In the towing industry, it might surprise some to learn that not all callouts are a “one size fits all” job. Rather, most companies will have a variety of tow truck types that are designed for specific jobs and weights.
So, if you’re wondering how much weight can a tow truck lift, we have the answers you’ve been looking for.
Take a look here for a breakdown of the different tow trucks and how much weight they can handle.
How do tow trucks differ?
There are 3 different weight capacities when it comes to tow trucks. These include:
Light-duty tow trucks
Light-duty trucks are class A vehicles and are often conventional or rollback wreckers. They are capable of towing between 7,000 and 11,000 lbs and are typically used to tow or lift passenger cars, small trailers, motorcycles and small pickup trucks.
When are light-duty trucks deployed?
Light tow trucks tend to be sent out for the vast majority of road accidents involving small motor vehicles. Light-duty tow trucks are especially handy as they’re small enough that they can be manoeuvred into tight or awkward places that other, bigger tow trucks often can’t reach, making them reliable for many different towing situations.
Medium-duty tow trucks
Medium-duty tow trucks are class B vehicles and have the capacity to tow 7,000 to 17,00p lbs of weight. They are often called out to lift farm equipment, multiple passenger vehicles, machinery, cargo containers or Mack trucks.
When are medium-duty trucks sent out?
Medium duty tow trucks are sent in when heavier vehicles or items are involved. When manoeuvrability isn’t a concern, these are often the truck of choice as they can still be used to tow lighter passenger vehicles, but they can also handle the bigger lifts as well. With plenty of towing configurations to choose from, medium-duty tow trucks are a popular option.
Heavy-duty tow trucks
Heavy-duty tow trucks are class A vehicles and are designed to handle the heaviest tows and jobs. With a towing capacity of more than 17,000 lbs, they are the tow truck of choice for multiple vehicles or containers as well as industrial equipment and vehicles.
When are heavy-duty trucks needed?
Heavy-duty tow trucks are often sent in when only the strongest tow trucks will do. Whether it’s a multi-vehicle pile-up, a huge piece of equipment has gone off-road and down an embankment, or a multi-tonne needs transferring, heavy-duty tow trucks are the most suitable option.
Whether you’re looking for a light-duty tow truck or a heavy-duty tow truck, we can help. Give us a call today at Outback Vehicle Recovery and our team of towing experts will be able to help you out.
Based in Alice Springs, we have a wide transport service area, including Darwin, Port Augusta and remote areas across the Northern Territory.
