When you think of vehicles in need of a tow service, that broken-down sedan sitting on the side of the road probably comes to mind. Or maybe you think of that illegally-parked car you pass on your way to work that is practically asking for a visit from the tow truck. These types of light-duty towing jobs are amongst the most common reasons for your everyday tow services.
But not all towing services are created equal, and light-duty tow trucks can only accommodate certain towing needs. If you need a standard passenger vehicle moved from point A to point B, a light-duty tow truck can get the job done. If you need something larger or heavier transported, you will need to turn to medium-duty or heavy-duty towing options.
Tow Truck Capacities
Knowing the differences between light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty tow trucks can help you understand the abilities and purposes of each type of tow truck.
Light-Duty Tow Truck
Most light-duty tow trucks are designed to haul loads up to 10,000 pounds. Some are equipped with a towing capacity of closer to 12,000 pounds. Light-duty tow trucks are smaller in size than heavy-duty tow trucks, allowing them to maneuver through tight or narrow spaces.
Medium-Duty Tow Truck
A medium-duty tow truck typically carries between 10,000-17,000 pounds, but some can transport up to 26,000 pounds. And although a medium-duty tow truck can move significantly more than a light-duty tow truck, it still cannot compete against the capacity of a heavy-duty tow truck.
Heavy-Duty Tow Truck
Heavy-duty tow trucks are known to handle loads as heavy as 33,000 pounds. The boom lift, wheel lift, torque, horsepower, and other high-end machinery mechanisms of a heavy-duty tow truck allow this kind of truck to move very large and heavy cargo.
Uses of a Heavy-Duty Tow Truck
At times, a heavy-duty tow truck will be the only truck option that is capable of moving certain objects. For example, industrial cranes or tractors will not fit on a light-duty or medium-duty tow truck due to their weight and size. Even some everyday passenger trucks are too oversized to fit on anything but a heavy-duty tow truck.
Furthermore, construction sites often need the help of heavy-duty tow trucks to transport machinery and equipment. A heavy-duty tow truck is particularly useful when equipment breaks down at a construction site. The site can call in the help of a tow truck to haul away the broken machinery and return it when the repairs are completed.
A heavy-duty equipment towing service is not just for broken down equipment, though. Construction sites often seek the help of heavy-duty tow trucks to relocate fully functioning machinery or equipment. It’s not like that heavy machinery is allowed to travel down the highway to get to a new destination. It needs to be towed from one construction site to the next, and a heavy-duty tow truck can get the job done quickly and safely.
Heavy-duty tow trucks can even move around equipment within a construction site. Construction equipment is big and bulky, but a tow truck can place equipment in precise locations. The use of a heavy-duty tow truck is especially helpful during the winter. Machinery cannot always drive independently in muddy or snowy conditions. That’s where the use of a tow truck comes in handy. A tow truck can place the machinery in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
The farming industry also utilizes heavy-duty tow trucks for similar reasons as construction sites. When farmers need to transport machinery from one place to another, whether it’s broken down or in working order, a heavy-duty tow truck is an excellent resource.
Additionally, heavy-duty tow trucks are called upon to join the cleanup efforts following car accidents. Let’s say an oversized vehicle, such as a dually truck, bus, or 15-passenger van, was a part of an accident. A light-duty tow truck will not be able to remove that kind of vehicle from the roadway.
Or perhaps an accident caused large cargo to scatter across a highway. That debris needs to be removed swiftly and efficiently to resume the flow of traffic, and heavy-duty towing services can help clear the roadway.
For Personal Use, Too
While heavy-duty tow trucks are widely used for commercial use, they can be hired out for personal use as well. If you need a motorhome or trailer towed, that’s a job for a heavy-duty towing company.
Moving heavy loads is a dangerous job. It’s not a risk you want to take on unless you are equipped to properly do so. Tow truck operators go through specialized training in order to carry out a heavy-duty tow service correctly. It is not wise to attempt a heavy-duty tow without the proper training and equipment.
Not to mention, in most jurisdictions it is illegal to exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity. So if you attempt to move a heavy load that surpasses the towing capacity of the transport vehicle, you could get in trouble with the law.
The Takeaway
Heavy-duty tow trucks serve a specific purpose. If you need a large item moved, selecting the right type of tow truck is of utmost importance. It can even be a matter of life and death. You protect yourself and others on the road by choosing a heavy-duty tow truck here in Ogden, Utah to transport heavy loads.