Types of Tow Trucks
All the Different Types of Tow Trucks Being Utilized Today
Tow trucks play an essential role in the day-to-day function of society. They’re a luxury most of us fail to appreciate until we’re stranded on the side of the road with no other options – only then do we truly understand how helpless drivers would be without a tow truck to bail them out of a sticky situation.
Considering how much we rely on tow trucks today, many drivers would find it strange to learn there was a time when tow trucks didn’t exist. In fact, the first tow truck wasn’t invented until 50 years after the first car was invented – that’s 50 years of car crashes and vehicle breakdowns with no access to a tow truck.
For context, the first car was invented in 1866 and the first tow truck wasn’t invented until 1916 – when Ernest Holmes got frustrated after trying to pull a vehicle out of a creek with nothing but rope, blocks, and manpower. In an effort to find a more practical and effective solution, Holmes invented the tow truck.
Different Types of Tow Trucks Used Today
The tow truck has now been around for more than 100 years and, much like everything else in this world, has been subject to a number of advancements, upgrades, and improvements since Ernest Holmes created the blueprint in 1916. Today, there are a variety of different types of tow trucks available for use.
Six of the most common and relevant tow vehicles utilized today include the flatbed tow trucks, wheel lift tow trucks, hook-and-chain tow trucks, integrated tow trucks, boom tow trucks, and rotator tow trucks. While they all serve a similar purpose, they’re each unique in their own way and are used accordingly.
Since not all tow trucks are created equal, let’s take a closer look at all the most popular types of tow trucks in circulation today:
1. Flatbed Tow Truck
Also known as a rollback tow truck, a flatbed truck allows the vehicle to sit on top of the bed of the truck. Flat towing is one of the safest and most preferred ways of towing a truck because the vehicle is completely off the ground – it’s out of harm’s way and is unlikely to get damaged during transport.
2. Hook and Chain Tow Truck
Hook-and-chain trucks are what most people picture in their mind when they hear the term ‘tow truck.’ For those that have seen the movie Cars, the character Mater is a hook-and-chain tow truck. A hook-and-chain truck feature a hook that attaches to the front or back of the vehicle, lifting one side of the vehicle up during transport.
3. Wheel Lift Tow Truck
Wheel lift trucks a bit of an updated version of the hook-and-chain tow truck – instead of a hook and chain, the tow truck features a metal yoke to secure the vehicle. Wheel life types of tow trucks aren’t going to expose the vehicle to as much damage as a hook-and-chain tow truck, which is one positive.
4. Boom Tow Truck
A boom truck, also known as the boom wrecker, comes in handy when a vehicle is unable to be rescued the traditional way – like a vehicle that’s submerged in water. Boom trucks feature a belt or sling that hangs off a boom, which extends out from the back of the truck and lifts the vehicle up and out.
5. Integrated Tow Truck
Integrated tow trucks are one of the most popular and effective heavy-duty tow trucks – which are reserved for large, heavy-duty vehicles. The tow truck features a wheel lift and a boom integrated into a single unit and operators can control everything from the cab, allowing them to move quickly.
6. Rotator Tow Truck
The rotator tow truck is one of the other most popular types of heavy duty tow trucks – the holy grail of heavy-duty tow trucks. They feature a massive crane that extends out from the back of the truck and can rotate 360-degrees for versatility and accessibility – some of these trucks can lift as much as 70 tons.
Most Common Uses of Tow Trucks
In the United States, there are more than 280 million vehicles on the road at any given moment. While a majority of those vehicles will get to their destination safely and without incident, others won’t be as fortunate and will run into problems along the way. For those drivers, a tow truck is your best friend.
Here are some of the most common reasons why people call tow truck companies today:
- Vehicle has been involved in an crash or accident
- Vehicle has stalled or no longer starts
- Vehicle unexpectedly ran out of gas
- Vehicle has a flat tire, but the driver can’t repair it on-site
- Vehicle or driver has committed a crime and is in violation of the law
- Vehicle is being transported from A to B
- Vehicle is stuck in the snow, mud, or a ditch
- Vehicle owner is moving to a new home
- Vehicle owner is taking a second vehicle on vacation
Current estimates suggest there are nearly 50,000 tow truck companies in the United States today and they receive millions of calls from drivers in need of help every single year – some calls more serious than others, of course. Either way, tow trucks are viewed as a lifeline for those looking for roadside assistance.
Do You Need a Tow Truck in Las Vegas?
Do you live in the Las Vegas area? Are you stranded on the side of the road and need a tow truck to transport vehicles to a mechanic? Are you looking to build a good relationship with a local towing company, just in case something goes wrong in the future? If so, then contact All In Towing today!
All In Towing is a family-owned business with more than 50 years of combined experience in the industry. We hold ourselves to a high standard and take pride in serving our clients with best-in-class towing services in the Las Vegas valley. If you need our assistance, don’t hesitate to call us at 702-450-1222.
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Call Us : 702-450-1222
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1933 Western Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102