It is nearly impossible to make it through adulthood in America without ever experiencing the need for a tow truck. Flat tires, engine failure, collisions, or the dreaded parking violations are all scenarios that can result in your vehicle being hitched up to the back of a tow truck and hauled away. If you have made it this far in life without a tow, congratulations, you are one in 300 million. But if you’re just as unlucky as the rest of us, it is important to understand the different types of towing services that are available so that you can make an informed decision on who to call and what to ask for when the need arises. For starters, there are two fundamental towing services to choose from, light-duty and heavy-duty towing, that each involves a different type of truck, different tools, and different requirements for a competent technician to perform the service efficiently and safely. Here, we will discuss the 5 reasons you should hire a heavy-duty towing service the next time you’re in need.
1. The Type Of Vehicle
The most obvious reason to make the top of our list is ultimately the type of vehicle. The official cut-off weight for light-duty towing is 17,000 pounds, but such a service is most commonly reserved for small trucks and passenger vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds. Anything heavier will simply be too large for a light-duty tow truck to handle. So, that narrows it down a bit for you, but there is more to consider than just the vehicle’s weight. For light-duty towing, the most common type of light-duty tow truck is the flatbed tow truck which is equipped with a flatbed that can be raised or lowered to secure a vehicle for transport. They are lighter in weight, carry fewer tools than their heavy-duty counterparts, and usually don’t require winching systems. For most car owners who experience an unexpected breakdown on the side of the road, light-duty towing is a more suitable option because it gets them back on the road quickly without any need for specialized equipment or assistance from multiple tow trucks
In situations such as a collision involving more than one vehicle, a heavy-duty service will be the most efficient option to choose from. Heavy-duty tow trucks are reserved for loads exceeding 17,000 pounds. This includes everything from semi-trucks, trailers, boats, buses, and planes to jobs involving multiple passenger vehicles. These trucks weigh at least 26,000 pounds and can handle the burden of this excessive weight with relative ease. They come with a more specialized set of tools, including a winching system, and the technicians will need to possess more in-depth knowledge about the towing process for the various types of vehicles their jobs will involve. However, their size does come at the cost of speed and maneuverability, so they are most definitely reserved for the bigger jobs.
2. Specialized Technicians
As we just mentioned, the technicians for a heavy-duty towing service will need to possess more in-depth knowledge about the tools, trucks, and vehicles they will be working with in order to perform the service efficiently and safely. When dealing with several tons of heavy machinery, the improper use of these tools and trucks can lead to serious injury or even death, so it is definitely not a job where “fake it til’ you make it” will apply, and experienced technicians in the field are worth every bit of consideration they receive. Insurance liability is another important factor to consider since these larger vehicles that are being towed will undoubtedly be worth a considerable sum of money. Choosing a provider without the expertise and skills that come with years of successful performance may surprisingly come up short when insurance gets involved, as is common with many independent contractors out there, despite whatever requirements your state or local laws may have set. Therefore, a reputable company will not only have the specialized technicians that the job requires, but will also carry the proper amount of insurance to back them up if something were to ever go wrong.
3. Detailed Vehicle Care
Do you ever think about the journey your vehicle goes on once it’s been put on the back of a truck? In some cases, it’s probably better that you don’t, but most of the time it’s just a straight shot to the shop, the impound, or the towing service’s parking lot. While the vehicle is in the possession of the towing company, they are responsible for its care and security (with limitations) until it’s ready to be relocated. When you choose a reputable, heavy-duty towing service, it will be easier for you to rest assured that your vehicle is safe in the care of qualified experts, and stored in a secure location with locks and surveillance (insurance plays an effective role in this, too).
4. Faster Response Time
Situations that call for heavy-duty towing are often emergencies involving multiple vehicles, or large vehicles that need to be moved off the road in a hurry. Towing companies realize this, and take measures to ensure they will have the availability to respond to these calls as quickly as possible when they come in. So, when you order a heavy-duty towing service, you can expect prompt arrival and service as opposed to the hour(s) of wait time for some of the light-duty providers.
5. Cost-Effective
It goes without saying that in scenarios such as collisions involving multiple vehicles, a single heavy-duty tow truck is going to be the most cost-effective route. The idea of ordering two light-duty trucks may come naturally to some, especially when each car involved is a smaller passenger vehicle, but ordering one big truck, with one driver, and the right tools will prove to be the faster and more efficient way to get those vehicles off the road than waiting on multiple trucks or your buddy with a truck that dropped the extra money on a towing upgrade.
Massey Towing Service
Massey is a Dallas towing service that provides around-the-clock truck repair and towing services for the community. Our staff of highly trained techs are ready 24/7 to answer the call and get your vehicle off the road as safely and quickly as possible. For more information, or to get a free quote today, please visit our website and see how we can help.
