Flatbed Towing in Ottawa

A flatbed carries your vehicle rather than dragging half of it down the road. For anything all-wheel drive, lowered, electric or expensive, that difference is the difference between a tow and a repair bill.

Why a flatbed matters

A conventional wheel-lift tow leaves two wheels turning on the pavement for the whole trip. On a front or rear-wheel drive car with a healthy transmission over a short distance, that is usually fine. On a lot of modern vehicles it is not.

All-wheel drive and four-wheel drive systems mechanically link all four wheels. Towing one with two wheels spinning can force the transfer case or centre differential to work while the engine is off and nothing is being lubricated. That is an expensive thing to find out the hard way.

Vehicles that should always go on a flatbed

All-wheel drive and 4x4: Subaru, Audi quattro, 4Motion, xDrive, most modern crossovers and any truck left in four-wheel drive.

Electric and hybrid vehicles: many EVs have motors permanently geared to the wheels, and rolling them can drive current back through the system. Most manufacturers state flatbed only.

Lowered, modified and sports cars: low front lips and short approach angles catch on standard ramps. We carry extended ramps for this.

Luxury and exotic vehicles: air suspension, active aero and carbon bodywork all have specific lift points that a careless hook will damage.

Motorcycles: strapped upright on the deck with soft ties, never dragged.

Classic and collector cars: original bumpers and chrome were not designed for a modern wheel lift.

Vehicles with seized wheels or crash damage: if a wheel will not turn, it cannot roll behind a truck.

How we load and secure it

The deck tilts and lowers to the shallowest angle we can get. Low vehicles get extended ramps so the front bumper clears. The vehicle is winched on slowly and straight, then positioned so the weight sits correctly on the deck.

We secure using soft straps over the tires rather than chains through the suspension or bodywork. Tire straps hold the vehicle by the part designed to carry its weight and leave no marks on control arms, subframes or paint.

Not sure if you need one?

Tell us the year, make and model when you call and we will tell you. If a standard tow is genuinely fine for your vehicle and your trip, we will say so rather than upselling you onto the flatbed.

If you are not sure whether your car is all-wheel drive, the owner’s manual or the badging on the back usually says. When in doubt, we default to the flatbed.

What flatbed towing protects

• Transmission and transfer case: nothing is forced to turn while the engine is off
• Front bumpers and side skirts: extended ramps instead of a scraping drag
• Suspension and subframes: soft tire straps, never chains through components
• EV battery and drive units: no wheels turning means no current generated
• Your warranty: manufacturers specify flatbed for a reason