Heavy-Duty Towing Versus Light-Duty Towing
A light-duty tow truck is commonly used to transport small or mid-sized vehicles. A heavy-duty tow truck may be needed to tow semi-trucks, buses, motorhomes, and highly-damaged vehicles. A larger tow truck is often equipped with hydraulic or mechanical accessories that can safely lift and secure heavy vehicles.
Heavy Duty Tow Truck Essentials
A large vehicle that contains more than two sets of wheels or an extended cab and cargo area will be much heavier than a standard-sized vehicle. A heavy-duty tow truck may contain a winch and a hydraulic boom lift. An electrical or hydraulic motor is used to operate a winch system. Either type of motor is capable of producing a lot of torque.
A wire that is attached to a drum can be used to lift a heavy-duty vehicle from a ditch or another low-lying area. As a winch is operating, a wire will be retracted and will be wound around the drum. A vehicle can be pulled forward and lifted onto a tow truck's flatbed.
A hydraulic boom lift contains an arm and a sling. This type of equipment can be used to elevate a vehicle onto a heavy-duty truck or to access a vehicle that is stuck within a confined area. A light-duty tow truck may only come equipped with a wheel lift. A wheel lift is designed to elevate the front two wheels on a vehicle. This type of lift cannot support large amounts of weight and will not be adequate to use while transporting a heavy-duty vehicle.
Some Considerations
Before hiring a towing company, it is important to relay information about the vehicle that needs to be transported and the current status of the vehicle. A tow truck driver will supply details about the heavy-duty tow truck and accessories that they will be using for transport purposes.
Ensuring that a tow truck is large enough to haul a particular vehicle is important. Some people who own expensive vehicles may also choose to hire a towing company that offers a heavy-duty towing service.
An expensive vehicle that contains a new paint job or tires may be dragged behind a light-duty truck. This could result in loose gravel and other materials becoming airborne while a luxury vehicle is being towed. If a luxury vehicle is secured to a flatbed that is on a heavy-duty truck, it won't be subjected to damage while it is being hauled.
Contact a company like Jensen Towing to learn more about heavy-duty towing.