Towing companies today use four types of tow trucks. Tow trucks can be categorized as flatbed, hook and chain, wheel lift, integrated, and flatbed. Knowing the differences between tow trucks will help you choose the best one for your needs.

 

Flatbed and Rollback Tow TruckRollback or flatbed tow trucks have a flat-topped, empty bed at the rear that can hold vehicles. These tow trucks use hydraulics to move the flatbed vertically up and down when they need to mount a vehicle.

 

Once the operator is ready to pick up the vehicle, they can place their flatbed on the ground and then drive the car onto it. The operator will use chains or a winch to lift the vehicle onto the bed if it isn't operable. 

 

Once the car is placed on the bed, the powerful hydraulic system of the tow truck lifts it and puts the vehicle behind the cab.

 

Flatbed trucks are simple to use, and you will often see them towing vehicles to their destinations. They are often used by cheap tow truck companies to transport vehicles that have been in an accident or have broken down.

 

Flatbed trucks are popular because they provide a safe method to transport vehicles. This type of tow truck doesn't place any potential dangers on the towed vehicle or drag it on the ground. The flatbed relieves all stress and protects the car from any potential risks during transport.

Read more; How to choose best towing comapny

• Trucks with hook and chain

To tow junked cars, companies use hook-and-chain tow trucks. The trucks have a hook and chain attached at the rear. The theme can be attached to any vehicle that requires a tow or cargo and pulled behind the car by operators. 

 

The hook and chain are connected to the vehicle by an operator lifting one side and suspending the car.

 

These tow trucks drag the vehicle behind them when transporting it to its destination. This type of transport can cause damage to the car being in town. It puts the bumper and other parts in danger, leading to scratches and further cracks. 

 

These tow trucks don't work with all-wheel drive or four-wheel vehicles. Dragging can cause damage to these drives.

 

Companies use hook and chain trucks only for damaged vehicles or cargo that does not require gentle treatment. These were once the most common type of tow truck. These are still useful for specific applications such as towing cars to junkyards.

• Tow trucks with integrated tow trucks

Another type of heavy-duty tow truck is the integrated tow truck. These trucks are designed to assist with the recovery and towing of heavy-duty vehicles such as buses and rigs. 

 

These tow trucks can be hooked up quickly to cars and are often used to tow vehicles for repossession or illegal parking applications.

 

An integrated tow truck typically has a boom and wheel lift into one unit. They can haul heavy and oversized vehicles. This is why they have an additional axle. The extra axle makes the truck more robust and stable, allowing it to withstand heavy truck loads during transport. To give integrated tow trucks more stability, they have their arms in the truck's core.

 

Operators can operate the boom and wheel lift system from the cab. This means they don't need to get out of the truck when picking up a vehicle. This is particularly useful for situations when the operator needs to move quickly and has to repossess a car.

• Wheel Lift Tow Trucks

A wheel lift truck is an upgraded version of the hook-and-chain truck. It lifts the vehicle's front or back and places the other wheels on the road. The tow truck will pull the car behind it as it travels to its destination. These tow trucks are used to transport disabled vehicles to repair shops.

 

A wheel lift truck uses a metal yoke instead of hook and chain tow trucks which rely on chains to secure the vehicle. The operator places the metal yoke under the vehicle's front and back wheels. 

 

To partially lift the car, the truck uses a hydraulic lift or pneumatic hoist. Once the operator has placed the car in the correct position, the operator can drive the tow truck and vehicle to their destination.

These tow trucks are made of metal yokes and not chains. This means that they don't place as much strain on your vehicle. They don't cause damage to the car like hook and chain trucks. 

 

Also, operators don't worry about damaging a vehicle's bumper. This makes wheel lift trucks more suitable for cars that are in dire need of repairs than for those going to a junkyard.