How to tow a lowered, exotic or classic car in Calgary without scraping: loading angles, tie-downs and what to tell dispatch. Dave's Towing 24/7: 403-272-3944.
A low front splitter, a fresh paint job or a numbers-matching drivetrain changes how a car should be towed. The everyday approach that works for a commuter sedan can crack a bumper cover, scrape a rocker or stress a part that's hard to replace. Owners of lowered, exotic and classic vehicles are right to ask questions before anyone hooks up their car.
Dave's Towing Services has moved cars in Calgary since 1992 and runs 24/7. Over the years we've loaded sports cars, project cars, collector vehicles and freshly painted builds. You can see some of them in our latest jobs. Here's what matters, and how you can help the move go smoothly.
For most specialty vehicles, flatbed towing is the best option. The whole car rides on the deck with all four wheels off the road, so there's no drivetrain wear, no risk to a bumper from a wheel-lift, and less exposure to road spray. A tilting rollback deck can be lowered toward the ground to reduce the loading angle, and the car is winched on slowly rather than driven up a steep ramp.
Wheel-lift towing still has its place. Some cars are best moved that way out of a tight spot before they're loaded. But for a low or valuable car, we'll normally plan for the deck.
The trickiest moment is usually the transition from the ground to the deck. Watch for these trouble spots:
Extra ramp length, wood blocks or careful positioning can reduce the angle. On very low cars, we take the loading slowly and stop to check clearances.
Specialty vehicles shouldn't be secured just anywhere. Strapping through a suspension arm or around a painted part can damage it. Depending on the car, we use wheel straps (sometimes called wheel nets or lasso straps) that hold the tire rather than the body, or the manufacturer's recommended tie-down points. If your car has specific instructions in the owner's manual, or a tow eye stored in the trunk, let us know where it is.
The best moves start with an honest description. When you call 403-272-3944, mention:
Photos help a lot. If the car is in a garage, show us the driveway slope and the space around the car.
Cars with adjustable air suspension should be raised to their highest setting before loading, if they'll still power on. Many modern performance and exotic cars have electronic parking brakes, transport modes or neutral procedures that differ from model to model. If you're not sure, check the manual or ask your dealer. We'd rather wait a few minutes to get it right than force anything.
Older cars bring their own challenges. A project car may have no brakes, no engine, soft tires or a floor that's partly rusted out. A just-restored classic may have fresh chrome and paint that can't be touched. Tell us which situation you're in. A car that doesn't roll may need to be winched carefully onto the deck, and missing parts or loose panels should be removed or secured before the move. Our page on exotic and classic car transport covers more.
Calgary winters add salt, gravel and slush to the roads, and a chinook can turn a dry day into a wet one. If you're moving a show car or freshly painted vehicle, consider timing the move around the weather when you can. In an emergency, of course, we'll come when you need us.
In most cases, yes. Tell us the ride height and what's under the front bumper so we can plan the loading angle before we arrive.
No. We secure specialty vehicles by the wheels or by suitable tie-down points, depending on the car.
Yes, as long as the job is light or medium duty. Let us know whether it rolls and steers so we can plan to winch it onto the deck.
Call Dave's Towing at 403-272-3944, 24/7.
