Can I tow my car behind a moving truck?
Quick Answer
Yes, most rental trucks support towing. Use a car carrier (all four wheels off the ground) for $200 to $400 or a tow dolly (front wheels off the ground) for $100 to $200. Not all vehicles can be towed with a dolly - check your car's manual. AWD vehicles need a car carrier.
Towing your car behind the moving truck saves you a second driver and the cost of driving the car separately (or shipping it). Here are your options.
Car carrier (flatbed trailer): all four wheels are off the ground. Works with any vehicle - front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, AWD, or 4WD. Cost: $200-$400 for one-way rental. This is the safest option and is required for all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles.
Tow dolly: the front wheels sit on the dolly, rear wheels roll on the road. Works with front-wheel drive vehicles. Cost: $100-$200 for one-way rental. Lighter and easier to maneuver than a car carrier. Not recommended for AWD, 4WD, or rear-wheel drive vehicles (risk of transmission damage).
Important considerations: the rental truck must be rated for towing. U-Haul, Penske, and Budget all offer towing equipment but have specific truck/trailer combinations. Total rig length with a car carrier can reach 45-55 feet - this affects turning radius, parking, and backing up significantly.
Driving with a towed vehicle: add 30% more following distance. Turns require much wider arcs - swing wide on right turns. Backing up is very difficult - unhitch the trailer rather than trying to reverse. Highway speeds should stay under 55 mph. Fuel consumption increases 10-20% with a towed vehicle.
Alternatives: have a friend or family member drive the car (cheapest option), ship the car via auto transport ($500-$1,500+), or sell the car and buy a replacement at your destination (sometimes the most practical option for older vehicles).