4 Common Types Of Tow Trucks And How They Are Used
Almost every driver has found themselves stranded somewhere waiting for a tow truck to arrive and get them out of the fix. If your turn comes and you have to call a tow truck company, you'll be asked several questions about your car's make, year, and model. These questions are aimed at determining the right type of tow truck for your car. To help you learn more, here are the common types of tow trucks available.
Flatbed Tow Truck
As the name suggests, these types of trucks have a long flatbed that is capable of tilting towards the ground or sliding out. Once it's tilted to the ground, a car can be driven up and parked on the flatbed. If a vehicle cannot drive on its own, a winch is used to pull it on top of the flatbed.
Many people like the flatbed tow truck because it keeps a car off the ground. This means there is minimal risk of damage. You may also consider hiring this truck if your car is totaled and cannot ride along the road.
Hook-and-Chain Tow Truck
Hook-and-chain trucks are the oldest in the towing business. A large hook is used to secure your car's bumper or axle while chains wrap up the car frame. The front end of your car is then lifted by a boom, leaving the back wheels on the ground.
Today, these tow trucks aren't used as much because they tend to cause significant damage to the axle or bumper of the towed vehicle. However, you can still rent a hook-and-chain truck to pull a car that is stuck in the mud or a ditch. You may also consider it if you're towing an already-wrecked vehicle to the junkyard since you don't care about any further damage at this point.
Integrated Tow Trucks
These tow trucks specialize in towing heavy-duty vehicles like buses and rigs. They feature a boom and wheel lift integrated into one unit. An extra axle is also used to make the tow truck stronger and more stable when transporting large and heavy vehicles.
Contrary to expectations, integrated tow trucks are very fast to hook up to vehicles. Thus, they can also be used for illegal parking applications or when hauling vehicles for repossession.
Wheel Lift Tow Truck
This type of tow truck almost works like the hook and chain truck, only it doesn't use hooks and chains. Instead, a yoke is attached under the front wheels of your car from the back of the tow truck. It lifts the front part of your car while the back wheels remain on the ground. Since there are no chains involved, your vehicle's bumper isn't damaged.
A wheel lift truck can also pull your car away in a few minutes. If you're looking to get your vehicle out of the highway quickly, it may be your best option.
Contact a company that offers towing services to learn more.