When the majority of us (that don’t work at a professional tow truck service) think about tow trucks they picture a hook and chain pick up truck – but this type of truck isn’t actually used too much anymore! Technology has evolved, and there’s tons of new tow truck styles that work fantastically. Here’s a guide to some of the ones you might see.

Hook and Chain Trucks

We’ll start here. This is the most commonly known tow truck design, using a large hook and chain which attach to the frames or axles of vehicles to lift up their front end while the back wheels stay on the ground. This method of towing has the potential to cause damage to the vehicle – especially all wheel drive vehicles. This method is most often used today to tow junked vehicles.

Wheel Lift Trucks

This common truck is often used to tow broken down sedans. They allow wheel lifts to insert a metallic yoke underneath a car’s front wheels, lifting it up hydraulically while allowing the back wheels to stay on the ground. Then the car is placed in neutral and towed to its desired destination. This method reduced the potential of causing accidental damage during a tow, but they can’t be used on all wheel drive cars.

Flatbed Tow Trucks

These trucks have flat beds on their back that vehicles are lifted up on and locked to. They can move into an angle that allows vehicles to roll on it, and then get lifted up to a parallel stance. They are ideal for towing all wheel drive vehicles or antique vehicles that need to be treated delicately. They are often sometimes used in varieties that involve stacks of cars to transport vehicles in bulk.

Boom Trucks

These trucks are ideal for rescuing trucks that have fallen into tiny or hard to reach places, like a ditch. They are often used in forensic vehicle recovery operations where it’s important to not tamper with potential evidence. Boom towers used to use a hook and chain system, but today they are used with rubber slings.

Integrated Tow Trucks

These tow trucks combine a boom truck and wheel lift truck system in a single tow truck. They are controlled through a master control system on the inside of the truck so that cars can be lifted up while the driver is still in the control area in the driver’s seat. These trucks are often used to move illegally parked vehicles.