Penske is one of the biggest names in truck rentals, offering affordable options at extensive locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in 1969, it now boasts over 2,500+ rental locations and a fleet of more than 50,000 available trucks for rent.
Best tow dolly
- Nationwide availability
- Guaranteed reservations if you reserve at least 48 hours in advance
PROS
- Nationwide availability
- Guaranteed reservations if you reserve at least 48 hours in advance
- Unlimited miles on one-way moves
- Easy online reservations
CONS
- Per-mile fee on local moves
- Refundable security deposit due upon reservation checkout
Take Your Car With You
When you rent a tow dolly or car carrier from us, you’ll get your vehicle to your new destination safely. Just follow the instructions below.
- Attach the towing device to your Penske rental truck before loading your vehicle.
- Do not load possessions, people or pets in your towed vehicle.
- Do not attempt to back up your rental truck with the towing device attached. Severe damage to your vehicle and the tow device could result. If backing up is necessary, remove your vehicle from the towing device, then unhook the towing device from the truck and move them separately.
- Vehicles with a low front end or air dams may not have enough ground clearance to drive up the car carrier ramp or tow dolly platform.
- Your vehicle must be centered with its front end facing forward on the towing device. Never back a vehicle onto a towing device.
Tow Dolly or Car Carrier?
Penske Truck Rental offers two devices for towing your vehicle, a tow dolly and a car carrier. Use the table below to select the right device based on your towed vehicle.
| Tow Dolly | Car Carrier | |
| Load capacity | 4,300 lbs. | 4,050 lbs. |
|---|---|---|
| Strap system | 3-point tie-down | 3-point tie-down |
| Ramp type | attached ramps | 84 in. with 13.75° angle |
For towed vehicles with:
| Tow Dolly | Car Carrier | |
| Front-wheel drive |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Four-wheel drive | | |
| All-wheel drive | | |
| Maximum width of | 74 in. | 79 in. |
| Minimum width of | 42 in. inside of tires | 42 in. inside of tires |
| Maximum wheel base of | 125 in. | 125 in. |
Tire diameter*:
| Tow Dolly | Car Carrier | |
| 22 – 27 in. | | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 – 28 in. | | |
Moving Your Vehicle Using a Tow Dolly
- To use a tow dolly, your vehicle must have lockable steering.
- A tow dolly cannot be used to tow mid- or rear-engine mounted vehicles.
- Rear-wheel, four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles must have their drive shaft disconnected and removed. Consult your auto dealer.
What’s Up with Penske’s Insurance Coverage and Protection Plans?
Your existing car insurance won’t cover your Penske truck rental, so we strongly urge you to consider getting some additional coverage.
Penske does not require that you purchase supplemental insurance with your rental; however, you never know what can happen—especially if you’re not familiar with driving a large truck and/or you’re going to be driving the vehicle for a long distance. We recommend that you inquire about the optional plans when you make your reservations so that you can learn exactly what the different options will cost you and from there you can see if it’s worth it.
Penske offers five different types of coverage plans, each of which offer their own benefits and come with their own price tags.
Here are the different options that are available:
Limited Damage Waiver (LDW) — Coverage for loss or damage that occurs to your Penske truck or towing equipment, so long as you the truck or equipment are being used in accordance with your rental policy.
Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) — Protection against third-party injury and property damage claims you incur while driving your rented Penske truck. This form of insurance is only available for drivers who are 21 or older.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) — This plan offers medical and death insurance in the event of an accident for both the driver of the truck and any passengers.
Cargo Insurance (CAI) — Coverage for loss or damage to your belongings during transit due to accident or natural disaster (not including loss or damage that occurs while you are loading or unloading the truck). CAI coverage is limited for $15,000 total.
Towing Insurance (TWI) — Collision damage protection for a personal vehicle that’s attached to, towed by, or detached from your Penske truck, including vehicles that are being loaded onto or transported by a Penske tow dolly or car carrier.
Penske doesn’t list any cost information for their damage waivers, coverage plans, or protection packages online, so you’ll have to ask for details directly. Be sure to review your rental contract carefully too to make sure that you’re apprised of the specific terms, policies, and exclusions of any type of Penske insurance coverage you purchase.
Do note that coverage is not a guarantee of full payment. When you book your rental and discuss the specifics of coverage with your Penske rep, be sure to get as much information as possible on what your coverage is and what your responsibility will be if damage or loss does occur.
Additional Things You Can Rent with Penske
In addition to moving truck rentals, Penske also offers a wide range of moving supplies and services that you may want to consider taking advantage of.
What’s included with your rental
Each truck rental (not including cargo vans) comes with:
- Loading ramps on 16 foot, 22 foot, and 26 foot trucks
- Cabin seating for two (except for 22 foot and 26 foot trucks, which can seat three)
What extras can you purchase?
If you need more, talk to your Penske rep about renting one or more of the following:
- Car carriers
- Tow dollies
- Hand trucks
- Moving boxes and supplies (available for purchase only)
- Mattress bags (available for purchase only)
- Furniture pads
- Self-storage
Penske can also direct you to movers for help loading and unloading the truck, as well as packing help, through Simple Moving Labor. Just be sure to inquire about pricing before booking and to compare quotes from at least two other moving companies. Even with highly competitive rental truck fees, you’ll still want to be sure that you’re getting the best deal when it comes to these other service offerings.
Penske Car Towing Options
Towing your car from your Penske rental truck is a great way to accomplish two big tasks at once. And to help you do it, Penske offers two helpful tow options for rent: car carriers and tow dollies.
Option one is a car carrier. These are recommended for four-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive vehicles, and have a maximum weight capacity of 4,050 lbs. Your car will be fully lifted off of the ground.
Option two is a tow dolly. These are recommended as the best option for front-wheel-drive vehicles up to 4,300 lbs. Note that only the front half of your car will be lifted off of the ground.
Some things to know about towing your car with a Penske truck:
- No possessions, people, or pets are allowed in your vehicle while it is being towed
- You will need to unhook the towing device whenever backing up your truck, since failure to do so could result in damage to your vehicle
- Any time that you need to attach your car carrier or tow dolly to your truck, you will need to remove your vehicle first and then reload it after