Heavy Duty Towing Vs. Regular Towing: What’s The Difference?
When your vehicle breaks down, you’ll need a towing service to get it safely to a repair shop. However, the type of towing service you need depends on the size and weight of your vehicle.
Whether you’re driving a small sedan or a large commercial truck, knowing the difference between heavy-duty towing and regular towing is crucial. We’ll explore the key differences, the situations where each type is necessary and why heavy-duty towing in Edmonton might be the best solution for larger vehicles.
What Is Regular Towing?
Regular towing refers to light-duty towing involving towing smaller, everyday vehicles like cars, SUVs and motorcycles. These vehicles usually weigh under 10,000 pounds and it is a manageable load for most light-duty tow trucks.
Types of Vehicles Regular Towing Handles:
- Cars (Sedans, Compact cars)
- SUVs
- Motorcycles
- Light pickup trucks
Tow Trucks Used For Regular Towing
Regular towing uses smaller tow trucks often equipped with a hook-and-chain system, flatbed, or wheel-lift technology. Flatbed tow trucks are the most common for regular towing because they can handle a wide variety of smaller vehicles.
Situations Where Regular Towing Is Needed
- Roadside breakdowns
- Small-scale accidents
- Dead battery
- Flat tire
- Minor mechanical issues
While regular towing is sufficient for most personal vehicles, it becomes inadequate for larger or heavier ones. That’s where heavy duty towing steps in.
What Is Heavy Duty Towing?
Heavy-duty towing is used for vehicles that are too large or heavy for regular tow trucks to handle.
These vehicles often include commercial trucks, buses, large trailers, and even industrial machinery. They weigh more than 10,000 pounds, and some can exceed 25,000 pounds.
Types of Vehicles Heavy Duty Towing Handles:
- Semi-trucks (18-wheelers)
- Buses
- RVs
- Dump trucks
- Fire trucks
- Large trailers
- Heavy construction equipment
Tow Trucks Used For Heavy-Duty Towing
Heavy-duty towing requires specialized trucks with greater towing capacity. These trucks are typically equipped with:
- Boom Lifts: Used to lift heavier vehicles from difficult positions.
- Wheel-Lift Systems: Suitable for towing larger vehicles over longer distances without damaging them.
- Rotator Tow Trucks: These are the most powerful tow trucks, used for extreme situations like overturned trailers or large buses.
These specialized trucks are capable of handling much larger loads than regular tow trucks.
Situations Where Heavy Duty Towing Is Needed:
- Commercial truck breakdowns
- Large-scale accidents
- Overturned trailers or buses
- Relocation of industrial equipment
- Heavily loaded trailers in distress
Key Differences Between Heavy Duty Towing And Regular Towing
1. Vehicle Size And Weight
One of the most obvious differences between heavy duty towing and regular towing is the type of vehicle each handles. Regular towing focuses on smaller, lighter vehicles like personal cars and motorcycles.
On the other hand, heavy duty towing is designed for much larger, heavier vehicles such as semi-trucks, buses, and industrial equipment.
For example, a car that breaks down on the highway would typically be handled by a regular tow truck. In contrast, an 18-wheeler that has been involved in a collision would require heavy duty towing in Edmonton.
2. Tow Truck Capacity
Heavy duty towing trucks are significantly more powerful than regular tow trucks. They are built to handle loads that are far beyond the capacity of a standard tow truck.
For example, while a regular tow truck can handle a car that weighs 4,000 pounds, a heavy duty tow truck can tow vehicles weighing up to 50,000 pounds.
3. Towing Equipment
The equipment used for heavy duty towing is much more robust. Heavy duty tow trucks are equipped with advanced systems. They can lift vehicles out of ditches or from overturned positions. In comparison, regular towing trucks often rely on simpler flatbed or wheel-lift systems.
4. Complexity Of The Tow
Heavy duty towing is typically more complex due to the size, weight, and positioning of the vehicle. For example, an 18-wheeler stuck in a ditch will require specialized equipment and highly trained operators. On the other hand, regular towing for a car with a flat tire is relatively straightforward.
5. Speed Of Service
In many cases, regular towing services are faster because they handle simpler tasks with smaller vehicles. Heavy duty towing, on the other hand, often requires more planning, more manpower, and specialized equipment. That said, if you’re dealing with a heavy-duty vehicle in distress, you won’t want to rush the process.
The Role Of Heavy Duty Towing In Edmonton
In a city like Edmonton, where winter conditions and rough terrain can add to the challenges of towing, heavy duty towing plays a crucial role. You need a service that can handle the weight of large vehicles.
Additionally, you want them to navigate difficult weather conditions and road environments. That’s why heavy-duty towing in Edmonton is so important for both commercial businesses and heavy vehicle operators.
Edmonton’s harsh weather can lead to more accidents, breakdowns, or even vehicles getting stuck. In such situations, heavy-duty towing ensures that even the largest vehicles can be safely moved to where they need to be.
About Action Towing
Action Towing is Edmonton’s trusted provider of heavy duty and regular towing services. Our experienced team and state-of-the-art equipment ensure that your vehicle is towed safely and efficiently, whether it’s a small car or a massive semi-truck. Need assistance?
Contact us today for reliable towing services in Edmonton!
