A red flatbed tow truck with a silver crossover strapped to its bed, stopped on a gravel shoulder under pines and fall maples

Tow Truck Portland Maine

Flatbeds for EVs, AWD, classics and motorcycles, any hour.

Flatbed and long-distance towing in Portland, Maine

All four wheels off the road, from a short hop across town to a move out of state.

Flatbed towing

When is a flatbed the right tow truck?

A flatbed is the right tow truck whenever a car should not roll on any of its own wheels on the way: electric cars, all-wheel-drive models whose makers call for one, lowered and collector cars, motorcycles, and any car with a broken wheel, axle or brake. We run flatbed towing in Portland at any hour, and we book long-distance towing and car transport ahead for a set day and time.

The difference between the two common kinds of tow truck is where the wheels end up. A wheel-lift truck picks up one end of the car, front or back, on a hydraulic lift or with a hook and chains, and the other two wheels roll along the road behind it. A flatbed carries the whole vehicle on a hydraulic bed, which is why AAA rates flatbeds the safest option: nothing rides on the pavement. On the call, we work out which truck fits and tell you which one is coming.

Electric cars and Teslas

Tesla's manuals for the Model 3 and Model Y name a flatbed truck, or a comparable transport vehicle, as the recommended way to move the car. The Model 3 manual is blunt about the risk: its tires must never be free to spin in transport, because that can badly damage the car and overheat it. Wheel lifts with dollies, which also keep all four wheels up, are allowed for a Model 3 only up to 35 miles and within the dollies' speed rating. A Cybertruck needs a bed 21 feet long or more, with all four tires off the ground. And according to the Model 3 manual, damage from moving the car the wrong way is not covered by Tesla's warranty. For any electric car, we follow the maker's transport instructions, and our default is the flatbed.

All-wheel drive and Subarus

With all-wheel drive, the owner's manual is the rule book. Subaru of America's service newsletter names the flatbed as the recommended way to move a Subaru and sends owners to each model's manual for the specifics. Two models get a firm rule: every BRZ, and the Crosstrek Hybrid from model year 2019, must ride on a flatbed with all four wheels in the air. For an automatic or CVT Subaru towed with all four wheels down, Subaru's ceiling is 20 mph and 31 miles, past which it says the transmission will be damaged. Not sure what your manual says? Tell us the car and its model year, and we will send the flatbed.

Special cases

Which other cars should ride on a flatbed?

Classic and collector cars, lowered cars, motorcycles and any car that cannot roll, steer or brake. Each one needs the whole vehicle carried, and each has its own way of being loaded.

Classic and collector cars

A classic goes up the bed slowly, is tied down with fabric soft straps instead of chains, and rides with every wheel clear of the road. Hagerty, the collector-car insurer, lists flatbed towing with soft straps as part of its own roadside program, and that is the standard we work to for any older or valuable car. Our guide to moving a classic car on a flatbed in Maine goes into more detail.

Lowered cars and low front ends

Ground clearance decides how a car gets onto the bed. A lowered car, a low front spoiler or a long overhang can catch on the lip of the bed or on a wheel-lift's arms. Tell us about it on the call, so the driver can plan the loading angle before the car moves.

Motorcycles

A motorcycle should ride upright on a trailer or flatbed that has a ramp or a lift platform to get it aboard, secured with motorcycle tie-down straps. That is how Honda's owner's manual for the Grom says to carry a bike, and the same manual warns that towing a motorcycle with a wheel or wheels on the ground can cause serious damage to the transmission. We never tow a bike on its own wheels.

Cars that cannot roll, steer or brake

After a crash, or when a wheel, axle, brake or steering part has failed, a car may not be able to roll safely on one or more corners. A wheel-lift leaves one end on the pavement, so a damaged wheel on that end would be dragged the whole way. The flatbed carries all four. If the car was in an accident, our page on collision towing covers what happens at the scene and after.

How it works

How does a flatbed tow truck load a car?

The bed tilts down to the ground, a winch pulls the car up, straps hold it, and the bed levels out, so the car makes the whole trip with its wheels off the road.

The bed tilts. The hydraulic bed slides back and tips until its end meets the ground, which turns it into a ramp.
The car goes into neutral. Some cars need a special mode for this. A Tesla Model Y uses Tow Mode to keep its parking brake released as the winch draws it onto a flatbed, so bring the key.
The winch pulls. A cable from the winch is hooked to the car and draws it slowly up the bed. A car that runs and steers can sometimes be driven up instead, when that is safe.
The car is strapped down. Straps go over the tires or to proper tie-down points. Classic and collector cars get soft straps.
The bed levels. It slides forward and settles flat, and the car stays up there, wheels clear of the road, until it is unloaded the same way at the other end.

Loading is the careful part of the job, and nobody rushes it. Before the car moves, the driver walks around it, with you if you are there, notes any damage that is already on it, and checks that nothing is loose, dragging or leaking.

Before a long move

Take out valuables, the garage opener and anything loose in the cabin or the trunk. The car is strapped down, but loose things inside it can still shift.

Long distance

How does long-distance towing from Portland work?

Long-distance towing is booked like a delivery: we price it on the call by distance, set a day and a time for the pickup, and the car goes straight to where it is going.

