How Much Does a Typical Tow Truck Weigh?

Tow trucks are an essential tool for many businesses, and their weight can have a significant effect on how they perform. Knowing the weight of a tow truck is important for understanding the vehicle’s capacity and loading limitations. The average tow truck can weigh anywhere from 7,000 pounds to 25,000 pounds or more, depending on the size and type of truck.

Lightweight Tow Trucks

Lightweight tow trucks are designed for smaller loads and typically weigh between 7,000 and 9,000 pounds. These types of tow trucks can usually handle light-duty vehicles such as sedans or small SUVs. The lightweight class is typically used for towing vehicles from accident scenes or performing roadside assistance services such as jump-starting or changing tires.

Medium-Duty Tow Trucks

Medium-duty tow trucks are more versatile than lightweight models and are commonly used in a variety of applications. These types of trucks typically weigh between 10,000 and 16,000 pounds, depending on the size of the vehicle and its specific configuration. Medium-duty tow trucks can be used to transport heavier vehicles such as vans or pickup trucks, but they may not be able to transport very large commercial trucks or buses.

Heavy-Duty Tow Trucks

Heavy-duty tow trucks are designed to handle larger loads than medium-duty models. These types of vehicles typically weigh between 18,000 and 25,000 pounds or more depending on the size and configuration of the vehicle.

Heavy-duty models can be used to transport large commercial vehicles such as buses or semi-trucks as well as boats or recreational trailers.

Conclusion:

The average weight of a tow truck varies widely depending on its size and configuration. Lightweight models typically weigh between 7,000 and 9,000 pounds while medium-duty models range from 10,000 to 16,000 pounds. Heavy-duty models can weigh anywhere from 18,00 to 25,00 pounds or more depending on their size and configuration. Regardless of the type of truck you need for your business it’s important to understand its weight limitations so that you can ensure that your vehicle is capable of handling the load you need it to transport safely.

Photo of author

Karen Watkins