Imagine driving down the highway, enjoying the open road, when suddenly your car makes a strange noise and comes to a screeching halt. You try everything you can to get it moving again, but it’s clear that you need a tow. Luckily, there’s a solution that’s safer for your vehicle and more versatile than traditional towing methods – flatbed towing. In this article, we’ll dive into everything car owners need to know about flatbed towing, so you can be prepared for any unexpected breakdowns or accidents.
What Is Flatbed Towing?
Flatbed towing, or roll-back towing, is a method of towing a vehicle in which the entire vehicle is lifted off the ground and onto the back of a flatbed tow truck. The flatbed tow truck has a flat platform that can be raised and lowered by hydraulic lifts. The vehicle is secured to the platform using chains or straps to prevent it from moving during transit.
What Are the Advantages of Flatbed Towing?
There are several advantages to using flatbed towing over traditional towing methods. One of the primary advantages is that it is safer for the vehicle being towed. When a vehicle is lifted off the ground by its front or back wheels, there is a risk of damage to its transmission or other components. With flatbed towing, the entire vehicle is lifted off of the ground, reducing the risk of damage.
Another advantage of flatbed towing is that it is more versatile than traditional towing methods. Flatbed tow trucks can transport vehicles of all shapes and sizes, including cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles. This makes it a useful option for car owners who need to transport vehicles that are not able to be driven.
When to Use Flatbed Towing
There are several situations in which flatbed towing may be the best option. If a vehicle has been involved in an accident or has mechanical problems that prevent it from being driven, flatbed towing is the safest and most secure option for transporting the vehicle. Flatbed towing is also useful for transporting vehicles over long distances, as it is more comfortable for the vehicle being towed.
Another situation in which flatbed towing may be necessary is if the vehicle being towed has all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. These types of vehicles require all four wheels to be off of the ground during towing to prevent damage to their drivetrains.
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Flatbed Towing
If you need to have your vehicle towed using a flatbed tow truck, there are a few things you can do to prepare your vehicle for transport. First, make sure that your vehicle is in neutral and that the parking brake is released. This will allow the wheels to move freely during transport.
Next, if your vehicle has an alarm system or an immobilizer, make sure that they are deactivated before the tow truck arrives. This will prevent the alarm from going off during transport and will allow the tow truck driver to move the vehicle onto the flatbed without any issues.
Finally, remove any personal items from the vehicle before it is towed. This will prevent them from getting damaged or lost during transport.
Final Thoughts
Flatbed towing is a safe and secure method of transporting vehicles from one location to another. By lifting the entire vehicle off of the ground and onto the back of a flatbed tow truck, the risk of damage to the vehicle is reduced. Flatbed towing is also more versatile than traditional towing methods and can transport vehicles of all shapes and sizes. If you need to have your vehicle towed, consider using flatbed towing for safe and secure transport.
Safely transport your vehicle with the help of Tow Atlanta. We are a 24-hour towing service that provides flatbed towing in Atlanta. Our tow operators all go through stringent background checks, training, and testing for certifications. Get in touch with us today!