Believe it or not, your car is most likely to break down at the unexpected moment.
One minute, you could be enjoying the ride, and the next minute, you’ll find yourself in the middle of nowhere looking for towing help. Crazy, isn’t it?
Car troubles don’t come with warning signs. You have to stay well-prepared to deal with it. But how would you deal with a broken car?
Definitely, the only way is to get tow truck help to get early assistance from a professional mechanic. But how to call for the right type of tow truck? Are there any pros or cons of doing so?
We’ll break down everything for you!
What Is A Tow Truck?
Before we get into the types of tow trucks, let’s take a look at what a tow truck is.
Basically, it is a wrecker or breakdown truck usually used to move broken, damaged cars from one place to another. However, a tow truck can also be used to transport illegally parked cars.
Tow trucks come in handy for a lot of operations. But most probably you’ll find it useful for moving vehicles. Here are some common tow truck types that can make towing easy.
1. Flatbed Tow Trucks
Of all the different types of tow trucks, the flatbed seems to be the most useful one. Why? Because it features a long hydraulic bed that easily tilts down to pick up the vehicle.
So let’s put down some advantages or disadvantages of flatbed tow trucks.
Advantages
- Suitable for long-distance haulage
- Ideal for towing luxury cars or low-clearance vehicles
- Will not cause damage to the towed vehicle
Disadvantages
- Time-consuming
- Not well suited for very large or extremely heavy vehicles
When to Use:
Flatbeds are perfect for luxury rides, motorcycles, or broken-down cars that can’t be towed with their wheels touching the ground. If you’ve searched online for different kinds of tow trucks, this one probably popped up first.
2. Hook and Chain Tow Trucks
If you want to try the old-school way, go for a hook and chain tow truck. To tow your vehicle, you can put on a chain with a hook.
It will help you lift the vehicle from the front and make it simpler to move. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of hook and chain tow trucks.
Advantages:
- Easy to tow
- Perfect for scrapped or broken vehicles
Disadvantages:
- Prone to damage
- Not suitable for high end cars
These work best for chunky junk vehicles or cars. They are effective for transporting damaged vehicles to the junkyard. These tow truck models, however, are not the best to use for high-end or luxury vehicles.
3. Wheel-Lift Tow Trucks
Consider this to be the more refined version of hook and chain trucks. The wheel lift tow truck is quick and secure and makes towing easy. You do not need to encounter hooks or chains because this truck is equipped with a metal yoke that can lift the car easily off the ground.
Advantages:
- Less chance of damage
- Rapid loading
- Lightweight makes it easy to manoeuvre
Disadvantages:
- Not ideal for long-distance tows
- It can still strain the tyres and suspension
Wheel lift tow trucks are great for short city trips or quick pickups. If you’ve ever had to tow your car in the middle of the city, this truck will get the job done. However, wheel lift towing isn’t handy for first-timers. It is best to seek professional help for towing when stuck on a busy road. You can look for professional towing service providers to keep your vehicle safe and get it fixed without any hassle.
4. Integrated Tow Trucks
This one’s designed for efficiency! These trucks have elements of both wheel-lift and boom tow trucks. With integrated arms in the chassis, they’re able to hook up cars quickly—sometimes without the driver even leaving the cab.
Pros:
- Very speedy and efficient
- Perfect for repossessions or enforcement
- Driven from within the truck
Cons:
- Limited applications
- May not be well-suited for every type of vehicle
- Ideal for rapid-response situations, such as retrieving cars or handling illegally parked vehicles. This tow truck excels in city environments.
5. Heavy Tow Trucks
Now, it’s time for some heavy lifting. These heavy-duty towing trucks can ease the towing process. Built with heavy material, it features strong winches, hydraulic booms, and heavy-duty frames. This tow truck is best used to haul buses, RVs, rigs, and commercial trucks.
Pros
- Can pull tens of thousands of pounds
- Can handle rugged terrain and recovery work
- Durable enough to handle extreme environments
Cons
- Not suitable for your daily riders
- Increased running expense
Get a heavy-duty towing truck if you wish to load heavy machinery or tools. These tow trucks are best for large-scale use.
Now that you know the different types of tow trucks, let’s do a quick comparison of each to help you understand which one is ideal for you.
A Quick Comparison of Common Tow Truck Types
| Tow Truck Type | Best For | Not Ideal For |
| Flatbed | Long hauls, luxury vehicles | Very large or extremely heavy loads |
| Hook and Chain | Junk or wrecked cars | Newer or all-wheel-drive vehicles |
| Wheel-Lift | Urban tows, tight spaces | Long distances or delicate vehicles |
| Integrated (Self-Loader) | Quick repossession, tight spots | Standard everyday cars |
| Heavy-Duty Tow Truck | Large trucks, buses, RVs | Light or compact cars |
Why Knowing Tow Truck Types Is Important?
To tow a car with a truck doesn’t need special training or equipment. You need to know the right type of truck to ease the process. Each towing is unique depending on the situation and needs. That’s why you have a variety of tow truck models to suit each scenario.
Knowing the types of tow trucks isn’t just for the pros, either. It helps drivers make smarter decisions when they need help on the road.
For anyone new to the towing business, knowing about various types of tow trucks is important. You can not use random methods to tow a car and expect the same result. Knowing different types of trucks for towing will keep you safe and handle the situation in the right way.
Ending Note
Breakdowns can never be predicted. But knowing the right tow truck can help you deal with unexpected situations. These tow truck types will help stylish flatbeds with the powerful heavy-duty towing truck; each one is crucial in keeping the roads clear and drivers safe.
The next time you run into a problem on the road, know that you can easily tow it.
And now that you know the pros and cons of the types of tow trucks, you’ll never look at them the same way again.
