When your vehicle needs to be towed, the method used matters more than you might think. The two most common towing methods are flatbed towing and wheel-lift towing. Here's what you need to know about each.
What Is Flatbed Towing?
Flatbed towing uses a truck with a flat platform (the bed) that hydraulically tilts or slides to ground level. Your vehicle is driven or winched onto the platform, and all four wheels ride completely off the ground during transport.
What Is Wheel-Lift Towing?
Wheel-lift towing uses a metal yoke that slides under the front or rear wheels of your vehicle, lifting one end off the ground. The other two wheels remain on the road surface as the vehicle is towed.
Why Flatbed Is Generally Safer
- No drivetrain damage: With all wheels off the ground, there's zero risk of transmission or differential damage
- AWD/4WD compatible: All-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles should always be flatbed towed
- No tire wear: Your tires aren't dragged along the road surface
- Better for damaged vehicles: Cars with flat tires, broken axles, or suspension damage ride safely on the flatbed
- Lower risk of additional damage: The vehicle is fully secured on a stable platform
When Wheel-Lift Might Be Used
Wheel-lift towing is sometimes used for short-distance tows of front-wheel-drive vehicles in neutral. It can be faster to hook up and may be appropriate for moving vehicles short distances in parking lots or tight spaces.
Vehicles That Should ALWAYS Be Flatbed Towed
- All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles
- Four-wheel drive (4WD) trucks and SUVs
- Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids
- Luxury and exotic cars
- Low-profile or lowered vehicles
- Vehicles with transmission problems
- Accident-damaged vehicles
Our Recommendation
At Blaze Roadside & Transport, we use flatbed tow trucks for all our towing services. We believe it's the safest method for every vehicle type, and it gives our customers peace of mind knowing their vehicle is fully protected during transport.