When in need of a tow, most people would just simply phone a nearby tow truck business. What a lot of drivers don’t know is there are different types of towing services and the towing company has to know what kind of truck to send to your location.

Tow trucks are generally classified as “light-duty” and “heavy-duty,” depending on how much weight they can carry. Whether you’ll need light-duty or heavy-duty towing will depend on factors such as distance, size and condition of your vehicle, or services required.

What Does Light-Duty Towing Handle? 

Light-duty towing covers most conventional towing routines that require standard tow trucks and operators. Light-duty tow trucks typically weigh between 8,500 and 10,000 lbs. GVWR, and are capable of handling small-to-medium-sized towing jobs such as private vehicle towing, accident recovery, traffic collisions, and towing abandoned vehicles.

The majority of light-duty tow trucks are equipped with a cable system and a winch for efficient towing. Some also use the dolly towing technique, which entails adding an additional dolly that serves as an extension of the truck. Compared to heavy-duty tow trucks, however, light-duty tow trucks have far less complex tools and equipment and are much easier to operate.

When Do You Need Heavy-Duty Towing?

Commercial vehicles like construction equipment, trailer trucks, garbage trucks, and dump trucks are best towed by a truck with a heavy-duty towing capacity. Heavy-duty tow trucks weigh at least 26,000 lbs. and should be capable of towing/carrying huge vehicles with relative ease.

Out of the towing vehicle classifications, heavy-duty tow trucks are equipped with the most advanced equipment (such as a 25-ton boom, 6-ton wheel lift, and a winch), which enables them to handle the biggest towing jobs. These trucks are also expected to pack a lot of torque and horsepower.

Due to the more complex nature of heavy-duty tow trucks, they require operators with extensive understanding of heavy engines and specific tactics for towing huge vehicles.

The Importance of Weight in Towing

The weight of your vehicle is essential to determining whether you need a light-, medium-, or heavy-duty tow truck.

Light-duty tow trucks are not ideal for long-distance towing and incapable of moving vehicles or items that clearly call for a heavy-duty tow. In contrast, using a heavy-duty truck to transport a small vehicle would be inefficient and more expensive. Also, hiring the wrong type of tow truck may damage your vehicle’s transmission and other parts.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Towing

Everyone who owns or operates a vehicle will, at some point, need a professional towing service. It could be because of a road accident, an unexpected breakdown, or relocation across the country. Regardless of your reason for getting your vehicle towed, you need to get it ready before the towing company arrives.

Here some important things to remember:

• Remove anything that’s important. Take your valuable and personal belongings out of the car to make sure nothing gets lost or broken during transport. Most towing businesses make it clear that they won’t be responsible for any damaged or missing items.

• Close all windows. Closing the windows of your vehicle prevents any opportunities for theft while it is being towed. It is also critical to protecting the interiors of your car from dirt and debris during transport.

• Disengage the emergency brakes. You need to disengage your emergency brakes before loading your vehicle into a tow truck. If you don’t, it could get damaged. Any reliable towing service will check if your emergency brakes are engaged before towing the vehicle, but it’s better if you personally make sure it’s done.

• Take a picture of your vehicle. Take some photos of your vehicle before the towing service arrives. While most companies are excellent at ensuring your vehicle is in good shape, unexpected damage can occur. These photos will come in handy in the event something goes wrong.

• Find a reputable towing service. Choose to work with an experienced and trusted towing company. It can be tempting to go for the cheapest available option, but there could be a reason why their prices are lower than everybody else’s. Do your research before hiring a tow truck service. You don’t want to take any chances with your vehicle’s safety on the line.