Most people experience needing a tow at some point in their driving career. There is a host of scenarios as to why a tow is necessary, from your car not starting to moving heavy equipment. No matter the reason, the right tow truck for the job is necessary. Where different tow trucks can accommodate a multitude of circumstances, some are more effective than others. With this in mind, we at Speedway Towing & Roadside Assistance would like to share a few of the common tow trucks seen on the road today.
Flatbed Tow Trucks
Powered by a hydraulic system, flatbed tow trucks have a large flatbed that slides back and tilts towards the ground. Using a winch, the vehicle is loaded and secured to the flatbed, after which, the flatbed returns to the prone position. Designed to keep vehicles off the ground and secured, this is a popular truck that is used in many situations including roadside assistance or to get a disabled vehicle off the road.
Hook & Chain Tow Truck
Being similar to Ernest Holmes’ design in 1916, this is the most common tow truck seen on the roads. This tow truck is what frequently comes to mind when people talk about towing. Secured to the car’s axle or bumper is the hook attached to hook and chain tow truck. The chains are fixed around the vehicle’s frame. To keep the front wheels secure, a boom lifts the tow truck off the ground into an area. This makes the whole operation work since the rear wheels are able to move. Though common, they are being used less and less due to the potential damage they can do, particularly to 4×4 vehicles. Since tow truck are called for a number of reasons, one of them is pull a vehicle out of a ditch or is stuck in the mud. The tow truck operators can provide winch-out services, since a winch is a necessary part of a tow truck. To recover the vehicle, these powerful winches provide the pull necessary to control the weight of the vehicle.
Wheel Lift Tow Trucks
The same concept as the hook and chain truck is implemented with wheel lift tow trucks. However, the distinction is that wheel lift tow trucks do not have a hook that attaches to the vehicle, they use a yoke instead. Attached to the back of the tow truck is the yoke. Being secured in a similar way as on a hook and chain, the yoke can be moved under the front wheels, where they rest. Depending on the position of the vehicle and the best way to remove it from the spot, this type of operation works with the front or rear wheels
Integrated Tow Trucks
For the big jobs, these tow trucks are generally used. These trucks are designed a little differently to handle large loads, such as more axels to handle more weight for instance. The truck’s arm is in a more centralized position to allow for maximum center of gravity stability to manage the larger loads.
Oversized Towing
These tow trucks are designed to handle nearly anything. Items like construction equipment, are typically transported with integrated tow trucks.
Towing, Roadside Assistance & More in Irving, Fort Worth, Arlington, Carrollton & Plano Texas
When you need a tow in Irving, Texas and surrounding areas, the professionals of Speedway Towing & Roadside Assistance are readily available to assist you for nearly all of your towing needs, call us today for your towing services.
