When it comes to roadside assistance, tow trucks and wreckers are the two most common and recognizable vehicles. While they both serve the same purpose of towing vehicles, they have different functions and features that differentiate them from one another.
Tow Trucks: Tow trucks are used for lighter duty towing jobs, typically involving smaller cars or light trucks. They usually have a flatbed platform on the back that can be hydraulically lowered to the ground level, allowing for easy loading and unloading of vehicles.
Tow trucks are also equipped with an adjustable wheel lift that can be used to move a car in any direction once it is securely loaded onto the platform.
Wreckers: Wreckers, also known as rotators, are heavier duty tow trucks that are capable of handling larger, heavier vehicles such as 18-wheelers or semi-trucks. They feature a hydraulic boom arm that is connected to a winch mechanism which is used to secure and lift the vehicle onto the flatbed platform. Wreckers also feature an adjustable wheel lift which helps in moving the vehicle into position once it is securely loaded onto the tow truck.
Difference in Application:
The main difference between tow trucks and wreckers is their application—tow trucks primarily carry lighter cars or light-duty vehicles while wreckers are designed for larger, heavier loads such as semi-trucks or 18-wheelers. This makes sense when considering their respective features—a tow truck’s flatbed platform and adjustable wheel lift make it suitable for lighter vehicle transport while a wrecker’s hydraulic boom arm and winch enable it to handle larger loads.
Difference in Cost:
Tow trucks tend to be more affordable than wreckers due to their simpler design and smaller size.
Wreckers require more powerful engines and components which adds significantly to their cost. Additionally, since they have more specialized applications they may not be necessary for many roadside assistance needs.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, tow trucks are designed for lighter duty applications such as smaller cars or light-duty pickups while wreckers are intended for larger loads such as semi-trucks or 18-wheelers due to their more powerful components. Tow trucks tend to be less expensive than wreckers due their simpler designs but require less specialized applications.
