If your car requires towing—due to a breakdown, accident, or planned transport—proper preparation keeps the process safe, prevents damage, and helps everything go smoothly. Foglesong Towing, a trusted provider across Southern California and the Inland Empire, offers both flatbed and wheel-lift towing. Understanding how to correctly prepare your vehicle for each method can make all the difference. Here’s a practical guide to getting your car ready for towing.
Flatbed vs. Wheel-Lift Towing: Know the Difference
Before preparing your car, it’s helpful to understand the differences between flatbed and wheel-lift towing:
- Flatbed Towing: Your vehicle is placed entirely onto a flat truck bed. This method suits luxury vehicles, motorcycles, cars with low ground clearance, or significantly damaged cars. It offers great protection during transport.
- Wheel-Lift Towing: Only two wheels (either front or rear) are lifted off the ground with a hydraulic lift. It’s often quicker and more economical for short-distance towing, especially in tight or challenging spaces.
Knowing which method best fits your situation will help you effectively prepare your car for towing.
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Car for Towing
1. Make Your Vehicle Accessible and Safe
First, safely position your vehicle:
- Move your car off the road if it’s safe and possible.
- Turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Place reflective triangles or flares if visibility is poor, especially at night or in busy areas.
Proper positioning reduces accident risks and makes towing easier.
2. Get Your Vehicle Ready Internally
Next, prepare your car’s interior and systems:
- Shift your car into neutral (check your vehicle’s manual if unsure).
- Release the parking brake unless otherwise instructed by your towing operator.
- Turn off all electronics and deactivate alarms to prevent battery drain and disruptions during transport.
These steps help provide smooth, damage-free towing, especially important during wheel-lift towing.
3. Remove Personal Items and Secure Loose Components
Always remove valuables and personal belongings from your car:
- Collect important documents, electronics, jewelry, and any loose belongings.
- Secure or remove external accessories such as antennas, bike racks, or detachable spoilers.
- Close all windows and lock doors after removing items.
Taking these precautions avoids potential loss or damage during towing.
Special Preparations Based on Towing Type
Each towing method has specific preparation considerations:
Flatbed Towing Preparations
- Confirm the tow truck has clear access to your vehicle from the front or rear.
- Clearly communicate your vehicle’s condition—especially if it’s severely damaged or needs delicate handling.
- If your vehicle is heavily modified or has low clearance, inform Foglesong’s dispatcher beforehand so they can send the right equipment.
Wheel-Lift Towing Preparations
- Ensure sufficient clearance around your vehicle for the towing equipment.
- Verify that your vehicle’s drive wheels (front-wheel or rear-wheel drive) are positioned correctly for lifting.
- Clearly communicate special considerations like all-wheel drive, low-clearance vehicles, or transmission issues, which may require special handling.
Choose Foglesong Towing: Trusted Experts Across Southern California
At Foglesong Towing, we handle everything from daily drivers to commercial fleets with care and professionalism. Our services offer:
- 24/7 rapid-response towing throughout Southern California and the Inland Empire.
- Fully licensed, insured, and experienced towing operators.
- A versatile fleet equipped for both flatbed and wheel-lift towing.
When vehicle troubles arise, trust Foglesong Towing for reliable handling, peace of mind, and a quick return to the road.
Contact Foglesong Towing today for immediate, professional assistance and tailored towing solutions.