Can You Tow A Car With A Uhaul? | The Safe Setup Checklist

Yes, you can tow a car with certain U-Haul rentals if you choose the right trailer, load it correctly, and stay inside weight limits.

You’ve got one moving truck, one car, and one driver. That combo pushes a lot of people to ask the same thing: can the car come along behind the U-Haul, or do you need a second trip?

The good news: towing is a normal add-on with U-Haul, and the gear is designed for everyday movers. The catch: the details matter. The trailer choice depends on your car’s drivetrain, weight, and clearance, and the loading steps decide how the rig feels at speed.

Can You Tow A Car With A Uhaul? What Works And What Doesn’t

Most people mean one of these two setups:

• U-Haul moving truck + car trailer (your car rides behind the truck).
• Your own tow vehicle + U-Haul car trailer (you tow with your SUV or pickup).

Either way, U-Haul’s reservation process is built around a match: tow vehicle details plus the car you plan to haul. Bring the year, make, and model for both, along with the tire size if it’s unusual. If the car has a body kit, low front lip, or oversized wheels, mention it at pickup so you can avoid scraping and fit issues.

One thing to clear up early: “flat towing” (all four car wheels on the road) isn’t the typical U-Haul method. It needs vehicle-specific hardware and a car approved for it. U-Haul’s mainstream choices keep the car on a dolly or a full trailer, which is simpler for most moves.

U-Haul Trailer Choices For Car Towing

U-Haul mainly offers two ways to haul a car: the tow dolly and the auto transport trailer. Picking between them is less about price and more about what your car can handle.

Tow Dolly

A tow dolly lifts the front wheels onto the dolly while the rear wheels roll on the road. It often fits front-wheel-drive cars well. Some rear-wheel-drive vehicles can be towed on a dolly, but drivetrain steps may apply. U-Haul notes that certain rear-wheel-drive vehicles require driveshaft disconnection before towing on a dolly, and your owner’s manual is the final word for your model. See the notes on U-Haul’s Tow Dolly Rental page.

Auto Transport Trailer

An auto transport (car carrier) keeps all four tires off the ground. That avoids drivetrain wear for many cars, including many AWD models, and it tends to feel planted on the highway once it’s loaded right. U-Haul lists the trailer’s maximum load capacity plus loading resources on the Auto Transport Rental page.

What To Check Before You Reserve

Spend five minutes on these checks before you book. It saves an hour at the counter.

Car Weight And Clearance

Know the car’s curb weight, then add a buffer for fuel, gear in the trunk, and anything bolted on. Also check clearance at the front bumper. Low cars can scrape on ramps, especially on uneven pavement.

Truck And Trailer Limits

U-Haul trucks have towing limits that vary by truck size and model. Trailers also have their own load limits. Your reservation match should keep you inside safe numbers, but you should still understand what’s being paired: the truck, the trailer, and your car’s weight.

Weight Balance Basics

Trailer stability is tied to balance. Too little downward force at the hitch can let the trailer sway; too much can lighten steering. The NHTSA training PDF on towing safety explains how load placement and tongue weight affect control. Read the section on weight balance in Towing a Trailer – Being Equipped for Safety if you want the mechanics behind the checklist steps.

Common Setup Choices At A Glance

This table is a fast way to narrow down which direction fits your car and move.

Setup	Often A Good Fit For	Main Tradeoff
Moving truck + auto transport	Most cars, including many AWD vehicles	Heavier trailer, needs more room to park and turn
Moving truck + tow dolly	Many front-wheel-drive cars	Rear wheels roll; drivetrain checks matter
Your SUV/pickup + auto transport	Shorter moves where you don’t need a box truck	You still need enough tow rating and hitch rating
Your SUV/pickup + tow dolly	Light cars with suitable drivetrain rules	Fit depends on tire width and clearance
Two drivers, no towing	Moves where you have a second licensed driver	Extra fuel and fatigue across the route
Professional car shipping	Long moves where you don’t want to drive a rig	Pickup windows and delivery timing can shift
Store-to-store trailer swap plan	Moves where one location has limited inventory	Needs planning and a backup option
Full trailer for a low-clearance car	Cars that scrape easily or have body kits	May need boards to soften ramp angle

Pickup Day Steps That Keep You On Schedule

The smoothest pickups happen when you treat it like a checklist, not a guess.

Bring The Right Info

• Tow vehicle details (truck rental size, or your personal vehicle year/make/model)
• Car details (year/make/model, plus FWD/RWD/AWD)
• Car fob and wheel-lock socket, if your wheels have locks

Inspect The Trailer Hardware

Before you roll out, confirm the coupler is fully seated on the hitch ball, the pin or latch is secured, safety chains are attached correctly, and lights work. If something looks off, fix it while you’re still in the lot.

