ahead of you, since you now have the truck, trailer, and car to slow down.
• Take Wide Turns — Turn later and wider at corners so the trailer wheels track inside the path of the truck without clipping curbs.
• Control Your Speed — Drive below the posted limit, especially on downhills, and tap the brakes early instead of stabbing them at the last second.
• Watch For Sway — If the trailer starts to weave, ease off the throttle, hold the wheel straight, and let speed drop until things settle.

Costs, Insurance, And When U-Haul Is Not A Good Choice

When you price things out, look beyond the base rate printed on the reservation screen. A fair comparison adds in mileage charges, fuel costs for the heavier truck and trailer, optional damage waiver for the rented gear, and any toll or parking fees that come with a longer rig.

• Good Fit — Standard size car or crossover, a strong tow vehicle or U-Haul truck, and a driver comfortable with large vehicles.
• Poor Fit — Extra heavy or modified car, low ground clearance sports car, or nervous driver facing mountain passes and dense city traffic.
• Other Options — Enclosed car shippers, local flatbed tow services for short hops, or leaving a car stored until a later trip.

Key Takeaways: Can Uhaul Tow A Car?

➤ U-Haul can tow many cars when truck, trailer, and car all match safely.

➤ Pick tow dolly, auto transport, or toy hauler based on weight and drive.

➤ Always check tow ratings, trailer specs, and car weight before booking.

➤ Careful loading and strap checks reduce damage risk and mid-trip drama.

➤ If the setup feels marginal, use a pro hauler instead of forcing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Tow A Car Behind The Smallest U-Haul Truck?

Yes, the smallest U-Haul box truck is built with towing in mind, and it can pull a properly loaded tow dolly or auto transport within its stated towing capacity. The exact match still depends on the weight of your car.

Is A Tow Dolly Or Auto Transport Safer For My Car?

An auto transport keeps all four wheels of the towed car off the road, which removes wear on tires and reduces worries about the transmission or drive system. That extra margin helps with rear wheel drive and all wheel drive vehicles.

A tow dolly costs less and works well for many front wheel drive cars, as long as the car’s weight and size fit the dolly rating and you follow the loading steps exactly.

Can I Load Stuff Inside The Car While It Rides On The Trailer?

You can keep light items in the towed car, yet every box adds to the total trailer load, so weight climbs faster than many people expect. Heavy items also shift more during bumps and turns.

Do I Need Extra Brakes When Towing A Car With U-Haul?

U-Haul auto transports and many other trailers in the fleet use surge brakes that react to the trailer pushing on the hitch. That design adds stopping power without a brake pedal in the towed car.

Your job is to brake early, leave space, and downshift on long grades so the truck and trailer stay within a comfortable speed range on every hill.

What If My Car Sits Low Or Has A Body Kit?

Low front splitters, side skirts, and long overhangs run a higher risk of scraping on ramps and at the breakover point where the ramps meet the trailer deck. Sports cars often need extra preparation.

For those cars, ask the U-Haul location about ramp extensions or shim boards, or look into a flatbed shipper that loads with long, shallow ramps designed for low ground clearance vehicles.

Wrapping It Up – Can Uhaul Tow A Car?

So can uhaul tow a car in a way that feels sane for a do it yourself move? The honest answer is yes, when the truck, trailer, car, and driver all stay within ratings and the details of loading and driving get real attention.

Run your numbers, pick the right piece of equipment, and give yourself extra time on the road. If the setup looks or feels pushed to the edge, step back and switch plans before the trip instead of halfway through it.