A car that isn’t secured properly on a flatbed can shift, scrape, or even slide off during transport.
That’s why every step of the loading procedure, from situating the car on the deck to tightening the final strap, is carefully planned. Melbourne’s roads, from busy CBD streets to the Eastern Motorway, mean tow trucks need to handle sudden braking, tight turns, and long-distance hauls without risking damage.
This guide by One Stop Towing breaks down exactly how a professional tow truck driver secures a car on a flatbed, step by step, so you know what to expect and why it matters.
What Is Flatbed Towing?
Flatbed towing uses a flat, hydraulic platform to carry a car in full, rather than dragging it on its wheels. The entire vehicle sits on the deck during transport.
This makes flatbed towing the safest option for most situations, whether you’re arranging towing in Laverton North or anywhere else across Melbourne. It’s especially useful for:
- Cars with mechanical faults, like transmission or steering issues
- Low-clearance or luxury vehicles
- Accident-damaged cars
- All-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles
Because none of the car’s wheels touch the road, there is no added wear on the tyres, brakes, or drivetrain components.
Step-by-Step: How Drivers Load and Secure a Car
Securing a car correctly isn’t a one-step task. It follows a careful sequence to keep the vehicle stable from pickup to drop-off.
Positioning the Car on the Deck
The driver first lowers the flatbed to create a ramp angle. The car is then guided or winched onto the deck, centred both side-to-side and front-to-back.
Correct positioning balances the vehicle’s weight evenly. This prevents the tow truck from becoming unstable while driving.
Attaching Wheel Straps and Tie-Downs
Once positioned, the driver secures each wheel using ratchet straps or wheel nets. These attach to D-rings fixed along the flatbed’s deck.
Each strap is tightened individually. This stops the car from rolling, bouncing, or shifting sideways during transport.
Most professional tow operators use four-point tie-downs. This means each wheel is anchored separately, rather than relying on one strap across the vehicle.
Using the Winch for Non-Running Vehicles
If a car can’t be driven onto the flatbed, the driver uses a winch instead. A cable connects to the car’s tow hook or chassis point.
The winch then pulls the vehicle up the ramp at a slow, controlled speed. This avoids sudden jerks that could damage the undercarriage.
Final Safety Checks Before Driving Off
Before leaving, the driver checks:
- Strap tension on all four wheels
- That the handbrake is engaged (where appropriate)
- Mirrors and loose parts are secured
- The load doesn’t exceed the flatbed’s width or height limits
Only once every check is confirmed does the truck move off.
What Equipment Keeps Your Car Secure?
Professional-grade towing relies on purpose-built equipment, not makeshift straps. Common tools include:
- Ratchet straps – tighten and lock wheel position under tension
- Wheel nets or baskets – cradle the tyre fully for extra stability
- D-rings – fixed anchor points welded into the flatbed deck
- Soft ties – used on tow hooks to prevent scratching paintwork
This equipment is rated to Australian load restraint standards. Reputable towing companies inspect straps and D-rings regularly for wear.
Why Flatbed Towing Reduces Damage Risk
Flatbed towing is widely considered the safest method for transporting a vehicle. Since the car doesn’t touch the road, there’s no risk of tyre damage from dragging.
It also avoids strain on the drivetrain, which can happen with wheel-lift towing on AWD or four-wheel-drive cars. For newer vehicles with advanced electronics, this method reduces the chance of triggering fault codes from incorrect towing angles. This is especially important for drivers relying on towing in Heidelberg, where longer routes to service centres mean extra strain on an already-damaged vehicle.
Flatbed towing is particularly recommended for:
- Cars under warranty
- Vehicles with pre-existing damage
- Low ground clearance sports cars
Special Cases: EVs, AWD, and Low-Clearance Cars
Electric vehicles need different handling compared to petrol cars. Most EVs don’t have a traditional neutral gear, so they can’t be rolled the same way.
This means EVs almost always require winching onto a flatbed rather than driving on. Drivers also need to avoid contact with battery housing, which sits low along the underside of the car.
AWD vehicles face a similar issue. Towing an AWD car on its wheels can damage the transmission, so flatbed transport is strongly recommended.
Low-clearance cars need careful ramp angle management. A driver will often use ramp extensions to prevent the front bumper or splitter from scraping during loading.
This is a common consideration for towing for Deer Park residents, particularly with the growing number of EVs on Melbourne roads.
How Long Does Securing a Car Properly Take?
On average, loading and securing a car on a flatbed takes 10 to 15 minutes. Non-running vehicles that need winching can take slightly longer, closer to 20 minutes.
Rushing this process increases the risk of poor strap tension. That’s why experienced drivers prioritise doing it right over doing it fast.
What This Means for You as a Car Owner
Understanding this process helps you know what to expect when a flatbed arrives. It also highlights why choosing an experienced, professional towing company matters.
A driver who skips steps, uses worn straps, or rushes the loading process puts your car at unnecessary risk. Proper securing isn’t just procedure; it’s what protects your vehicle from further damage.
Securing Your Car the Right Way, Every Time
Securing a car on a flatbed isn’t just about looping a strap around a wheel. It takes the right equipment, the right technique, and an experienced eye for detail — from checking tie-down tension to knowing how EVs and AWD vehicles need to be handled differently.
At One Stop Towing, our drivers follow this exact process on every job across Melbourne, whether we’re loading a car after a breakdown or transporting an EV that can’t be rolled onto the deck. We know that how a car is secured directly affects the condition it arrives in.
If your car needs a tow, don’t leave it to guesswork. Contact One Stop Towing today for flatbed towing you can trust, done right the first time.
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