Are you moving somewhere far away? Or, did your car break down on the side of the road? If so, then you’re probably looking to tow your car for cheap. Depending on your circumstances, one option will be more affordable than others.
The cheapest way to tow your car would be to use a car dolly. These hook up to the back of a larger vehicle. Then, you can pull your car while traveling.
Hiring a tow truck tends to be one of the more expensive options.
How Can I Tow My Car for Cheap?
Towing your car for cheap isn’t always easy. You should expect to spend at least a few hundred dollars. Towing it with a dolly would be the least expensive way to tow your car, usually.
However, if you’ve got insurance, there might be other options. Many insurance companies include roadside assistance with your coverage. Calling roadside assistance might not cost anything, either.
Roadside assistance will only take you to the nearest mechanic. Or, you might be able to get them to take you to a dealership, too. Either way, this option isn’t suitable for long-distance travel.
Call your insurance company and ask them about roadside assistance. You might already have it included with your policy. If so, then you probably won’t have to pay anything for the service.
The next best option would be renting a dolly. U-Haul offers them for around $300 per day.
You’d pull your car on top of it. Then, you’ll need to tow it with another vehicle. You could also rent a moving van from U-Haul. You’d have to pay a rental fee for both the dolly and truck, though. So, it might cost you around $1,000 in total.
The further you’re going, the more expensive it’ll be. Still, if you’re moving somewhere far away, this could be your best option.
Freight companies also offer affordable car shipping services. Typically, you’ve got to pay them by the mile, too. So, shipping your car far away would cost more. They’ll charge you differing amounts depending on their location. Shipping tends to cost more near the coast.
Still, you could probably ship your car across the country for less than $1,000. Larger vehicles might cost a little more than that, though.
Hiring a tow truck might be the most expensive way to tow the vehicle. These might charge you several hundred dollars just to go a few miles. Still, it’s not a bad idea if you’re stuck on the side of the road.
Research your options to figure out what’s makes the most sense for your situation. Most of the time, using a dolly is going to be the cheapest option.
It makes a lot of sense if you’re already renting a moving van, too. You won’t have to spend much more than you’ve spent already. Just hook the dolly up to the back of the moving van and load up your car.
What Is the Easiest Way to Tow a Car?
Again, the easiest options are going to depend on your situation. Let’s say you’re moving across state lines.
If that’s the case, you’d probably want to use a dolly. Loading your car on them isn’t too difficult. Usually, you can do it by yourself. Simply drive your car on top of it. The front two wheels will lock onto the dolly. Then, you’ll use a winch to lift them off the ground.
Once the dolly has been lifted, you can hitch it to the moving van. At that point, you can drive the van like normal. You’ll be able to tow the car while transporting all your stuff in the van.
This is the easiest option whenever you’re moving!
If your car has broken down, then another option might be better. We’d recommend talking to your insurance company first. Ask them whether you’ve got roadside assistance included with your policy. If so, they’ll give you a number to call.
Call the roadside assistance number and explain your situation to them. They’ll figure out where the nearest tow truck is. Then, they’ll call the company for you. Most of the time, you won’t have to pay anything for this service. And, it’s not complicated to do, either.
Calling a tow truck company yourself is another option. But, it’s usually the most expensive. Look around online for a towing company nearby. Then, give them a call. Let them know where you are. They’ll give you a quote for how much it’ll cost.
Then, you’ve just got to wait for them to arrive. Once they’ve got there, you don’t have to do much. Simply put the car into neutral. Then, the tow truck driver will handle the rest. He will hook up a winch to the car. At that point, he will pull it onto the tow truck.
After it’s loaded, he’ll take you where you need to go. Usually, they’ll take you to the nearest mechanic or dealership.
How Much Will It Cost to Tow a Car?
Costs for towing services depend on your location. Calling a tow truck company yourself is typically the most expensive option. You should expect to spend about $10 a mile to go anywhere. Sometimes, it can cost as much as $50 a mile to use a tow truck, though.
Renting a dolly is usually much less expensive. U-Haul charges by the day for them. Their going rate is around $300 per day. So, if you’re going far away, it might be the most affordable option.
Shipping companies tend to charge according to the distance. They charge a lot less than a typical tow truck, though. You might find them for around $3 per mile. So, if you’re moving 300 miles, it might cost $900.
Roadside Assistance tends to cost the least overall. It’s part of your insurance coverage most of the time. So, using the service won’t cost you anything additional. You’ll have to speak to your insurance company first, though. They’ll be able to tell you whether you’ve got the service.
Towing Your Car Affordably
Towing your car without spending a ton of money depends on your situation. Most of the time, using a dolly would be your cheapest option. That’s helpful if you’re moving to a new state.
If you’re broken down, Roadside Assitance tends to be the cheapest. A lot of insurance companies include the service with your coverage. If so, you won’t have to spend anything to use it.
Hiring a tow truck tends to be the most expensive option. They’ll charge you by the mile. And, they charge more for the distance than most other services, too.
