Car towing can be done in a variety of ways and different kinds of tow trucks are available for that job. One of them is the flatbed tow truck. Flatbed tow trucks are great because they can handle various types of vehicles, even those that are badly damaged and are recovered from an accident. But how do flatbed tow trucks work and how are cars loaded into the flatbed? We’ll answer all of that and more below.
Defining A Flatbed Tow Truck
As we’ve said, there are different tow trucks that can be used for towing. The flatbed tow truck is just one of them. What sets it apart is the flatbed where the vehicles can be safely loaded. Other tow trucks simply pull the cars behind but the flatbed tow truck carries the vehicle on its bed.
Loading Vehicles On A Flatbed Tow Truck
If you’ve seen a flatbed tow truck carrying a vehicle, it can be interesting to know how the vehicle managed to climb the top of the flatbed. Once it is on the flatbed, it will be further secured to make sure it doesn’t move or go anywhere it is unloaded. A car can be placed on top of the flatbed through the following steps:
Step 1: The tow truck will pull over a few car’s lengths away from the vehicle to be towed.
Step 2: The driver will use the hydraulic lever to position the bed at an angle. In this way, the car can be rolled-up the bed easily. If the flatbed doesn’t move at an angle, then the trailer rear ramps will be used.
Step 3: Chains will be used to secure the frame of the vehicle so that it can be pulled into the flatbed. There are different areas where the hooks of the chains can be safely attached.
Step 4: Once the car secured, it will be placed in neutral then winch-up into the ramp. In other cases when the car is still capable of running, it can simply be driven onto the flatbed by passing through the ramp.
Step 5: When the car is already on the flatbed and is properly positioned, it will be set to part. Then, the tow truck driver will move the hydraulic lever again to make the flatbed parallel to the ground.
Step 6: The cars need to be secured on the flatbed and this can be done by using tire straps. These are mostly used for smaller vehicles. It effectively secures the vehicle on the flatbed without causing damage to the vehicles. If the car has extremely large tires, tire straps may not be suitable. In this case, axle straps can be used. These are usually selected for larger or old car models. This is used on the car’s rear axle then the ratchet strap is clipped to a D-ring on the flatbed. This is also done on the front axle. Whatever straps are used, it is important to make sure that they are taut.
Step 7: Regularly check and adjust the straps because it can come loose. It is best to check every 10-25 miles. It is also best to check the straps when stopping for either food or fuel. This helps better make sure that the car is really secured in place.
Well there you have it. Thanks for stopping by and as always, send us a note with any feedback…
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