A tow truck operates by securing the vehicle to be towed and using mechanisms to lift and transport it. There are several types of tow trucks, each with specialized equipment:
- Flatbed tow trucks have a platform that can be lowered to load vehicles by driving or winching them onto the bed. Straps or chains secure them for transportation.
- Wheel-lift tow trucks lift one end of a vehicle off the ground with an adjustable arm. This causes less potential damage than lift and chain tow trucks.
- Boom tow trucks use an adjustable boom winch to recover vehicles from ditches or embankments.
- Integrated tow trucks have extra axles and capabilities to tow heavy commercial vehicles and smaller passenger vehicles.
- Tire lift devices attach to a tow truck’s main boom and wheel boom. They grip the tread area of a vehicle’s tires, allowing retrieval of vehicles stuck on their wheels.
Proper tow truck operation requires training to ensure vehicles are transported safely. Licenses or certifications may also be mandatory depending on local regulations.
Before you attempt to tow a car, you should know how to operate the vehicle and its towing hook. Always keep the car in neutral gear. Manual transmissions will be less prone to damage from flat towing. Tow trucks with automatic transmissions can flat-tow without any problems.
Use the right stick (or LEFT SHIFT and CTRL on PC) to raise and lower the crane. You can tow cars by using a dolly that holds the back and front wheels of the car being towed.
The dolly connects to the towing vehicle’s hitch, essentially turning the towed car into a trailer. Charges for local towing typically range between $50 to $125, while long-distance towing can cost from $75 hookup fee plus $2 to $4 per mile.
For a rear-wheel drive vehicle, remove the driveshaft to prevent transmission damage. Consider your pickup truck’s towing capacity before attempting to tow another car. Secure the towed car onto the tow dolly, ensuring to line up properly before loading. Towing with a moving truck is cost-effective as there is no mileage charge for the towing device.
Most tow companies charge between $50 to $125 for a five or ten-mile local tow, or a $75 hook-up fee and $2 to $4 per mile for long-distance towing. The average 40-mile tow will range from $125 to $250. Towing your car with a moving truck costs far less than shipping your car across the county.