A lot of drivers still think a tow rope is the cheap and easy way to move a broken car. You see it all the time. One car dragging another down a busy road with a rope that looks older than the car itself. Truth is, towing with a rope is not just risky, it can actually wreck your car if you are not careful.
As a recovery company working all over Kent, we see the damage tow ropes cause more often than you’d think. Scraped bumpers, smashed gearboxes, people stuck in the middle of the road because the rope snapped. It is just not worth the stress.
That is why most people now choose flatbed recovery, and why we always recommend it at Reds Recovery Services. Here is the full breakdown of why flatbed recovery is the safer and smarter choice.
1. Tow ropes put a lot of stress on your car
A tow rope looks simple, but it puts huge pressure on the towing points, the bumper, and the gearbox. If the rope jerks even slightly, it can bend metal or damage the drivetrain. If the towing car brakes suddenly, the car behind has almost no control.
With a flatbed recovery truck, the whole car sits safely on the bed. No pulling, no dragging, no extra strain. That is why people searching for flatbed recovery Kent usually want the safest option.
2. You cannot safely tow most modern cars
Most new cars are not designed to be towed with a rope. Especially
- automatics
- electric cars
- hybrids
- cars with all wheel drive
- vehicles with low front bumpers
Dragging these cars on the road can cause gearbox failure or electrical damage. Some cars do not even have proper towing points anymore.
A flatbed avoids all of that by lifting the car completely off the ground. So if you are wondering is towing safe, the answer is yes but only with the right equipment. Tow ropes are not it.
3. Tow ropes are not legal in every situation
People do not always realise that you cannot legally tow with a rope on motorways. If the car cannot steer or brake properly, you should not tow it at all.
Rain, nighttime driving, foggy days, busy roads, these all make rope towing dangerous. The car at the back has no power steering or brakes if the engine is dead. It is basically being dragged along.
With a recovery truck, none of this matters. The vehicle is secure, legal, and fully controlled. That is why recovery trucks replace most roadside towing now.
4. Flatbed recovery prevents further damage
We get a lot of calls where someone tried towing first, then ended up needing us anyway because something broke. Dragging a car with a seized wheel, flat tyre, snapped driveshaft, or any underbody damage can make things a lot worse.
A flatbed avoids all contact with the road, which means
- no tyre damage
- no bumper scraping
- no undercarriage grinding
- no gearbox strain
If you care about the car at all, a flatbed is the safest option.
5. It is just safer for everyone on the road
Tow ropes are unpredictable. They go slack, then tight. They snap. They get tangled. And if the driver at the back is not paying attention for even a second, they can end up hitting the car towing them.
A recovery truck is steady, secure, and visible. Bright lights, proper signals, and a trained driver. When we move your vehicle, you know it is being handled by someone who does this every day.
For vehicle transport in Kent, flatbeds are the industry standard for a reason.
6. Perfect for longer journeys
A tow rope is barely safe for a short drive. Anything over a mile becomes risky. If you need your car moved across towns like Sittingbourne to Maidstone or Rochester to Gravesend, towing is not the right choice.
A flatbed can take the car anywhere
- home
- garage
- body shop
- storage yard
And it arrives exactly how it left. No extra damage, no risk.
7. You avoid stress and arguments
Towing with a rope usually means asking a mate or neighbour for help. Then one of you is stressed trying to drive the broken car with no power steering. The other is stressed trying not to break the rope.
A recovery truck keeps things calm. You are not putting anyone at risk. You are not arguing about who brakes first. You just call us, we load it up, and off we go.
When should you never use a tow rope
Here are situations where a tow rope is a bad idea
- engine failure
- automatic gearbox issues
- flat tyre or locked wheel
- accident damage
- car won’t steer
- car won’t brake
- towing on a busy A road or motorway
If any of this sounds familiar, call a recovery truck straight away.
Why use Reds Recovery Services
We use modern Iveco Daily 7.5 ton flatbed trucks that can safely move almost any car or van. We cover all of Kent including
Medway, Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Gravesend, Rochester and all major roads like the A2, M2, A249 and A20.
We give you a clear price over the phone and get to you fast. No contract, no membership, no messing around.
Call 01634 926 801 if you need safe, proper flatbed recovery anywhere in Kent.
Tow ropes might look simple, but they cause more trouble than they solve. Flatbed recovery is safer, cleaner and the best way to move your car without damaging it. If you need help, Reds Recovery Services is always ready.