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Vehicle care

Towing a lowered or modified car without damaging it

11 June 2026 · 4 min read

Low front bars, coilovers, big wheels and aftermarket splitters all change how a car should be loaded. Here is what careful loading looks like.

The damage that happens to modified cars during a tow almost always happens in the first thirty seconds of loading, at the point where the approach angle runs out. It is avoidable with the right deck and a bit of patience.

Why a tilt tray is the right tool

A tilt tray drops the deck to the ground and shallows the approach angle, so the car climbs on rather than scraping over a lip. Combined with the winch, it means the car can be brought on slowly and straight, which is exactly what you want when there are only a couple of centimetres to play with.

Tell the operator these things when you book

  • Ride height and whether it has coilovers or air suspension
  • Any front splitter, lip, side skirts or rear diffuser
  • Wheel and tyre size, and whether it has locking wheel nuts
  • Whether it runs, steers and brakes
  • Whether the handbrake works, or if it is a park-brake-only setup

What careful loading looks like

Timber or ramps under the leading edge where clearance is tight. Winch used at a walking pace instead of driving it on. Straps over the wheels rather than chains on suspension components, so nothing is being pulled against a control arm or a coilover body. A final walk around to check every strap before moving.

Air suspension and EVs

Air suspension often has a transport or jack mode; if you know the procedure, share it. Electric vehicles should generally be transported with all four wheels off the ground, which a tilt tray handles naturally, and they are heavier than they look, so the weight matters for the quote.

If you are not sure your car suits a tilt tray, describe it on the phone. We would much rather spend two minutes talking it through than discover the problem in your driveway.

Need a tow right now?

Red Hot Towing runs 24/7 from Caroline Springs across Brimbank City, all of Victoria and interstate. Set price before the truck leaves.

Call 0487 564 229