A lowered car sits inches off the road. That is the point of lowering it, and it is also why towing one takes more care than towing a stock car. The front lip, the side skirts, the exhaust and the oil pan are all closer to the pavement and to the tow truck. One wrong angle can crack a bumper that cost more than the tow.
Short answer: Lowered car towing should always be done on a flatbed. A flatbed carries the whole car with all four wheels off the road, so the bumper, lip and underbody don’t drag. At All Roads Professional Towing in Boynton Beach, lowered cars always ride on a flatbed. Call (561) 594-4531 for a free estimate, 24/7.
What counts as a lowered car?
A lowered car is any car that sits closer to the ground than it did from the factory. Most are lowered in one of three ways:
| How it is lowered | What it means for a tow |
|---|---|
| Lowering springs | Fixed height. The car can’t be raised for loading. |
| Coilovers | Height is set by hand at each corner. It can’t be changed at the roadside. |
| Air suspension (bags) | Height is set by a switch or app. If it still works, raise it before the tow. |
| Body kit only (lip, skirts, diffuser) | Normal height, but the parts hang lower than stock bumpers. |
Some cars also come low from the factory, like many sports cars and some luxury sedans. If your car scrapes on steep driveways, treat it as a lowered car when you call.
Why does a lowered car need a flatbed?
When a tow truck lifts one end of a car, the other end tips down. On a stock car there is room for that. On a lowered car there often isn’t, so the rear bumper, exhaust or diffuser can hit the road. A flatbed avoids that problem because the car rides level on the deck for the whole trip.
| Part of a lowered car | What can go wrong when it is towed the wrong way |
|---|---|
| Front lip or splitter | Scrapes or cracks when the car is pulled up |
| Side skirts | Catch on the edge of a ramp or deck |
| Oil pan and exhaust | Hit the road when one end is lifted |
| Rear diffuser | Drags when the front is raised |
| Coilovers and low tires | Less room to clear bumps and curbs |
Why not a wheel lift or tow dollies?
A wheel lift raises the front or rear wheels and lets the other two roll on the road. Tow dollies do the same thing with a small trailer under two wheels. Both tilt the car. That tilt is the problem: the lower the car, the sooner the low end touches the pavement, especially over speed bumps, driveway aprons and the dips at parking lot entrances along Congress Ave and Boynton Beach Blvd.
There is a second reason. Two wheels still roll on the road for the whole trip, which adds wear and can strain the drivetrain. That is why AWD and 4×4 vehicles always go on a flatbed with us too.
How is a lowered car loaded onto a flatbed?
The deck of a flatbed tow truck tilts down to the road and forms a ramp. The angle where the ramp meets the road matters most for a lowered car, because that is where a front lip can catch. This is how a careful load works:
- We ask how low the car sits and what body parts hang low, before we arrive.
- We look at the car and the ground around it: curbs, slopes and soft shoulders change the angle.
- The deck tilts down and the car is pulled up slowly, watching the front lip and the skirts.
- The car is secured at the wheels, not by the bumpers or the body kit.
- The deck levels out and the car rides flat to the drop-off address.
- At the drop-off, the car comes off the deck the same slow way.
What should you tell the tow company?
- That the car is lowered, and roughly how low it sits
- Any front lip, splitter, side skirts or diffuser
- Whether it has air suspension, and whether it can be raised
- Whether the car rolls, steers and brakes
- If you have wheel locks, where the key is
- Where the car is and where it should go
These details help us plan how the car goes onto the flatbed before we arrive.
Can you raise the car before it is towed?
If the car has air suspension and the system still works, raise it to the highest setting before it is loaded. If the car has coilovers or springs, it stays at its normal height, so tell us how low it is when you call.
Which roadside problems are harder on a lowered car?
Some problems can be fixed where the car sits, but a lowered car can make them harder:
| Problem | What is different on a lowered car | What usually works |
|---|---|---|
| Dead battery | Nothing, if the battery is easy to reach | A jump start |
| Flat tire | A standard jack may not fit under a very low car | A flat tire change if it can be lifted safely, or a tow to a tire shop |
| Hit a curb or pothole | Bent suspension or a damaged wheel is more likely | A flatbed tow to a shop |
| Stuck on a parking block or speed bump | The underbody is resting on it | Call us before you try to drive off it |
What should you do while you wait?
- Move the car off the road only if it drives safely and you can do it without scraping.
- Turn on the hazard lights.
- On I-95 or Florida’s Turnpike, stand well behind the guardrail, away from traffic.
- Take photos of the front lip, bumpers and skirts before the car is loaded, for your records.
- If anyone is hurt, call 911 first.
What should you check before and after the tow?
Before the tow
- Take photos of the bumpers, lip, skirts and wheels
- Remove loose items from the dash, seats and trunk
- Have the key, and the wheel lock key if you have one
- Write down the shop or address where the car should go
After the tow
- Look at the front lip and skirts when the car comes off the deck
- If the car hit a curb or pothole, ask the shop to check the alignment
- If it has air suspension, check that it holds its height after a few minutes
Which other cars always go on a flatbed?
Lowered cars are not the only ones. Luxury, exotic and classic cars, and AWD and 4×4 vehicles, also ride on a flatbed with All Roads. See our tow truck services for every vehicle we tow.
Where do we tow lowered cars?
We tow lowered cars in Boynton Beach, Lantana, Hypoluxo, Ocean Ridge, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Highland Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Greenacres, Wellington, West Palm Beach and nearby towns, including I-95, Florida’s Turnpike, US-1 and Military Trail.
Frequently asked questions
Can a lowered car be towed with a wheel lift?
It is risky. Lifting one end can make the other end hit the road. With us, lowered cars always go on a flatbed.
Will a flatbed scrape my front lip?
Tell us about the lip when you call, so we plan the load around it. Photos before loading are a good idea.
Should I raise my air suspension before the tow?
Yes, if it still works. Raise it to the highest setting before the car is loaded.
Can you change a flat on a lowered car?
Often yes, if the car can be lifted safely. If it can’t, we tow it to a tire shop.
Is a factory-low sports car a lowered car?
For towing, yes. If it scrapes on steep driveways, tell us when you call.
How much does it cost to tow a lowered car?
It depends on the car and the distance. Call (561) 594-4531 for a free estimate.
Do you tow lowered cars at night?
Yes. We are open 24/7.
Lowered car broken down in Boynton Beach? Call (561) 594-4531 for a free estimate.