Why AWD Cars Need Flatbed Towing
Why Towing an AWD Car Requires a Flatbed Towing Service
Towing a vehicle requires an understanding of that vehicle’s needs, because all tows are not the same. Luxury, high performance, and AWD vehicles all require special handling, and towing them incorrectly can result in significant damage and costly repairs. Especially for AWD, flatbed tow is a necessity to prevent this damage. Why is this the case? Here, we discuss the safe towing of an AWD vehicle.
What is Flatbed Towing?
Flatbed towing involves lifting the entire vehicle onto the tow truck’s flat platform. All wheels come off the ground and go onto the truck, so that the drivetrain, transmission, and axles are not under any stress during transport. Conversely, with other towing methods, two wheels remain on the ground, and this makes the vehicle’s components rotate, causing a risk to its mechanical integrity. In some cases, towing with two wheels on the ground can cause overheating, which can damage the car. Towing a car in a flatbed is the best way to eliminate these risks and make sure the car is safe during transport. Having an AWD secured on a flatbed means it’s on a level platform and won’t move during the trip. It won’t shift, sway, or bounce, as it would on two wheels, and this protects the suspension, frame, and tires. The vehicle remains evenly balanced, and there’s no risk of wear or misalignment.
Towing AWD: Flatbed Tow Only
Many cars can be towed in a variety of ways, but AWD vehicles require flatbed towing only. All wheel drive vehicles are sturdy, in that they can stand up to bad weather and rough terrain without any loss of performance and control. However, when it comes to towing, they’re somewhat fragile. This is because AWD are designed to send power to all four wheels at the same time, which gives them more stability and allows them to maintain traction on unstable surfaces. Unfortunately, this design means that if two of the vehicle’s wheels remain in contact with the ground, as they continue to spin, they force the transmission and drivetrain to turn. This can severely damage the drivetrain, as well as overheating the transmission and damaging the gears.
Why Luxury and High-Performance Cars Need Flatbed Towing
What about luxury cars? Why would they need to be towed on a flatbed? For one thing, flatbed towing reduces the risk of scratches and underbody damage, which is important when your car is a major investment. Since luxury cars tend to sit lower to the ground, being towed with two wheels on the ground makes them more liable to be scraped, or sustain bumper and oil pan damage. What’s more, high performance vehicles are sensitive, and have unique suspensions, and flatbed towing protects them from damage.
Benefits for Luxury Cars and AWD of Flat Tow
Many auto manufacturers, including Tesla, Audi, BMW, and Lexus, specify in their owner’s manuals that flatbed towing should be used for their vehicles. Choosing another kind of towing in that case can not only damage your car, but can also void your warranty. Additionally, loading and unloading a vehicle onto a flatbed truck is easy and efficient, and this is beneficial for luxury vehicles and AWD vehicles because it doesn’t require them to be tilted or shifted into position. It’s especially helpful when the vehicle is inoperable or has been in a wreck, because it prevents any further harm from coming to it while it’s being transported.
Why Choose Hawkins Towing for Flatbed Car Towing?
If you are looking for a South Carolina company experienced in flatbed towing, Hawkins Towing is an excellent option. Our fleet of state of the art towing and wrecker equipment is located in three areas of upstate SC, which means our team can be there to help quickly, no matter where you are or what you’re driving. Because flatbed towing is safer and more secure for certain vehicles, we offer it as a specialized service. Our family owned and operated business is fully licensed and insured, and each of our technicians is well trained and experienced in towing services. This includes vehicles with low clearance, four-wheel or all-wheel drive, and luxury cars, all of which we can efficiently tow, providing flatbed services. We know that needing a tow or roadside assistance means you’re in a stressful situation, and we will treat you with respect and courtesy as we work to make everything go as smoothly as possible. Having worked in this area for more than two decades, we’ve earned a reputation for providing reliable service, responding quickly, and being able to handle any situation. Contact us and let us know how we can help.