Common reasons: a car bought from a seller up the coast, a breakdown you want fixed by your own mechanic back home, a project car headed to a specialist, a house move, or a trip to or from winter storage. Car transport on a flatbed suits all of them, because the miles go on the truck, not on the car.

To Falmouth: 8 miles
To Yarmouth: 12 miles
To Brunswick: 26 miles
To Lewiston: 35 miles
To Boston, MA: 107 miles

Those are driving distances from Portland. The first three follow I-295 and US 1; Lewiston and Boston are I-95 runs. The Lewiston trip alone uses up the full 35 miles that Tesla allows a Model 3 on dollies, which is why a Model 3 going that far rides on the flatbed from the start.

Moves between states

We move cars out of Maine too, to New Hampshire, Massachusetts and beyond, priced the same way by distance, with the pickup and delivery times agreed before the day.

What changes the quote

Distance. Long moves are priced by the distance, door to door.
The vehicle. Size, weight and drivetrain decide the truck and the bed length; a Cybertruck, for one, needs a bed at least 21 feet long.
Whether it rolls. A car that cannot roll, steer or brake takes longer to load and needs more gear.
Where it is. A tight driveway, a low garage ceiling or a narrow lane all take extra planning.

You get one price for the whole move on the call, and nothing is booked until you agree to it. If the job turns out different on the day, you hear the new price before the car is loaded. More on how a towing quote is worked out.

Cars on the islands

Cars cross to and from Peaks Island on Casco Bay Lines' car ferry, the Machigonne II, so ask Casco Bay Lines first whether it will carry a car that cannot drive. We cannot promise to get a car off the island, but once it is on the mainland, we can take it from there. Our guide to getting a dead car off Peaks Island walks through the options.

Before you call

What should you have ready for a flatbed or long-distance tow?

The key, the exact pickup spot, the drop-off details, the car itself and anything about it that does not work. With those, we send the right truck and give you one price.

The key. Leave the key, fob or key card with the car or bring it along. Some cars cannot be put in neutral or tow mode without it.
The pickup spot. The address or nearest corner, and the lot name and level if it is parked in a garage. At the Jetport's five-story garage, give the level by its color: Blue is Level 1, and the colors run up to Yellow on Level 5.
Where it is going. The full address, who will meet the truck, and when they are open. For a scheduled move, the day and the time window that suits you.
The car itself. Make, model and year, whether it is electric, hybrid or all-wheel drive, and any changes such as lowered suspension or oversized wheels.
What does not work. Anything that will not roll, steer, brake or go into neutral, a flat or missing tire, and any fluid leak.

Moving a car for someone else?

That works. Tell us who will hand over the key at pickup and who will take the car at the other end, with a phone number for each.

Coverage

Where do we pick up by flatbed around Portland?

We pick up by flatbed anywhere in Portland, from North Deering and Stroudwater to the West End and Munjoy Hill, and in the towns listed below. From Portland, a car can cross the Fore River to South Portland by the Casco Bay Bridge or Veterans Memorial Bridge, take US 1 over Martin's Point Bridge to Falmouth Foreside, follow I-295 over Tukey's Bridge toward Yarmouth and Brunswick, or join the Maine Turnpike at Exit 48 for the run south.

Whether the job needs a flatbed or just a Portland tow truck with a wheel-lift, one call to our towing company sorts it out. If the car is outside these towns, call anyway and ask.

PortlandSouth PortlandWestbrookFalmouthCape ElizabethScarboroughGorhamWindhamYarmouthCumberlandFreeport

More help

More Portland, Maine towing services

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Does a Tesla need a flatbed tow?

In practice, yes. Tesla recommends a flatbed, or a comparable transport vehicle, for moving a Model 3 or Model Y, and it limits a Model 3 on wheel lifts and dollies to 35 miles. We send a flatbed for every Tesla.

Should an AWD car go on a flatbed?

When in doubt, yes, and the owner's manual has the final word. Subaru of America's recommended method for moving a Subaru is a flatbed, and every BRZ, plus the Crosstrek Hybrid from model year 2019, must go on one with all four wheels in the air. We use the flatbed for all-wheel-drive cars unless the manual allows otherwise.

Do you tow cars out of state from Portland?

Yes. Long-distance moves, out-of-state trips included, are priced by distance when you call and booked for a set day and time. By car, Brunswick is 26 miles from Portland, Lewiston 35 and Boston 107.

How much does long-distance towing cost?

You get one price for the whole move on the call, before anything is booked. It depends on the distance, the vehicle, whether it can roll and steer, and where it is picked up. If anything changes on the day, we tell you before the car is loaded.

Can you tow a motorcycle on a flatbed?

Yes. The bike goes aboard by ramp or lift and is held with motorcycle tie-down straps, as Honda's owner's manual for the Grom describes. Honda warns that towing a motorcycle with a wheel down on the road risks serious damage to the transmission.

Do you use soft straps on classic cars?

Yes. Classic and collector cars are held with soft straps and carried with every wheel clear of the road. Hagerty, the collector-car insurer, lists flatbed towing with soft straps as part of its roadside program.

Need a flatbed in Portland, or a car moved farther?

Give us the car, the pickup and the destination, and you get the price for the whole trip before anything is booked.

The make, model and year, plus electric or all-wheel drive if it applies
Where it is - street, driveway or garage level
Where it is going, and the day and time that suit you
Anything that will not roll, steer or brake

Call (207) 501-3920 Free quote