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Flatbed vs Wheel-Lift Towing: Which Is Better for Your Car?

Towing · 6 min read

Yes — Jetrans Movers provides complete door-to-door relocation, freight forwarding, vehicle towing, and container shipping between your pickup address and your destination. Here is everything you need to know about customs clearance, transit times, container/flatbed options, and pricing before planning your move.

Both trucks move a car. They do it differently, and the difference matters for your vehicle.

Moving & Vehicle Towing Services: Flatbed vs Wheel Lift — How It Works

  • Wheel lift: a hook and arm raise the drive wheels while the other wheels roll on the road. Quick and cheap for short tows.
  • Hydraulic flatbed: the whole car is winched or driven onto the bed and strapped down with soft straps. All four wheels are off the road.

When to choose a flatbed

  • All-wheel-drive, low or damaged vehicles
  • Long distances
  • Luxury, classic or non-running cars
  • Anything where wear and transmission strain matter

Wheel-lift towing suits short, simple tows for ordinary cars. Local pay-as-you-go towing is a $35–$150 hookup fee plus $2.50–$7.00 per mile. Long-distance flatbed transport is typically $1,200 USD to $2,800 USD flat-rate.

Choose your service: household, towing or bundle

When you request a quote you pick one of three options, so you only pay for what you need.

  • Household Move Only: residential and commercial relocation
  • Vehicle Towing Only: flatbed towing, enclosed transport or emergency recovery
  • Combined Household + Vehicle Bundle: save 25% by shipping furniture and vehicles together, with the saving confirmed in your written quote

Tell us whether the vehicle runs or needs a winch, and whether you want an open flatbed or an enclosed carrier. The quote form asks for both.

Equipment and safety standards

  • Hydraulic flatbed tow trucks for cars, SUVs and pickups
  • Soft-strap tie-downs that hold wheels without touching the frame or bodywork
  • Hard-sided enclosed auto haulers for classic, exotic and high-value vehicles
  • Winch-equipped heavy rigs for non-running vehicles
  • Live GPS tracking and status updates on our tracking page
  • Cargo insurance available up to $500,000 USD, with the cover explained at booking

Is It Worth Towing Your Car and Hiring Professional Movers?

For a long move, a flatbed avoids miles and wear on your car. Bundle it with a household move to save 25%.

Insurance and trust

Cargo and transit insurance is available up to $500,000 USD. We confirm exactly what cover applies before your vehicle or goods move, and we keep a photo condition report from pickup to delivery. A dedicated coordinator is your single point of contact.

Request a free quote with your pickup address, delivery address and vehicle details.

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