Perhaps you have been driving when your vehicle stopped suddenly in the middle of nowhere and have heard people saying, “Just call a flatbed tow truck.” This seems like an easy solution, but do you really know what it means? It is a tow vehicle that features a flat and level bed that can be lowered to the ground. Rather than the old ways where the car was lifted up in the air or the wheels were raised up and then the car was towed using a chain, the car is transported without any tire touching the ground.
When You Actually Need a Flatbed Tow Truck
Considering flatbed tow truck for every breakdown is not fine. This service is required in special cases, such as a low-slung sports car, an all-wheel-drive SUV, or a car with a transmission problem. If your car has these concerns, dragging it on two wheels can cause real damage. Here is the exact time when a flatbed tow truck is necessary.
Here is when to ask for one:
- Your transmission is shot or the drivetrain is acting up
- You drive a luxury or sports car with low ground clearance
- The vehicle won’t roll, steer, or brake properly
- You need to move a car a long distance
- The vehicle is an all-wheel or four-wheel drive model
Basically, if there’s any doubt about whether towing might hurt your car further, a flat platform removes that risk completely.
How a Flatbed Tow Truck Works
Flatbed tow is not only about driving a car up a ramp, but there’s more going on. The operator lowers the hydraulic bed and keeps doing it until it touches the ground. After reaching to the ground it winches the vehicle up using a cable, or drives it straight onto the platform using cars own power. Afterward, the wheels are secured with wheel straps so nothing shifts during the drive.
It is also the main reason why a flatbed tow Truck is the preferred option for accident recovery. If the car cannot move on its own wheels, the winch does all the work.
Flatbed Tow Truck vs Other Towing Methods
Rather than flatbed tow there are a number of methods for moving cars from one place to another and it helps to know the difference before you find yourself by the roadside of the highway trying to decide.
Hook and chain
It is inexpensive and quick, though it may scratch bumpers and put strain on the chassis. Not usually used nowadays, except for junk cars.
Wheel-lift towing
The vehicle has either the front or rear wheels raised, while the rest of the wheels remain on the road. Acceptable for relatively short and flat road transportation, but dangerous for all-wheel-drive cars.
Flatbed tow truck
The safest way overall, because there is no contact between the wheels of the car being moved and the road at all. More expensive than other forms of towing, yet if the transport is to cover a long distance, or the car is delicate, every penny is worthwhile.
Among all other options a roll-back truck is the safe choice whenever the vehicle cannot move on its own power.
Cost of Hiring a Flatbed Tow Truck
Moving on, the cost involves several other factors, for example where you live and how far your car need to be towed. On top of that, most companies charge a base hook-up fee plus a per-mile rate. In Canada, a low flatbed tow truck usually costs up to $75 and $200. While, the long-distance jobs depends on the total distance covered.
A few things that push the price up:
- Distance traveled
- Time of day (late-night calls usually cost more)
- Vehicle size and weight
- Difficult recovery situations, like a car stuck in a ditch
When calling a towing company, always ask about the cost upfront to avoid any confusion later. Some flatbed carrier companies add mileage into a flat rate, while others charge per mile after the first ten or twenty.
Conclusion
Last but not least calling a flatbed tow truck is about protecting your vehicle from further damage and it is to be honest the safest way of transportation of damaged vehicle somewhere. Since the entire vehicle is loaded onto a flat platform so you do not have to worry about your vehicle whether you are dealing with a breakdown, an accident, or just moving a car that refuses to run under its own power. In fact this service might cost a little more than the old hook-and-chain approach, but when you consider your vehicle is totally safe the extra cost does not seem anything.
Next time your car refuses to start at least know exactly what to ask for and why it matters without spending extra time and money.
