Types of Tow Trucks: Which One Your Car Actually Needs
Published Oct 23, 2026 · 5 min read · By Hassan, Owner of Roadmate Services
Nobody plans to learn the names of tow trucks. Then the car stops, and the dispatcher asks which one you need. There are five main types of tow trucks: flatbed, wheel lift, integrated, boom and hook and chain. For most cars today, the answer is a flatbed or a wheel lift, and when in doubt, a flatbed.
In Columbus, we tow with our own flatbed and a partner tow company that brings flatbeds and wheel lifts. Here is what each truck does and which one suits your car.
Quick answer: the different types of tow trucks
| Type | How it lifts | Best for | Not for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatbed (rollback) | Whole car on a tilting bed | AWD, EVs, low or damaged cars | Tight spots where the bed cannot tilt |
| Wheel lift | One axle, by the wheels | Short tows of 2WD cars | Many AWD cars, EVs |
| Integrated | Boom and wheel lift on a heavy chassis | Buses, box trucks, big recoveries | Everyday car tows |
| Boom | Crane arm and cable | Ditches, embankments | Long hauls |
| Hook and chain | Chains around the axle or frame | Wrecks headed for scrap | Most modern cars |
| Not sure? | Ask for a flatbed | ||
It is a menu most drivers hope never to order from, but it helps to know it.
The 5 types of tow trucks, explained
Flatbed (rollback or carrier)
The bed tilts to the ground, the car is pulled up and strapped down, and the bed levels out. All four wheels ride off the road, so nothing spins or drags. Your car gets the window seat.
Wheel lift
A metal yoke lifts the front or rear wheels while the other two roll on the road. It is quick, fits tight streets and suits a short tow of a front-wheel-drive car.
Integrated (heavy duty)
A boom and a wheel lift built into one heavy chassis, for buses, box trucks and big recoveries. A family car rarely needs one.
Boom (recovery)
A crane arm and cable that pull a vehicle out of a ditch or up an embankment. The boom does the rescue; a flatbed often does the trip to the shop.
Hook and chain (and why it is rare now)
Chains wrap around the axle or frame and the car is dragged on two wheels. It is the tow truck version of carrying a sofa by one leg, so today it is mostly kept for wrecks going to scrap.
Flatbed towing service: when your car should ride, not roll
Our view: ask for a flatbed when in doubt. A wheel lift is fine for a short tow of a front-wheel-drive car, but a cheaper hook-up that damages the drivetrain is how a tow doubles your problem. These belong on a flatbed:
- All-wheel-drive and 4x4 vehicles
- Electric vehicles. We always tow them on a flatbed, and Tesla’s transport instructions say the tires must never be able to spin. See our EV roadside guide.
- Low or lowered cars
- Cars with crash damage or transmission trouble
Which tow truck do I need?
- Front-wheel-drive car, short tow, no damage: a wheel lift or a flatbed.
- AWD, 4x4, EV, low car, crash damage or transmission problem: a flatbed.
- Stuck off the road: a winch-out first, then a flatbed if it cannot drive.
- Box truck or bus: a heavy-duty integrated truck.
Broken down on a highway? Get safe first: off the roadway if you can, hazards on, buckled in if you cannot. Then call.
Your owner’s manual has a towing page, usually just after the many pages on pairing your phone. And if it is only a dead battery or a flat with a usable spare, you may not need a tow at all; see tow truck vs roadside assistance.
A recent Columbus tow
Most of our tows are breakdowns going to a mechanic. On one call, the car would not start and a jump did not work, so we towed it to the mechanic. We took about 45 minutes to get there, and the tow took about 35 minutes.
What does a tow cost in Columbus?
A Roadmate tow in Columbus is an estimated $125 to $275 for about 1 to 15 miles. Longer tows are quoted by phone.
Distance, the vehicle and where it sits decide the final number. On the bright side, it is the one ride where nobody argues about the radio. The full breakdown is in how much it costs to tow a car.
What to ask before the tow truck is sent
- What type of truck is coming, and is it right for my car?
- What is the full price for my distance?
- Where is the car going: my mechanic, a dealer or a tow yard?
A good dispatcher answers all three without a sigh. Ohio PIRG’s guide to predatory towing covers your rights if a tow goes wrong. For choosing fast, read how to pick a tow truck near me and how to avoid overpaying for a tow.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest type of tow truck for my car?
A flatbed, because the whole car rides off the ground and nothing turns or drags. It suits AWD and 4x4 cars, EVs, low cars and damaged cars.
Can an all-wheel-drive car be towed with a wheel lift?
Usually not with two wheels on the road, because the turning wheels strain the drivetrain. Check the towing section of your owner's manual, and when in doubt, ask for a flatbed.
Does a flatbed tow damage a car?
Not when it is loaded properly. The car is pulled up the bed and strapped down; very low cars just need a slow, careful load.
What is a rollback tow truck?
Another name for a flatbed. The bed rolls back and tilts to the ground, the car is pulled on, and the bed levels out for the drive.
How should an electric car be towed?
On a flatbed, with all four wheels off the ground. At Roadmate, electric vehicles always go on a flatbed.
The bottom line
Most cars need a flatbed or a wheel lift. AWD cars, EVs, low cars and damaged cars belong on a flatbed. Ask which truck is coming and the full price before it is sent.
Need a tow in Columbus?
Call (380) 288-2822, 6 AM to 8 PM daily, Eastern Time, Columbus area only. A dispatcher confirms the truck, the full price and an arrival estimate before anyone heads your way.
May the only thing your car ever rides on be the open road.