When towing a rear axle driven front engine vehicle, the drive shaft must be disconnected to prevent transmission damage. Front wheel drive vehicles do not need drive shafts disconnected because the drive wheels are loaded on the tow dolly.

Renting a tow dolly typically costs $40-$60 a day, depending on location and if the trip is one-way or if the dolly is picked up and dropped off at the same site.Estimated tow dolly rental from Sacramento, CA, to Chicago costs $345 for seven days (about $58 a day).

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.