Back Roads: How Towing Services Can Be A Lifesaver
Three Different Kinds of Tow Trucks That Could Be Dispatched to You
Brittany Howell
Be it from an accident or breakdown, there comes a point in your driving life when you'll require the service of a tow truck company. A tow truck presents an efficient solution to haul an inoperable vehicle away from the scene of an auto accident or breakdown to an auto repair shop or the vehicle owner's residence.
But not all tow trucks are created equal. Check out the various types of tow trucks that could be used to whisk your vehicle away.
Fixed Flatbed Truck
This is the simplest configuration of a truck. It's called a fixed flatbed truck because it comes with a bed that is flat and permanently attached to the truck.
The major advantage of this tow truck is that it minimises the risk of damage to the vehicle being towed. Common forms of damage such as tyre damage and bumper damage can be prevented when a vehicle is transported on a flatbed.
On the downside, these tow trucks have no efficient mechanism of loading and unloading vehicles. Dedicated lifting equipment is required to lift your vehicle off the ground onto the back of the tow truck. This wastes precious time and increases the cost of towing service.
Tilt-Tray Truck
A more advanced version of the fixed flatbed truck, a tilt-tray truck has a bed that tilts and slides off at the rear to allow fast and efficient loading and unloading. It delivers the obvious benefit of eliminating the need to use separate equipment to load and unload a damaged or broken-down vehicle.
Hook and Chain Tow Truck
Initially, this type of tow truck was a staple of auto towing.
As the name says, the truck uses hooks and chains to lift one set of wheels off the ground, leaving the other set of wheels rolling on the ground. The vehicle is then dragged to its destination, quite literally. This towing method leaves the vehicle prone to damage, including drivetrain (especially for 4x4s), bumper, and tyre damage.
Although not so commonly used today, this method of towing is ideal when there's a need to retrieve a vehicle from a tight space or when the towing distance is very short.
When you contact a towing company for assistance, they'll want to know the type and size of the vehicle you drive so they can send out the best tow truck for your situation. Make sure you provide the correct information for your vehicle towing needs.
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Hi there! Brenton here. I'm a bit of an adventurer and I've actually driven around Australia three times. From the Nullarbor Plains to the Gulf, I have driven on some seriously bad roads. After my first trip, I learnt that despite my bush mechanic skills, I can't always fix vehicles. I've become quite an amateur expert on how to avoid breakdowns as well as the best towing services to access when all else fails. I have lots of other mates who like going off the beaten track and I'm always giving them tips in case they need to be towed for assistance. Australia is a vast country with lots of isolated patches, so it's best to be prepared. I hope this blog gives you an insight into the best towing services and shows you how they can be a lifesaver in desperate circumstances. Please drive in!