Light-Duty vs. Heavy-Duty Tow Trucks: What’s the Difference?

When a driver is stuck on the side of the road because of an accident or car trouble, calling a tow truck is probably the first thing they’ll do. However, not every tow truck serves the same purpose. For each vehicle, towing companies have to choose between a light-duty or heavy-duty truck to make sure that the job gets done safely and efficiently.

Light-Duty Tow Trucks
Used for regular jobs, light-duty tow trucks such as conventional tow trucks and rollback trucks can handle common concerns such as car accidents, vehicle abandonment, and towing from private property. They’re powerful enough to move and haul most passenger vehicles but maneuverable enough to fit into tight spaces in parking garages and on busy city streets. Light-duty tow trucks use a winch and cable system to haul loads of up to 11,000 pounds. They can carry cars, pickup trucks, motorcycles, and small trailers. These trucks often carry items like coolant, fuel, and other fluids to assist stranded motorists.

Heavy-Duty Tow Trucks
Big jobs require big trucks, and heavy-duty tow trucks are designed to handle bigger loads. These are the largest tow trucks on the market. They use boom lifts, winches, and wheel lifts to carry loads weighing 17,000 pounds or more, such as garbage trucks, dump trucks, semi-truck trailers, tractors, shipping containers, and multiple vehicles. They can often be found removing large vehicles and machinery from busy highways as quickly and safely as possible. They can also help big rigs with load shift assistance and diesel truck repair.

At Troyz Towing & Storage in Jacksonville, we provide prompt towing services for cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, and more. If you need emergency towing, we’re available 24/7 to help you get back on the road as soon as possible. For reliable towing services throughout Northeast Florida, call us today at 904-712-1804.