Ever wondered how tow truck drivers manage to transport vehicles without damaging them? The answer is in a technique called wheel lifting. This method involves lifting the wheels of a vehicle off the ground using a hydraulic or mechanical lift to secure it and tow it safely. Here are some of the aspects of wheel lifting including the type of wheel lifting, the benefits of wheel lifting and the process of wheel lifting.
What is Wheel Lifting?
Wheel lifting is a technique of towing cars with the help of a particular tow truck that has a hydraulic or mechanical lift. This lift is intended to lift the wheels of the vehicle off the ground so that it can be safely immobilized and moved. This method is usually applied for call-out services, to remove vehicles that are parked on the wrong side of the road or those that cannot be moved due to mechanical breakdown.
There are two Main Types of Wheel Lifts
- Single-lift: A single-lift tow truck lifts a vehicle by the front wheels and tows it on its own wheels. Single-lift tow trucks are specifically designed for front-wheel drive vehicles.
- Double-lift: A double-lift tow truck lifts a car by its front and rear wheels. This type of lift is more versatile and can tow any type of vehicle.
How Wheel Lifting Works
The process of wheel lifting is quite easy. The tow truck driver will then park the truck at the rear of the car that needs to be towed. The driver will then raise the lift arm and secure it to the frame or axle of the vehicle in question. After securing the lift arm, the driver activates the hydraulic system to raise the vehicle’s wheels. The vehicle is then winched onto the tow truck bed.
Advantages of Wheel Lifting
Here are some benefits of wheel lift towing.
- Safe: Wheel lifting is one of the most secure ways of towing a vehicle. Because the vehicle’s wheels are off the ground, the tires, wheels, and suspension are not damaged.
- Efficient: Wheel lifting is one of the fastest and effective methods of towing a car. The procedure of raising and loading a car onto a tow truck is not very time-consuming and complicated.
- Versatile: Carriages use wheel lifts to tow cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buses, among other types of vehicles.
Disadvantages of Wheel Lifting
There are also a few drawbacks of employing a wheel lifting to tow a car.
- Cost: In comparison to flatbed towing, wheel lifting is relatively costly. This process requires a specialized tow truck.
- Damage: Incorrect use of a wheel lift can damage the vehicle’s frame or axle.
- Limitations: Wheel lifts have limitations and cannot tow all vehicles. For example, they are unable to tow cars with low ground clearance or those that lack one or more wheels.
Don’t Get Stuck in the Mud!
Car trouble can strike anytime, anywhere. Bumblebee Tow is your one-stop shop for safe and reliable wheel lifting services. Our experienced drivers operate our modern fleet of tow trucks to get you back on the road quickly and efficiently. So, what are you waiting for? Visit Bumblebee Tow today for a free quote!