When You Need Flatbed Towing Instead of Wheel-Lift Towing
Understanding Flatbed Towing vs. Wheel-Lift Towing
When you call for roadside assistance, you often have two choices for towing. You can pick a flatbed tow or wheel-lift towing. A flatbed tow truck lifts the whole car off the ground. Your car sits on a flat and stable platform, so none of the wheels touch the road. A flatbed tow is thought to be the safest way to tow a car.
Wheel-lift towing uses a metal yoke to lift the front or back wheels of your car. The other two wheels stay on the road as the tow truck pulls your car. This way of towing is common and is often called the traditional tow truck method. It is helpful in some cases. The tow method you choose will depend on your type of vehicle and its condition.
Let’s look at how each of these towing methods work.
How Flatbed Towing Works
A flatbed tow truck has a strong hydraulic system that moves the whole bed down. This makes a ramp for the car. If your car can still go, you just drive it up onto the flatbed. If your car cannot move, a powerful winch pulls your car onto the stable platform. A flatbed tow truck is a good way to tow your car, and it keeps the car safe on the flatbed.
When your car is on the flatbed, the operator straps it down with strong straps or chains. This keeps your car still, so it does not move while being moved. It helps protect your car from bumps and other things found on the road. After that, the flatbed gets lifted back into place. Now your car is ready to go. This way of moving cars works well for a wide range of vehicles.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the steps:
| Step | Action |
| 1. Lower the Bed | The flatbed is tilted and lowered to the ground to act as a ramp. |
| 2. Load the Vehicle | The car is either driven or pulled onto the bed with a winch. |
| 3. Secure the Vehicle | Heavy-duty straps are used to fasten all four wheels securely. |
| 4. Raise and Transport | The bed is raised to a horizontal position for safe transport. |
How Wheel-Lift Towing Works
Wheel-lift towing is one of the traditional towing methods you will see on the road. These towing trucks have a metal yoke that goes under the front or back wheels of your car. A part called a hydraulic lift picks up that end of the car off the ground. The other two wheels stay on the road and roll while your car is being towed.
This way of moving cars gets a lot of good feedback for its quick response times. It works well in small city areas where a big flatbed might have trouble getting around. It can move cars with two-wheel drive for short trips. But, this way is not a good fit for every car.
For cars with drive wheels still touching the road, some people use a towing dolly. A dolly adds an extra set of wheels below the tires that roll. This helps keep the transmission and axles safe from harm. Still, using a dolly for towing can put stress on your vehicle. A flatbed is better because it avoids this problem.
When to Choose Flatbed Towing Over Wheel-Lift Towing
When you need to pick a way to tow your car, the main thing to think about is your vehicle’s safety. A flatbed tow is the best choice most of the time. It helps to cut out any risk of damage that your car might get during towing. Wheel-lift towing can work, but a flatbed tow gives you more peace of mind. You want customer satisfaction and to feel good when you use a tow service. Picking the right flatbed will make sure your car gets to where it needs to go in the same shape it was in when you gave it to them.
For some cars and in some cases, you need a flatbed. A regular tow will not be good enough. Knowing when you must have a flatbed can help you make the right choice when you need to tow your car.
Vehicle Damage Prevention and Safety Considerations
Your vehicle’s safety is always the top priority when you need a tow. Flatbed towing gives your car the best protection. It works by lifting your car off the road. When your car is on a flatbed, it does not touch potholes, bumps, or debris. This keeps it from getting scratched or having damage to the bottom part. It also helps to stop unnecessary wear on your tires or the parts that make your car ride smooth.
When you use traditional towing methods, your car can get serious damage in the transmission or drivetrain. This can happen if the car gets strained during towing. A flatbed helps stop this from happening because it does not add any extra miles on your odometer. The flatbed also makes sure your car gets utmost care. This way, there is no further damage when your car is being towed.
