Towing is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, divided into vehicle towing, roadside assistance and vehicle repossession. These services may require different types of trucks, depending on the size of the vehicle being towed.
If you’re looking to start working in towing or expand your towing business, you should understand the difference between heavy-duty and light-duty tow trucks. This way, you can provide the best services for your customers while keeping your truck protected from excess strain.
What Is Light-Duty Towing?
With light-duty towing, the service caters to small to medium-sized passenger vehicles. These passenger vehicles usually weigh between 2,600 and 3,000 pounds, but light-duty trucks can sometimes tow up to 10,000-pound minivans and pickup trucks.
These tow trucks are also smaller to accommodate the vehicles they’re towing. Light-duty tow trucks are popular in urban areas where smaller vehicles are most common because they can maneuver through crowded spaces more easily. They require less specialized tools and towing equipment to operate.
Light-duty tow trucks can be spotted parked along the highway, at busy intersections and other sites with high traffic volumes. They’re also known to cover areas where car crashes are more likely to occur.
What Is Heavy-Duty Towing?
Heavy-duty towing involves larger trucks that tow commercial vehicles. These include vehicles and trucks whose weights exceed 20,000 pounds. They tow everything from SUVs to garbage trucks, buses, big rigs, RVs and more.
These tow trucks use specialized equipment to tow vehicles in challenging conditions. They have the most high-tech and sophisticated recovery mechanisms for unparalleled pulling power. Most of these tow trucks have a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of approximately 23 tons to accommodate the heavy loads they bear.
How Does Each Type of Towing Compare?
The towing service a customer chooses depends on the vehicle size, distance and the condition of the vehicle being towed. While some towing requests can use conventional towing equipment, others require a flatbed or more distinguished tool for towing heavy equipment and damaged vehicles.
The general advantages of towing services for customers include:
- Secure and reliable transport for impaired vehicles
- A convenient, dependable service that’s always available
- Professional, expert drivers who ensure the towed vehicle arrives at its destination safely
However, each towing service has its own pros and drawbacks for operators.
Pros of Light-Duty Towing
Light-duty tow trucks have the following benefits:
- Lighter and more compact, making it easier to maneuver through tight spaces like alleys and congested traffic
- Less expensive to maintain and service due to size
- Greater fuel efficiency thanks to their lighter size
Considerations of Light-Duty Towing
Light-duty tow trucks come with a few considerations:
- Incapable of handling larger loads, as the strain may damage the transmission and motor
- Limited to short distances due to their size and load capacity
Pros of Heavy-Duty Towing
Similarly, heavy-duty tow trucks offer a couple of distinct pros:
- Ability to haul larger vehicles under extreme conditions
- Can travel further distances in tough terrains
Considerations of Heavy-Duty Towing
Note a few potential considerations of heavy-duty tow trucks:
- Require high-performance, expensive equipment fitted on large trucks
- Higher maintenance and service costs based on size
- Increased fuel costs due to size
- Maneuverability restrictions
Choosing the Right Truck Type for Your Needs
Generally, the right tow truck for your operations will depend on the sizes of vehicles you typically tow. The GVW specifies the maximum vehicle weight with passengers and goods in transit. Overloading the tow truck can cause damage and breakdown, leading to costly repairs and potential danger for the driver.
A light-duty tow truck can only haul small to medium-sized vehicles, as it can’t bear loads that exceed its own total weight mass. Heavy-duty tow trucks are designed to meet heavier load requirements and can endure weight strain. Consider your towing needs and how one type of truck might suit them better.
Prepping Your Vehicle for Towing
Converting your personal truck into a tow truck lets you enjoy its versatility and flexibility along with the potential business opportunities it brings. If you want to convert your own pickup truck into a tow truck, you have a few options. Whether you’re exploring a sideline towing business, installing it in case of emergencies or venturing into the repo industry, Lift and Tow has three Wheel Lift Series options for every application.
Our three hidden towing systems are ideal for medium- to heavy-duty pickup trucks weighing 3/4 tons or more. We manufacture specialized wheel lifts, transforming your truck into a tow truck with a hidden lift when not in use. This conversion allows you to use your pickup truck in your private or business capacity interchangeably.
Super Series
The Super Series wheel lift lifts up to 4,000 pounds with a maximum 8,000-pound towing capacity. The wheel lift self-loads so you can easily maneuver towed cars with your converted truck. The automated process makes towing a breeze. The wheel lift lets you self-load cars, vans and trucks in under a minute.
Z Series
The Z Series is similar to the Super Series and carries the same weight load capacities. The main difference is that it is remote-controlled instead of automatic.
5 Series
Also towing up to 8,000 pounds, our durable 5 Series is a sought-after kit. This hydraulic option powers the boom quickly and safely. Boasting a four-function hydraulic multi-directional power system that distinguishes it from the others, the 5 Series tow boom also stays concealed when not in use.
Our wheel lifts are manufactured locally using high-quality, durable materials for safe and reliable towing. Install the towing kit yourself or have it done professionally for your convenience. Request your optional towing accessories to maximize your truck’s capabilities and improve efficiency. Add super springs, winches, clutch pumps, frame reinforcements, tow mate lights and more to your accessory inventory.
If you need any replacement parts once you’re up and running, we’ve got you covered with a collection of wheel replacement parts to suit your needs and help you get back on the road.
Choose Lift and Tow for High-Quality Towing Equipment
When you choose Lift and Tow for your light and heavy-duty towing equipment needs, you choose superior service and exceptional quality every time. We’ve established ourselves as a reputable, reliable towing equipment provider with over two decades of experience.
You can turn to us for all of your towing equipment needs, whether you plan to start towing professionally or wish to outfit your truck to tow personal vehicles at your convenience. Consider our financing options and resources, and reach out to us to learn more about how Lift and Tow can meet your requirements with professional installation.