5 Steps to Loading a Flatbed Tow Truck - Towing Training for Drivers

In this video, I show you step by step the proper way to load and secure a vehicle using a flatbed tow truck when towing cars. These tow trucks are often referred to as rollback, a flatbed, or also a light duty carrier. If you are new to towing, welcome. If you've been in the tow game for a while, thanks for tuning in. My goal is to help start up towing companies get their trucks working as soon as possible with the strategies I personally use today.
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Light It Up
01:11 Hit Your Switches
02:18 Drop The Bed
03:09 Get Hookin'
04:01 Load the Vehicle
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[@daranmoghadam7101]

I liked the 4 examples of hook-ups, great way to show the various cars hook-ups points.

[@cashtows]

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

[@rickyblankenship7608]

Straight forward and not boring lol

[@cashtows]

Thanks for watching

[@renejimenez]

Great Job, very detailed instructions and very well done.

[@cashtows]

Thank you! I’m actually working on a more advanced video for rollback drivers. There are some tips and techniques that I’d never mentioned in this video, but will go through on the next one. Thanks for your support, I really appreciate it.

[@eaturmeatornopuddin]

Subscribed, thanks man. Working with a veteran trucker n I'm my fourth day of training 😎 one more day hopefully everything is in order & I got the job. Especially where to hook up, properly load and unload the vehicle etc etc thanks again

[@cashtows]

Happy to help! Welcome

[@nikkit1986]

Joining the towing world 💪

[@cashtows]

Glad to hear it! Anything you have questions about? Video suggestions?

[@nikkit1986]

Not at the moment... thank you!

[@thomas25082]

Walking the truck the not to dos

[@cashtows]

Walking the truck is ok if you know what you're doing. I will add this video to the list. Thank You.

[@twobrotherstowingllc3448]

Good video man whoever is new take notes 📝 so you don’t tear your truck up

[@cashtows]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@jeffosborne2609]

Great video, thanks

[@bigprowes]

great vid!!! simple and to the point!!

[@cashtows]

Glad you liked it! Lmk if there is anything you're interested in and I'll keep making videos. Thanks for the support!

[@yburnet79]

Excellent

[@cashtows]

Thank You! I will keep making videos as I have the time. I appreciate your support! If there is anything specific you're interested in, let me know and I will make a video on it.

[@supremetowingllc2384]

nice video 👌

[@cashtows]

Thanks for the visit

[@eljefedejefes]

thank you

[@cashtows]

You're welcome!

[@fino2b]

great vid

[@cashtows]

Thank you!

[@JCKDTV]

I see you big dawg 🤘🏼

[@cashtows]

Love your videos bro. Thanks for the support.

[@tonyblake642]

I always have a 2nd line from the bed to the vehicle just in case the winch fails pulling on or letting off. Had winch fail once. van rolled of my bed and came to a stop after taking out some massive gates.

[@cashtows]

I can’t say I’ve ever used a second line. Ive never broke a winch line personally but have heard stories of the winch breaking and unspooling. I personally think that if you break a 3/8” steel core or fiber core when operating a light duty wrecker or rollback, you’re doing something wrong. Also, I don’t trust the screw in eye bolts from BMW, Audi, etc. I’ll soft strap a control arm before I use those.

[@pri0r_t0_a_weekago...fukwi48]

@@cashtowsyes and no, those control arms are soft cast aluminum and are prone to bending… and with Benz? Good luck even finding an exposed control arm lmaoo

[@cashtows]

They are but if the lower control arm can handle smacking a pot hole doing 70mph down the road, I assume it would be strong enough to pull the vehicle up the bed. I always grab both drivers and passenger control arm so that the weight is spread out. I've been doing it for years and have never had a problem. Only thing is that you have to laydown and really reach under there sometimes. Like you said, "good luck trying to find a control arm" can be a real issue when working a winchout or poor contions. I typically charge more for these vehicles because of this and other liability reasons.

[@elicose771]

Thanks! 👍 I will appreciate it if you can make a video about the bed control. How to use it. Thanks again very good video.

[@cashtows]

Most every truck is different, especially when hoses get crossed. lol. Is there something specific you’d like to know?

