People often ask for "a tow truck" without knowing there are two common ways to tow a car. Choosing the wrong one can cost you in damage, or send a truck that cannot reach your car at all. Here is the difference in plain terms.
Flatbed towing
A flatbed truck carries the car on its bed with all four wheels off the road. Nothing turns and nothing drags. It is the safest way to move a car and the only sensible choice in several cases.
- Automatic cars, which are often not meant to be towed with the drive wheels turning.
- Electric vehicles, which are normally moved on a flatbed.
- All-wheel-drive cars, where every wheel is driven.
- Low and sports cars that could scrape on a steep tow.
- Damaged cars with bent steering, a broken axle or a jammed wheel.
- Long-distance moves, where carrying the car saves wear.
Under lift (wheel-lift) towing
An under lift truck lifts one pair of wheels and tows the car on the other pair. It is compact, quick and good in tight places.
- Short city moves of manual cars that roll freely.
- Basements, narrow lanes and crowded parking lots.
- Moving a blocked-in or obstructing vehicle a short distance.
A quick way to choose
- 1Is the car automatic, electric, all-wheel drive, low or damaged? Choose a flatbed.
- 2Is it a manual car that rolls freely, going a short distance, from a tight space? An under lift is a good fit.
- 3Is it going to another city? Choose a flatbed.
- 4Not sure? Ask for a flatbed and tell the service about the car: it is the safer default.
Tell the service about the space
Whichever you choose, say where the car is. A flatbed is long and needs room to load; a basement with a low ceiling may need an under lift. When you book on Towigo you describe the vehicle and the place and see the fare for the tow you choose before you confirm.