Tip #31: Close and latch a convertible top before the car is towed
A convertible riding on a flatbed sees highway-speed wind on its roof. Close the top fully and make sure it latches before the car is loaded; if the top is stuck open or half-closed, tell the dispatcher so the driver can protect the cabin.
Tip #31 in one line
A convertible riding on a flatbed sees highway-speed wind on its roof. Close the top fully and make sure it latches before the car is loaded; if the top is stuck open or half-closed, tell the dispatcher so the driver can protect the cabin.
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Call nowWhy it matters on the deck
A car on a flatbed sits higher than traffic and catches the full wind of the truck's speed, plus any crosswind on an elevated stretch of I-78 or Route 1 & 9. A soft top that is closed but not latched can lift at the front edge, fill with air and tear at the seams or the frame. A hardtop panel that is partly retracted can rattle or catch. An open top lets rain, road grit and anything loose in the cabin blow around or out.
Most power tops need the car to be on, or at least the ignition in an accessory position, to move. If your car still has battery power, close the top before the truck arrives, then check the latches at the windshield header by hand. Manual tops have a latch or handle you can feel engage.
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Call nowIf the top will not close
A dead battery is the most common reason a power top is stuck. Sometimes a jump start gives the car enough power to finish the cycle, and then the tow can go ahead with the top closed. Your owner's manual may describe a manual closing procedure for emergencies; follow it only if it is clearly explained and you are comfortable doing it.
If the top still will not close, tell the dispatcher before the truck is sent. The driver can cover and secure the cabin before the car leaves and keep the speed sensible on the way. Take everything out of the cabin that could blow away, including papers in the door pockets and anything on the rear seat.
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Call nowSame rule for the windows
Close every window fully, and a sunroof if the car has one. Our flatbed price does not change for a convertible: a flat hook fee plus a per-mile rate to the destination you choose, quoted before the truck rolls.
Classic convertibles deserve extra care. An older soft top with brittle vinyl windows or worn seals can crack or tear even when latched. If yours is one, say so, and ask the driver to keep a slower pace on the highway. It adds a few minutes to the trip and nothing to the price. If the top is already damaged, photograph it before loading, so the condition is recorded on both sides.
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Call nowMore on vehicle types
Keep reading, or go back to every post on the blog.
- EV towing in New Jersey: what electric car owners need to know
- Motorcycle towing done right: what riders should expect
- Tip #26: An all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive car belongs on a flatbed
- Tip #27: Never let anyone tow an electric car with its drive wheels on the ground
- Tip #28: Tell the dispatcher your car sits low before the truck is sent
- Tip #29: Know where your motorcycle can be strapped before it needs a tow
- Tip #30: Your car may be all-wheel drive even if it does not look like it
- Tip #76: A Tesla needs a flatbed, and the owner's manual explains its transport mode
- All posts
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