A Complete Guide to the Five Types of Towing Services

When you call for a tow truck, it may surprise you to find out that there are several different types of towing services available. Specialized tow trucks come in different classes, and each class can handle different types of towing jobs. Using the wrong class for towing could end up damaging the towed vehicle.

This post covers five types of towing services to help you better understand the type of tow vehicle you need the next time you contact towing companies.

If you were recently in a car accident and need to find a reliable repair shop, Formula 1 Collision Center is the best auto body shop in Tucson. Call our team at (520) 369-4291 to schedule a service.

1. Emergency Towing

If you own a vehicle, you are surely familiar with emergency towing services. If you have a dead battery, flat tire, or other small issue, an emergency tow truck can help. If you’re in a car accident and your car is not drivable, an emergency tow truck will handle removing your car from the accident site.

2. Vehicle Recovery Towing

For more serious situations, like an overturned car or a vehicle in a ditch, you need a vehicle recovery tow truck. This type of tow truck has the equipment to provide specialized recovery service if a vehicle is beyond repair, hard to reach, or has needs beyond what an emergency tow truck can provide.

3. Light Towing 

Light towing can handle average-size cars like trucks, SUVs, and sedans. A light-duty tow truck is the type you most commonly see across highways and city streets. When your car breaks down, a light-duty tow truck can tow your car to a shop so a mechanic can assess the problem and provide maintenance. 

4. Heavy-Duty Towing

Heavy-duty towing services can handle especially heavy vehicles like semi-trucks, construction vehicles, and even manufactured homes. Many refer to them as wreckers, and they use a hydraulic winch to tow large, heavy vehicles. If you’ve ever been stuck behind a truck with a “wide load” sign, chances are it was a heavy-duty tow truck.

5. Wheel Lift Towing

Wheel lift towing is one of the oldest types of towing services in the industry. The driver uses equipment to lift two of the wheels and roll the vehicle onto the truck on the other two wheels. It is highly versatile because it doesn’t require enough space near the vehicle for a flatbed tow truck.

Reliable Towing in Tucson

Whether you drive a pickup truck, a four-door sedan, or operate a construction vehicle, you’ll need a specific type of tow truck. Expert towing services will move your vehicle from one place to another without causing additional damage.

Now that you know the types of towing services available, you know how to request the right type of towing assistance to suit your needs. When the time comes, reach out to our team at Formula 1 Collision Center in Tucson, Arizona, by calling (520) 369-4291.