Flatbed vs Wheel-Lift Towing: Which Does Your Car Need?

A flatbed truck carries your whole car on its deck, so no wheels touch the road. A wheel-lift truck raises one end of the car by the wheels and tows it with the other end rolling. For automatic cars, all-wheel-drive and 4x4 vehicles, low or modified cars, accident-damaged cars and long distances, a flatbed is the safer choice. For a short tow of a front-wheel-drive manual car, a wheel-lift is often fine.

Knowing the difference helps you ask the right question when you call for a tow, and avoid damage that can cost far more to fix than the original breakdown.

How a flatbed works

A flatbed, sometimes called a rollback or a "loader", has a deck that tilts and slides back to the ground to form a ramp. The car is driven or winched up onto the deck, then strapped down at each wheel. The deck returns to level and the car travels completely off the road.

Because none of the wheels turn, there is no strain on the gearbox, driveshafts or differentials. The car also cannot sway or bounce independently of the truck, which matters on rough roads and over long distances.

How a wheel-lift works

A wheel-lift truck has a hydraulic arm with a cradle that slides under the front or rear wheels. The arm lifts that end of the car off the ground, and the car is towed with its other two wheels rolling on the road. It is quick to hook up, works well in tight city streets and car parks, and can reach cars that are parked in awkward spots.

The catch is that two wheels stay on the road and keep turning. If those are the driven wheels, the drivetrain turns too, which can damage some gearboxes.

When you should insist on a flatbed

• Automatic gearboxes: many automatic and CVT gearboxes, found in popular cars such as the Toyota Corolla, Honda City and Honda Civic, can be damaged if towed with their driven wheels on the road. Check your owner's manual, but if in doubt, use a flatbed.
• All-wheel-drive and 4x4 vehicles: with all four wheels driven, there is no safe end to lift. SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner, Land Cruiser and Prado, and pickups like the Hilux in 4x4 form, should travel on a flatbed.
• Hybrids and electric cars: towing with the driven wheels turning can damage the motor and electronics. Cars such as the Toyota Aqua and Prius should go on a flatbed.
• Low or modified cars: low bumpers, body kits and lowered suspension can scrape or crack on a wheel-lift. A flatbed with a low loading angle avoids this.
• Accident damage: if a wheel is bent, the steering is damaged or the suspension has collapsed, the car cannot roll safely and needs to be winched onto a flatbed.
• Long distances: for city-to-city moves or anything on the motorway, a flatbed is safer and puts no wear on the car.

When a wheel-lift is fine

A wheel-lift works well for a short tow of a front-wheel-drive manual car, which covers many everyday cars in Pakistan, such as the Suzuki Alto, Cultus, Mehran and Wagon R. The front, driven wheels are lifted, and the rear wheels roll freely without turning any part of the drivetrain.

It is also useful in narrow streets, basements and crowded markets where a flatbed cannot easily manoeuvre. In those cases, a wheel-lift can move the car to an open spot where it can be transferred to a flatbed if needed.

For rear-wheel-drive vehicles, such as many pickups and vans, the rear wheels should be lifted instead, or the car should go on a flatbed. A good operator will ask which wheels drive the car before hooking up.

What about towing with a rope or chain?

Being towed behind another car with a rope or chain is common on city streets, but it is risky. The towed driver needs a working brake pedal and steering, which may not be available if the engine is off and the car has power steering and brake assistance. It is also dangerous and unsuitable on motorways. A proper tow truck is the safer option.

Questions to ask before your car is towed

• Will you send a flatbed or a wheel-lift, and why?
• Which wheels will be lifted, and is that safe for my gearbox?
• How will the car be secured, and will you use wheel straps rather than hooks on the body?
• Is the price a fixed quote confirmed before dispatch?
• What is the live ETA for the truck?

When you call us, tell us your car's make, model and gearbox type, and whether it is two- or four-wheel drive. We send the right truck for the job and explain the choice before dispatch, along with a fixed quote and a live ETA on the call.