Vehicles That Should Ride a Flatbed
Dragging a car on two wheels works for many front-wheel-drive sedans. For the vehicles below, it can cause real, expensive damage, and the flatbed is the safe call.
- All-wheel-drive and 4×4 vehicles. The drivetrain is tied together, and spinning one axle on the road can overheat or damage the center differential or transfer case.
- Electric and hybrid vehicles. Many manufacturers specify flatbed-only transport, since wheels turning without power can feed energy back into the system.
- Lowered and sports cars. Low front splitters and rocker panels will not clear a standard wheel-lift or a steep ramp.
- Vehicles with no steering or locked wheels. After a collision or a seized brake, the car has to be lifted rather than rolled.
- Anything with a transmission failure. Moving the wheels can spread metal debris and turn a repair into a replacement.
How Loading Works on the Deck
The driver tilts and slides the deck back until the bed touches the ground. If your car runs, it drives or is guided on. If it does not, a winch pulls it up at a slow, controlled angle. Cars with low clearance can be loaded with ramp extensions or skates under the tires so the front bumper never scrapes.
Once the car is on the deck, it is strapped at the frame or tow points, never by delicate bumper covers or suspension arms. The driver checks the straps again before leaving and once more on any long haul. At the destination the process runs in reverse.
Before we load, the driver walks around the car with you and notes any existing dings and scratches. Photos are quick, and they protect both sides.
Flatbed vs. Wheel-Lift in Plain Terms
| Question | Flatbed | Wheel-lift |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels on the road? | No. Car rides on the deck | Two wheels stay on the ground |
| Good for AWD and EV? | Yes | Not recommended |
| Tight garages and decks? | Often too tall | Preferred |
| Damaged or non-rolling car? | Yes, with winch and skates | Limited |
We pick the truck for the job, not the other way around. If your car is low and the lot is tight, we may bring a wheel-lift with skates instead. See our parking garage towing page for how that works.
A Flatbed Tow That Ends at the Repair Bay
Because we run the tire and repair shop, a flatbed delivery to 1007 Logan Ave means the car is unloaded and logged for a technician. For a blown tire on a lowered car, that can save a full day of calls between a towing company and a tire shop.
What It Costs
| Item | How we price it |
|---|---|
| Flatbed hook-up (local) | Quoted upfront by phone |
| Extra miles | Quoted upfront by phone |
| Winching a non-rolling vehicle | Included in the quote if you tell us up front |
| Delivery to our shop | Tow discounted when the repair is done with us |
The quote reflects the truck, the distance and the difficulty of the load.
Details verified October 2026. Final numbers are always confirmed by phone before a truck rolls.
What We Need to Know Before the Truck Leaves
- Make, model and drivetrain (AWD, 4×4, EV or hybrid)
- Whether the car is lowered or has aftermarket body parts
- Whether it starts, shifts into neutral and steers
- Where the vehicle is, including any gates, ramps or low ceilings
- Where it needs to be delivered
“Drivers sometimes ask for a cheaper hook and chain when they are in a hurry. The flatbed is cheaper than a ruined transfer case, and we will tell you straight when it is required.”
Dispatch Manager, Logan Automotive & Tire
Last updated: October 29, 2026