Need to tow your car with a Penske rental?

Picture this: You’re trying to figure out how to get your car and all of your belongings to your new house. You rent a Penske truck, which takes care of the household goods. But if you’re driving the truck, how do you get your car there? Towing a Penske^® trailer could work, but it may complicate an already difficult drive. Learn more about Penske trailer options, take a look at a few things to be aware of during the trip, and explore alternatives for moving. 

Compare towing options

Penske has two different car towing options. Both must be rented in conjunction with a Penske truck. 

• Tow dolly. It holds the front wheels of the car off the ground, pulling the rear wheels on the road as you drive. The tow dolly is best for front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles. It has 3-point tie-downs and attached ramps, and can hold 4,300 lbs.
• Car carrier. This is a flat trailer that holds the entire car, and it’s best for front-wheel drive (FWD), all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles. It has 3-point tie-downs and a ramp that’s 84 inches long with a 13.75-degree angle. It can hold up to 4,050 lbs.

If you’re not sure which type of carrier would work best with your car, Penske offers help for figuring that out.

Learn more about costs here: I’m moving. How much will it cost to tow my car?

Things to keep in mind with Penske trailers

Penske gives a few safety tips when using its towing equipment:

• The vehicle should be empty. Don’t transport any pets or possessions in the car while towing.
• Don’t back up the truck with towing equipment attached. If backing up is necessary, you have to remove the vehicle from the trailer, unhook the trailer from the truck, and move the two separately.
• If a RWD, 4WD or AWD vehicle is placed on a tow dolly, you must disconnect the drive shaft before towing. 
• Penske recommends stopping to check the connections (trailer, coupler, safety chains, electrical hookups, ramps and tire straps) after the first five miles of driving, and again after every 50 miles. Make sure to factor in time for those extra stops.

If you’re not sure towing a vehicle sounds like the best solution, there are other ways to move without having to tow.

How to move without towing

U-Pack^® is a great alternative to driving a rental truck and towing your car. U-Pack is a self-moving service where you do the packing and loading (like with a Penske rental), but we handle the driving. Your belongings are delivered door-to-door, so you’re free to drive your car instead of towing it. It’s often comparable in price to a rental truck because there are no extras like fuel, liability coverage or towing trailers.

To compare U-Pack to your Penske price, get a free moving quote online or by calling 844-362-5303844-594-3077. 

Have questions about Penske trailers?

Let us know in the comments or give us a call. We’re always here to help!

Additional resources: Guide to Moving Trucks

Penske^®is a registered trademark of Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. Use of third-party trademarks or registered trademarks does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by such third party.