You do not have to choose the tow truck yourself. Your job is to give an accurate description. The towing company should decide which truck and equipment can move the vehicle safely.
Flatbed trucks
A flatbed, sometimes called a rollback, carries the entire vehicle on its bed. It is commonly used for cars that should not roll on their own wheels, including many all-wheel-drive vehicles, electric vehicles, low cars, and vehicles with certain kinds of damage.
A flatbed is not automatically the answer for every job. The driver still needs enough room to lower and load the bed, and a badly damaged vehicle may need extra equipment to get onto it.
Wheel-lift trucks
A wheel-lift truck raises the front or rear wheels while the other end stays on the road. These trucks can work well for many cars and light trucks, especially when parking space is tight.
Whether a vehicle can travel with two wheels on the ground depends on its drivetrain, damage, and manufacturer instructions. Some jobs require small dollies that keep the other wheels off the pavement. Putting a vehicle in neutral does not always make it safe to tow this way.
Medium-duty trucks
Box trucks, delivery vans, larger work trucks, and some recreational vehicles can be too large for light-duty equipment but not large enough for the biggest wreckers. The dispatcher will usually ask about height, length, weight, number of axles, and whether the vehicle is carrying a load.
Heavy wreckers
Semi-trucks, buses, large motorhomes, refuse trucks, and other heavy vehicles may need a heavy-duty wrecker. The towing company will want to know about the tractor, trailer, load, axles, air system, and driveline. It will also need a destination that can receive a vehicle that size.
A heavy tow takes planning. Leaving out a loaded trailer or underestimating the vehicle’s weight can lead to the wrong truck being sent.
Winching and recovery
A normal tow becomes a recovery job when the vehicle is stuck, overturned, off the pavement, against a barrier, or in a position where it cannot simply be loaded. The job may need winches, rigging, more than one truck, or traffic control. Photos can help the provider understand the scene, but the driver may still need to inspect it before giving a final plan or price.
What to tell the dispatcher
- The complete vehicle and trailer combination
- Whether it is loaded or empty
- Whether the engine runs and the vehicle rolls
- Any missing, locked, or damaged wheels
- Visible collision damage or leaking fluid
- Low garage ceilings, narrow entrances, mud, slopes, or barriers
- Where the vehicle needs to go
If you truly do not know, that is fine. Tell the company what you can see and let its dispatcher decide which truck and equipment may be needed.