Is flatbed towing better than a wheel-lift tow?

For most modern cars, yes. A flatbed keeps all four wheels off the road, which protects AWD systems, EV motors and transmissions. A wheel-lift tow is fine for many two-wheel drive cars on short trips and in tight spaces.

Can you flatbed an all-wheel drive car?

Yes. Flatbed towing is the right way to tow an all-wheel drive car because none of the wheels turn during the tow.

Can a flatbed tow a lowered car?

Yes. We use a low approach angle, wood blocks when needed and slow winching to keep the front lip and bumper from scraping.

How far can you flatbed my car?

We tow across Dallas every day and offer long distance flatbed towing to other Texas cities and nearby states.

Do you charge more for a flatbed?

Price depends on the job, not just the truck type. Call with your pickup and drop-off and we will quote it.

Can you flatbed a pickup truck?

Yes. We flatbed pickups, SUVs and vans in the light and medium duty range.

Flatbed Towing Dallas TX | Safe Car Transport

What Is Flatbed Towing?

Flatbed towing means your vehicle rides on a flat steel deck on the back of the tow truck. The deck tilts down to make a ramp. We winch your vehicle up, center it and strap each wheel to the deck. Then the deck levels out and we drive away with all four wheels off the ground.

Because nothing rolls on the pavement, there is no wear on your tires, transmission or driveline during the tow. That is why many carmakers say all-wheel drive and electric vehicles should only be moved on a flatbed.

Flatbed tow truck carrying a vehicle in Dallas, TX

When You Need a Flatbed Tow Truck

Your car has all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive
You drive an EV or a hybrid
The car sits low or has a body kit
The vehicle has crash damage or a locked wheel
You are moving a classic, exotic or new car
The tow is longer than a few miles

Flatbed Towing Options

Flatbed is the base for most of our work. It covers Accident Towing, EV Towing, Exotic Towing, Classic Car Towing and Long Distance Towing. We also use flatbeds for Forklift Towing, Equipment Transport and Toolbox Transport. If you are stuck in a low garage, our Parking Garage Towing crew can bring a wheel-lift truck first and move the car out to a flatbed.

Flatbed Towing in Dallas Traffic

Dallas roads are hard on stalled cars. A breakdown on I-30 through the Canyon, on the Mixmaster or on Woodall Rodgers can leave you on a narrow shoulder with fast traffic. A flatbed lets us load quickly and get you off the highway in one move.

Summer heat matters too. On 100 degree days, a car that is dragged on two wheels for miles puts more heat and wear on parts that are already stressed. A flatbed takes that risk away. In spring hail and flash flood season, flatbeds also let us move water-damaged or hail-damaged cars without running the engine or turning the wheels.

What to Expect When You Call

Call (972) 362-1607 and share your location, vehicle and drop-off spot.
Dispatch confirms a flatbed and gives you an arrival estimate.
The driver checks your car, takes note of any damage and loads it.
We strap all four wheels and drive to your shop, dealer, home or storage.

Remove valuables and toll tags before loading. Leave your key with the driver if the car will be dropped at a closed shop.

Flatbed Towing Cost

The price of a flatbed tow depends on the distance, the time of day, the size and weight of the vehicle and whether it rolls, steers and brakes. Extra work, like winching from a ditch or moving a car with locked wheels, adds time. Call dispatch with the pickup and drop-off addresses and we will quote the tow before we roll.

Tow companies in Texas are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Ask for our details any time.

Flatbed Towing vs. Wheel-Lift Towing

Both trucks have a place. A flatbed is best when the car must stay fully off the road. A wheel-lift truck is best for short tows and tight spots. Here is how they compare:

Wheels on the road: none with a flatbed, two with a wheel-lift.
Best for: AWD, 4WD, EVs, exotics, classics and wrecks on a flatbed. Two-wheel drive cars, short moves and tight garages on a wheel-lift.
Loading: a flatbed winches the car up a tilted deck. A wheel-lift cradles the front or rear tires.
Trip length: flatbeds handle long trips well. Wheel-lift tows are best for a few miles.

Not sure which you need? Tell dispatch your year, make and model, and we will pick the right truck.

How to Get Your Car Ready for a Flatbed Tow

Take out valuables, garage remotes and toll tags.
Fold in mirrors if you can.
Turn off car alarms, or tell the driver how to disarm them.
If the car is AWD or an EV, find the tow or neutral mode in the owner's manual.
Tell us about any leaks, so we can protect the deck and the road.

Who Uses Flatbed Towing in Dallas

We flatbed cars for drivers who broke down, for body shops and repair shops moving cars between locations, for dealers delivering cars to buyers, and for people moving into or out of Dallas apartments. Car buyers often use a flatbed to bring home a car they bought from a private seller. Collectors use it to move cars to shows at Fair Park and around the city.

Why Drivers Choose Dawson for Flatbed Towing

Our yard is in East Dallas, next to I-30, so we reach central Dallas fast. We tell you the price before we roll. We walk around your car with you before loading, and we strap at the wheels, never the frame or bumper. You choose the drop-off.

Flatbed Towing in Dallas, TX