A great option for towing customer that require the safest and least-intrusive transportation options, a flatbed tow truck (as opposed to a wheel lift tow truck) ensures that the vehicle doesn’t touch the road while being towed.
While it sounds easy enough a technician must remember that safely towing the car on a flatbed tow truck will depend on how secure it is to the tow truck. That’s why you should also know what tow truck companies use to secure the vehicles in their flatbed tow trucks.
Car tie-downs are what you call those straps or chains that go on different parts of the car to make sure that they are properly secured to the tow truck. There are two main types of car tie downs and they are the chain type and the strap type.
Chains Vs Straps
Chains are made from steel that’s why they are much stronger than straps. Unlike straps that stretch and could rip, chains do not. There are many who choose to use chains because of their durability. However, there are also downsides to using chains. One of them is the risk of damaging the frame of the vehicle because of their rigidity.
Another downside to using chains is the need to hook it directly to the frame of the car to be towed. The durability of the chains is great but it can also help pull away at parts of the frame. Additionally, if they are not properly hooked, the car can come loose.
Straps, on the other hand, are made of polyester webbing, which doesn’t cause damage to the car because of its softness. It can be used to slide over the wheels or the axles to secure the car on the trailer. However, this material is also stretchy, which is why it should always be checked every time you make a stop.
Final Words
Both chains and straps can be used to secure a car on a flatbed tow truck. They both have various pros and cons but one isn’t really preferred over the other. It depends on personal preferences as well as state laws. The main thing is to always check and correctly secure the car to prevent it from coming loose.
Are you a Minneapolis Customer looking for affordable Flatbed Tow Truck service, give Timber Towing And Recovery a call today…
