As cars and trucks get bigger and heavier, the need for specialized tow trucks grows.
There are now a variety of tow truck types to suit every need.
But what are they exactly and what do you use them for?
A tow truck (also known as a wrecker, breakdown truck, or a breakdown lorry), is a large vehicle used for towing disabled vehicles.
With a tow truck, you can not only tow a damaged vehicle, but you can also transport it to a different location for getting it repaired.
These trucks are essentially useful for keeping the roads clear and safe.
Types of Tow Trucks
With increasing vehicle sizes and weights, the need for specialized tow trucks and recovery vehicles has also increased. There is now a tow truck type to suit every need.
Here is a look at different types of tow trucks and what they are used for.
1. Wheel-Lift Tow Truck
A wheel-lift tow truck is a specialized vehicle designed for towing vehicles that have either been involved in an accident or broken down.
A wheel-lift tow truck uses a metal yoke to cradle the front or rear wheels of the vehicle and lift it off the ground.
This allows the tow truck to tow the vehicle without damaging it.
Wheel-lift tow trucks are also sometimes equipped with winches, which can be used to pull vehicles out of ditches or other difficult situations.
Whether you need a tow because you’ve been in an accident or your truck has broken down, a wheel-lift tow truck is the best option for getting your vehicle to safety.
2. Flatbed Tow Truck
A flatbed tow truck is a type of tow truck that uses a flatbed to transport vehicles.
The flatbed is able to lower down to the ground, making it easier to load and unload vehicles.
This type of tow truck is often used for heavy-duty vehicles, such as buses and tractor-trailers.
Flatbed tow trucks are also used to transport cars that have been in accidents.
The flatbed provides a stable surface for the car, preventing it from rolling off during transport.
Flatbed tow trucks are an essential part of any tow truck fleet, and they can be found at most auto repair shops and towing companies.
3. Boom Truck
A boom truck is a truck with a crane attached to its bed. The crane is used to hoist heavy loads onto the bed of the truck or to move them around.
Boom trucks are commonly used in construction and landscaping, as they allow workers to safely and efficiently move materials around the job site.
Boom trucks come in a variety of sizes and configurations and can be equipped with different types of cranes, depending on the needs of the job.
Some boom trucks also have extendable beds, which can be used to transport longer loads.
Whether you need to move a load of lumber or load a refrigerator onto a moving truck, a boom truck can make the job easier.
4. Hook and Chain Tow Truck
A hook and chain tow truck is a type of tow truck that uses a metal chain and hook to attach to the front or back of a vehicle.
The chain is looped around the front axle or rear axle, and the hook is attached to the frame of the tow truck.
Hook and chain tow trucks are commonly used to tow vehicles that have been involved in accidents, or that have been parked illegally.
They are also sometimes used to move vehicles that are too large to be towed by a standard tow truck.
5. Integrated Tow Truck
An integrated tow truck is a type of tow truck that is specifically designed to work with a semi-trailer truck.
The tow truck and the trailer are connected together via a fifth-wheel coupler, which allows the two vehicles to move in unison.
This type of tow truck is frequently used to transport vehicles that have been involved in accidents, as well as to clear away debris from the roadway.
In addition, integrated tow trucks are often used to provide assistance to disabled vehicles that are unable to be pulled by a standard tow truck.
6. Underlift or Frame-Towing Tow Truck
Underlift tow trucks are ideal for towing vehicles that have been in accidents because they can quickly and easily remove disabled vehicles from the road.
However, they are not well suited for towing vehicles that have broken down, because they can damage the vehicle’s suspension.
As a result, most tow truck companies will also have flatbed tow trucks in their fleet.
7. Rollback Tow Truck
Rollback tow trucks are typically used to tow disabled or damaged vehicles, but they can also be used to transport vehicles that have been involved in accidents.
Rollback tow trucks are equipped with a winch that is used to pull the vehicle onto the bed of the truck.
Once the vehicle is on the bed, the winch is used to secure it in place.
Rollback tow trucks are available in a variety of sizes and configurations, making them well-suited for a variety of needs.
8. Medium Duty Wrecker
A medium-duty wrecker is a specialized tow truck used to transport vehicles that are too large or heavy to be towed by a standard tow truck.
Medium duty wreckers typically have a lifting capacity of up to 10 tons, making them ideal for transporting vehicles such as buses, RVs, and commercial trucks.
In addition to their lifting power, medium-duty wreckers also have a variety of other features that make them well-suited for their tasks, such as winches, ramps, and dollies.
While they are often used by tow companies to move disabled vehicles, they can also be used in construction and other industries for tasks such as hauling equipment and materials.
