Flatbed vs wheel-lift towing: which does your car need?
A flatbed carries the whole vehicle on a deck; a wheel-lift lifts one end and lets the other two wheels roll. All-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, electric, lowered and badly damaged vehicles belong on a flatbed; a rolling front-wheel-drive car going a short distance can ride on a wheel-lift.
The short answer
A flatbed carries the whole vehicle on a deck; a wheel-lift lifts one end and lets the other two wheels roll. All-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, electric, lowered and badly damaged vehicles belong on a flatbed; a rolling front-wheel-drive car going a short distance can ride on a wheel-lift.
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Call nowHow the two trucks work
A flatbed, sometimes called a rollback, has a bed that tilts and slides back until its edge touches the pavement. The vehicle is driven or winched up the incline, strapped at the tires and carried with all four wheels off the road. Nothing drags, and nothing touches the body except the tie-downs.
A wheel-lift uses a cradle that slides under one pair of tires, usually the front, and lifts that end. The other two wheels stay on the road and roll behind the truck. It is quick to hook up, works in tight spots, and is a fair choice for the right car on a short trip.
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Call nowVehicles that need a flatbed
**All-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles.** When two wheels are lifted and two roll, the drivetrain parts that connect the axles can be turned without the engine running, and on many vehicles that can cause damage over distance. Most owner's manuals for AWD and 4WD vehicles call for transport with all four wheels off the ground. If the badge says AWD, 4WD or 4x4, or uses the maker's own all-wheel-drive name, plan on a flatbed.
**Electric and many hybrid vehicles.** Rolling the drive wheels of an electric car can spin its motors. Manufacturers generally direct owners to have the car carried on a flatbed. Check the towing section of your owner's manual and tell the dispatcher what the car is.
**Lowered, low-nosed and expensive cars.** A wheel-lift raises one end steeply; a low front lip or splitter can scrape on the first driveway apron. Sports cars, luxury sedans and anything with a body kit ride better on a deck.
**Damaged vehicles that will not roll straight.** After a crash, a bent wheel or suspension part may not turn. Those cars are winched onto a flatbed, sometimes with dollies under the damaged corner.
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Call nowWhen a wheel-lift is fine
A front-wheel-drive car that rolls and steers normally, going a few miles to a shop, can safely ride on a wheel-lift with the front wheels lifted. That is the classic commuter-car tow: dead engine, good wheels, short trip. It is a reasonable choice and it is often slightly less expensive because the truck is smaller.
A rear-wheel-drive car can also be wheel-lifted from the rear, or towed from the front with the rear wheels on dollies, depending on the car. The manual will say what the manufacturer allows. When in doubt, the flatbed is the safe default.
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Call nowWhat to tell the dispatcher
Give the year, make and model, and say whether it is all-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, electric or hybrid. Say whether the car rolls, whether the steering turns, and whether it can be put into neutral. If it is lowered or has a long front overhang, mention that. With those answers the right truck is sent the first time, and you are not waiting for a second truck after the first one turns out to be wrong.
Pricing works the same way on either truck: a flat hook fee plus a per-mile rate to the destination you choose, quoted on the call. A flatbed's hook fee can be a little higher because it is a bigger truck; the mileage is the same. Our flatbed towing guide covers loading and tie-down in more detail, and local towing covers short trips around town.
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Call nowOther ways cars are moved
**Dollies.** Some wheel-lift trucks carry a pair of small wheeled dollies that go under the wheels left on the ground, so the car rides with all four wheels off the road even without a flatbed. Dollies are useful in tight spaces where a flatbed cannot fit, such as some parking garages, and the car may then be moved to a flatbed outside for the rest of the trip.
**Skates and winching.** A car with locked wheels, a seized brake or a parking brake that will not release can be placed on wheel skates and winched onto a flatbed deck. This is common with electric cars whose 12-volt battery is dead, with cars that have been sitting for a long time, and after crashes.
**Low-clearance garages.** Many parking decks have height limits that a flatbed cannot clear. If the car is inside a deck, tell the dispatcher the level and the posted clearance. A smaller wheel-lift truck with dollies may bring the car out to the street, where it is transferred to the flatbed.
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Call nowThe cost of choosing wrong
The savings on a smaller truck are small. A damaged transfer case, a scraped bumper cover or an electric drive unit spun on the road are not. If there is any doubt about what your vehicle needs, ask for the flatbed and say why.
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Call nowMore on towing rules & pricing
Keep reading, or go back to every post on the blog.
- What happens to your car after a police-ordered tow in New Jersey
- Towed from private property in New Jersey: your rights
- Towing pricing red flags in New Jersey
- Local tow company vs national roadside network: who actually shows up?
- Moving a car long distance from New Jersey: towing vs car carrier
- Tip #34: Choose the destination before the truck arrives: home, shop or dealer
- Tip #35: Ask the destination about storage charges before you pick it
- Tip #38: Always get an itemized receipt for a tow or roadside job
- All posts
Questions drivers ask about this
Short answers.
Can an all-wheel-drive car be towed with two wheels on the ground?
Most manufacturers say no. Their manuals call for all four wheels off the ground, which means a flatbed. Check the towing section of your owner's manual, and tell the dispatcher the car is AWD.
Is a wheel-lift tow bad for my car?
Not for the right car. A front-wheel-drive car that rolls and steers, going a short distance, is safely towed with the front wheels lifted.
Does a flatbed cost more than a wheel-lift?
The hook fee for a flatbed can be slightly higher because it is a larger truck; the per-mile rate is the same. The dispatcher quotes the total before the truck rolls.
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