Not every roadside recovery is straightforward. A flat tire, bent rim, or broken suspension component all quickly turn a would-be routine tow into a vehicle-damage risk. This means that operators need to pay special attention to loading and transport methods on these calls. Here, we share our best practices to protect the vehicle, reduce operator risk, and avoid turning existing damage into a larger problem when towing vehicles with flat tires or damaged wheels.
What Is the Best Way to Tow a Vehicle With a Flat Tire or Damaged Wheel?
The best way to tow a vehicle with a flat tire or damaged wheel is to prevent the compromised wheel from rolling or dragging. Professional operators should inspect the wheel, tire, suspension, and drivetrain, follow the vehicle manufacturer’s towing requirements, and use properly rated equipment that supports or lifts the affected wheels during loading and transport.
Inspect Flat Tires and Damaged Wheels Before Towing
A flat tire isn’t always the whole story. For example, a simple puncture is an entirely different recovery situation than a collision that bent the rim, broke a suspension component, or pushed the wheel out of alignment.
Before moving the vehicle or even choosing a towing method, check for:
- A completely deflated or separated tire
- Bent, cracked, or broken wheels
- Visible suspension or steering damage
- A wheel that won’t rotate freely
- Body panels contacting the tire or wheel
- Extremely low ground clearance
- Fluid leaks or other signs of collision damage
- Drivetrain requirements that restrict wheel rotation
Operators should also identify the vehicle’s drivetrain and review manufacturer-specific towing instructions. AWD vehicles, EVs, hybrids, luxury cars, and performance vehicles can require special handling even when the original service call is only for a flat tire.
Why Should Operators Avoid Dragging a Damaged Wheel?
Dragging a vehicle with a flat tire or a damaged wheel(opens in new tab) can increase damage to the tires, wheels, suspension, steering, and body. It can also make loading less predictable for the operator.
A bent wheel may catch instead of rolling. A shredded tire may allow the rim to contact the pavement. Collision damage can completely lock a wheel. In each case, forcing the vehicle to move can create additional repair costs and potentially lead to a preventable damage claim.
Instead, we recommend tow equipment that lifts or supports the vehicle to maintain better control and reduce unnecessary contact between damaged components and the road or carrier bed. Our goal with damage-free towing is simple: control how the vehicle moves instead of allowing the damaged components to dictate the recovery.
Choose Towing Equipment Based on the Type of Wheel Damage
There’s not a single towing method that fits every recovery call. That’s why professional tow operators need equipment options for various conditions.
Use a Tow Dolly to Keep Wheels Off the Road
When the towing configuration calls for wheels to remain off the ground, a professional tow dolly provides the support operators need. A Collins Hi-Speed® Dolly lifts the wheels off the road so operators can transport vehicles without the wheels rotating on the pavement.
This approach also works well when towing modern vehicles(opens in new tab) with sensitive drivetrains. AWD vehicles and EVs can sustain mechanical or electrical damage when operators leave the drive wheels to rotate during transport.
Use a Carrier Dolly When a Vehicle Cannot Roll Onto a Flatbed
A flatbed solves several towing challenges, but getting a vehicle onto the bed isn’t easy when a flat tire, broken wheel, locked wheel, or damaged suspension prevents normal rolling. The Collins Carrier Dolly solves this problem.
Instead of dragging a non-rolling vehicle across a flatbed, operators can place the vehicle on the Carrier Dolly and roll it during loading. The patented design keeps hooks, chains, and cables from contacting the vehicle during loading.
Based on customer feedback, the Carrier Dolly is especially useful for towing vehicles with locked wheels, low ground clearance, limited hook points, flat tires, and other conditions that complicate traditional carrier loading.
Follow a Consistent Process for Towing Vehicles With Flat Tires
A damaged-wheel recovery already introduces variables – operators shouldn’t be introducing more. Standardized procedures help towing companies reduce operator-to-operator variability. We’ve found that crews handle difficult recoveries more confidently when everyone follows the same process.
- Assess the vehicle. Determine which tire or wheel sustained damage and check nearby suspension, steering, and body components.
- Identify the drivetrain. Confirm whether the vehicle uses front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, AWD, four-wheel drive, hybrid technology, or an electric drivetrain.
- Review towing requirements. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when the vehicle requires a specific transport method.
- Select properly rated equipment. Confirm that the dolly, carrier, wheel lift, straps, and other equipment fit the vehicle and remain within their rated capacities.
- Control the damaged wheel. Avoid unnecessary rolling, dragging, or contact with pavement from compromised components.
- Secure the vehicle correctly. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s loading and tie-down procedures rather than improvising a securement method.
