Car towing is one of those services that most drivers need sooner or later. It is important and helps to withdraw a disabled vehicle from the road. But how does car towing work? What types of car towing trucks are used? And why is it smart to know a good car towing company in your area?
Not only does a driver need to know the basics of car towing, but knowing the phone numbers of local car towing companies is a plus in case something disastrous ever happens.
The Car Towing Process
When someone calls for a tow truck, the towing company will dispatch one to the caller’s location according to the type of vehicle to be towed. The tow truck driver will access the situation when he shows up on location. If it is a simple scenario of a broken down car, they will usually hook the vehicle up and tow it on their truck’s flat bed, or on a wheel-lift system.
For more complex situations, like accidents in which a car is not drivable, more equipment, like a boom, would be necessary to load the car on to a flat bed of the truck. The tow truck driver is trained to properly secure vehicles to prevent any further damage during towing.
After the vehicle is loaded, the tow truck will take the vehicle wherever you instruct them to, such as to a repair shop or an impound lot. The driver will safely off load that vehicle at the location.
Types of Tow Trucks for Car Towing
There are several different types of tow trucks used for light to medium duty towing jobs involving regular passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks:
Flat Bed Tow Trucks
Flat bed tow trucks are equipped with an open, level bed onto which the towed vehicle can be loaded from the rear. They’re usually used for towing accident vehicles or other vehicular conditions that cannot be driven.
Wheel-Lift Tow Trucks
Wheel-lift tow trucks have a significant metallic yoke on the rear end, which is slid beneath the front or rear wheels of the car or truck to lift it from the ground for towing. The truck can thus be towed without being fully lifted from the ground. They are typically used for basic towing of disabled, yet drivable vehicles.
Integrated Tow Trucks
Integrated tow trucks combine the wheel-lift mechanism and the flatbed, giving the truck flexibility in handling different towing jobs or scenarios.
Boom Trucks
Boom trucks are a combination of flat bed tow trucks and wheel-lift tow trucks. These are tow trucks with a hydraulic boom that can be extended to lift vehicles onto the bed. They can be used for towing broken-down vehicles that have gone off the road and can’t be driven or wheeled on a truck.
When Is Car Towing Needed?
There are numerous instances when you might have to use towing services:
- Your car has a mechanical problem or has run out of fuel, and you are stranded.
- You have got into an accident, and your vehicle is disabled.
- Your car has landed up in a pit, mud, snow, or any other off-road location.
- You have to move a non-working vehicle to an auto repair shop or any other place.
In all of these cases, the safest way to transport your vehicle without inflicting further damage is to call the professionals in a towing company.
Why Use a Reputable Towing Company
There are many towing companies out there, but it’s always best to select a reputable company in your local area that has been around for a while. The towing company will be more experienced, have a fully equipped fleet of tow trucks, and employ experienced drivers like Arndt’s Towing.
A reputable towing service will ensure that your vehicle is handled well and reaches its destination securely. This also gives you peace of mind that your car is in safe hands. In addition, when emergency situations arise, the charging rates from reputable companies are relatively reasonable, they are always available, and they can bring their tow trucks to your location in a matter of time.
Remember these pointers next time you find yourself in a position requiring a tow. The entire process of towing, the different kinds of tow trucks used for light-duty jobs, and the importance of choosing a reliable company can make the whole experience much smoother. Prepare yourself and know who to call beforehand because you can never predict when you might need a tow!
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