You’ve probably seen one on US-27: a tow truck rolling along with a car tipped up behind it, front wheels in the air, back wheels happily spinning down the road. That’s a wheel-lift tow truck at work. It looks simple, and it mostly is. But there’s a little more going on under that car than you might think.
Short answer: A wheel-lift tow truck slides a metal cradle under two of your car’s wheels, straps the tires in, and lifts that end off the road. The other two wheels roll behind. It holds the car by the tires, not the bumper or frame. At Happy Road Towing and Roadside in Belle Glade, we tow everyday cars with a wheel lift or a flatbed. Call (561) 594-4543 for a free, affordable estimate.
What is a wheel-lift tow truck?
A wheel-lift tow truck has a strong arm at the back that reaches out under the vehicle. At the end of that arm is a cradle, usually two L-shaped pieces that fit around the front or rear tires. The truck’s hydraulics then raise the arm, and up goes one end of the car.
It replaced the old hook-and-chain tow trucks, which hooked onto the car’s frame or bumper. Grabbing the tires instead is much kinder to the car, because the tires and wheels are built to carry the vehicle’s weight anyway.
| Truck | How it holds the car | Wheels on the road |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel-lift tow truck | A cradle under two tires, strapped in | Two wheels roll behind |
| Flatbed tow truck | The whole car rides on a flat deck | None |
| Old hook and chain | Chains on the frame or bumper | Two wheels roll behind |
How does a wheel-lift tow truck work, step by step?
- The driver backs the truck up to the front or rear of your car.
- The wheel-lift arm extends and lowers to the ground.
- The cradle slides under the two tires at that end and is adjusted to fit them.
- The tires are strapped into the cradle so they can’t slip out.
- The arm lifts that end of the car a few inches off the road.
- The car is checked: steering straight, parking brake off for the wheels that roll, nothing dragging.
- Off we go, with the other two wheels rolling behind on the road.
The whole hook-up is usually quick, which is one reason wheel-lift trucks are so handy for everyday cars in tight spots, like a crowded lot off Main Street or a narrow shoulder on SR 80.
Does the truck lift the front or the back?
It depends on which wheels make your car go. The goal is to lift the wheels that drive the car, so the ones rolling on the road are the free-spinning ones.
| Your car | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive (most everyday cars) | The front is lifted, the rear wheels roll |
| Rear-wheel drive (many trucks and some cars) | The rear is lifted, or the front is lifted with dollies under the rear wheels |
| All-wheel drive or 4×4 | Usually a flatbed or dollies, so no drive wheels turn on the road |
Not sure what your car has? No problem. Tell us the make, model and year when you call, and we’ll figure it out with you. Your owner’s manual usually has a towing section too.
What are tow dollies, and why would you need them?
Tow dollies are small wheeled platforms that slide under the two wheels that would otherwise roll on the road. With the wheel lift holding one end and the dollies holding the other, all four of the car’s wheels are off the pavement. It’s a handy trick when the wheels that would roll shouldn’t turn, like on some all-wheel-drive cars or a car with a locked-up wheel.
When is a wheel lift a good fit, and when is a flatbed better?
Both trucks have their happy place. Here’s a quick way to think about it.
| Situation | Usually a good fit |
|---|---|
| Everyday car, short tow across town | Wheel lift |
| Tight parking lot or narrow street | Wheel lift |
| Car that won’t roll or steer | Flatbed |
| Low, lowered or exotic car | Flatbed |
| All-wheel drive or 4×4 | Flatbed, or a wheel lift with dollies |
| Damaged wheel or axle after a crash | Flatbed |
| Longer trip | Flatbed |
Want a flatbed? Just ask when you call. We tow everyday cars with either one, and exotic cars always go on a flatbed.
Is wheel-lift towing safe for my car?
For most everyday cars, yes. The cradle holds the tires, not the bumper, so there’s no pulling on the body. The things that matter are lifting the right end, keeping the steering straight and making sure nothing low, like a front lip or an air dam, touches the cradle or the road.
That’s why we ask a few questions before we send a truck. If something about your car says flatbed, we’ll tell you.
What happens on the road during a wheel-lift tow?
Once your car is lifted, the tow is a gentle drive, not a race. Here is what the driver keeps in mind on the way to your shop or home.
- The lifted end stays a few inches off the road, high enough to clear bumps and low enough to stay steady
- The steering on the rolling wheels stays straight, so the car tracks behind the truck
- Turns are taken wider, because the car swings a little behind the truck
- Railroad crossings, speed bumps and steep driveways are taken slowly
- The straps and the car are checked again at the drop-off before the car is lowered
At the drop-off, the arm lowers the car back to the ground, the straps come off and the cradle slides out. Your car is parked where you want it, and that is the end of the bumpy part of your day.
What should you tell us when you call?
- Where the car is: road, direction and the nearest cross street or landmark
- Make, model and year
- Front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, if you know
- Whether the car rolls, steers and brakes
- Anything low, like a front lip or lowered suspension
- Where the car should go
What should you do before the tow?
- Move to a safe spot away from traffic and turn on your hazard lights.
- Take your valuables, phone charger and paperwork out of the car.
- Have the key ready: the steering may need to be unlocked.
- If you know about any damage, tell the driver before the hook-up.
- If anyone is hurt, call 911 first.
Where do we tow in the Glades?
We tow everyday cars with a wheel lift or a flatbed in Belle Glade, South Bay, Pahokee, Canal Point, Clewiston, Lake Harbor, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Moore Haven and LaBelle, including US-27, SR 80, US-441 and SR 715. See all our towing services, or car towing for the details.
Frequently asked questions
Does a wheel-lift tow truck damage my car?
For most everyday cars, no. It holds the car by the tires, not the bumper or frame. Low cars and some all-wheel-drive cars are better on a flatbed.
Which end of my car gets lifted?
Usually the end with the drive wheels. On most front-wheel-drive cars, that’s the front.
Can you tow an all-wheel-drive car with a wheel lift?
Usually with dollies under the other wheels, or on a flatbed. Tell us your car and we’ll pick the right setup.
Is a wheel lift the same as a tow dolly?
No. The wheel lift is the arm on the truck. Dollies are small platforms that go under the other wheels when needed.
Can I ask for a flatbed instead?
Yes. Just ask when you call.
How much does a tow cost in Belle Glade?
It depends on the vehicle and the distance. Call (561) 594-4543 for a free, affordable estimate.
Do you tow at night?
Yes. We’re open 24/7.
Car stuck and not sure which tow truck it needs? Call (561) 594-4543 and we’ll get you back on a happy road.