[@elicose771]

@@cashtows ooh! Ok thanks! 👍 I just buy a tow truck and I don't know anything about it. But I being seen videos to learn how to use it. I will practice how to use it, i will pick it up my little car with it. But I appreciate that you respond my tex. Thank you! 😊

[@cashtows]

@@elicose771 that’s awesome! I will try to get a new video out soon. Thank you for your support! By the way, what kind of truck did you buy?

[@elicose771]

@@cashtows ford f650 5.9 Cummins 21' feet long rollback bed. I am in new Orleans. (Champion bed)

[@cashtows]

You will never go wrong with a Cummins. You're able to handle almost any job with a 21' bed, I highly recommend.

[@jackwelborn1863]

good stuff brother wish these types of videos were available when i started towing very helpful stay safe out there hooker

[@cashtows]

Hahaha, Thanks Jack. I wish these videos were available when I started which is why I started Cash Tows. I appreciate the support, stay safe.

[@razy7609]

Great video, if you need any ideas wrecker operation and safe driving such as explaining proper turning could work well

[@cashtows]

Thank you! I will get to work. I appreciate the support.

[@CoreyFromLA]

Lmao some of these guys do have the trucks lit up like a Christmas tree😂

[@cashtows]

thanks for commenting! I really appreciate it.

[@brandondeboer9792]

I noticed the SUV in this video had some tow hooks installed but were not used. Is is better to use the tow points on the frame instead?

[@cashtows]

I wouldn’t recommend using those hooks. Always grab the frame if you can. Trucks and SUVs shouldn’t have an issue finding hook points on the frame.

[@leonardoolmos7112]

Lo único que le falta esa plataforma son topes para las ruedas delanteras y no renegas en poner las trakas o lingas para trabar las ruedas. Salu2 desde Argentina

[@cashtows]

Thank You!

[@user-qy7ry8ku8n]

Are there a school that you can go to I already have CDL,great class

[@cashtows]

Yea, many states have classes held by local towing companies. There’s also Wreck Master.

[@justice8563]

If you have a fuel leak what type of tow truck should be used, the garage is about 4 miles away. I live on a narrow dead end road so I’m concern how they are going to loaded the vehicle since the Blazer is facing forward and there is no way to get in front of it? Can they put it on the flat bed facing backwards, or doesn’t it matter? Never had anything towed before so I’m concern.

[@cashtows]

If it’s leaking fluids, flatbed is the way to go as it’s easier to contain. They should be able to load backwards, making sure nothing will be damaged by pulling backwards. Sounds like it will be a slow transport, not getting on any highways. Should be an easy hook but every situation is different.

[@CanadianMapleleaf]

Question why not put vehicle in park while in transport? Thanks for the video.

[@cashtows]

Great Question! I am Level 2/3 Wreckmaster Certified and during the class, the instructor explained that there is no reason to put the vehicle in park during transport. Why? Because you're supposed to secure your load well enough that in the event of a rollover, you won't lose your load. So whether it's in park or neutral, it shouldn't matter as long as you're securing your load properly.

[@CanadianMapleleaf]

Thank you for the reply!

[@fredc8618]

​@cashtows what are some safety precautions to take when unloading u should make a vid on that thats the main part that scares me on thes "roll-backs" pun intended 😅

[@cashtows]

@@fredc8618 I will make a video on that this summer. My equipment is very well maintained and I'm very experienced. That doesn't mean that things won't happen but I would say that 9/10 times, when the vehicle goes rolling down the bed, it's operator error. Guys who have had a car roll off the end of their bed, most likely are not using the winch and just drive the vehicle up the bed. This should NEVER be done for multiple reasons, safety being #1. Thanks for the comment and support!

[@70qq]

🤘

[@noebarcenas9272]

Does raising “the feet” put more stress on the truck? I struggle with steep driveways where the feet hit the concrete and prevent me from moving back. Thanks

[@cashtows]

Good question. I plan on making a video on this in the future. The only way I take on a steep driveway, if I attempt it at all, would be to back up at an angle to the driveway. The steeper the driveway, the more of an angle. Get one rear tire up on the driveway and then crank the wheel to straighten the truck out. Continue backing up and let the other wheel roll up on the driveway. By backing only one wheel on first, hopefully it will get the feet high enough in the air to clear the driveway once the other side rolls on. I hope I explained this well enough. It's a lot easier to show you.

