Flatbed towing in Ottawa is the right method for any vehicle that should not be towed with wheels on the road. Call (613) 619-4545 and Barrhaven Towing dispatches a flatbed truck across the Ottawa-Gatineau area, 24 hours a day.
A flatbed loads the entire vehicle onto a flat deck so all four wheels are elevated and nothing rolls on the highway. It is the correct setup for all-wheel-drive vehicles, low-clearance sports cars, electric vehicles, luxury cars, motorcycles, and any vehicle too damaged to roll safely.
The whole vehicle rides on the deck. All four wheels are off the ground. Wheel straps hold the car at the hubs so no chains touch the body or undercarriage. Safe for AWD, EV, low-clearance, and damaged vehicles. The default choice when a vehicle is valuable or fragile.
One end of the vehicle is raised while the other axle rolls on the road. Works fine for standard two-wheel-drive cars on short hauls inside Ottawa. Cannot be used for AWD or 4WD without risking transmission and transfer case damage. The wrong choice for many vehicles drivers think it is the right choice for.
If you are not sure which method fits your vehicle, tell us the year, make, and model when you call. We confirm the right setup before the truck leaves the yard.
Some vehicles should only ever ride on a flatbed. Towing them any other way risks damage that costs more than the original problem.
Ottawa neighbourhoods like the Glebe, Westboro, and Rockcliffe Park have a high concentration of European imports, electric vehicles, and performance cars. We tow a lot of them. The flatbed setup, wheel straps, and proper tie-down points are part of the daily routine.
Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with any wheels rolling on the road can permanently damage the transfer case and driveshafts. If a tow company offers to take your AWD vehicle without a flatbed, refuse. The repair bill from an incorrect AWD tow frequently runs higher than the cost of the original breakdown.
Electric vehicles cannot be towed with wheels on the ground in most cases. The regenerative braking system, the battery management system, and the way EV drivetrains connect to the wheels all make wheel-lift towing risky. Most EV manufacturers specifically require flatbed transport.
We tow Teslas, Ford Lightnings, Polestars, BMW i-series, and other EVs on a flatbed with the proper securement. Tie-down points avoid the high-voltage battery enclosure and the charging port. The driver checks the manufacturer's recommended loading orientation before securing the vehicle. EV towing is not a place to improvise.
High-value vehicles get extra care. No chains, no hooks, no contact with the body or undercarriage. Wheel straps only. Loading angles checked for clearance before the deck tilts. Securement double-verified before we move.
If you drive a Porsche, a Mercedes AMG, an exotic, or a classic restoration, the only towing method worth using is flatbed. We have hauled almost every variety of European and Japanese performance car off Ottawa streets. The setup is the same. Slow, careful, no damage.
Collision-damaged vehicles often cannot be driven, steered, or rolled. Bent suspension, deployed airbags, frame damage, or fluid leaks all make wheel-lift towing impossible. A flatbed loads the vehicle in one motion with minimum movement of damaged components.
For post-collision tows across Ottawa, including the 417, the 416, and side streets in Barrhaven and Nepean, we coordinate with police and paramedics on scene first. See our accident recovery in Ottawa page for detail. For all towing options under one roof, see towing service in Ottawa.
Yes. All-wheel-drive vehicles must be towed on a flatbed with all four wheels off the ground. Any wheels rolling on the road during a tow can permanently damage the transfer case and driveshafts. Tell us the make and model when you call and we send the right truck.
Yes. EVs are towed on a flatbed with proper securement away from the high-voltage battery enclosure and the charging port. EVs should not be towed with wheels on the ground because of regenerative braking and battery management system risks.
A regular wheel-lift tow truck raises one end of the vehicle while the other axle rolls on the road. A flatbed tilts a platform so the vehicle can be winched or driven on, then lifts so all four wheels are elevated. Flatbed is safer for a wider range of vehicles and eliminates drivetrain stress.
Yes. Motorcycles are loaded onto the flatbed and secured with soft tie-downs at the proper anchor points. The bike does not touch the deck on its kickstand alone. We carry the right straps and wheel chocks for sport bikes, cruisers, and adventure motorcycles.
Often slightly higher because the truck is larger and the loading takes more time. For many vehicles, flatbed is the only safe option, so the cost comparison is not really apples to apples. We quote a full price before the truck leaves the yard so you know up front.
Yes. We dispatch flatbed trucks across the Ottawa-Gatineau area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Call (613) 619-4545 with your location, vehicle details, and destination, and we send the right truck.
Barrhaven Towing dispatches flatbed trucks across the Ottawa-Gatineau area 24/7 from our Greenbank Rd base.
(613) 619-4545
See all towing options on our Towing Service Ottawa category page.
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