Towing is one of the oldest industries that existed even before the existence of cars. After the advent of vehicles, there were no tow trucks; instead, people used animals to pull broken-down vehicles out of a ditch, mud, snow, or anywhere else. Vehicles were left abandoned if not towed. Until Ernest Holmes, a mechanic, invented the first towing truck in 1916 after a challenging roadside recovery. Meanwhile, Canada is the country to possess the world’s most giant tow trucks.
There are different types of tow trucks used for multiple purposes. But not all towing trucks are the same; neither are used for the same purposes. Not all towing companies own every type of tow truck as part of their fleet.
Depending on your need, you can choose the type of tow truck that works best for your vehicle and situation. When you call a tow truck service, you need to know the specific type of tow truck to fulfill your towing needs.
That’s why we have listed the various tow trucks used worldwide. At the end of this post, you’d have enough knowledge to choose the right truck for your needs. You might also differentiate between them and see how and when they are used.
Types of Towing Trucks
We can differentiate types of tow trucks based on how the vehicle is hauled and the features of each tow truck. These can also be categorized based on their towing capacity. Here are some of the common tow trucks:
Hook and Chain Tow Truck
It is one of the oldest ways of towing vehicles. Nowadays, this method of towing is rarely used. This method puts a lot of pressure on the car being towed. As evident by the name, it uses a hook and chain to haul a car.
The hook is used to hoist the vehicle’s bumpers or axle, that can sustain damage during the tow. The chain may also damage the frame of the car. In addition, this towing method is unsuitable for all-wheel vehicles as it can damage their drivetrain. However, it can be an excellent towing method for transporting totaled/wrecked cars.
Flatbed Tow Truck
Also known as a slide or rollback tow truck, its name is taken from how it works. One of the best features of this tow truck is tilting its back end and lowering it to the ground, allowing the car to be driven onto its flat surface.
Once the vehicle is secured on the deck, it is lowered back to its normal position. This tow truck is one of the renowned trucks for towing different cars and heavy equipment. It is one of the most secure ways of towing where the vehicle sits entirely off the ground. A winch is used to pull the vehicle onto the flatbed if the car is undrivable.
Wheel Lift Tow Truck
After flatbed, a wheel lift tow truck is the most commonly used tow truck. It is the advanced version of a hook and chain tow truck but doesn’t have any hook and chain. This tow truck employs a metal yolk to place under the vehicle’s front or rear wheels for hauling.
A hydraulics system hoists the car by lifting the yolk placed under the wheels, and the other two wheels remain on the ground. While using this truck, there’re chances of getting the vehicle’s front bumper damaged. The best advantage of this tow truck is it is swift, simple, and relatively easy to tow vehicles. It is the best truck to tow compact cars for short distances and vehicles stuck in tight spots.
Boom Truck
This truck uses a boom, also known as a hydraulic arm, that extends out past the vehicle that needs to be towed. The boom trucks seem like a miniature version of a crane. When you see this truck, you might consider it a truck used for elector work. However, it is used for many purposes; one function of this truck is towing.
When towing, it remains fixed, making it a stable truck for towing. In the past, it worked the same as the hook and chain method. However, this truck is now equipped with belt lifts or slings that are safer than hook and chain method. Along with the winch and strap, it can lift vehicles from dangerous spaces where a regular tow truck might now work.
Still, this truck does not work best for all-wheel vehicles as it could damage its drivetrain.
Integrated Tow Truck
Integrated tow truck uses different mechanisms for hauling vehicles. It is the hybrid version of a boom and wheel lift integrated into one unit. This truck is large and powerful to move large vehicles. It uses a highly stable arm to pull heavy loads bigger than the truck itself.
A typical tow truck may find it difficult to tow large trucks and buses, but an integrated tow truck won’t. It has an extra axle strengthening it to remain stable for large and heavy loads to get vehicles out of difficult situations. This truck is used both for recovery and towing purposes.
Read also: Top reasons to hire a tow truck company
Oversized Tow Truck
An oversized tow truck is used for towing and transporting large-scale operations. These are typically used for towing large boards or vehicles. Most of the towing companies won’t have these types of tow trucks. However, few towing companies may have these as part of their fleet for moving oversized vehicles and heavy equipment.
Which Tow Truck Do You Need?
Now that you have enough information about the different towing trucks, you can decide which one to choose per your need. So whenever you call a tow truck company, you need to provide information about your vehicle and the situation you are caught in. You must also inform the towing company if you own an all-wheel drive. A flatbed tow truck might be an excellent choice if you are worried about potential damage during a tow.
In addition, if your car is totaled and stuck in a dangerous spot, you may need a truck with a powerful winch to pull the car. You need to inform the tow truck company about the vehicle’s make and model, size, location, and reason for the breakdown. Most towing companies will send the proper tow truck per your situation, as they are experts in dealing with such issues.
Quick Sum Up
You may be surprised to know the number of tow trucks used in the market for different purposes. Motorists should have a basic knowledge of these trucks to make the right choice whenever there is a need. It will help them have a safe towing experience. A professional towing company will always dispatch the right tow truck to fulfill the customers’ towing needs. However, you must double-check the type of tow truck you need before calling a tow truck service.
Why SPN America Roadside?
When it comes to towing, recovery, and roadside assistance, SPN America Roadside is the go-to service you need. It is an on-demand network of towing companies to help stranded motorists get back on the road quickly. You will get prompt assistance from the nearest tow truck provider whenever your vehicle breaks down in the middle of the road. They’ll send the most suitable towing truck as per your situation. So, whenever you are stranded, rely on SPN America Roadside for a quick, safe, affordable towing experience.