
When your car breaks down, it’s important to know the difference between various tow trucks. This way, you can be confident your vehicle is in good hands.
Flatbed tow trucks feature a flat-topped deck for carrying vehicles. They keep the car completely off the road and minimize the risk of damage en route. Visit Tow Companies Colorado Springs for more details.
Flatbed Towing
With flatbed towing, the entire car sits on a flat surface that’s secured to the truck. The vehicle is fastened down with heavy-duty straps or chains to prevent it from moving during transport. Flatbed towing is more expensive than other types of towing, but it’s an investment worth making if you have an exotic or classic car that you want to protect from damage.
A flatbed truck uses a hydraulic system to lower its bed and form a ramp for loading vehicles. Once the vehicle is on the flatbed, the hydraulic system raises the bed back to a level position for transportation. This allows for faster loading and unloading, which reduces the risk of damage during transport.
Another advantage of flatbed towing is that it doesn’t cause any wear and tear on the vehicle. With traditional towing methods, like hook and chain or wheel-lift towing, the car is pulled behind the truck, which can put strain on the engine parts, tires, and suspension. Flatbed towing keeps the car completely off the ground during transport, which protects these components from extra wear and tear.
Flatbed towing is also the safest option for four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive cars. Using a wheel-lift or dolly can damage the transmission and drivetrain of these vehicles when they’re towed. Flatbed towing is the only safe way to transport these vehicles for long distances, regardless of their driving conditions.
While a flatbed towing truck may seem too expensive for everyday use, it’s important to remember that these trucks can save you thousands of dollars in repairs and maintenance costs in the long run. Plus, you can rest easy knowing that your car is in good hands with a flatbed towing company like Texans Crown Towing.
A flatbed towing company can help you with all of your vehicle needs, whether it’s a simple battery jump or a full-blown recovery and roadside assistance. Contact Texans Crown Towing today to schedule service for your vehicle. Our experts are ready to help you get back on the road! We proudly serve all of the greater Houston area.
Hook-and-Chain Towing
A hook-and-chain towing truck carries vehicles by attaching heavy chains to their rear end and then pulling them. It’s typically used for roadside assistance and removing illegally parked cars from private property. These trucks can also haul junked vehicles to their final destination. A wheel lift towing truck is an evolved version of this model, designed with more advanced wheel and boom interaction features and internal arm systems that can better support the load. These tow trucks are a great choice for repossession or other time-sensitive hauling processes that require quick collection of vehicles from the roadside.
A wheel lift towing truck uses a metal yoke instead of heavy chain. It slides under the front or rear of a vehicle, suspending the vehicle in the air while the wheels roll along the road. This technique eliminates drivetrain strain and reduces stress on towed vehicles. It’s also more economical than flatbed towing and ideal for removing vehicles from difficult locations. However, a wheel-lift towing truck isn’t suitable for all types of vehicles and can cause damage during transport.
It’s not as safe for newer vehicles, especially those with all-wheel or four-wheel drive and low ground clearance. It’s also not suitable for dragging vehicles over long distances, as it can lead to transmission damage or undercarriage scraping.
In addition to offering a cost-effective solution, this towing method can be more maneuverable than flatbeds in tight environments. It can also be an excellent option for removing vehicles that have been damaged beyond repair, such as after severe accidents or in salvage situations.
In the world of towing, proven reliability is key. That’s exactly what you get with a hook-and-chain tow truck, which has been in use for decades thanks to its smart design and field-tested efficiency. Whether it’s clearing out your garage, moving an old project car to storage or getting rid of a wrecked vehicle that’s been sitting around for too long, these trucks are the best bet for speed and simplicity.
Wheel-Lift Towing
A wheel lift towing truck uses a winch to pull your vehicle’s front or rear wheels off the ground. Then, it secures the car to a platform in the back of the truck. This method is more effective for removing vehicles from tighter environments than flatbed towing and is faster for short distances. However, you should know that your vehicle’s ground wheels may experience some additional wear.
These trucks are ideal for reviving drivable cars that have broken down or are stuck in the mud, snow, or gravel. They’re also commonly used for impounding vehicles at local government offices or private businesses. They’re smaller than flatbed tow trucks and use less fuel, which makes them more cost-efficient.
This towing technique is more efficient than traditional flatbed towing because you don’t have to drive the car onto the bed or maneuver it once it’s on there. It’s also safer because your car isn’t on the road and at risk of being damaged by bumps or inclines.
The downside to this type of towing is that it isn’t as safe for high-end, exotic, or classic vehicles because the wheel lift technique can damage their tires and undercarriage. Additionally, all-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles may be at risk of damage because their power is distributed to all four wheels.
A flatbed tow truck is the best option for transporting all types of vehicles because it ensures your car doesn’t touch the ground during transportation. It’s also the safest towing method for long-distance transport because your vehicle isn’t being pulled on its tires for miles and miles. Flatbed tow trucks are more expensive than other towing options, but they’re worth the investment if you want peace of mind when transporting your vehicle over long distances. A flatbed tow truck is also a better choice for vintage, luxury, or expensive vehicles that need to be kept in pristine condition for shows and exhibits. Using other tow trucks or tow trailers can cause damage to these types of vehicles and decrease their resale value. This is why flatbed tow trucks are often the preferred towing method for these types of vehicles.
Advantages
Nothing derails your day quite like a roadside breakdown. Whether your car is towed due to an accident, flat tire or engine trouble, you want the job handled correctly by trained professionals. This means knowing the different towing options available, so you can choose the right truck type for your needs.
Flatbed towing is one of the most popular options for transporting vehicles. It’s especially well-suited to all-wheel drive and four-wheel-drive cars to prevent damage to their drivetrains, as it keeps the car completely off the ground during transit. Flatbed trucks are also preferred for long-distance hauls and towing salvage vehicles.
The primary advantage of flatbed towing is the safety it offers for towed vehicles. The flatbed keeps all the vehicle’s wheels off the ground, reducing the risk of further damage from drag and excessive pressure on the vehicle. It’s also a popular choice for antique and sports cars that must be transported to a repair shop without causing damage.
In contrast, wheel lift towing involves a metal yoke that slides under the front or rear of the vehicle. The yoke is then pneumatically hoisted by a hydraulic lift, allowing the other two wheels to roll on the pavement during transport. This option allows tow trucks to load vehicles faster and maneuver in tight urban areas, where space is limited. Additionally, it reduces operational costs and requires less specialized equipment, making it a more affordable option for roadside assistance and recovery services.
Another advantage of wheel lift towing is its versatility. It can be used to haul all-wheel and four-wheel drives and salvage vehicles, as well as smaller cars. It’s also an effective way to move vehicles in confined spaces, as the process takes less time and doesn’t require any complex chains or rigging.
The main disadvantage of wheel lift towing is that it can put more strain on the vehicle and may damage parts if the yoke isn’t positioned correctly. The increased pressure on the towed vehicle can also cause it to shift, which can lead to further damage. It’s important to ensure the tow truck driver is qualified and experienced in using this method, as it can be more difficult than other types of flatbed towing.