No matter what the application, a medium-duty wrecker is a versatile and powerful tool that can get the job done.
9. Heavy Duty Wrecker
Heavy Duty Wrecker is a type of tow truck that is used to move disabled, improperly parked, impounded, or otherwise indisposed vehicles.
This includes cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and construction equipment.
A heavy-duty wrecker has a heavier capacity than a standard tow truck and is typically used for larger vehicles.
Most heavy-duty wreckers are equipped with a boom winch to lift the vehicle onto the bed of the truck.
The vehicle is then secured with chains or straps before being transported to the desired location.
Many heavy-duty wreckers also have onboard generators and air compressors to provide power for lights and tools.
10. Semi-Truck Tractor with a Trailer
A Semi-Truck Tractor with a Trailer and a Full Load of Vehicles is a large truck that is used to transport goods across long distances.
The tractor part of the truck is used to pull the trailer, which is attached to the back of the truck.
The trailer is usually filled with goods that need to be transported, such as cars, trucks, or other vehicles.
The semi-truck tractor with a trailer and a full load of vehicles is a very big and powerful machine that is essential for long-distance transportation.
Without these trucks, it would be very difficult to move large quantities of goods from one place to another.
These trucks are usually driven by professional drivers who have years of experience driving long distances.
If you ever see one of these trucks on the road, it’s best to give them a wide berth!
How Does a Tow Truck Work?
Tow trucks come in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on their intended use.
The most common type of tow truck is the flatbed, which uses a hydraulic lift to load and transport vehicles.
Other types of tow trucks include wheel-lift, hook-and-chain, and boom trucks.
Tow trucks are particularly designed to move disabled or illegally parked vehicles.
Most tow trucks have a boom winch, which is used to lift the vehicle onto the bed of the truck.
The vehicle is then secured with chains or straps before being transported to the desired location.
In some cases, the tow truck may also be equipped with a dolly, which is used to support the front wheels of the vehicle being towed.
This prevents the vehicle from damaging the tow truck while it is being towed.
What are the Different Uses of a Tow Truck?
Besides picking up the improperly parked cars, towing companies also use their tow trucks for other services such as:
- Picking up abandoned vehicles
- Transporting vehicles to impound lots
- Assisting motorists who have run out of gas
- Providing jump-starts for vehicles with dead batteries
- Flat tire changes and winching vehicles out of ditches
- Picking up wrecked or broken-down vehicles during accidents
What is the Average Cost of a Tow Truck to Buy?
Tow trucks can be purchased new or used.
New tow trucks can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000, depending on the size and features of the truck.
Used tow trucks are typically cheaper and are available for sale, but they may not have all of the features of a new tow truck.
When purchasing a tow truck, it is important to consider the type of vehicle that will be towed and the features that are desired.
What Does a Tow Truck Look Like – How Big are They?
There are many different types of tow trucks, but they all share a few common features.
All tow trucks have a platform or bed that is used to haul away disabled vehicles, and most have some kind of crane or winch system that is used to load the vehicle onto the truck.
Tow trucks come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and some are even designed to work with specific types of vehicles.
The biggest tow trucks can haul away vehicles that weigh up to 75 tons, while the smallest ones are designed for towing motorcycles or small cars.
FAQs
Do all tow trucks have a dolly?
No, not all tow trucks have a dolly.
Dollies are typically only used with wheel-lift tow trucks, and they are used to support the front wheels of the vehicle being towed.
This prevents the vehicle from damaging the tow truck while it is being towed.
Why are tow trucks also called wreckers?
The term “wrecker” is actually a very old one that was once used to describe a type of horse-drawn carriage that was used to transport goods.
Over time, the term came to be associated with vehicles that were used to transport disabled or damaged vehicles.
Nowadays, the term “wrecker” is used interchangeably with “tow truck” because tow trucks take cars that are “wrecked” and transport them to the desired location.
Wrecker vs rollback – are they the same or different?
Wreckers and rollbacks are actually two different types of tow trucks.
Wreckers are designed for towing vehicles that are disabled or damaged, while rollbacks are designed for transporting vehicles that are not disabled.
Rollbacks typically have a flatbed that can be used to load and transport vehicles, while wreckers typically have a boom winch that is used to load disabled vehicles onto the bed of the truck.
Conclusion
There are many different types of tow trucks that are used for a variety of purposes.
From flatbed tow trucks to heavy-duty wreckers, these machines play an important role in keeping our roads clear and safe.
If you ever need to have a vehicle towed, be sure to choose the right type of tow truck for the job.
And if you’re ever driving behind one of these trucks, be sure to give them plenty of space!