Tow trucks for roadside assistance aren’t just huge and heavy-duty vehicles. They’re actually really sophisticated, purpose-built machines that allow towing businesses to be as versatile as possible for the calls we get. Like huge rolling Swiss-army watches, they come in various configuration with and features – all with one purpose in mind: servicing our important towing clients in Dallas, TX.
Here are some of the features to look into when selecting a truck for roadside assistance:
Towing Capacity
One of the main features to check is the towing capacity of the tow truck. The need for roadside assistance can happen at any time even if you think you’ve carefully prepared for your road trip. Worse is when the car issue would require towing if it can’t be remedied easily at the site. That being said, the tow truck used should be capable enough of towing the vehicle when the need arises.
The towing capacity should always be greater than the vehicle to prevent damage to the tow truck. This capacity is dependent on several factors such as the tow truck’s horsepower, the torque, and the overall strength of the body. Knowing this will help set the limit on what cars the tow truck is capable to tow and those that it can’t.
Wheelbase Distance
This refers to the distance between the rear wheels and the front wheel axis. This will affect the ability of the tow truck to pull a heavy load or a broken car. When it is balanced, it can properly distribute the weight of the tow truck itself plus the weight of the vehicle it is towing on the rear and front wheels.
Gears And Transmission
As compared to regular trucks, the gears and transmission of tow trucks come in a wider range. Tow trucks need to have high strength low gears in order to create maximum tractions. With this, they are more stable and are more capable of exerting the push or pull force they need when towing a vehicle.
Drive System
Tow trucks can come in different driving systems. Among the available ones are the four-wheel drives, all-wheel drive, and the two-wheel drives, either rear or front-wheel. How these drive systems perform will depend on the terrain they are driven, the weight of they are carrying, and their fuel efficiency. It is important to select one that is most suited for the need to prevent underperformance of the tow truck.
Chassis Design
Not looking closely into the chassis design is a mistake that you shouldn’t make. The chassis design plays an important role in how strong the truck’s frame is. You definitely need a strong one especially if you are dealing with vehicle recovery.
Comfort
Tow trucks look rough and tough but that doesn’t mean they don’t have to be comfortable. Although their comfort level doesn’t match luxury vehicles they should still be able to provide adequate comfort so that drivers can drive them without feeling too burdened. Tow trucks that produced less vibration while lifting or dragging are more comfortable.
Tow Packages
Regular trucks would only have a towing ball or a towing point that’s designated to connect to the vehicle they are towing. This is not true for all tow trucks. They can have various types of tow packages, depending on what is required. Some have a wrecker, dolly, axle bars, or a flatbed. The type of tow package varies and will depend upon the request of the client or the need.
Curb Weight
The curb weight refers to the overall weight of the truck when it has a full fuel tank. Different tow trucks may have different curb weights and their differences might not be significant to most people. However, professional tow truck drivers know that plays a significant role when it comes to fuel efficiency. Being able to control the total weight of the vehicle can improve fuel efficiency and knowing the curb weight helps with the calculation.
To Conclude:
In order to successfully provide roadside assistance, truck drivers shouldn’t only be fully capable. They should also have the right equipment to use. That is the main reason why careful selection of tow trucks should be made. It is an investment for towing and roadside assistance companies because it also reflects their capabilities.
As car owners, many might not really look into the features because they only rely on the choices of their towing company. However, knowing a few basic features and trying to look for them when deciding which towing company to work with is the best thing to do. Such features will improve the service they receive.
Looking for a solid roadside assistance service with the equipment and experience to get the job done right? Call Premio Towing today!
