Your car quit on SR 80 near Main Street. The flatbed pulls up, the bed tilts, and soon your car is riding high and dry. Ever wondered what happens in between? Here’s how a car is loaded on a flatbed tow truck, step by step.
Short answer: The bed tilts and slides back until its end touches the ground, like a ramp. The car is driven up or pulled up with the winch cable, then strapped down, usually at all four corners. The bed levels out, and the car rides with all four wheels off the road. Need one? Call (561) 594-5846, any hour.
How is a car loaded on a flatbed, step by step?
- Check the scene. The driver looks at where the car sits, the traffic and the ground. On a busy road, safety comes first.
- Line up the truck. The flatbed backs up in line with the car, as straight as it can.
- Tilt and slide the bed. The bed tilts and slides back until its end rests on the ground. Now it’s a ramp.
- Hook the winch cable. The cable goes on a solid tow point, not a bumper cover.
- Bring it up. The car is driven up slowly, or it goes in neutral and the winch pulls it up, nice and straight.
- Strap it down. Straps or chains lock it at the wheels or tow points, usually at all four corners.
- Level the bed. The bed slides forward and settles flat. One last check of every strap, then we roll.
Driven, rolled or winched: which one?
| Your car’s condition | How it goes up the bed |
|---|---|
| Starts and drives | Driven up slowly, with the tow driver guiding |
| Won’t start, but rolls and steers | In neutral, pulled up with the winch |
| Locked wheels, flat tires or crash damage | Winched up with extra care. Tell us when you call |
| Lowered, or a low front bumper | Loaded slowly at the gentlest angle. Tell us it’s lowered |
How do you put a lowered car on a flatbed?
Low cars and ramps have a rocky relationship. The front lip wants to meet the bed before the wheels do. The fix is patience: the bed slides out as far as it goes for the gentlest angle, and the car comes up slowly while the driver watches the bumper. Tell the dispatcher it’s lowered, so the driver plans for it before arriving. More on luxury car towing.
How is the car secured on the bed?
A loose car on a moving truck is nobody’s idea of a good time. Florida law agrees. Florida Statutes 316.520 says a load can’t drop, shift or escape from a vehicle on the road. So every car gets locked down before the truck moves.
- Straps or chains at each corner, at the wheels or tow points.
- The car in park with the parking brake on, when they work.
- A last walk around every strap before the truck pulls out.
What should you do before the flatbed arrives?
- Get to a safe spot away from traffic. Hazards on.
- Anyone hurt, or stopped in a travel lane? Call 911 first.
- Take out your valuables, papers you need and your house keys.
- Have the car key ready for the driver.
- Tell the dispatcher if the car is all-wheel drive, lowered or electric, or won’t roll.
Why the flatbed?
All four wheels ride off the road. That means no strain on an all-wheel drive system, no wear on the tires and no bumper dragging on the pavement. It’s why the flatbed is our specialty. See our flatbed towing service.
Flatbed towing around Belle Glade
We load cars, SUVs, pickups, motorcycles and equipment onto our flatbeds in Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay, Clewiston, Canal Point and Lake Harbor, on US-27, SR 80 / Main Street, US-441 / SR 15 and SR 715. Open 24/7, with a free estimate before every tow.
Frequently asked questions
Can I load my car on a flatbed myself?
Leave it to the tow driver. Loading takes the right angle, a winch and proper straps.
Does my car need to run to go on a flatbed?
No. A car that won’t start goes in neutral and is pulled up with the winch.
What if my car won’t roll at all?
Tell us when you call. It can still be winched onto the flatbed, with extra care.
Neutral or park?
Neutral while it comes up the bed. Once it’s on, park and the parking brake, when they work.
Do you give free estimates?
Yes. Every tow starts with a free estimate. Call (561) 594-5846, any hour.
Car stuck and needs a flatbed? Call (561) 594-5846. We’re open 24/7.