Are you a new truck driver? Or have you ever wondered what the difference is between light and heavy duty towing? Although not many people know, there are several significant differences between these two types of towing—when they should be used, what differences should be considered, and more! Today, we here at Tow Pro are sharing 3 differences between light and heavy duty towing so you know what towing service to hire or provide when a situation arises:
- “Light duty” and “heavy duty” refer to the type of truck doing the towing. Light and medium duty towing services consist of what you probably consider standard towing services. These include towing sedans, coupes, and smaller cars, removing abandoned vehicles, assisting victims of roadside accidents, and towing vehicles from private property. The very trucks that do these light duty services are smaller, lighter trucks that are fairly efficient for driving. On the other hand, trucks that engage in heavy duty towing are much larger and normally have up to 25-ton boom lifts, a winch, and 6-ton wheel lifts. Their job is to tow large cargo and huge loads, which requires a lot of horsepower and torque to move safely.
- Using the wrong truck for the towing job can be expensive and wasteful. If you hire a heavy duty tow truck to give your sedan a lift, the tow job very well may end up taking more time than it would if a smaller, more efficient light duty truck was sent your way. Using the wrong truck for the towing job can cost more than necessary and use resources that don’t need to be used. If you send a light duty truck for a heavy duty tow, you probably won’t be able to safely tow the load or even move it. For these reasons, it’s important to do your research and know which towing service to hire for the job at hand.
- Heavy duty tow trucks typically carry loads weighing 17,000 pounds or more. The common cutoff weight between light and medium duty towing and heavy duty towing is 17,000 pounds. Think dump trucks, semi-truck trailers, farm equipment, machinery, shipping containers, or multiple vehicles! All of these require heavy duty towing as opposed to light duty towing that is suitable for your smaller vehicles. In addition to offering roadside assistance for big vehicles, heavy duty towing services also may include storm damage clearing or water recovery services—like towing big trees or vehicles submerged in water following an accident.
As a new truck driver or someone educating themself about towing types, these 3 facts should come in handy when you need to determine what type of towing service you should offer or request based on the unique situation. For more information on the differences between light and heavy duty towing, check out this informative article!
Tow Pro provides both light and heavy duty towing services as well as equipment rentals for anyone who needs a tow or a lift. With experienced operators and drivers available 24/7, we hope you’ll think of Tow Pro the next time you need a tow. Contact us at 615.256.TOWS(8697) to learn more!