Know The Loading Plan

U-Haul publishes a walkthrough for towing a car behind a moving truck, including the main trailer options and the checks staff typically run. It’s worth reading once so you know what you’re signing up for on the road: How To Tow A Car With A Moving Truck.

How To Load A Tow Dolly Without Second-Guessing

A dolly load is mostly alignment and strap work. Give yourself room, keep the line straight, and avoid quick steering inputs while driving onto the trays.

Set Up On Level Ground

Pick a flat spot. Set the truck parking brake. If you have wheel chocks, use them. Keep people away from the ramps.

Drive Up Slowly And Center The Tires

Approach straight. Roll up at idle. If one tire climbs first, back down and reset. Once the tires sit in the trays, put the car in park (or in gear for a manual) and set the parking brake.

Route Tire Straps Exactly As Marked

Straps should sit square on the tire and tighten evenly. After tightening, tug the straps by hand and check that nothing is twisted.

Handle Drivetrain Rules Before You Leave

On a dolly, the rear wheels roll. That’s why rear-wheel-drive and AWD details matter. If your owner’s manual calls for driveshaft steps, do them before the first mile. If your car can’t roll on two wheels without risk, switch to a full trailer.

How To Load An Auto Transport Trailer Cleanly

A full trailer is heavier, but it keeps the car fully supported. The loading goal is a centered car, straps tightened evenly, and no contact between the car’s body and trailer parts.

Check Ramp Angle And Clearance

If your car sits low, bring short boards to reduce the ramp angle. Use boards that won’t flex or shoot backward.

Load Straight And Stop Where The Trailer Marks Indicate

Follow the trailer markings and the staff guidance on where the car should sit. Balanced placement keeps the rig calm at speed.

Tighten Straps, Then Recheck After The First Stop

Tire straps can settle once the tires flex. After a short drive, pull into a safe spot, recheck tension, and confirm chains and lights again.

Driving Tips That Keep The Rig Calm

With a car behind you, the truck needs more space to do everything: accelerate, turn, and stop. Plan like you’re driving a longer vehicle.

Brake Early And Leave Distance

Start braking sooner than you think. Smooth braking keeps the trailer from pushing the truck.

Keep Speed Steady

U-Haul posts recommended speed guidance on many trailer listings. Treat the posted number as a ceiling, then slow down more in rain, gusty wind, or heavy traffic.

Turn Wide And Watch The Inside Tire Path

The trailer cuts inside your turn. Start turns wide enough to keep the trailer tires off curbs and soft shoulders.

Pick Parking Like A Truck Driver

Choose pull-through lots when you can. Backing a trailer is doable, but it’s easier to make a sharp mistake when you’re tired. If you must back up, move slow and use a spotter.

Stop And Recheck On A Rhythm

At the first stop, walk the full loop: coupler, latch, chains, straps, lights, and tire condition. Repeat every couple of hours and after rough roads.

Arrival And Return Steps

The last mile still counts. Unloading on a slope or rushing the ramps is a common way to scrape a bumper or roll off line.

Unload On Level Ground

Find a flat area, set the truck brake, then release straps and chains in the order shown on the trailer label. Keep hands clear of pinch points as tension comes off.

Back Down At Idle Speed

Walk the ramps first, then back the car down slowly. If the surface is wet or gravelly, slow down even more.

Pre-Trip Checklist Table

Run this once before you pull out. It’s short on purpose.

Moment	Check	Pass Standard
Reservation	Tow vehicle and car details match reality	Same trim, drivetrain, and tire size you’ll show at pickup
Lot Walkaround	Coupler seated, latch pinned	No vertical play and no loose hardware
Lights Test	Brake, turn, running lights	All signals visible in daylight
Loading	Car centered and positioned at trailer marks	No tire rub, no bumper contact, steering straight
First Stop	Strap tension and chain slack	Straps snug, chains not dragging
Every Stop	Heat, wear, shifting	No hot smell, no strap fray, nothing loose
Unloading	Flat area and clear ramp path	No slope, no obstacles at ramp base

When Towing Makes Sense

Towing your car with a U-Haul setup is a solid choice when you want one trip, one reservation, and your car ready to drive the moment you arrive. It also works well when you’re comfortable driving a longer rig and your route has plenty of wide roads and truck-friendly fuel stops.

If your car is unusually low, unusually heavy, or has a drivetrain that can’t roll on two wheels, the full trailer option is usually the cleaner call. If towing still feels stressful after reading the steps above, professional shipping can be the better fit.