Tow truck companies are widely infamous amongst the masses for towing away crashed or illegally parked vehicles. Although these terrible instances are relatable to the towing industry, but towing is more than that. Tow trucks can be used for a variety of purposes. In this post, we’ll be discussing the most famous tow truck used for towing vehicles: the flatbed tow truck. Here, we’ll jot down what a flatbed tow truck is, how it works and its features?
Let’s dive into the details!
What is a Flatbed Tow Truck?
A flatbed tow truck is considered the best truck to tow a vehicle safely. The vehicle is driven onto a flatbed to tow/haul it to another place in this truck. Here, the vehicle is lifted entirely off the ground, which saves its tires from wear and tear along with protecting it from dings, scratches, and damages. In addition, it also protects the car from potential blemishes caused by the regular spinning of the wheels.
A flatbed tow truck is the best option if you want to tow your exotic car, four-wheel drive, motorcycle, or any damaged vehicle. The way it works is pretty simple. The back of the flatbed is lowered where the car is driven up on a large flatbed on its rear end. If the car is not in a condition to be driven, a winch is used to pull the vehicle onto the place.
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How Does a Flatbed Tow Truck Work?
A flatbed tow truck has everything it takes to make towing operations successful. With a resilient winch and hook, a mechanical system to angle its bed-like ramp, a hydraulic system that can adjust the deck, and a control station that efficiently manages the overall towing operation. The vehicle that needs to be towed is manoeuvred onto the flatbed. The wheels are fastened with chains or straps to protect them from any damage caused by potholes while driving.
Unlike standard tow trucks, the flatbed tow truck has a unique look. It comprises a large flatbed, where a vehicle can sit completely. It allows a vehicle to be loaded onto its bed quickly because it can slide out and tilt towards the grounds. When the bed is lowered or tilted to the ground, the vehicle is driven and can easily be parked onto the flatbed.
Once the car is parked, it is secured through a winch, where the ramp returns to its normal position. The flatbed’s back works with the help of hydraulics. However, there’re specific weight limits that need not be exceeded. Unlike a car being towed through a wheel lift tow truck, flatbed towing has less or almost no risk of damages.
Sometimes, if you have encountered an accident where your car gets wrecked or totalled, a flatbed tow truck is the only choice left to transport it to a junkyard. The winch can pull/haul a totalled vehicle that can’t be driven onto the flatbed surface. This truck is also called rollback because of the back end of the truck, which extends out of the back of the vehicle.
Features of a Flatbed Tow Truck
A flatbed truck has many components that make it different from other towing trucks. Flatbed trucks are safe for freeway driving, unlike wrecker or wheel lift tow trucks. With ample flat space, winches, control stations and body styles options, here are some of the unique features of this tow truck:
The Deck Platform of the Flatbed Tow Truck
The outstanding feature that sets this truck apart from its counterparts is its flat platform or deck. The name’ flatbed’ is derived from the appearance of this truck. It is usually made up of aluminium or steel used to load vehicles and equipment. Its deck contains a hollow-shaped area where chains or towing ratchets are used to fasten the cars, motorcycles, and other equipment to be towed.
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Strong Material
Another feature of this tow truck is its durable and long-lasting body that can be used for years to carry out towing operations. Although this tow truck’s steel-made body remains resilient, it can rust without proper maintenance and care.
On the other hand, some trucks are made of pure aluminium up to 90% to 95%. The remaining body parts are made of copper, chromium, zinc, titanium, or a combination of all. When all these metals are combined, it makes a more durable metal than the trucks solely made of pure aluminium. However, these metals are prone to fractures because of heavy loading.
Storage Capacity
For a successful tow, there must be enough space on the flatbed. A flatbed tow truck has sufficient space to tow any vehicle. Tow professionals can easily tow a vehicle with built-in storage bins and toolboxes. These separate spaces save the space reserved for a vehicle. The toolboxes are made either under the truck or on the sides.
There are also storage bins on the sides of the winch to carry the ratchet straps and towing straps. Like the deck, these storage bins are also made of aluminium and steel, making them durable and strong.
Body Length
Another characteristic of these tow trucks is their vast body length from nineteen to twenty-two feet. This length provides ample space for the vehicle and towing equipment on the truck’s flatbed. So, a tow truck with a good body length is always recommended for a better towing experience.
Durable Winch
The winch is at the frontmost part of the deck. It is small enough to prevent occupying the space on the tow truck. It is used to help pull machinery or vehicles that can’t be driven.
Cab Type
It is one of the essential features of a flatbed. Sometimes, a truck may tow large vehicles, but whether it contains enough space for the passenger? A flatbed tow truck needs to have space to accommodate passengers. When towing a vehicle, a cab can provide space for the car owner or passenger to be along with the vehicle on the truck.
Control Station
The control station is the place where the tow truck is controlled. The controller can use it to lower, raise, or move the deck towards or away from the cab, releasing the winch to the towed vehicle. There are various function buttons and a lever to perform these control features.
Fuel
Most tow trucks use gasoline and diesel as these are the widely available fuels. The engines of these trucks are fuel efficient. These trucks also come with an additional tank space to use in need.
Chassis Type
Along with many remarkable features of flatbed trucks, these trucks are installed with a medium and heavy-duty chassis. It allows them to transport, tow and load heavy vehicles up to thousands of pounds. Light duty chassis is not appropriate enough to load heavy vehicles. So, truck drivers need to choose the right chassis type to get maximum advantage and minimize the cost involved in the maintenance of low chassis tow trucks.
Quick Sum Up
A flatbed tow truck is the best towing truck to transport almost any type of vehicle with safety and convenience. Although flatbed towing is a bit more expensive than other towing methods, it is worth the time and money you invest. This truck ensures the optimal safety of your vehicle during a tow. The deck of this truck easily slides off and tilts towards the ground, allowing the car to park on the top of the flatbed. Its durability, length, space, cab, fuel and chassis type are the prominent features that make it different and better than its counterparts. So, this truck provides a tow, which you can rely on.