To get your car ready, just let the dispatchers know about its condition and what make it is. They will take care of everything else. The right equipment will be used for the job.
Situations Where Flatbed Towing Service is Essential
A flatbed towing service is a good choice for all cars. But there are some situations where you must use it. If you end up in any of the cases below, it is best to ask for a flatbed. This will keep your car safe from damage. Many roadside assistance service providers suggest a flatbed for these reasons.
These essential situations include:
- Major Accidents: If a disabled vehicle has bent axles, wheels that won’t turn, or other big problems, a winch will be needed. The flatbed can pull the car on safely. This will help keep your car from getting more damage when towing.
- Long-Distance Transport: If your car has to go many miles to a repair shop, moving it with the wheels on the ground will wear it out. A flatbed is the best way to take it a long way without more wear and tear.
- All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Vehicles: If you tow an AWD car with only two wheels on the ground, the drivetrain could get damaged.
- Low-Clearance Cars: A sports car or any lowered car can get damaged if it scrapes a ramp or a bump. Flatbed towing helps stop that from happening.
Vehicles That Benefit Most From Flatbed Towing
Some types of vehicles need more care during towing. If you have a luxury car, a classic car, or a modern car with a special drivetrain, it is best to choose flatbed towing. Flatbed towing is the best way to keep these types of vehicles safe. Many people feel that the value of a luxury car comes from how perfect it looks. That is why it is so important to move it carefully.
If you have a high-end sports car, a well-loved vintage car, or an all-wheel-drive SUV, you should know this. The special features of these luxury vehicles can make them get damage if you use traditional towing methods. A flatbed is better for towing.
Let’s find out why the flatbed works best.
Transporting Luxury, Classic, and Low-Clearance Cars
When you have a luxury or vintage car, you want to keep it in the best shape possible. The last thing you need is a tow that gives your car a scratch, dent, or a problem with how it works. Flatbed towing is the top choice for taking care of vintage cars, luxury, and exotic vehicles. With a flatbed, your car gets the proper care to stay in pristine condition.
Many of these cars have low ground clearance. This means their bumpers and the bottom of the car can get hurt during a normal tow. A flatbed is a good way to move these cars because it lifts the whole car up. This keeps it safe from things on the road and steep hills that could cost a lot to fix. A flatbed takes care of cars with low ground clearance when you need a tow.
For any vintage car or luxury model, a flatbed gives extra security. It helps your investment get to where you want it to go with no scratches. This gives you real peace of mind.
Towing All-Wheel-Drive, 4×4, and Electric Vehicles
Modern vehicle technology has made flatbed towing very important today. A lot of SUVs come with all-wheel-drive (AWD) and 4×4 systems. These make all four wheels work together at the same time. If you tow these cars with two wheels on the ground, it can put a lot of stress on the drivetrain. This can cause damage that may cost thousands of dollars to repair. Using a flatbed is the safest way for towing SUVs with AWD.
In the same way, electric vehicles (EVs) like a Tesla should never be towed with the wheels on the ground. This can hurt the electric motors and other parts that help the car move. A flatbed is the only way the maker says is good for moving most EVs. Using a flatbed stops any extra or additional wear or problems for their sensitive systems.
It does not matter if you drive an AWD car, a 4×4 truck, or an EV. Flatbed towing is not just the best way to tow these vehicles. It is the only safe way to do it. This type of towing gets rid of all the risks linked to towing these special vehicles.
Conclusion
To sum up, the time to use flatbed towing instead of wheel-lift towing matters a lot for your car’s safety and shape. Flatbed towing is a good choice for luxury cars, classic cars, and cars that sit very low to the ground. It is also best for all-wheel-drive and electric cars that need more care when moved. If you use flatbed towing, your car will be held in place well and kept safe from damage that might happen with other ways of towing. The next time you need towing, think about the good things with flatbed. It gives you peace of mind and keeps your car safe. If you want to ask something or need help, just reach out!
