Picking the right tow truck for our load can sometimes be hectic. Over the years, tow trucks have evolved with technology to better suit our needs. There are different types of trucks which are best suited for our loads. These trucks are usually used in towing heavy-duty loads, and each requires specialized skills for safe trailering. Some of these trucks include;

1.     Flatbed Tow truck

This truck has a body length of 6 meters and, it has a winch and hook, hydraulic system, and a control system. The winch pulls the loads onto the bed using a system of levers. Their bodies can be made of steel or aluminum. The Steel-made ones are tough although, they are prone to rust. The aluminum types are rust-resistant but are prone to fractures.

Once we pull the load to its long hydraulic flatbed, we use towing chains or towing ratchets to fasten the cargo in place and secure them while in transit.  These towing ratchets replaced ancient robes. This type of truck is suitable for medium or heavy-duty and not light-duty. Light-duty towing may result in overloading.

2.     Hook and Chain Tow Truck

This truck is the oldest type that uses a hook to attach to the vehicle’s axle or loop chains around our vehicles. It then lifts off the ground the front or rear set of wheels and pulls it behind the truck. This method can severely damage our vehicles therefore, we mostly use them to transport scrap vehicles.

3.     Boom Trucks for heavy Towing

They are mobile cranes that can lift close to 70 tons of weight. Their operator cabin can be fixed cabin boom trucks or swing boom trucks with a different cab on the flatbed. The boom is typically the arm that lifts, lowers, or moves the load. With these features, we can use them to lift vehicles stuck in demanding places during roadside assistance.

4.     Wheel-lift tow truck

They are an upgrade of the hook and chain type with a collection of tow bars, rubber mats, and belt lifts.  It best suits our short distance and light-duty towing. It’s made up of a hydraulic boom and crossbars at the end.  The hydraulic boom extends the bars/yolk underneath the front wheel or rear wheels of our vehicle depending on its transmission. It then lifts the hooked end and tows the vehicle.

We can use this tow truck for towing cars in the middle of traffic, in tight parking spaces, and on narrow roads.

5.     Rotator trucks

We use it to lift heavy duty loads since it’s among the largest and heaviest truck that can rotate 360° and lift vehicles from approximately 28 feet. Their crane-like boom can be fixed or pivoted. These trucks are best suited for heavy towing needs. It’s similar to boom trucks in most ways.

6.     Integrated Tow Trucks

In case we need to tow vehicles for repossession or those vehicles that are illegally parked, Integrated tow trucks are our suitable towing option. The operator/driver can lift the vehicle while in the cabin therefore it takes them the shortest time to lift and tow the vehicle. It combines the wheel lift and boom features into one unit with an added axle for super heavy and large vehicles. You can know more about how to perform lift flatbed towing services here.