Irvine, CA · Flatbed · 24 hours
Flatbed Towing Irvine
Flatbed towing in Irvine carries your car on a flat deck with all four wheels off the road. It's the safe choice for AWD cars, motorcycles, lowered cars and wrecks. Call any hour and a local operator based in Irvine sends the truck.
Open 24 hours. Your call rings a local tow operator, not a call center.
Irvine
- 1Deck tilts downThe bed slides back and tilts to make a ramp.
- 2Winch pulls upThe car is winched or driven slowly onto the deck.
- 3Strapped at wheelsStraps go over the tires so the car can't shift.
- 4All four upNo wheels touch the road for the whole trip.
What is flatbed towing and how is it different from wheel-lift towing?
Flatbed towing loads the whole car onto a flat deck, so none of its wheels touch the road during the tow. A wheel-lift truck lifts only the front or rear wheels and rolls the car on the other two. Both work for many cars. Some cars need the flatbed.
On a flatbed, the deck slides back and tilts down to the ground. The car is winched up the ramp, or driven up if it runs, and strapped down at the wheels. Then the deck levels out and the car rides on top like freight.
A wheel-lift truck, sometimes called standard towing, slides a cradle under two wheels and lifts that end. The other two wheels stay on the road. It's quick to hook up and it fits into tighter spots, which helps in older lots and some garages.
Which one do you need?
Tell the dispatcher what you drive and what happened. They'll say which truck fits. We run both, so you won't get a wheel-lift when the car needs a flatbed. For everyday breakdowns, see our Irvine towing page.
When should you ask for a flatbed tow in Irvine?
Ask for a flatbed when the car is AWD or 4WD, sits low, is a motorcycle, or is damaged. A flatbed is also the better choice when a wheel is locked or missing, or for a long tow, since the car's wheels and drivetrain see no wear on the trip.
- All-wheel drive or four-wheel drive cars and SUVs.
- Lowered cars, sports cars and cars with low front lips or aero kits.
- Motorcycles.
- Cars damaged in a crash, especially with a bent wheel or suspension.
- Cars stuck in park with no key, or a wheel that won't turn.
- Long-distance trips between cities or regions.
A lot of what gets driven around Irvine fits that list. AWD crossovers fill the driveways in Woodbridge, Northwood and Orchard Hills, and the Spectrum and Fashion Island lots see plenty of low sports cars. If you aren't sure, say so on the call. The operator will ask a couple of questions and make the call with you.
Service matrix
Which towing services reach each city around Irvine?
Every service below runs in every listed city, day and night. Tap a check to read more.
Do AWD cars need a flatbed tow?
In most cases, yes. On an AWD car, all four wheels are tied to the drivetrain, so towing it with two wheels rolling on the road can damage the transfer case or differentials. A flatbed keeps every wheel off the ground. Your owner's manual will have the maker's towing instructions.
Most owner's manuals for AWD and 4WD vehicles say to tow with all four wheels off the ground. Some say a wheel-lift with dollies under the other end is acceptable. A flatbed meets either instruction.
Tell the dispatcher the year, make and model when you call. If you know the car is AWD, say so. If you don't, the badge on the back often says AWD, 4MATIC, quattro, xDrive or 4WD, and that's enough for the operator to send a flatbed.
Electric and hybrid cars
Many electric cars and hybrids have motors on both axles, and their makers also call for a flatbed. If the car has a tow or transport mode, the operator may ask you to turn it on before loading so the wheels roll freely.
Can you tow a motorcycle on a flatbed in Irvine?
Yes. Motorcycles ride on the flatbed deck, upright and strapped down so the bike can't tip or shift during the trip. Tell the dispatcher the make and model, whether it runs, and whether it's been down, so the operator brings the right straps and wheel chock.
Riders break down on the same roads as everyone else in Irvine, and on the canyon runs nearby. Common calls come from Jamboree Rd, Sand Canyon Ave, the SR-133 and SR-241 toll roads, and PCH down in Newport Beach.
Before the truck gets there
- Get the bike off the road if you can push it safely.
- Leave it in gear or on the side stand on level ground.
- Take off saddlebags, tank bags or anything loose you want to keep with you.
- Have the key, or tell the operator if it's lost.
If the bike went down in a crash and anyone is hurt, call 911 first. Once everyone is safe, we can carry the bike to your home, a shop or a dealer.
Is a flatbed better for lowered or low-clearance cars?
