Why Do I Need a Flatbed? Understanding Flatbed Towing
Why do you need a flatbed tow truck? The simplest answer is this: you want your entire vehicle treated with care, not just part of it.
Flatbed towing lifts all four tires off the ground. Your car, truck, or motorcycle then rests securely on a solid platform during transport. This can make flatbed towing a great choice for vehicles that need extra care.
At Hawaii Towing Company, we believe towing should start and end with Aloha. We take the time to understand your vehicle, your situation, and your concerns before we begin.
If you need a tow on Oahu and want to discuss whether a flatbed is right for your vehicle, contact Hawaii Towing Company. We would be happy to answer your questions and help determine the safest towing option.
What Is Flatbed Towing?
A flatbed tow truck uses a large, flat platform to transport your vehicle.
Instead of lifting only two wheels and allowing the other two to roll, a flatbed keeps all four tires off the road. The vehicle is loaded onto the bed and secured before transportation begins.
Think of flatbed towing as luxury transportation for your vehicle.
The goal is not simply to move your vehicle from one location to another. The goal is to transport it safely while limiting unnecessary movement and contact with the road.
This can be especially important when a vehicle has special needs or existing damage.
Why Choose a Flatbed Tow Truck?
There are many situations where flatbed towing makes sense.
Some vehicles have unique characteristics that make traditional wheel-lift towing more challenging. Others may already have damage that makes rolling the vehicle unsafe.
We commonly recommend flatbed towing for:
- Lowered vehicles
- Lifted vehicles
- Custom vehicles
- Vehicles with very large or small tires
- All-wheel-drive vehicles
- Four-wheel-drive vehicles
- Luxury or specialty vehicles
- Classic vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Accident-damaged vehicles
- Vehicles with damaged or flat tires
Even when a vehicle is running perfectly, its design may make flatbed transportation the better option.
Flatbed Towing Keeps All Four Tires Off the Ground
One of the biggest advantages of flatbed towing is that all four tires stay off the road.
With a traditional wheel-lift tow, two wheels remain on the ground in many situations. That may not be the best option for every vehicle.
A flatbed gives the entire vehicle a stable surface to rest on during transportation.
The vehicle does not need to roll along the road behind the tow truck. Instead, it travels on the flatbed with the tires secured.
That can provide additional peace of mind for owners who want to minimize unnecessary movement.
Why Lowered and Custom Vehicles May Need a Flatbed
Lowered and custom vehicles often require extra attention.
A vehicle with reduced ground clearance can be difficult to load using standard towing equipment. The wrong approach can cause the front bumper, side skirts, exhaust, or other components to contact the equipment or roadway.
That is why we pay close attention to the vehicle’s height and modifications before choosing how to tow it.
A flatbed can make loading easier because the vehicle can be brought onto a platform instead of being pulled along the roadway.
If you have a lowered or modified vehicle, tell the towing company before the truck arrives. This gives the operator a better opportunity to bring the right equipment.
Lifted Trucks and Vehicles With Large Tires
Lifted trucks can present their own towing challenges.
Large tires, increased ride height, suspension modifications, and other custom work can affect how a vehicle connects to towing equipment.
A truck may look like an easy tow, but the equipment still needs to work safely with the vehicle.
We recommend explaining these details when you call.
Let us know if your truck is lifted, has oversized tires, or has other modifications. The more information you provide, the better prepared we can be when we arrive.
Why Flatbeds Are a Good Choice After an Accident
We make flatbed towing our standard choice for accident-damaged vehicles whenever appropriate.
An accident can create damage that is not immediately obvious. A vehicle may have problems with its steering, suspension, wheels, tires, or other components.
That means simply getting the vehicle moving is not always the safest approach.
If a damaged vehicle is supported by only two wheels and dragged behind a tow truck, additional movement can create problems. The vehicle may also be difficult to control if its steering or suspension has been damaged.
A flatbed allows the entire vehicle to be lifted onto a solid platform.
All four tires can then remain off the ground while the vehicle is transported.
Why Flatbeds Can Be Safer for Vehicles With Flat Tires
Flat or damaged tires can create another towing challenge.
A damaged tire may not roll properly. In some situations, a tire may also have difficulty staying securely positioned on towing equipment.
You do not want a damaged tire rolling along the roadway when the vehicle is being transported.
With a flatbed, the vehicle rests on a solid platform. The vehicle can then be secured before transportation begins.
This is especially important when an accident has damaged one or more tires.
Flatbed Towing for Motorcycles
Motorcycles require specialized care during transportation.
A motorcycle does not have four tires like a car or truck. It also has different balance points and components that require careful handling.
For that reason, we recommend using a flatbed when transporting motorcycles whenever possible.
