When you call a towing company, you may be asked whether your vehicle needs a flatbed tow truck or wheel-lift towing. Both methods are widely used, but they move vehicles in very different ways.
Knowing the difference can help you understand why a towing professional may recommend one method over another.
How Flatbed Towing Works
A flatbed tow truck has a large platform that tilts toward the ground. The vehicle is carefully pulled or driven onto the platform and secured before transport.
Because all four wheels remain off the road, flatbed towing is often used for vehicles that require additional protection. It can be especially useful for low-clearance vehicles, luxury cars, vehicles with wheel damage, and some all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Flatbeds can also be helpful when transporting a vehicle over longer distances.
How Wheel-Lift Towing Works
A wheel-lift tow truck uses a metal support system that lifts either the front or rear wheels of the vehicle while the remaining wheels stay on the road.
Wheel-lift trucks are compact and maneuverable, which can make them useful in parking lots, narrow streets, garages, and other locations where a larger flatbed truck may have limited space.
For many standard passenger vehicles and shorter towing distances, wheel-lift towing can be an efficient option.
Which Towing Method Is Right for Your Vehicle?
The correct method depends on your vehicle’s drivetrain, condition, ground clearance, location, and destination.
A vehicle with damaged wheels may be better suited for a flatbed because it prevents the wheels from rolling during transport. Low-clearance sports cars may also benefit from carefully planned flatbed loading.
Wheel-lift towing may be appropriate for vehicles that can safely roll on two wheels and are accessible in tighter spaces.
Let the Tow Operator Evaluate the Situation
If you are unsure which towing method your car needs, provide the towing company with your vehicle year, make, model, condition, and location.
Fast Lift Towing offers both flatbed and wheel-lift towing in Los Angeles, allowing the towing method to be matched to the vehicle and situation.
Call us at 818-517-6938 to request our Wheel-lift towing service.