What Class Vehicle Is a Tow Truck?

Tow trucks are specialized vehicles with the purpose of transporting disabled, abandoned, impounded, or otherwise indisposed motor vehicles. Unlike regular automotive vehicles which are designed for passenger and cargo transportation, tow trucks are specially designed to haul heavy loads at slow speeds. There are several types of tow trucks available on the market today, and they can be classified into three main categories: light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty.

Light Duty Tow Trucks

Light-duty tow trucks are the most commonly used type of tow truck. They typically have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 lbs and can be used to transport smaller cars, motorcycles and small boats.

Light duty tow trucks usually come in two styles: flatbeds and boom trucks. Flatbeds feature a flat bed area in which the vehicle is placed while being towed, while boom trucks feature an extending arm that is used to lift the vehicle onto the back of the truck.

Medium Duty Tow Trucks

Medium duty tow trucks have a higher gross vehicle weight rating than light-duty models – usually between 10,000 lbs and 26,000 lbs. These models are often used for towing heavier vehicles such as vans and SUVs. Medium duty tow trucks come in several varieties including flatbeds with wheel lifts and hook & chain tows.

Heavy Duty Tow Trucks

As their name implies, heavy duty tow trucks can tow heavier loads – usually up to 80,000 lbs or more. These powerful machines come in various forms including boom & rotator units that feature an extendable boom arm with a rotating head for lifting larger vehicles onto the back of the truck. Heavy duty models also come in various configurations including wrecker beds with wheel lifts or boom & rotator units.

Conclusion:

What class vehicle is a Tow Truck? Tow Trucks can be classified into three main categories: light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty depending on their gross vehicle weight rating. Light-duty models are suitable for smaller cars, motorcycles and small boats; medium-duty models are suitable for vans and SUVs; while heavy-duty models can handle up to 80,000 lbs or more of load capacity.

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Susan Delgado