Understanding How Tow Trucks Work

Tow trucks are designed to transport vehicles that cannot move under their own power from one location to another. Whether you have suffered a mechanical breakdown or have been affected by an auto accident, a tow truck can bring your vehicle to your home or your chosen repair facility. Keep reading to discover the principles of towing and how tow trucks make this difficult task an easier one.

Flatbed Tow Trucks

Flatbed tow trucks consist of a large, horizontal bed on which your vehicle rests. Before it can be towed, your car is cinched up onto the bed by tilting the bed to form a ramp and pulling the car up onto the bed. Once your car is secured, the bed is tilted back into its horizontal position and the tow truck can transport your vehicle to the location of your choosing.

Wheel-Lift Tow Trucks

Wheel-lift tow trucks are compact vehicles equipped with an attachment called a yoke. The yoke can be lowered flat to the ground, where it is placed under either the front or back wheels of a vehicle and secured to provide an attachment point. Your vehicle is then hoisted up using either a hydraulic or pneumatic device, leaving the other set of wheels on the ground for towing. Wheel-lift tow trucks are frequently used during the repossession process because they are small, minimally invasive, and unlikely to leave any sort of damage or marks on the car being towed.

Hook-and-Chain Tow Trucks

Hook-and-chain tow trucks use a similar principle as wheel-lift tow trucks. The boom on the back of these tow trucks carries a heavy-duty chain and hook, which is attached to the underside of the vehicle requiring a tow. Once the vehicle is secured, the boom is lifted to leave one set of wheels on the ground for towing.

Barnett’s Towing offers comprehensive towing services including Light-Duty to Heavy-Duty, and Specialized Transport. If you need to request a tow truck in Arizona, you can reach us by phone 24 hours a day at 1-800-722-2302 for speedy and experienced service.