AWD/4WD flatbed towing loads all-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles fully onto a flatbed trailer, avoiding the drivetrain damage risk that comes with towing these vehicles on their wheels. Many all-wheel and four-wheel drive systems are mechanically linked in ways that make wheel-lift towing risky or outright unsafe, since rolling wheels can spin components in the drivetrain that aren't designed to move while the engine isn't running.
This is essential for any all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle needing a tow, particularly systems where the manufacturer explicitly advises against towing on wheels at all, and for any situation where you're not sure whether your specific drivetrain configuration can safely handle wheel-lift towing. When in doubt, flatbed is always the safe choice for AWD and 4WD vehicles, since it removes the risk entirely rather than requiring a judgment call about a specific drivetrain's tolerance.
We confirm the vehicle's drivetrain configuration on arrival, since AWD and 4WD systems vary significantly between manufacturers in terms of what towing methods they can safely handle. For any vehicle where there's genuine uncertainty or a known restriction, we default to flatbed transport, loading the vehicle fully onto the trailer deck and securing it with multiple tie-down points at the wheels and frame. This approach eliminates any risk to transfer cases, differentials, or other drivetrain components that wheel-lift towing could otherwise stress or damage.
Cost is generally comparable to standard flatbed towing, with distance as the primary factor. Vehicles in Philadelphia, PA with less common or older AWD systems sometimes have specific towing restrictions worth confirming before dispatch, and we can check that as part of the call.
Protect your drivetrain with the right tow method. Call (253) 319-3174 for AWD/4WD flatbed service.