Yes. A flatbed is the safer way to move a lowered car, a sports car or anything with a low front lip, splitter or side skirts. The deck tilts to a shallow angle, and the operator can use ramps or wood blocks to keep the bumper and underbody off the deck edge.
A wheel-lift hooks under the front or rear of the car and lifts it at a steep angle. On a low car, that can scrape the bumper, crack a front lip or catch the exhaust. A flatbed spreads the load and keeps the angle gentle.
When you call, say how low the car sits and whether it has aftermarket suspension or aero parts. If it has an air suspension or a lift mode, raise it before the truck arrives. If the car doesn't run, the operator will winch it up the ramp slowly and watch the clearance at the front.
Exotic and collector cars
Point out tow hook locations if you know them. Many sports cars have a screw-in tow eye in the trunk or with the spare kit.
Can a flatbed reach a car stuck in an Irvine parking structure?
Often it can't drive inside, because a flatbed is a tall truck and many parking structures have low clearance bars. Tell the dispatcher which garage, which level and the clearance sign at the entrance. The operator plans how to get the car down to street level and onto the deck.
Irvine has a lot of large parking structures: around Irvine Spectrum Center, through the Irvine Business Complex, at UC Irvine, at Irvine Station and in office parks along Jamboree Rd and MacArthur Blvd. Most post a clearance sign at the entrance. Read it when you call, or snap a photo.
How it usually goes
If the car can be driven or rolled, it may come out to the street where the flatbed is waiting. If it can't, the operator works out another way to bring it to the exit first. The dispatcher will talk it through with you before anyone leaves.
Underground garages in apartment buildings work the same way. Tell us the building and the gate setup, and if you can, have someone meet the operator at the entrance.
Do you use a flatbed for accident recovery and long-distance tows?
Yes. After a crash, a flatbed carries a car that can't roll straight or safely, such as one with a bent wheel, a broken axle or leaking fluids. For long-distance tows between cities and regions, the flatbed keeps your wheels and drivetrain off the road. Long trips are quoted by phone first.
Crashes in and around Irvine happen most where traffic merges: the El Toro Y, the 405 at Jamboree and Culver, the 55 near the Costa Mesa line, and the big intersections on Irvine Center Dr and Alton Pkwy. If anyone is hurt or a car is in a live lane, call 911 first. Once the scene is safe, call (682) 427-5421.
Accident recovery
The operator loads the car and takes it to your home, a body shop or a storage location you choose. We tow across central Orange County, including Tustin, Costa Mesa and Lake Forest.
Long-distance towing
Moving a car to another city or region? Give the pickup and drop-off addresses on the call. The trip is quoted by phone before the truck rolls, so you know what you're agreeing to.
Coverage
Where in Irvine can you get a tow truck?
Anywhere on the map, plus the rest of Orange County. Send a pin or the nearest cross street when you call and the driver will route straight to you.
FAQ
What do drivers ask before calling a tow truck in Irvine?
Is flatbed towing available 24 hours in Irvine?
Yes. Flatbed towing runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including nights, weekends and holidays. Call (682) 427-5421 and a local operator based in Irvine answers. Give your location, the car's year, make and model, and say whether it runs, so the right truck is sent.
Can I ride in the tow truck with my car?
Ask the operator when you call. It depends on the truck and how many people need a ride. If you can't ride along, plan another way to the drop-off spot, and take your keys, documents and anything valuable out of the car before it's loaded.
What vehicles can go on a flatbed?
Cars, SUVs, light trucks and motorcycles all fit on the flatbed, along with some commercial vehicles. If you drive something long, wide or unusually heavy, describe it on the phone. The operator will tell you whether it fits before a truck heads your way.
Do I need a flatbed for my AWD car?
Most AWD and 4WD makers recommend towing with all four wheels off the ground, which a flatbed does. Check the towing section of your owner's manual if you have it. Either way, tell the dispatcher the car is AWD and they'll send a flatbed.
Will you tow my car out of Irvine?
Yes. We tow across Irvine, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Lake Forest and the rest of central Orange County, and do long-distance tows between cities and regions. Give the pickup and drop-off addresses on the call. Long trips are quoted by phone before the truck rolls.
Do you also help with jump starts and lockouts?
Yes. If the car might only need a jump start, a tire change with your spare, a lockout opened or some fuel, see our roadside assistance Irvine page. If roadside help doesn't get the car running, the operator can tow it on the same call.
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