The motorcycle needs to be positioned properly and secured with appropriate tie-down points. Taking the time to secure the motorcycle correctly can help prevent unnecessary movement during transportation.
If you need motorcycle transportation, learn more about our motorcycle towing service.
Flatbed Towing Is About More Than the Truck
Having a flatbed does not automatically mean a vehicle will receive proper care.
The operator also matters.
There is a lot of attention that goes into towing a vehicle correctly. The operator needs to understand the vehicle, inspect the situation, choose the appropriate equipment, and secure the vehicle properly.
At Hawaii Towing Company, we take that responsibility seriously.
We treat your vehicle as if it were our own. Our goal is to provide professional service while keeping you informed throughout the process.
That is what we mean when we say we start and finish with Aloha.
What Should You Tell the Towing Company?
When you call for a flatbed tow, give the dispatcher as much information as possible.
Tell us:
- The year, make, and model of your vehicle
- Your exact location
- Where the vehicle needs to go
- Whether the vehicle runs
- Whether it was involved in an accident
- Whether the steering works
- Whether the tires are damaged
- Whether the vehicle is lowered or lifted
- Whether it has oversized or specialty tires
- Whether it is AWD or 4WD
- Whether it has other modifications
These details help us understand what we are dealing with before we arrive.
The goal is simple. We want to arrive with the right truck and equipment instead of discovering an unexpected problem at the pickup location.
Flatbed Towing Across Oahu
You may have seen one of our tow trucks around Kapolei, Mililani, Honolulu, Ewa, or other parts of Oahu.
We provide towing services throughout the island and regularly respond to different types of towing situations.
Whether you need help after an accident, have a modified vehicle, or simply want the added protection of transporting your vehicle on a flatbed, we are here to help.
If you are unsure whether your vehicle needs a flatbed, give us a call.
We would rather answer your questions before the tow than arrive without the equipment your vehicle requires.
When Should You Ask for a Flatbed?
If you are unsure about the right type of tow truck, ask before booking the service.
A good towing company should be willing to listen to your situation and explain your options.
You should especially ask about flatbed towing if your vehicle is:
- Lowered
- Lifted
- Modified
- Damaged
- AWD or 4WD
- Equipped with large or specialty tires
- A motorcycle
- A classic, luxury, or specialty vehicle
- Involved in an accident
Your vehicle may have specific towing requirements that are not obvious from the outside.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flatbed Towing
Why do I need a flatbed tow truck?
A flatbed tow truck lifts all four tires off the ground and transports the vehicle on a solid platform. This can be a good option for accident-damaged, lowered, lifted, modified, AWD, 4WD, specialty, and other vehicles that require extra care.
Is flatbed towing safer for my vehicle?
Flatbed towing can reduce the need for the vehicle to roll along the road during transportation. It can be especially helpful when a vehicle has damaged tires, suspension problems, steering issues, or other conditions that make rolling the vehicle unsafe.
Do lowered cars need flatbed towing?
Lowered cars often benefit from flatbed towing because they have less ground clearance. Proper loading equipment can help reduce the risk of contact with the bumper, body, exhaust, or other low components.
Do lifted trucks need a flatbed?
Lifted trucks and trucks with oversized tires may require specialized towing equipment. A flatbed can be a good option, but the towing company should know about the truck’s modifications before dispatching the vehicle.
Should an accident-damaged vehicle be towed on a flatbed?
A flatbed is often the preferred option for accident-damaged vehicles. Damage to the steering, suspension, wheels, or tires can make rolling the vehicle unsafe or create additional challenges during transportation.
Can motorcycles be towed on a flatbed?
Yes. A flatbed can provide a stable platform for motorcycle transportation. The motorcycle should be positioned correctly and secured using appropriate tie-down points.
Does a flatbed keep all four tires off the ground?
Yes. The vehicle is loaded onto the flatbed, so all four tires remain off the road during transportation.
How do I know if I need flatbed towing?
Tell the towing company about your vehicle and what happened. Mention any modifications, accident damage, tire problems, AWD or 4WD systems, or other special conditions. The towing company can then determine the appropriate equipment.
Need a Flatbed Tow Truck on Oahu?
Your vehicle is important. Whether it is your daily driver, work truck, motorcycle, custom vehicle, or something you have spent years taking care of, you want it handled properly.
At Hawaii Towing Company, we believe towing should be about more than simply getting the vehicle from point A to point B.
We believe in treating your vehicle with care, communicating with you, and providing service with Aloha from beginning to end.
If you need a flatbed tow truck anywhere on Oahu, contact Hawaii Towing Company today. We would be happy to discuss your vehicle and help determine the best way to transport it safely.
