Flatbed tow trucks, also called rollbacks or car carriers, have a distinctive profile: a cab, a tall headboard and a long tilting deck. That shape gives you branding space that other recovery trucks lack, and it also brings a few limits that a good design has to respect.
We design and install branding on flatbed tow trucks that the customer owns or operates. For general flatbed trucks that carry freight, see flatbed truck branding; for the tilt-and-slide car carrier, see rollback truck branding.
What we can brand
- Headboardlarge logo, name and service line
- Deck sidessingle-line lettering and reflective band
- Toolbox and locker doorscontact line and fleet number
- Cab doorsname, contact line and unit number
- Mudguards and skirtscolour blocks and reflective stripes
- Rear of deckreflective detail
The headboard is your billboard
The headboard stands behind the cab and faces forward when the truck is on the road, and it is also visible as the truck loads at the roadside. It is a flat, rectangular panel and suits a large logo, the company name and a service line. Because it is a structural part that takes the load of the vehicle being carried, we avoid anything that could be damaged by chains or straps, and we choose laminate and vinyl that tolerate impact.
Deck sides and the tilt bed
The deck edge is narrow, so lettering is usually a single line of cut vinyl, with a reflective band beneath. Large printed images do not suit this area. Under the deck, the toolboxes and storage lockers have flat doors that carry the contact line and fleet number. The deck surface itself is not branded; it must stay clear and non-slip. Winch controls, lights and tie-down points are kept free of vinyl, and we mark these areas on the proof so you can confirm them.
Cab and chassis
The cab doors carry the company name and contact line, as on any truck. Mudguards, fuel tank covers and side skirts are useful for colour blocks and reflective stripes, which help the truck read from a distance. Note that heat from exhausts and the way surfaces flex affect adhesion, so we leave those areas unbranded or use lettering suited to the conditions.
Reflective graphics and visibility
Flatbeds load and unload beside traffic, often at night. Reflective vinyl on the rear of the deck, the headboard edge and the lower body makes the truck easier to see when it is stationary. Graphics add to lights and markings the truck must carry; they do not replace them. See reflective tow truck graphics for the options.
Suitable branding options
At a glance
Flatbed tow truck branding makes the most of the distinctive shape of a rollback or car carrier: a cab, a tall headboard and a long tilting deck. The headboard is ideal for the company name and phone line, because it faces the traffic behind and the vehicle being loaded. Side rails, deck edges, toolboxes and cab doors can carry service information, area names and reflective striping. Because a flatbed is often photographed at the roadside, a clear headboard design also works as free advertising whenever the truck is seen with a vehicle loaded.
Bus & Truck Branding South Africa designs, prints and installs flatbed tow truck branding for towing companies, accident management businesses, dealerships, vehicle transporters and roadside rescue operators. Graphics are prepared to suit the make and body builder, with sensible placement around hydraulic arms, lights, ramps and access panels. Operators in Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria, Midrand, Centurion, Durban and Cape Town can send photos and a short brief to request a quote for a single car carrier or a matching fleet. Reflective trim and printed lettering can be combined, so the truck looks sharp by day and is visible after dark. Visits to the Rivonia studio are by appointment only.
Common questions
Can you brand the deck itself?
No. The deck is a working surface and is left clear. We brand the headboard, sides, cab and lockers.
Will chains and straps damage the headboard graphic?
They can, which is why we choose durable materials and keep the strongest design away from contact points.
Can you match my other tow trucks?
Yes. We adapt your master livery to flatbeds, wheel-lifts and wreckers.
Do flatbeds need reflective graphics?
They are strongly worth considering for night work, though they are additional to required lights and markings.