---
title: "Equipment — TowingDad"
canonical: https://towingdad.shop/equipment/
lang: en
---

# Equipment
The equipment that arrives decides whether your vehicle arrives intact. The rule governing everything else is simple: drive wheels must come off the ground, and a flatbed is correct for every drivetrain.

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## Flatbed
Carries the whole vehicle off the ground. Correct for every drivetrain and required for EVs.

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## Wheel-lift
Lifts one axle. Correct only if the lifted wheels are the drive wheels.

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## Tow dolly
Two wheels on a small platform. Never for all-wheel drive.

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## Rotator
Slewing boom for rollovers and heavy recovery.

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## Kinetic recovery strap
Stretches 20–30% to absorb snatch energy. Not a tow strap.

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## [Hitches and classes](/equipment/hitches/)
Receiver, ball mount and ball — the combination is limited by the lowest of the three.

## Which tow method is safe
Which tow method is safe| Drivetrain | Flatbed | Wheel-lift (drive wheels up) | Tow dolly | Flat tow (4 down) 

| Front-wheel drive | ✓Safe | ✓Safe, front up | ✓Safe, front on dolly | ✕No 

| Rear-wheel drive | ✓Safe | ✓Safe, rear up | !Rear on dolly only | !Manual only 

| All-wheel drive | ✓Safe | ✕Drivetrain damage | ✕Drivetrain damage | ✕No 

| Four-wheel drive | ✓Safe | !Manual only | !Manual only | !Transfer case in N 

| Electric vehicle | ✓Required | ✕Pack damage / fire | ✕Pack damage / fire | ✕Never 

| Motorcycle | ✓Required, strapped | ✕No | ✕No | ✕No