Monday to Saturday - 8:00 -17:30
Flatbed Towing Sydney
All four wheels off the ground — the safest towing method for prestige vehicles, AWD, lowered cars and non-runners. No drivetrain contact throughout transit.
Why Flatbed Is the Safest Towing Method
Traditional tow trucks lift two wheels while the other two remain on the road. This puts stress on the drivetrain of AWD and 4WD vehicles, risks damaging the steering of rear-wheel-drive vehicles and can cause paint and body damage on lowered or wide-bodied cars.
With flatbed towing, your vehicle drives or is winched onto a flat platform trailer and secured with wheel chocks and rated straps. All four wheels are lifted completely off the road for the entire transit — no rotation, no drivetrain stress, no contact with road surfaces.
This is the method we use by default for AWD vehicles, prestige and sports cars, lowered and modified cars, race cars, vehicles with seized drivetrains and any non-running vehicle. At Opal Towing there is no extra charge for flatbed — just mention it when you call and we’ll dispatch the appropriate truck.
Zero Wheel Contact
All four wheels off the ground for the entire journey. No road-surface wear on your tyres.
No Drivetrain Risk
AWD, 4WD and full-time all-wheel-drive systems are not stressed or damaged in transit.
Non-Runners Accepted
Vehicle doesn’t drive? Winch loading gets it on the flatbed with no steering input required.
No Extra Charge
Flatbed service is included at our standard rate — no premium for choosing the safer method.
Who Needs Flatbed
Vehicles That Require Flatbed Towing
If any of the following apply to your vehicle, always request flatbed. We’ll confirm on the call.
AWD & Full-Time 4WD
Any vehicle with a centre diff or permanent all-wheel-drive system. Includes RAV4, Subaru Outback, X-Trail, LandCruiser Prado (full-time mode), and most European AWD vehicles.
Lowered & Modified Vehicles
Coilovers, aggressive low profiles and wide body kits often prevent standard tow bar attachment. Flatbed loads from the rear with ramps — no body or bumper contact.
Prestige & Exotic Cars
BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren. Low ground clearance and delicate front splitters make flatbed the only safe choice.
Non-Running Vehicles
Dead battery, blown engine, seized brakes, accident damage — if your car can’t roll under its own power, winch-on flatbed loading is the only option.
Race & Track Cars
Circuit and drag cars often have no front tow points, slick tyres unsuitable for road use, and carbon fibre ground effects. Flatbed is the only legal transport method.
Classic & Vintage Vehicles
Irreplaceable classics deserve flatbed-only transport. Eliminates any risk of chasing, tow bar damage or tyre and brake wear during transit.
FAQ
Flatbed Towing Questions
A wheel-lift tow truck uses a metal yoke under the front or rear wheels, lifting one axle while the other remains on the road. The vehicle’s non-lifted wheels roll along the road surface during transport. A flatbed truck carries the entire vehicle on a flat platform — all four wheels in the air, no road contact. Flatbed is safer for drivetrain-sensitive vehicles, non-runners and vehicles with low ground clearance.
Not with Opal Towing. We include flatbed towing at our standard car towing rate — $120–$220 for most Sydney jobs. There is no premium or surcharge for requesting flatbed. Just tell us when you call and we’ll dispatch the right truck.
Yes, strongly recommended. Most full-time AWD vehicles (particularly European brands, Subaru, some Toyota and Honda models) cannot have any axle raised while the other remains rolling without engaging the drivetrain in a way that can cause serious transmission damage. Check your owner’s manual — it will almost certainly specify flatbed-only towing. We always default to flatbed for AWD.
Yes. Non-running vehicles are loaded using our built-in winch. We attach a recovery strap or hook to a rated tow point on the vehicle and winch it up the flatbed ramp without the wheels needing to turn or the brakes needing to release. Once on the platform, it’s secured with wheel chocks and tie-down straps.
Available Right Now
Need Flatbed Towing in Sydney?
Tell us your vehicle and location. We’ll dispatch the right truck immediately — no damage, no drivetrain risk, no hidden charges.
0423 242 242