Being stranded on the road because of a broken vehicle is never an enjoyable experience. It could be because of a flat tire, an empty gas tank, or engine issues. Regardless, it can be quite tedious and emotionally exhausting as well. Luckily, there are towing services that can help ease most of the burden by getting you back on the road as quickly and safely as possible. Out of the many types of towing vehicles available, the flatbed tow truck is one of the most efficient and dependable solutions of all. In this guide, we will uncover the flat bed tow trucks, their functionalities, and their role in the towing industry.
These days, searching via your preferred search engine with the phrase “towing near me” or looking up “reliable roadside assistance” are some of the easiest ways to access the services you require. In either case, being aware of the benefits of flatbed tow trucks will enable you to make better decisions, especially when urgent help is needed.
What Is a Flat Bed Tow Truck?
Vehicles designed for towing have a feature known as a flatbed, which is a level surface that can be raised and lowered to place cars on it easily. As far as capabilities are concerned, flatbed vehicles are the most versatile option as far as loading cars onto the carousels. Cars with delicate suspensions won’t be damaged due to tires rubbing against the turntable and lower struts.
Driving onto flat beds is possible, as winching the vehicle makes it easy to steer directly onto the flatbed deck. This is still useful in normal old-style towed vehicles, as that only locks the axles into place, which makes control impossible.
Why Choose a Flat Bed Tow Truck for Towing?
Most Optimum Option: Minimised Vehicle Damage
One of the main reasons people opt for a flatbed tow truck is to prevent damage to their vehicle. Old tow trucks can rip a car’s suspension and axle apart due to uneven weight lifting. Providing a flat surface for the car to sit on, dual suspension systems, or beds minimise damage from elevating by placing the other end on the ground.
Flexibility in Towing Different Types of Vehicles
The flatbed tow truck is one of the most flexible and adaptable of all the tow truck types; they are able to tow almost all types of vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, trucks, and even SUVs. In the case of oversized or luxury vehicles, flatbed tow trucks are still the best option. They can cater to all types of vehicles without the risk of any damage.
Best for Long Distance Towing
Unlike other towing vehicles, flatbed tow trucks have an advantage when it comes to long-distance towing. Since the vehicle being towed is placed on a flatbed, it is securely positioned. Because it is difficult for the vehicle to shift, the chances for wear and tear during the journey are minimal, thus making flatbed tow trucks more dependable for long trips.
Best for Inoperable Cars
If your car can’t move due to damage or a mechanical fault, flatbed tow trucks are best for you. For traditional tow trucks, transporting a non-running vehicle with locked or damaged wheels is a daunting task. But with a flatbed, the vehicle can easily be winched on and lowered off the platform, increasing efficiency and making the process easier.
What Is the Operating Mechanism of a Flat Bed Tow Truck?
The operation of loading a vehicle onto a flatbed trailer is made easy due to the hydraulic system fitted on the flatbed tow trucks. The vehicle can be driven or winched onto the bed after the flatbed tow truck is tilted to a certain angle. After that, the flatbed will be returned to its original posture, which is horizontal. During the transport journey, the vehicle will be strapped, chained, or placed on wheel lifts to restrain movement further.
The operations involved in flatbed tow truck operations include the following:
Driving the Tow Truck
The driver makes sure that the flatbed of the truck is in line with the wheels; thus, he needs to stop the truck near the car that needs towing.
Lowering the Flatbed
The truck’s flatbed is lowered further using the truck’s hydraulic system until the rear side of the wheels is at the same level as the road.
Loading the Vehicle
The vehicle can be either driven onto the flatbed or pulled using a winch. For cars that are not running, a winch will be necessary.
Securing the Vehicle
Tie-down straps or chains are used to secure the vehicle on the flatbed to transport it safely.
Raising the Flatbed
The flatbed’s lift mechanism elevates the flatbed to its regular, horizontal orientation, indicating that the vehicle is now prepared for transport.
