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4 Tow Trucks Used in Towing
Your automobile can break down when you least expect it. Regardless of the locations; be it on the road, in a parking lot, or in your own garage. When this testing time comes, most of us have no other choice but to call for a towing company to have the vehicle towed to an auto repair shop. Not all types of tow trucks are made all the same. There are basically four types of tow trucks, all designed distinctly and can be used for towing different types of vehicles and towing purposes.
Flatbed Tow Trucks
Possibly the most popular and widespread type of towing trucks. A flatbed tow truck has a long ramp with a flat top commonly known as flatbed, with hydraulics systems used for moving the flatbed downwards or upwards. These vehicles are efficient and easy to operate. Towing operators can simply drive the vehicle up the ramp, or use a winch system to pull it up. They are also rather effective when it comes to moving vehicles which have an engine problem or is wrecked in a car accident.
Flatbed tow trucks are used to tow a wide range of vehicles; from motorcycles, cars, trucks, luxury vehicles to even boats. They are among the safest towing vehicles in the industry.
Hook & Chain Tow Trucks
Hook and chain tow trucks were used widely in the past, but nowadays knowing that a lot of pressure is applied to the towed vehicles using this method, which can damage them, now it has become a less commonly used method. Furthermore, wrapped chains cause scratches to the car frame. It is, however, mainly used for towing junk or wrecked automobiles. When transporting these vehicles, additional damage to the already wrecked vehicle does not matter.
Wheel Lift Tow Trucks
Wheel-lift tow trucks share a similar mechanism to the hook and chain tow trucks. The difference between them is that they use metal yoke instead of chains. This causes less damage to the towed vehicle. The metal yoke is hooked under the front or rear wheels. A hydraulic lift suspends the front or rear side of the towed vehicle in order to lift it from the ground and pull it away. Front wheel drive vehicle is towed by its entrance wheels. Wheel lift tow trucks less expensive to acquire compared to flatbed tow trucks, and are more mobile, allowing them to move through narrow and tight spaces.
Integrated Tow Truck
Integrated tow trucks are much more functional and can be used for towing heavy-duty vehicles. These trucks are usually used to carry other heavy-duty vehicles such as buses, because they have extra axles for added strength and stability, with extended arms that are fixed in the core of the towing vehicle.
