Flatbed vs. Standard Towing: Which One Do You Need?

How Standard Towing Works

Standard (or 'hook and chain' / wheel-lift) towing lifts one end of the vehicle, typically the front, while the other two wheels stay on the ground and roll during transport. It's fast to hook up and works fine for many routine tows.

How Flatbed Towing Works

A flatbed truck lowers a hydraulic platform to ground level, winches the entire vehicle onto it, and transports it with all four wheels off the road. There's no rolling contact and no stress on a vehicle's drivetrain.

When Flatbed Is the Right Call

Choose flatbed for all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicles, low-clearance or lowered cars, vehicles with unknown mechanical issues, luxury or exotic cars, and any vehicle involved in an accident where alignment or suspension damage is possible.

When Standard Towing Is Fine

For a healthy, two-wheel-drive vehicle with no visible damage that just needs a short, straightforward move, standard towing is usually sufficient and quicker to arrange.