Towing trucks come in different sizes and shapes, which make them suitable for various towing jobs, from towing a wrecked vehicle to transporting cars and heavy-duty vehicles to longer distances. However, it is important to understand how they work to know when you need them and what type of towing truck will be suitable for your specific needs.
Our blog will answer these questions and also explain the different types of towing trucks and what benefits they bring. Stick to the end to understand them.
When Do You Need Tow Trucks?
Below are some of the situations where you will need a tow truck:
- If your vehicle has met an accident.
- If it has stalled or won’t start.
- If you have run out of fuel.
- If you have a flat tyre and onsite repair is not possible.
- If the vehicle is being transported.
- If the vehicle is stuck in mud, snow or a ditch.
- If the owner is moving to a new home.
What are the Main Types of Tow Trucks?
Flatbed Tow Truck
As the name suggests, flatbed trucks have a flat platform with enough space to carry an entire vehicle safely. These trucks are also known as rollback tow trucks because their flatbed can be rolled down to the ground at an angle to drive the car onto it. These are the most commonly used tow trucks all over the world and can be used in versatile situations.
Benefits of flatbed tow trucks
Safety: It reduces the risk of further damage since your vehicle is completely off the road.
Versatility: It can be used for a variety of vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and even motorcycles.
Efficiency: They are fully equipped and make the loading and unloading of the vehicle very easy.
Relaxation: It provides peace of mind knowing that your car is safely strapped on the truck.
Hook and Chain Tow Truck
These trucks are another example of commonly used tow trucks. These trucks are equipped with a hook that goes under the front bumper of your car and chains that are wrapped around the frame to tightly and securely tie your vehicle to the truck. Then, the front of your vehicle is lifted above the ground using a boom. However, this method involves a risk of damage to the rear of your car.
Benefits of Hook and Chain Tow Trucks
Affordability: It is a relatively cost-effective option due to the absence of complex equipment.
Ease of Use: It offers a quick and easy solution to transport wrecked and damaged vehicles.
Time-Saving: It is a perfect and fast means of towing your vehicle for short distances.
Availability: They have widespread use and are readily available whenever you need them.
Wheel Lift Tow Truck
These tow trucks use a special equipment known as the yoke, which goes underside your vehicle and lifts your vehicle rather than tilt or haul it. Wheel lift is extremely easy to operate and spares very little room for damage. It also offers the flexibility of lifting either side of the vehicle, i.e., front or back. This method is very useful to legally impound wrongly parked vehicles.
Benefits of Wheel Lift Tow Truck
Efficiency: It is an efficient and easy-to-operate method, especially for lighter vehicles.
Accessibility: Wheel lift towing is particularly suitable for tighter and more difficult spots.
Safety: This method reduces the risk of further damage to the vehicle during towing.
Affordability: This method is an extremely cost-effective option for smaller vehicles.
Integrated Tow Truck
Integrated tow trucks are the most powerful towing vehicles. They are outfitted with multiple systems to provide stability and strength during a job. They are used to tow larger vehicles such as trucks, buses, motorhomes and more. They can also be used to remove damaged vehicles from a busy road.
Benefits of an Integrated Tow Truck
Power: They are extremely powerful and are designed for towing vehicles bigger than themselves.
Safety: They are equipped with enhanced safety systems such as stability control and braking.
Versatility: These trucks are equipped with multiple systems and can do the work of different towing trucks.
Ease of Use: These trucks are extremely simple to operate in spite of multiple advanced systems.
Oversized Tow Truck
Oversized trucks are equipped with the systems to lift and tow larger vehicles, such as tractors, buses, boats, and construction rigs. These trucks are useful if you need to transport heavy vehicles to larger distances. They are outfitted with extremely powerful systems specifically designed to tow heavy-duty vehicles.
Boom Tow Truck
Boom truck functions somewhat similarly to the hook and chain truck. however, instead of lifting the front or back of the vehicle, these trucks are equipped with a hydraulic boom that can lift the whole vehicle vertically. Even though these trucks can lift and tow vehicles to shorter distances, they are preferred for lifting vehicles from a dangerous situation and putting them down in a safer area.
How to Choose the Right Tow Truck Type?
There are some factors that you need to consider before choosing the tow truck for your vehicle. The following are those factors:
- The Weight of the Vehicle
- The Type and Size of the vehicle
- Total towing distance
- Local towing rules and regulations
- The towing equipment that you require
