Tow Trucks Upcoming Auctions

About Tow Trucks

Also referred to as “wreckers” or “recovery trucks,” tow trucks are specially equipped medium- or heavy-duty trucks used by municipalities and commercial businesses to haul classic, damaged, wrecked, illegally parked, repossessed, and non-running cars. They generally have gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) ranging from 14,001 to 26,000 pounds (6,350 to 11,800 kilograms) or more, with the biggest and most powerful models able to haul other medium- and heavy-duty trucks, such as tractor trailers, buses, RVs, and other large vehicles.

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Ford F550 XLT Wrecker Tow Truck

Wrecker Tow Trucks

Tow trucks largely fall into one of two main sub-types: wreckers and rollback tow trucks. Compared to a rollback tow truck, or flatbed, both of which carry a vehicle on an empty bed, a wrecker tow truck tows the vehicle through the various use of hydraulic and pneumatic controls, an adjustable boom, winches, hooks and chains, wheel-lifts, slings, belts, rubber straps, tow dollies, hoists, spreader bars, and other components. Note that modern wreckers generally forgo the use of hooks and chains, however, in favor of using a wheel-lift, underlift attachment, or chassis lift as the latter options offer less potential for scratches, dents, and other damage occurring to the towed vehicle while in transit.

Rollback Tow Trucks

Rollback tow trucks are similar to flatbed trucks in that both types sport a long, flat bed to the rear of the cab that can be used to transport vehicles, construction equipment, materials, or other goods. Unlike a flatbed truck, however, a rollback tow truck’s bed slides (or rolls) back and tilts downward through hydraulic means, essentially creating a ramp that an operator can drive the towed vehicle onto or, alternatively, pull a towed vehicle onto using a winch. Rollback tow trucks are often considered a better option than wreckers for transporting severely damaged vehicles or for towing new, luxury, restored, or classic automobiles, as they present a smaller chance that the towed vehicle will be scraped, dented, or otherwise damaged. Rollback tow trucks are also favored for long-haul tows and tows involving four-wheel-drive vehicles to eliminate the possibility of damaging the vehicle’s transmission. Some heavy-duty rollback trucks are capable of carrying multiple vehicles at once, as well as large construction equipment that is illegal to drive on public streets.

Common Features & Options

You’ll find a number of advanced features on today’s tow trucks. Wreckers, for example, may include hydraulic outriggers to enhance their lifting capacity and stability during the initial hoist of a vehicle to be towed. Rollback tow trucks may include sleeper compartments in heavy-duty models used for cross-country hauls. Both varieties may be equipped with remote control capability for operating their hydraulics and winches, allowing the operator to keep an eye on the big picture rather than be stuck in the cab during loading. Some tow trucks may include onboard scale systems, rearview cameras, and other equipment to simplify an operator’s job.

Find The Right Tow Truck

You’ll find new and used rollback and wrecker tow trucks for sale on TruckPaper.com from a variety of leading manufacturers, including Chevrolet , Ford, Freightliner , International , Kenworth , Mack , Peterbilt , Ram , and others.