Flatbed vs. Wheel-Lift Towing: What’s the Difference?

Two common towing methods are flatbed towing and wheel-lift towing. The right choice depends on your vehicle and situation.

Flatbed towing With a flatbed, your vehicle is loaded fully onto the truck bed. This is often recommended for: - AWD/4WD vehicles (to help avoid drivetrain issues) - Low-clearance vehicles - Vehicles with significant damage - Long-distance transport

Wheel-lift towing With a wheel-lift, the tow truck lifts either the front or rear wheels. This can be a good option for certain situations and short-distance tows, depending on the vehicle.

What to tell dispatch To help dispatch choose the right equipment, share: - Vehicle make/model and whether it’s AWD/4WD - Whether the car rolls/steers - Any damage (missing wheel, suspension damage, accident) - Location constraints (parking garage height, tight access)

The goal: safe, damage-minimizing transport If you’re unsure, ask dispatch what method they recommend for your vehicle. It’s always better to match the tow method to the vehicle than to guess.