What is flatbed towing?
A flatbed truck (called a satha, سطحة, in the UAE) has a bed that tilts down to the road. The car is winched or driven onto it, strapped at each wheel, and carried with all four wheels off the ground.
What is hook or wheel-lift towing?
The truck lifts one end of the car and the other two wheels roll on the road. It is quicker and cheaper to set up, which is why some operators still use it.
Why it matters
- Automatic gearboxes: when driven wheels turn with the engine off, the gearbox may not be lubricated. Long tows can damage it.
- All-wheel drive and 4x4: lifting only one axle can strain the centre differential and drive shafts.
- Low cars: the lifted angle can scrape bumpers and spoilers.
- Accident damage: a car with a broken wheel or suspension should not roll at all.
When hook towing is acceptable
For a short move of a front-wheel-drive manual car, lifted by its driven wheels, it can be fine. In practice, most cars on UAE roads today are automatic, so a flatbed is the safer default.
Questions to ask before your car is loaded
- Is it a flatbed truck?
- Will you strap the wheels, not the body?
- What is the total price to my drop-off point?
Tanveer Recovery tows on flatbeds only. More about our towing.