With the rapid economic development and increasing traffic, the number of cars is growing year by year. It is inevitable that traffic accidents or vehicle breakdowns occur during travel, and this is when tow trucks come into play. Tow trucks are specialized vehicles used to quickly and safely clear accident vehicles and illegally parked vehicles from the road to ensure smooth traffic flow and for emergency rescue operations.
Tow trucks can be classified by their structure into pickup tow trucks, flatbed tow trucks, integrated towing and lifting tow trucks, and separate towing and lifting tow trucks (rotating tow trucks). The latter two are usually referred to as heavy-duty tow trucks.
1. Pickup Tow Trucks/Pickup wrecker truck
These trucks are modified based on various pickup trucks. They are aesthetically pleasing, compact in structure, and easy to operate. The rear arm can tow a car weighing up to 2 tons. Due to their small and flexible body, they can quickly and effectively rescue accident vehicles in underground garages and are also well-suited for quick rescue and repair of small vehicles on narrow city streets and highways.
2. Flatbed Tow Trucks/Flatbed Wrecker Truck
This type of tow truck is the most common in daily use, with some specialized modified versions. Standard flatbed tow trucks have a semi-landing flatbed structure, equipped with a hydraulic winch and rear arm. The flatbed can carry one car, and the rear arm can tow another car. Their main service range includes passenger cars (sedans, SUVs, off-road vehicles, and commercial vehicles).
Full-Landing Flatbed Tow/Wrecker Trucks
There are also full-landing flatbed tow trucks, where the flatbed can completely land on the ground, suitable for towing lower chassis sports cars. Equipped with a hydraulic winch and rear arm, they have a dual-towing function. Due to their more complex structure, the flatbed’s load capacity is relatively smaller during operations, mainly servicing sedans, SUVs, and sports cars.
Flatbed Rescue/Wrecker Trucks with Crane
These trucks are modified with flatbeds ranging from 4.6m to 6.4m based on the chassis wheelbase, and can be equipped with cranes ranging from 3.2 tons to 8 tons. They also come with matching hydraulic winches and rear arms. Besides the dual-towing function of standard flatbed tow trucks, they can lift and tow broken down or accident vehicles from ditches or rivers back onto the flatbed or road. This type of truck also functions as a crane truck, capable of lifting and transporting cargo, making it multi-functional.
3. Integrated Towing and Lifting Tow/Wrecker Trucks (Heavy-Duty Tow Trucks)
These trucks have multiple functions, including lifting, pulling, and towing. Integrated towing and lifting tow trucks can be equipped with variable boom arms to lift damaged vehicles from one end (or side) or the entire vehicle, correct its position, and facilitate towing. The boom’s extension and range adjustments allow for towing or lifting vehicles from the roadside or nearby areas back onto the road. The primary function is to lift damaged vehicles using the extendable, liftable, and foldable actions of the arm from the front or rear and tow them away from the scene. These tow trucks can lift vehicle axles, wheels, leaf springs, and frames, with easy installation and removal. They service all types of buses and light, medium, and heavy trucks.
4. Rotating Tow/Wrecker Trucks (Separate Towing and Lifting Tow Trucks)
Rotating tow trucks have separate hydraulic systems for the rear arm and boom, allowing them to work independently or simultaneously rescue two accident vehicles. The boom has a wide operational range, high lifting height, heavy lifting capacity, and can work in a 360-degree spatial area. These trucks are essential for clearing and rescuing large vehicles and can also lift, transport, and assist in the installation of medium to large equipment and perform high-altitude operations.