Flatbed vs. Wheel Lift Tow Truck: Definition, Differences, Uses

Getting a flat tire, overheated engine, or a collision is never planned but is sometimes inevitable. No matter how experienced driver you are or how intact your vehicle is, breakdowns and accidents can happen anywhere, anytime on the road. The worst part of these breakdowns is they occur at the most unexpected times.

You need to call a tow truck company for help in these cases. But you should know what types of tow trucks you need to call for help. Different tow trucks are used for different towing situations. The two most common types of trucks used for towing are flatbed tow trucks and wheel lift tow trucks. We know that when you are stranded on a deserted road, it is obviously a stressful and frustrating situation to deal with. Calling the right type of tow truck is crucial, whether it’s a flat tire, engine issue, or an accident. 

Gone are the days when people used to rely on hook and chain tow trucks. It was a hassle to wrap a chain around the vehicle and use a crane to hoist one end. In that method, the two tires always remain on the ground, causing damage to the car. With the evolvement of the automotive industry, the modern vehicle needs a better option to avoid the damage caused by the hook and chain method. This led to the manufacturing of the wheel lift and flatbed tow truck.

You’ve probably seen both types of tow trucks around your area. Both are common in use for several reasons. But neither of them can handle every kind of towing job. They are used for multiple purposes and situations. Motorists need to provide the correct information about the condition, make & model of their vehicle so that the dispatcher will dispatch the right type of tow truck their way. 

By reading this blog post, you’ll learn about the definition, differences and uses of a flatbed and a wheel lift tow truck. It’ll help you make a better decision for choosing the right type of tow truck as per your situation. Remember that these tow trucks are not the same nor used for the same jobs. Therefore, you must have basic information about both to make the best choice. 

Let’s dig deeper into it!

Wheel Lift Tow Truck

After flatbed tow trucks, a wheel lift tow truck is one of the most popular types of tow trucks used for towing. This tow truck is the evolved version of hook and chain technology. It employs a hydraulic boom with crossbars at both ends. Rather than lifting the whole vehicle off the ground, this tow truck hoists the front or rear wheels of the car, leaving the other two to roll along the road. Its crossbars are slipped under the rear or front wheels to haul the vehicle and lifted through a hydraulic crane.

Whether the rear or front wheels will be lifted depends on the vehicle’s transmission. This method of towing vehicles is quick and easy. If your car is stuck in a tighter space, you can use the wheel lift tow truck to haul it from spots with low clearance or tight spaces. Besides, it is a quicker way to get your car towed. It’s the cost-effective method of towing and the best for a short-distance tow.

Since wheel lift tow trucks are smaller than flatbeds, they are better for towing small vehicles. Besides, a wheel lift truck works well to perform complex recoveries needed before towing. The downside of this towing method is it is not suitable for all-wheel drive vehicles. In addition, this wheel lift hauling is not recommended for long-distance tow.

Flatbed Tow Truck

When you hear the word ‘tow truck,’ you probably think about the flatbed tow truck. It is the most popular and secure tow truck used for hauling vehicles. As evident by the name, this type of tow truck has a flat surface that can be lowered to the back of the ground, allowing the car to sit on its surface. If the car is undrivable, it can be pulled onto the deck with a winch. Once the vehicle is on the flatbed, it is raised off the ground into a horizontal position.  

The major benefit of using a flatbed tow truck is the towed vehicle stays entirely off the ground. All the vehicles’ tires sit on the flatbed and thus are secured from wear and tear, debris, and other driving obstacles. If you want to transport your vehicle for a long distance, there’s no better option than a flatbed tow truck. Besides, the flatbed tow truck is the only option to tow oversized vehicles like SUVs, four-wheel-drive vehicles, and light trucks.

In case of a collision where a vehicle is smashed or damaged, you need to consider a flatbed tow truck. It could aggravate the damage if you try to get your wrecked car towed with other methods (like wheel lift towing). This will get you in trouble while claiming the damage from your insurance company. However, by towing your vehicle on this tow truck, your car will inflict no damage. Another benefit of the flatbed is that it can tow multiples vehicle at once.    

Find out the tips to choose the right tow truck service

Flatbed vs Wheel Lift Tow Truck: Differences

The main difference between the flatbed and wheel lift tow truck is the safety and security of a vehicle. Flatbed tow trucks offer maximum protection over wheel lift tow trucks. With a flatbed, you don’t need to worry about the hassle of adjusting the vehicle as it lies on a flat surface and has minor or no risk of damage. For this reason, flatbed trucks are considered the best option for hauling sports, vintage, and luxury cars.  

Flatbed tow trucks are bigger, whereas wheel lift trucks are comparatively small. That’s why, wheels lift tow trucks are best for towing small vehicles from narrow spaces because of their small size. On the other side, flatbed tow trucks can tow heavy-weight vehicles, making it best for hauling SUVs and large cars. Flatbed is the best choice for long-distance towing, while wheel lift trucks are best for short-distance hauling. Additionally, wheel lifting is a cheaper option than flatbed towing.

Why Flag Towing?

At Flag towing, we offer a wide range of towing and roadside assistance services, including flatbed towing for long-distance towing throughout Taxes and surrounding areas. We also have wheel lift tow trucks to tow vehicles stuck in the tight spot and for a short distance towing. 

If you don’t know which tow trucks to opt for, our customer service is available round the clock to respond promptly to all your queries. We’ll help you choose the right truck as per your situation.

We know that when your vehicle breaks down, you have a lot of things to worry about, but with Flag Towing, you don’t need to worry about the cost of towing and roadside assistance services. When it comes to towing, we prioritize our customers and their vehicles rather than money. For this reason, we offer reliable and affordable towing services without breaking your bank.