The fact is that the kind of tow truck you select when your car is off the road is of greater importance to you than you might have thought. The kind of towing service you use can either cost you your car or your pocket. Knowing the difference between flatbed and regular tow trucks can assist you in making the right decision that works in your favor.
What the majority of individuals do not understand is that towing different vehicles differs. The wrong type of tow truck may damage the transmission of your car, the bumper, or the undercarriage. This guide will describe everything you need to learn about flatbed and regular tow trucks to safeguard your vehicle.
What Is a Flatbed Tow Truck?
A flatbed tow truck has a large and flat elevated area that is tilted down to the ground. This platform is where your whole vehicle rests in transportation. Thereafter, the conveyor truck tilts the platform upright so that it travels safely.
The design is such that all 4 wheels remain on the ground during the journey. Your car does not even touch the road as the car is being towed. If you are concerned with the protection of the mechanical parts of your car, the flatbed approach provides the greatest prudence.
What Is a Regular Tow Truck?
Regular tow trucks utilize a hook and chain or a wheel-lift mechanism for vehicle transportation. Hook and chain way is the type that needs chains on the structure of your car or the axle. The wheel-lift system elevates the front wheel or rear wheels of the car.
These trucks tow as the two wheels remain on the road. Unlike other towing companies, your vehicle is not simply placed on top of the tow truck; it is pulled behind the tow truck. This is the conventional approach that is effective on most average towing cases.
Key Differences in Design and Function
The use of flatbed trucks enables maximum upward elevation of vehicles in transport. Your vehicle faces no road miles, vibration, or extra mileage. The design of the platform does not need modifications for vehicles of different sizes and shapes.
Regular tow trucks involve physical connections with the frame or the tires of your vehicle. The towing procedure increases the mileage on your dashboard because it leaves you with two tires on the road. These trucks are also less expensive to run and maintain compared to flatbed trucks.
Vehicle Safety Comparison
Flatbed towing saves one from the risk of damage to the transmission through the incorrect placement of the wheel. The road bumps or turns do not put any stress on the suspension system of your car. Low-clearance vehicles will not scrape on the pavement when it comes to loading and transportation.
Transmission issues may come up in case the incorrect wheels are still on the ground through regular tow trucks. Your vehicle can sustain some damage to its undercarriage in case of potholes and road debris during transportation. Automobiles with front-wheel drive are especially in danger of being towed rear-wheel to wheel.
Difference in Cost of Services
The price of flatbed towing usually goes at 25 to 50 percent higher than the regular towing services. The expense represents the specialized equipment and the extra safety advantage. Most insurance providers include an additional premium on luxury or specialty cars.
Standard passenger cars will get cost-effective services in regular towing. Wheel-lift towing services are also found in most basic roadside assistance programs. This will be an affordable alternative to dealing with vehicles of little value such as old cars.
When to Select Flatbed Towing
A flatbed towing is needed to preserve the value and cover any warranty of a luxury vehicle. Even normal towing may cause damage to all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive systems. Sports cars with a clearance require flatbed servicing to prevent scraping and damage to bodies.
Vehicles that are badly damaged are likely to need flatbed transport as a safety measure. The regular towing does not apply to those cars lacking wheels, with broken axles, or those damaged in their frames. The long-distance transportation needs can also be met when using flatbed service.
When Regular Towing Works Best
Routine front-motor vehicles are safe to employ ordinary towing with the back wheels down. Because of tight budgets, many consumers use wheel-lift service when the distance is small. Sometimes they have emergencies that need to be set up faster with regular tow trucks.
Vehicles of low value and low cost-worth to a buyer might not be worth flat-bed pricing. Basic failures, such as exhausted batteries or punctured tires, are okay with a common service. The majority of standard tow trucks can allot quicker reactions in contrast to flatbed alternatives.
Categories of Vehicles and Methods Recommended
- Luxury Cars: Luxury cars should always be transported with a flatbed to avoid paint, suspension, and warranty coverage.
- Sport Cars: Flatbed guards against scratching that occurs due to low ground clearance and geyser maintenance. Flatbed guards the precious parts of the car
- SUVs and Trucks: The customary towing is acceptable in 2WD; a flat bed is recommended with the 4WD system
- All-Wheel Drive: A Flatbed is necessary as each wheel is rotated differently, resulting in potential damage to the drivetrain
- Classic/Antique Cars: Flatbed preserves collector value and protects irreplaceable parts
- Motorcycles: Flatbed gives ample security in transportation and no chances of capsize or slips
- Severely damaged cars: Flatbed in the event of failures in wheels, axles, or steering parts
Speed and Availability Factors
Most of the fleets use regular tow trucks as the operating costs are lower. This implies that the response in emergencies can be quicker. Most 24-hour towing companies use wheel-lift mostly to offer their immediate help.
Loading and securing vehicles in flatbed trucks takes more time. There are 10-15 minutes of tilting platforms and a tie-down procedure for each job. Nonetheless, such additional time avoids damage that can be incurred by taking fast actions, particularly costly damage.
Liability and Insurance
Flatbed and regular towing are both covered insurances in most auto insurance policies. But any damage under towing malpractices may be excluded. Check your policy information first before selecting a towing process.
Loss of liability when towing globally on a flatbed will be lessened on your part and the part of the towing company. The surrounding transportation system eliminates debris items, road damage, and weather contact. Some of the best insurance packages even suggest the use of flatbed services on their covered cars.
Transportation and Distance Requirements
Flatbed towing is highly recommended for long-distance towing of vehicles. Your car does not have to go through hundreds of miles of road wear and possible breakage. The reliable platform increases the suspension resistance to extreme transport.
Local tows less than 10 miles usually do well using the conventional procedures. Most normal vehicles are less exposed to risk over a constrained distance. City emergencies usually avail whatever gear is available first.
Protect Your Investment with Smart Towing Choices
The decision to take either a flatbed or regular tow truck lies in the hands of your situation and vehicle. The flatbed protection can be used in luxury cars, all-wheel systems, and for long distances. Regular towing is acceptable to be used by budget-conscious consumers who own standard vehicles.
Do not keep in mind that the cheapest does not always mean the most economical. Avoiding the damage as a result of transmission or body scrape will save money when it comes to repair costs. The safest option would take the route of the flatbed when dealing with doubt in mind.
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