Flatbed Towing
Flatbed Towing for Vehicles That Need Extra Care
All four wheels off the road for low clearance cars, all wheel drive vehicles, and anything you do not want dragged, from a daily driver to a classic car.
All four wheels off the road
A flatbed loads the entire vehicle onto a flat deck instead of pulling two wheels behind a wheel lift. That matters for anything low to the ground, anything with all wheel drive, and anything you do not want dragged even a short distance.
We use flatbeds regularly for the low clearance sedans and sports cars that scrape on a standard wheel lift, and for AWD and 4x4 vehicles where towing on two wheels can damage the drivetrain if the transfer case is not disconnected properly.
Modified, classic, and specialty vehicles
Lowered suspensions, wide aftermarket wheels, and body kits leave very little room to work with. A flatbed avoids the ramp angle and undercarriage contact that a wheel lift pickup can create on these cars.
Classic cars carry their own risks, from weak subframes to tires that are not rated for towing speeds. Loading the whole vehicle onto a deck and securing it with soft straps keeps stress off the frame and suspension for the entire trip.
When a flatbed is the safer call
If a vehicle has a locked wheel, a bent axle, or damage that keeps it from rolling straight, a wheel lift is not an option regardless of drivetrain. A flatbed with a winch can load it without turning the wheels at all.
Tell us the ride height, whether it is all wheel drive, and anything unusual about the suspension when you call, and we will send a flatbed if that is what the vehicle needs.
Common situations
When people call us for this
Lowered or low clearance car
Ground effects, splitters, and low bumpers that would drag or catch on a wheel lift ramp.
AWD or 4x4 breakdown
A vehicle with power to all four wheels that should not be towed on two, to avoid drivetrain damage.
Classic or collector car
An older vehicle with a frame and suspension that were never built for towing loads.
Vehicle with a locked or damaged wheel
One or more wheels will not turn, so the whole vehicle needs to be lifted onto the deck instead.
Modified or wide body vehicle
Aftermarket wheels and fitment that make a standard wheel lift a poor fit.
Long distance moves
Any trip long enough that keeping all four wheels stationary is worth the extra setup time.
How it works
From your call to the drop off
Describe the vehicle
Ride height, drivetrain, and any damage help us confirm a flatbed is the right truck before it leaves the yard.
Deck loading and straps
The vehicle is winched or driven onto the deck, then secured at all four points with soft straps to protect the wheels and finish.
Transport to destination
With the vehicle fully off the road surface, it travels to the shop, driveway, or lot you specified.
Service area
Where flatbed calls take us
Flatbed calls take us across Washington County, including the grades on Alt US 40 over South Mountain and the long stretches of I-70 and I-81 where a low clearance car or an AWD SUV is more likely to need this kind of load.
We also handle flatbed pickups near Hagerstown Regional Airport and along MD 64, where rural roads and gravel shoulders make a standard wheel lift pickup harder to position safely.
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Other ways we can help
Questions
Answers before you call
Towing an all wheel drive vehicle on two wheels can spin components that are not designed to turn without the engine running, which can damage the drivetrain. A flatbed avoids that entirely.
A flatbed is usually the safer option for low clearance vehicles because the deck can be angled and the car winched on slowly, avoiding the scraping a wheel lift ramp can cause.
Yes. A winch can pull a vehicle onto the deck even if the wheels are locked or missing, as long as we know about it in advance.
Pricing depends on the truck required, distance, and difficulty of the load. Call with your vehicle details for specifics.
Yes, that is one of the main reasons to choose a flatbed. Soft straps and full support under all four wheels keep stress off an older frame.
Need Towing or Hauling in the Hagerstown Area?
Call now and tell us what you are dealing with.
One call gets your vehicle, equipment, or load moving. If you would rather send the details first, use the request form and we will follow up.