Flatbed Towing in Columbus — Your Car Rides on the Deck

For most modern cars, yes. A flatbed carries the whole vehicle, so all-wheel-drive systems, transmissions and electric motors don't turn during the trip, and low bumpers don't drag. A wheel-lift truck is quicker in tight spaces, which is why we use dollies and other workarounds when a carrier can't reach the car.

The total depends on how far the truck travels to reach you, how many miles the car rides on the deck, the time of day and any extra work such as a winch-out. The dispatcher prices the whole job before a truck is assigned; the rates page explains each part of the bill.

Yes, and it is the safest way to tow one. Towing an AWD car with two wheels on the ground can damage the center differential or transfer case, which is expensive to fix. On a flatbed no wheel turns, so the driveline is never under load.

Almost always. We tilt the deck as low as it goes and add ramp extensions to reduce the angle, and we pull the car up slowly with someone watching the front lip. Tell the dispatcher how low the car sits so the driver brings the extensions.

Yes. The winch pulls the car onto the deck even if the wheels are locked, and we use skates under any wheel that can't turn. Cars stuck in park with a dead battery often just need a jump to release the shifter first.

The truck needs a clear run behind the car of roughly its own length and about 8 feet of overhead room where the deck touches down. If your car is in a low garage or a tight spot, we move it to open space first with a jump, a tire change or dollies.

Yes. Our dispatch is staffed around the clock, including weekends and holidays. Some overnight and weekend calls carry an extra charge, and the dispatcher includes it in the price you hear before the truck leaves.

Anywhere you choose: your home, your mechanic, a dealership or the collision shop handling your claim. When the shop is closed, the car waits in our Harrisburg Pike lot and goes over first thing once they open.

Usually one passenger can ride along in the cab if the driver has room and the trip is local. Let the dispatcher know when you call so it is planned; children need their own car seat.

Yes. Bikes go on the same deck in a wheel chock and are strapped upright with soft ties. Our motorcycle towing page explains how we load them.

It helps a lot. With the key we can release the parking brake, unlock the steering and put the car in neutral, which makes loading faster and safer. Without the key we can still tow most cars, but it may take longer and need skates.

Our drivers photograph the car before loading so there is a record of its condition. If you see new damage at drop-off, point it out to the driver and call the office; Auto Lyft USA carries commercial towing coverage for exactly this situation.