- Perform a final inspection. Confirm clearances, securement, equipment position, and vehicle stability before transport.
Protect Low-Clearance Vehicles During Flat Tire Recovery
A flat tire reduces ride height, which brings yet another challenge to loading. Sports cars, luxury vehicles, modified vehicles, and some EVs already sit close to the ground. Losing a few inches of tire height brings bumpers, battery enclosures, aerodynamic panels, exhaust components, and suspension parts even closer to the pavement.
Never assume that a vehicle that normally clears the ramp will still clear it with a flat tire. Always check the clearance before changing the vehicle’s angle or pulling it toward a carrier.
Equipment that allows the vehicle to roll instead of scrape or drag makes a substantial difference in these situations. Our Carrier Dolly, for example, provides additional clearance and supports damage-free loading without placing hooks, chains, or cables against the vehicle.
Consider the Drivetrain Even When the Tire Is the Obvious Problem
A flat tire may have brought your customer to a stop, but the drivetrain still determines how the vehicle is transported. This especially matters with modern AWD and electric vehicles. Allowing the wrong wheels to rotate during transport places unnecessary stress on the drivetrain components. Some EVs also have specific procedures for towing, neutral modes, and wheel movement.
We recommend treating drivetrain identification as a standard part of every recovery rather than making assumptions based on visible damage. If the drivetrain configuration remains unclear, consult the manufacturer’s instructions before transport.
Use Equipment Capacity and Vehicle Weight to Guide the Recovery
To select the right towing equipment, consider more than just a flat tire or wheel damage. The vehicle weight also matters, especially as EV battery packs and larger SUVs increase the loads tow operators encounter.
Never assume that equipment capacity applies universally across all models or setups. Always confirm the capacity of the specific dolly and configuration before loading the vehicle.
How Can Towing Companies Reduce Damage Claims From Wheel-Related Recoveries?
Towing companies can reduce preventable damage by standardizing inspections, matching equipment to the vehicle, training operators on manufacturer procedures, avoiding unnecessary wheel movement, and conducting final securement checks. Using specialized equipment(opens in new tab) is another smart move when damaged wheels, locked tires, low clearance, or sensitive drivetrains make traditional loading techniques risky.
We’ve also found that documentation helps. Record the vehicle’s condition before loading, including existing wheel, tire, body, and suspension damage. This establishes the vehicle’s condition and provides the operator with a reference during recovery.
Standardized training is yet another strategy to reduce damage claims. When every operator knows how to evaluate flat tires or damaged wheels and when to implement a dolly or carrier-loading solution, towing companies can count on consistency instead of improvised techniques in the field.
Prepare Your Fleet for Damaged-Wheel Towing Calls with Collins Dollies
Flat tires, damaged wheels, locked wheels, and collision-damaged vehicles are everyday realities in professional towing. Companies need to ensure their operators have equipment that allows them to control those situations without causing further damage.
At Collins Dollies, these are the types of real-world challenges we design our equipment around. Our Hi-Speed® Dollies provide professional towers with a solution to keep vehicle wheels off the road during transport, while our Carrier Dolly helps operators roll vehicles onto carriers rather than drag them. Contact your authorized dealer today to find the right real-world solution for your operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tow a vehicle with a damaged wheel?
Yes, but operators should inspect the wheel, hub, suspension, and surrounding components before moving the vehicle. If the damaged wheel can’t rotate or safely support the vehicle, operators should use towing equipment that supports the affected area and prevents the wheel or suspension from dragging.
Can you tow a vehicle with a flat or shredded tire?
Yes. The correct towing method depends on the severity of the tire damage and whether the wheel can still rotate safely. Operators should avoid dragging a severely damaged tire and use equipment that maintains vehicle control during loading and transport.
What should you check before towing a vehicle with wheel damage?
Inspect the tire, wheel, hub, wheel bearing, suspension, steering components, undercarriage, and nearby bodywork. Look for bent or broken components, fluid leaks, loose parts, and anything that could contact the roadway or towing equipment during recovery.
How do you tow a vehicle with a missing wheel?
A vehicle with a missing wheel requires tow equipment that supports the damaged corner without allowing the hub, suspension, or underbody to drag. Collins Tow Cradles(opens in new tab) can provide support for certain missing-wheel recoveries when operators use them with the appropriate Collins equipment and follow established operating procedures.
Why are tow dollies useful for vehicles with damaged wheels or tires?
Tow dollies help support wheels that shouldn’t remain in contact with the roadway during transport. The right dolly setup can also give operators greater control when handling vehicles with wheel, tire, drivetrain, or clearance concerns while supporting a damage-free towing process.