At a basic level, towing a vehicle requires another vehicle that has enough power to pull the vehicle into another location. These “Tow” Trucks are designed to do just that, but did you know there’s more than just one kind of tow truck. Last time we counted, there’s 5 different kinds, and the one of the most common is called a wheel lift tow truck.
This type of service truck provides a safe, efficient, and economical way of transporting the car when it breaks down the road.
Even if the wheel lift tow truck can be used for towing, it may not be right for every vehicle. The use of this tow truck will still depend on what position the car is in and the type of vehicle that needs to be towed.
Let’s find out more.
The Wheel Lift Tow Truck
Tow trucks of this type have a wheel lift that is made of a metal yoke, which goes under the front or the rear wheels of the car that is to be towed. A hydraulic lift system is used to hoist either the front or rear end of the vehicle. The other two wheels that are not attached to the yoke will be left touching the road while the car is towed.
The Car’s Drive System
In order to determine whether your car is fit for a wheel lift towing, you have to know what kind of drive’ system your car has. The wheel lift towing method is suitable for cars that come with a two-wheel drive system. Cars that are four-wheel drives aren’t supposed to be towed this way because the transmission can get damaged in the process.
Also, it is best to check the owner’s manual to see whether the car is compatible with wheel lift towing or not. There are some exceptions so it is always best to check and make sure before having the car towed.
The Benefits
Compared to the traditional hook-and chain towing, wheel lift towing is much better. In the traditional way, a chain is wrapped around the axles of the car. With wheel lift towing, the car is lifted through the tires. This causes less damage to the car’s frame and bumper.
This towing method also allows for easier control over the vehicles even when they are in tight spots. This means that even if you’re parallel parked and your vehicle needs a tow, the wheel lift tow truck can do the job without damaging the other nearby cars. It conveniently moves the car out of tight spots.
Aside from wheel lift tow trucks, flatbed tow trucks can also be used for towing. Read our previous post to know when you should use a flatbed tow truck.
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