What Is a Wrecker Truck?

A wrecker truck is a type of vehicle used to move motor vehicles. Such vehicles can either be impounded, parked in the wrong place, or otherwise indisposed. The truck is equipped with hooks, chains, and lifting devices that allow it to lift and move the vehicle. Read on to learn more about the various functions and sizes of wrecker trucks.
Functions of a wrecker truck

Wrecker trucks are vehicles that can tow or haul other vehicles. They typically come to the aid of drivers when their vehicles break down, but they are also capable of performing maintenance work. Wrecker trucks are often equipped with a crane or boom, which allows them to tow vehicles from difficult locations.

A wrecker truck is equipped with a crane or boom that can raise or lower different parts of the car, such as the chassis. It has a crane or a hydraulically-powered boom that can pick up two vehicles at once. Depending on the size of the vehicle, the wrecker truck may be large or small.
Sizes of wrecker trucks

Tow trucks come in different sizes. Light duty wreckers are typically under eight tons, have a cab-to-axle length of 102 inches, and have a winch and boom capacity of 8,000 pounds or more. They are used for lifting and towing medium-sized pickup trucks and light-duty box trucks. These vehicles are also used to tow small trailers.

Large wreckers are similar to big construction cranes and have a 30-foot boom. They can cost upwards of $400,000. When you call a tow truck company, they will ask you what type of vehicle you are trying to transport. Different sizes require different drivers.
Functions of hook and chain tow trucks

Hook and chain tow trucks are among the most commonly used wrecker trucks. These tow trucks feature a hook that attaches to a car's axle and chains that attach to the frame and bumper. Oftentimes, these trucks also have a boom that raises the car off the ground while maintaining its rear wheels in place.

Hook and chain tow trucks are used by businesses to transport junk vehicles. They have large chains that loop around the frame of a car or truck. The operator then connects these chains to the axles on the towed vehicle. The operator then pulls the vehicle along behind the tow truck while holding the car in place. Although this method of towing is a relatively safe way to remove an abandoned vehicle, it can still cause damage to the car.
Wheel-lift tow trucks

Wheel-lift tow trucks use a large metal yoke fitted underneath the wheels of a vehicle. These trucks have evolved from the hook and chain tow trucks of the past. Their appearance is similar to spectacles, and they are sometimes referred to as underlift or chassis lift.

Wheel-lift tow trucks are less expensive than flatbed tow trucks and are much easier to operate. They are also smaller and better suited for tight spaces. And because they are smaller and don't completely lift a vehicle, they consume less fuel. These trucks are also much cheaper to operate than flatbed wreckers.
Hook and chain tow trucks

Hook and chain tow trucks are one of the oldest types of wrecker trucks, and are often used on heavier cars. They use a chain that is wrapped around the frame of the car, lifting the front end of the car off the ground while the back end remains on the ground. This type of towing is not recommended for modern cars, because the chains can damage the car.

Hook and chain tow trucks have two primary uses, dragging vehicles out of a ditch, towing totalled cars, and removing broken wheels. However, hook and chain trucks are not often seen anymore, as wheel lift tow trucks have become popular. Wheel lift tow trucks are mainly used by municipal council officers to remove double-parked cars. This type of tow truck is more efficient than a chain tow truck, but it still has its limitations.
Integrated tow trucks

Integrated tow trucks are more stable and are capable of pulling larger loads than conventional tow trucks. They can tow buses, tractor-trailers, and motorhomes. The most common tow truck type is the hook and chain type, with a chain attached to the back of the vehicle.

Integrated tow trucks have an additional axle that allows them to handle heavier loads. They also come with additional arms that are built into the core of the truck. Those arms help stabilize the truck and strengthen it.

More: