Whether you’ve got a broken-down car or it needs towing, the towing method you use is a lot more important than you might have been forced to believe.
Flatbed towing and traditional wheel-lift towing both move vehicles from point A to point B, but they do it very differently. Here’s what each method offers and how to make the best choice when getting a flat-bed towing in NJ.
How Traditional Towing Works
Traditional wheel-lift towing uses a hydraulic boom with a metal yoke attached to the back of the tow truck. The yoke slides under either the front or rear wheels of your vehicle, lifts those wheels off the ground, and tows with the other two wheels rolling on the road.
Front-wheel drive cars are lifted from the front so the rear wheels roll freely. For rear-wheel drive vehicles, the rear wheels are lifted.
How Flatbed Towing Works
Flatbed towing uses a truck with a large flat platform that slides down to ground level. Your car is either driven onto this platform or brought up using cables. Once secured with straps, the bed raises back to level, and your car is transported with all four wheels completely off the ground.
Benefits of Flatbed Towing
1. No Tire Wear
With wheel-lift towing, two of your tires are rolling on the pavement for the entire tow distance. A 50-mile tow means 50 miles of wear on those tires. With flatbed towing, however, there’s no wear on your tires.
2. No Contact with Uneven Road Surfaces
Roads are rarely ever as clean as on the motorway. There’s sharp objects, nails, glass and whatnot that your tires have to be exposed to. Flatbed towing lifts your entire car, so this isn’t a concern at all.
3. No Risk of Dragging
Low-clearance cars can drag the components underneath during wheel-lift towing. The angle at which the vehicle is lifted, combined with the road situation, can cause bumpers, spoilers, or other low-hanging parts to contact the pavement. Flatbed towing keeps everything elevated and protected.
4. No Stress on Suspension Components
When a vehicle is towed with two wheels on the ground, the suspension on those wheels is compressed differently than during normal driving. The weight distribution changes, and the suspension is under constant load for the entire tow duration.
Over long distances, this can stress shock absorbers, struts, and suspension bushings. Flatbed towing solves this problem for you entirely.
5. Stability on Highways
Since flat-bed towed cars are secured flatly, they get great stability even at highway speeds. Wheel-lift, on the other hand, creates an angle that’s unstable.
6. Better for Long Distances
Every mile of wheel-lift towing is another mile of tire wear. If you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere and have ordered a tow to get back home, it’s always a great idea to opt for flat-bed towing.
Also Read: How to Choose the Right Towing Company in NJ
When Should You Opt for Traditional Towing?
While flatbed towing is a great option, that doesn’t mean traditional towing is completely out of the picture. In fact, it’s pretty helpful when:
- There are tight spaces involved. Wheel-lift tow trucks are more compact and can access narrow parking garages and tight city streets.
- You’re towing a short distance
- You’ve got a budget to keep in mind and can’t afford to get flatbed towing for a manageable distance
Cost Comparison and Value Between Flatbed and Traditional Towing
Yes, flat bed towing in NJ typically costs more than wheel-lift towing. But when you think of the benefits, the price is a small amount to pay for the mental peace you get.
The cost difference typically ranges from $20-50 for local tows, with flatbed being the higher-priced option. For long-distance tows, the percentage difference is often even smaller.
The additional cost of flatbed towing is negligible compared to potential repair costs from using the wrong towing method.
Making the Right Call
When you need towing, the decision often needs to happen quickly. Knowing the facts and benefits beforehand helps you make informed decisions instead of ones under pressure. If you can’t make up your mind, professional towing companies should be able to advise you honestly about which method suits your situation.
At Quality 1st Towing, we provide both wheel-lift and flat bed towing in NJ, because we understand that our clients need different solutions for different situations. We’ll help you determine which towing method is appropriate for your vehicle, condition, and needs.
Get in touch with us today for maximum peace of mind.
