Typically, people in need of a tow will simply call a nearby tow truck company. What many drivers may not be aware of is there are various types of towing services. That said, towing companies need to know the right kind of truck to send to your location if you need emergency towing.

Generally, tow trucks are classified as “heavy-duty” and “light-duty,” depending on the weight they carry. To determine the tow truck you need, key factors like services required, distance, and size and condition of your vehicle will be considered.

Light-Duty Towing

Light duty towing refers to the towing of smaller vehicles or motorcycles. Light-duty towing duties can include:

• Recovering vehicles from accidents
• Removing abandoned vehicles
• Towing vehicles from private properties

Understandably, tow trucks used for light-duty towing are lighter and smaller. Light-duty towing is also considered ideal for the following:

• Breakdowns
• Dealerships
• Accidents
• Motorcycles
• Parking garages
• Exotic cars

There are several semi-tow trucks that work best for light-duty towing. Typically, light-duty tow trucks weigh anywhere between 8,600 and 10,000 pounds. Light-duty tow trucks make use of a winch and cable system. They are also commonly used for routine services (i.e., flat tires, jumpstarts, and engine stalls) and roadside assistance.

The wheel system works by lifting the vehicle from the road (either the back or front wheels) while the two remaining wheels stay on the ground as the vehicle is transported and towed. Vehicles that can be safely and comfortably removed or hauled by light-duty trucks include:

• Minivans
• Motorcycles
• Small trailers
• Pick-up trucks
• SUVs
• Vans
• Sedans
• City driving cars

Heavy-Duty Towing

For oversized and heavyweight vehicles, a larger tow truck is required to carry out the recovery or towing service. Everything comes down to a combination of horsepower and torque. This allows the tow truck driver to pull and move vehicles of any size. The bigger the vehicle that needs to be moved, the bigger the tow truck required.

Vehicles that will need heavy-duty tow trucks include:

• Garbage trucks
• Dump trucks
• Buses
• Motor homes
• Tractors
• Trailers

Heavy-duty tow trucks will require specific features for pulling the vehicles mentioned above. These include:

• 6-ton wheel lift
• 25-ton boom lift
• Winch

Primarily, heavy-duty towing is ideal for huge loads and large cargo, and will require a lot of torque and horsepower to move securely. Heavy-duty towing will also cover the following:

• Frac tanks
• Bobtail trucks
• Boom trucks
• Straight trucks
• Cranes

Usually, heavy-duty tow trucks carry loads weighing 17,000 pounds (or more). Aside from roadside assistance for large vehicles, heavy-duty towing services can also include recovery services or storm damage clearing (i.e., towing big trees and vehicles submerged in water after an accident).

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Towing

If you own or operate a vehicle, you will need professional towing service at one point or another. Regardless of your reason for getting a professional towing service, it is crucial that you get your vehicle ready before the towing company arrives. Keep in mind the following when preparing your vehicle for towing:

• Remove important items from the vehicle. Remove any personal and valuable belongings out of your vehicle to ensure nothing gets broken or lost during the transport. Most towing companies make it clear that they won’t take responsibility for any lost or damaged items.
• Close all the windows of your vehicle. Ensuring all the windows of your vehicle are closed can help prevent any possible theft while it is being towed. Closing the windows can also help protect the vehicle’s interior from debris and dirt during transport.
• Disengage the emergency brakes. It is important that you disengage the emergency brakes before they get damaged. Reliable towing services will typically check if the emergency brakes are not engaged before towing the vehicle. However, it is best if you make sure it is done.
• Take a picture of your vehicle. It is recommended that you take photos of your vehicle before the towing service arrives. While most towing companies will ensure your vehicle is in great shape, unexpected damage can still occur. The photos can come in handy if you notice something is off with your vehicle.
• Find a reputable towing service. Opt to work with a trusted and experienced towing company. While it can be tempting to go with the towing company with the cheapest rates, keep in mind that there’s a reason why their rates are lower than everyone else’s. Do your research before choosing a tow-truck service. It is best not to take any chances when the safety of your vehicle is on the line.

Final Thoughts

It would be impossible to use light-duty tow trucks to move large vehicles and loads. Conversely, having a heavy-duty truck transport small vehicles will require more time and will often cost more. That said, you need to know the right type of towing service to get so you don’t waste money, time, and resources.

Jeremy Keller leads the Content Marketing team for Elite Towing, a locally-owned, family-run business in Casa Grande, AZ that provides high-quality towing services to both residential and commercial customers. He enjoys photography and making drone videos in his spare time.

 Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.