[@pri0r_t0_a_weekago...fukwi48]

@@cashtowsyea it’s like ‘sneaking’ it on so the stabilizer bar doesn’t scrape… agreed

[@AngelRomero-hc7dl]

I need a video of your method to load and drop a car with all or just two wheels locked

[@cashtows]

You got it, it's on my list!

[@charliejuriel2453]

Thanks... How would you load a 4×4 ???

[@cashtows]

I load every vehicle the same way. FWD, RWD AWD, and 4x4. As long as I have 4 points secured, not including the winch, I’m good. The 4 points can be any mix of wheel straps, chains, or tie downs as long as the equipment you’re using is rated correctly. Most of my equipment is rated for 3,400lbs+ each.

[@SeymourBalz]

With a long wheel base like a full size van , why does the bed end of the bed lift hitting the bottom of vehicle as the front wheels put weight on the bed ?

[@cashtows]

I'm sorry but I don't quite understand your question. Do you mean when the vehicles front wheels leave the bed and then the bed pops up? If so, it's because the air was never released from the rear air bags. I hope this answered your question.

[@SeymourBalz]

@@cashtows OK.E350 Powerstroke Van. As he lowered van back to ground...it rolled back, rear wheels now on ground, Van's front wheels still on tow bed, The back end of bed shot up slaming bottom of van. I didn't like it .. But oh well. Next day heavy diesel smell. I looked underneath , He flattened my fuel tank AND DRIVESHAFT !! (Aluminum I might add) It's over now, but I was just wondering what HE...did wrong . Dude...once rear wheels grounded....bed SHOT UP !

[@cashtows]

Thanks for the clarification and I'm sorry this happened to your van. First question I would have is did the tow truck have air ride suspension in the rear? If so, he could have forgot to dump the bags, so when the rear wheels left the bed, it took the weight off and acted as a spring board slamming into the bottom of the van. I'm actually surprised by the amount of damage this caused. Unless he drove the car off the bed, which is not the proper way to tow, I don't know why the bed would shoot up that fast, ESPECIALLY with the front wheels still being on the bed. It's one of those things where I would have to be there to see what was going on.

[@SeymourBalz]

@@cashtows Thanks for the reply. It was like the front of the van still being on the bed..ahead of the bed pivot point, Teder tawdered it ! My drive shaft had a crease in it so deep it actually cracked open at the ends of the crease. Kinda like ya hit it with an ax! Thanks again.

[@cashtows]

So it sounds like the driver hit the wrong lever. My guess is he hit the lever to lower the wheel lift which would cause the bed to rise. I really couldn’t think of any other way this could possibly happen. Do you know if he had a wheel lift on his truck?

[@smart.hashmi21]

Hey I'm Marketer and wants to run ads and also want to handle the load but don't know from where i can get the truck to tow the car

[@cashtows]

You can look online to find a truck. There are a bit over priced. You might find a deal on Facebook Marketplace but you’ll have to be quick!

[@kingssa9761]

Why would you leave the vehicle in neutral during transport ???

[@cashtows]

Why tow in park? It takes more time to put it in park and then back into neutral when loading and unloading. As long as you’ve got 4 points secure, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Thanks for watching, greatly appreciated!

[@zackarygibson506]

So technically, you’re using a eight point tiedown system and you really only have to do the front corner tire and the back corner tire

[@cashtows]

Yes I’m using an 8 point tie down system but you need to secure 4 points of the vehicle. If you only secure one front corner and one rear corner, that’s only 2 points. You need to secure 4 points of the vehicle in order to be secure.

[@jonanderson9210]

Thank you...... but "No Chocks"? At all? Without a long story one single block of wood or any chock will save your ass if you fail to recognize a grade or unlevel surface. I always have 4 on the bed within reach. (I'm in Colorado at 8,000', things can roll a long long way here)

[@israelrodriguez9820]

Ablan es pañol te interesa traer grúas a Querétaro México tengo una consesion de tramo federal

[@cashtows]

I can honestly say that I’ve never personally broke a winch cable or had a winch fail nor have I personally seen it happen. Not that it couldn’t but I’d like to know if winch failed on its own or was it user fault/poorly maintained equipment.

[@cashtows]

Interesante, me gustaría aprender más. ¿Puedes enviarme un correo electrónico? cashtows.com