Benefits of Employing a Flat Bed Tow Truck
Safety and Security
In contrast to other forms of towing, flatbed tow trucks offer enhanced safety features. The vehicle is secured on the flatbed, which prevents accidents and damage during transportation. Furthermore, the loading and unloading poses minimal risk to both the vehicle and the operator.
Reduced Risk of Additional Damage
For vehicles viewed as high-value or delicate, flatbed tow truck services are usually the best option as they remove the risk of further damage that may be caused by dragging the vehicle on its wheels.
Efficiency and Convenience
With flatbed tow trucks, vehicles can be loaded and unloaded with remarkable speed and efficiency. In comparison to traditional tow trucks that might need to lift or drag the vehicle onto the flatbed, flatbed tow trucks are notably quicker; this makes them invaluable when time is critical.
More Affordable for Long-Distance Towing
Even though flatbed tow trucks might be costly at first, they prove to be more economical for long-distance towing. Their risk of additional damage to the vehicle is significantly reduced, which means there is less chance of surprising repair costs throughout the journey.
Flat Bed Tow Trucks for Roadside Assistance
Fast and trustworthy roadside assistance is essential in an emergency situation. A flatbed tow truck is great for helping out with gas outages, flat tires, or even an engine failure. A good number of towing companies provide roadside assistance as part of their packages so that they can offer all the help that is needed in good time.
Out-of-service vehicles and those that are involved in accidents can also be helped by flatbed tow trucks. These trucks assist in moving disabled vehicles to repair shops or safe locations without causing any damage.
What Are the Benefits of a Flat Bed Tow Truck as Compared to Other Towing Methods?
Although there are many types of towing vehicles, flatbed tow trucks have a distinct edge over other tow trucks. These benefits include:
Reduced Damage Your Vehicle Experiences
If your vehicle is damaged or out of service, flatbed tow trucks are the best option. Unlike traditional flatbed trucks that use chains, flatbed tow trucks use gentle but secure methods like winching to keep the vehicle safe to minimise any possible damage.
More Secure and Reliable Transportation
Due to the flat nature of the bed, vehicles won’t sway or bounce like they would on other traditional tow trucks, which increases safety compared to older methods.
Ability to Carry Different Classes of Vehicles
Different models of sedan cars, SUVs, motorbikes, and even trucks can be carried using a flatbed tow truck as they are manufactured to suit different sizes and conditions of vehicles.
Finding Local Towing Services
Finding a towing service “near me” requires some digging to ensure you land on a professional and dependable company. Look into the following:
Reputation
A towing service should be known for providing safe and efficient service, as well as having lots of positive reviews.
Availability
Go for a company that works around the clock so you can reach out to them anytime.
Pricing
Towing companies differ in price, but look for affordable towing services near me that still do top-quality work.
Experience
Go for a company that has seasoned professionals who know how to handle different kinds of vehicles, especially if you need flatbed tow truck services for delicate or high-end cars.
FAQ
1. What Is the Difference Between a Flatbed Tow Truck and a Traditional Tow Truck?
The flatbed tow truck comes with a horizontal platform that can be lowered to ground level to load vehicles easily. Unlike traditional tow trucks, which lift vehicles from the axle, flatbed tow trucks offer a kinder option that is safer and damage-free towing, as the vehicle is kept off the ground.
2. Are Flatbed Tow Trucks Capable of Towing Any Vehicle?
Absolutely, flatbed tow trucks are capable of towing most vehicles, such as cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and even larger vehicles. They are great for elevating and towing broken or disabled vehicles.
3. In What Ways Does a Flatbed Tow Truck Avoid Damaging My Vehicle?
Because the vehicle is entirely loaded on the flatbed, no stress is placed on the tires, suspension, or undercarriage. This approach eliminates the chances of extra damage that might happen with regular towing techniques.
4. Can Flatbed Tow Trucks Respond to Vehicles Needing Roadside Assistance?
Most definitely! Other than the flatbed towing option, many companies specifically offer roadside assistance for vehicles that do not start or have mechanical problems. This serves as a quick option to get assistance during critical situations.
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