Professional wheel-lift towing from Coastal Vault Towing, available 24/7.
Call (858) 707-7972Wheel-lift towing uses a hydraulic system that cradles either the front or rear wheels of your vehicle, lifting one axle off the ground while the opposite wheels roll. The wheel-lift assembly extends from the back of our truck and slides under your car's tires, then hydraulic arms raise up to grip the wheels securely. This method works exceptionally well for front-wheel-drive cars (we lift the front wheels) and rear-wheel-drive vehicles (we lift the rear wheels), allowing the unpowered wheels to roll naturally during transport.
Unlike older hook-and-chain systems that attached to bumpers and frames, wheel-lift towing eliminates contact with your vehicle's body panels and undercarriage components. The lifting mechanism distributes weight evenly across the tire and wheel assembly, which is designed to handle this load. For all-wheel-drive vehicles, we place dollies under the rolling wheels to prevent drivetrain damage that occurs when some wheels turn while others don't.
Our crews select wheel-lift over flatbed when speed matters and your vehicle's ground clearance allows safe engagement. The setup takes about three minutes versus eight to ten for flatbed loading, which matters when you're blocking traffic on a busy East County road. Wheel-lift also navigates tighter spaces – crucial in places like the narrow residential streets around Grossmont College or the winding driveways on Mt. Helix where a flatbed truck simply won't fit.
The key limitation is ground clearance and vehicle modifications. Severely lowered cars, vehicles with front air dams, or cars with custom bumpers require flatbed service instead. Our drivers assess each situation and recommend the safest towing method before lifting your vehicle. When wheel-lift works for your car and situation, it's often the fastest way to get you moving again.
Most sedans, coupes, and unmodified vehicles with adequate ground clearance tow safely with wheel-lift equipment.
When you need to clear traffic quickly on busy roads like Fletcher Parkway or Jamacha Road, wheel-lift gets you moving faster than flatbed loading.
Cramped parking lots and narrow college-area streets where our full flatbed truck can't maneuver easily.
Cars with front-wheel drive systems tow perfectly with rear wheels rolling and front wheels lifted off the ground.
Moving your car across town or to a nearby repair shop where wheel-lift provides efficient, damage-free transport.